Blue Dawn at Halong Bay Photo

Photographer’s Note

A blueish tinge appears over the bay just after dawn in this place of strange landforms.

Karst landforms are generally the result of mildly acidic water acting on soluble bedrock such as limestone or dolostone. The carbonic acid that causes these features is formed as rain passes through the atmosphere picking up CO2, which dissolves in the water. Once the rain reaches the ground, it may pass through soil that may provide further CO2 to form a weak carbonic acid solution: H2O + CO2 → H2CO3. Recent studies of sulfates in karst waters suggests sulfuric and hydrosulfuric acids may also play an important role in karst formation.

This mildly acidic water begins to dissolve the surface and any fractures or bedding planes in the limestone bedrock. Over time these fractures enlarge as the bedrock continues to dissolve. Openings in the rock increase in size, and an underground drainage system begins to develop, allowing more water to pass through and accelerating the formation of underground karst features.
Note from Wikipedia.

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Critiques | Translate

ScottHale (0) 2008-12-23 22:12

Murray,
A blue semi-silhouette photo? How wonderful is that? I like the composition here, I think the palm trees jutting in from the right makes our eyes go to the center of the photo. I also love the mountains on the left background, they seem to go on forever...they give this photo GREAT depth.
Very well done!
Scott

jstewart (1081) 2008-12-23 22:44

Quite dramatic. Well done.
John

axiotea (16111) 2008-12-23 23:22

Hello Murray
The palm trees and boat stand out very well against the blueish karsts in a morning light which created here a special mood! These shapes fading in the mist and in the far are also nice to look!
Best wishes!
Marilyn

zesopol (284) 2008-12-23 23:23

Hellot Murray,

This is amazing nature shot. The colors, the composition is superb. TFS.
Happy holidays.

Regards,
ze'sopol

bigboroboy (1009) 2008-12-23 23:43 [Comment]

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trekks (14314) 2008-12-24 0:27

hi Murray

Very unusual color tone of the faded mountain and even the sea water color is different, as if it is a negative but the composed view is splendid with the island/2 palms and the boat casting a darker shade.

tfs, bill

PaulVDV (5200) 2008-12-24 11:39

Hello Murray,
A very beautiful blue hour picture but in this case the sky isn't blue but the mountains are.
Good composition with the boat and the palmtrees.
Best wishes, Paul

pierrefonds (26309) 2008-12-25 5:01

Hi Murray,

The point of view leads our eyes toward the mountains in the background which is giving depth to the photo. The blueish tinge has a special effect on the scenery. The subject is well frame. The presence of the boats has an effect of scale. Have a nice day.

Pierre