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A Woodland Walk
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is the first in a short series of pictures taken in the Natural Park surrounding the Piedra Monastery in May 1988. The originals were taken on slide film and have been scanned to disk and a certain amount of post-processing applied to make them presentable. I realise there are still some imperfections, mainly related to colour, but hope that you will find them enjoyable.
The Piedra Monastery is in one of the most desert-like parts of Aragon. It owes its creation to the donation in 1194 of an old Arab castle by Alonso II el Casto (the Chaste) and his wife Lady Sancha to the monks of the Poblet monastery to build a monastery there to consolidate Christianity in the area.
In 1840, Pablo Muntadas Campeny bought the monastery, continuing the agricultural and livestock activities already being carried on there. His son, Juan Federico Muntadas, formalised the park, making changes, opening paths and walkways and carrying out planting. In 1860, after discovering the Iris cave, he made it accessible to the public. In 1867 he opened the first Fish Farming Centre in Spain, now managed by the Government of Aragon, bringing the common trout and the Iberian crayfish to the River Piedra.
This centre continues to produce species for repopulating Aragonese rivers. The result of these activities is the garden we know today, which was declared Picturesque Natural Landscape in 1940, while the Monastery was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1983. The Monastery is now operated as a hotel.
Despite being in an otherwise barren landscape the gardens are particularly lush being watered by the Río Piedra. There are well laid paths for visitors who have the opportunity to view the many grottoes, lakes and waterfalls. Particularly picturesque is the Cola de Caballo (''Horse's Tail'') waterfall, over 50m/165ft high, with the Grotto of Iris concealed behind the veil of water.
Much of the above information is taken from the www.spain.info website. |
tigra, ninaL, maltese, cuneyt-sb, ChrisJ has marked this note useful
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Hello Stephen
La composition est très belle, les couleurs un peu "spéciales". Je regarde dans la journée pour faire un WS, mais avec le bon contraste que tu as, pourquoi ne pas tenter en N&B
Amitiés
Hervé
- ninaL
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 233 N: 1881]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(15679) - [2007-01-18 4:31]
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Bonjour, Stephan.
Oui, les couleurs sont spéciales...mais ça rend quand même bien.
Amitiés, Grazyna.
Hi Stephen
Nice colors and tones of pink ,
Good POV and lights
Well done
Regards
Hi Stephen
A strong blue colour cast in this one. I may try a ws. But good sharpness, lighting, & compo. Tfs!
Hello Stephen,
I'm OK with tne others, the colors are specials! But it's well composed and the little bridge is very nice.
Regards
Christian
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- Fis2
(32299)
- [2007-01-18 13:50]
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Witaj Stephen!
Good idea, very curious effect. I like the frame, colours and reflection in water. Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof
Hi Stephen!
This is fascinating and particular atmosphere. Details are picturesque and rich. Its a superb composition and fabled mood. Very interesting and spectacular shot, I like it very much.
Thank you, nice days
George
Salut, Steph,
Tres inhabituelle image du pays voisin de la France.
La composition est excellente.
Merci, mais la version ou les couleurs sont plus proches des reelles m'est plus sympa.
Bon dimanche et merci pour le paetage.
Valerka:)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3964 W: 0 N: 7191]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(25487)