Ancient of Days, a photo from Western Isles, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Ancient standing stones continue to hold a fascination for modern day man. The mystery surrounding these sites is bound to myth and legend, superstition. Many TV documentaries have been made discussing the theories as to why these structures were built. Recently, I watched a four part BBC 2 series - "A History of Ancient Britain" anyone with an interest would really enjoy the programmes and should look out for them.

For more information on this site follow the link to a previous upload here

bukitgolfb301, papagolf21, bayno, tyro, ChrisJ, jlbrthnn, Fly, delpeoples, Royaldevon, jjcordier, gildasjan, Cricri, angel66, siolaw, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mohammad_H (6666) 2012-03-02 23:43

hiSnapRJW
Beautiful landscape of rocks on the river environment and its shadow and light in color with Hello and the environment to keep
all the best

mesutilgim (68590) 2012-03-02 23:59

Hello Rosemary,
Those alonestanding stones (menhirs) are the earliest signs of the mankind. Just to mark a point on earth and concentrate yourself to it.
This one had most probably also a similar mission.
Nice capture with good layout and nice shadow.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

bukitgolfb301 (30387) 2012-03-03 0:16

Hi my dear Rosemary

Another great impressive and nature shot as your inspiration and originality!
So poitic and artical masterpiece I am sure!
Nice panfocus appraoch!
Outstanding clear and sharp focusing are remarkable.
Perfect horizontal framework and so well considered composition as usual!
Thanks for your sharinig with finest posting and have a good Saturday night!
Best regrads,

Takero from Tokyo becoming warm

papagolf21 (76973) 2012-03-03 2:32

Bonjour, Rosemary,
C'est vrai que nous sommes émerveillés par ces pierres monumentales, et que l'on souhaiterait en connaître leur histoire.
Des supputations, des possibilités, mais jamais vraiment une explication réelle.
Le mystère reste entier pour certains.
Ici, pas de mystère, la beauté de cette composition est remarquable à tous points de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

timecapturer (31250) 2012-03-03 3:15

Hi Rosemary
myths and legends do fascinate don't they? and this fine shot brings a little bit of that mystery to life. Love the colours and light here, beautiful and irresistable. Love it!

Enjoy your weekend - Brian.

bayno (16407) 2012-03-03 4:56

Hi Rosemary,
would be nice to know more about this old sculpture without leaving space for theories, but unfortunately we still have to be content with the suppositions. The light is beautiful and wonderful landscape, great framing and exposure...
have a nice WE,
Valter

tyro (13579) 2012-03-03 5:26

Hello Rosemary,

As soon as I saw your title, I was reminded of the hymn, "Immortal, invisible, God only wise..." which has these words later in its first and last verses.

There has and, presumably, always will be conjecture as to the meaning of these standing stones and the reasons for their having been erected several thousand years ago. That they were placed simply to predict the seasons seems to me to be a bit simplistic especially when one considers just how much toil and effort must have gone into the building of some of the much bigger stone circles. If we look at more modern times, the most complex and massive structures have been built in the name of religion and there is no reason to suppose that people several thousand years ago thought any differently to those who constructed cathedrals or pyramids more recently.

This is a typically Scottish scene with its bleakness. The land looks windswept and relatively barren except for the short grass cropped by the sheep. The low angle lighting is lovely and models the standing stone beautifully and casts a fine shadow. The middle ground in the shade of the clouds still has interest and the whole picture is nicely topped off by a lovely sky.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Sergiom (40141) 2012-03-03 5:29

Bonjour Rosemary

J'aime beaucoup la composition de l'image. Cela donne l'impression de voir la même chose que voit jour après jour cette pierre qui tient encore debout contre vents et marées.

Amicalement

Serge

siudzi (24681) 2012-03-03 6:22

Hello Rosemary,

A great post of this beautiful landscape! You have selected a very good point of view to provide us with such a spectacular sight. Like it very much. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Malgorzata

ChrisJ (87654) 2012-03-03 6:59

Hello Rosemary,

These stones look similar to the Pinnacles, which I uploaded recently, & several critiques remarked that the Pinnacles resembled these 'menhirs', so good to upload one for others to see. I had to google them, as I've never heard of them before. But that is the core theme of TE! (Learning about our world) Tfs & have a great weekend!

yquem46 (32823) 2012-03-03 7:21

Hi rosemary
Nothing fancy here. Just a very good quality shot, very clear and luminous, a nice sky, natural colors not overdone, well composed from the runnic stone at FG to loch and hills at the Bg
very pleasant picture
Enjoy your WE
patrick

jlbrthnn (79787) 2012-03-03 7:56

Hello Rosemary,
I also like the prehistoric monoliths, which I love to take pictures in France. You have used the light well. the point of view and framing are well chosen. The picture is sharp and deep. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Fly (366) 2012-03-03 9:18

Much has been said in these columns about the purpose and function of these monoliths and there is little I can add that will be of any value. These sites nevertheless remain intriguing subjects of debate and conjecture.

Your images ably convey the sense of mystique that surrounds these sites. In this image the bleak and windswept appearance of the surrounding fields provide no distraction and forces one to focus one's attention and thoughts on the stone and its many mysteries. Well captured.

Regards, JP

dkmurphys (37399) 2012-03-03 22:06

HI Rosemary,
I wonder how much that stone witnessed along the history. Picturesque scene, well captured.
Have a lovely Sunday.

Daniel

delpeoples (45684) 2012-03-03 22:19

Hello dear Rosemary

As you know, I love these standing stones and other mesolithic structures, so you can't go wrong with me. But your photo is also of an extremely high quality and has been augmented by an equally interesting note and title. I've read your discussion with John, and have more than filled my quota of learning something new today :) And what weather you had here too. Beautiful strong colours, excellent composition with the stones dominating on the right and allowing the eye to naturally be lead out to all that magnificent wild landscape. A winner in my books and another beauty for the Theme.

Thanks for sharing, have a lovely day
Lisa

Royaldevon (18339) 2012-03-04 3:13

Good Morning Rosemary,

This shot is so pertinent as I have just been watching a programme about ancient Briton, which was delving into the history of standing stones and stone circles.
The stone is strongly positioned, casting its shadow importantly over the turf and, incidently, revealing the surface contours.
You have a fine dof which accentuates the impression of the stone standing indominance.
The hues are lovely and perfectly in keeping with the nature of Scotland.

have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

jjcordier (63042) 2012-03-04 3:14

Rosemary
Très belle mise en image de ce beau menhir isolé, placé dans un très bel environnement.
Amicalement
JJ

brianmcc (5536) 2012-03-04 3:46

hi rosemary,
this is a very well composed picture with the standing stone well placed in the foreground and perfectly proportioned in relation to the landscape behind it. the sun produces some lovely colours as well as a great shadow behind the stone. the sky and clouds are very atmospheric and perfectly exposed. excellent depth of field.
have a great day,
brian

gildasjan (38438) 2012-03-04 12:39

Bonjour Rosemary
Ici en France on appelle cette pierre un menhir.Ici il est bien placé dans cette image,la lumière est bien orientée et j'aime beaucoup ce ciel.
Amicalement
gildas

Cricri (87288) 2012-03-05 5:30

Hi Rosemary
Le bon cadrage de la pierre avec son ombre, la vue splendide l'immensité du paysage, les couleurs variés, le ciel nuageux qui filtre une très belle lumière, très belle image
Belle journée
cricri

Waylim (22467) 2012-03-05 23:56

Hi Rosemary,

Very different kind of landscape from the previous post. Excellent mood with the clouds but yet great light from you back. the stone is perfectly situated for a good composition. Wonderful detials and rich color.

Way

angel66 (1006) 2012-03-06 5:40

Hi Rosemary
very good photo. I like the composition and colours. The sharpness very outstanding. Good note.
PS: Love Britain
Have a nice day
Giuliana

emka (58982) 2012-03-06 13:07

Hi Rosemary,

very beautiful picture. not only this lone stone but also all the landscape is marvelous. Such sites are indeed mysterious and fascinating. During our TE-meeting in the Lake District we visited Castleridge Circle, also beautiful. Wonderful evening light, nice warm colours.

have a nice evening

MAlgo

siolaw (37626) 2012-03-08 6:48

Hi Rosemary
The loneliness and probably also its remoteness add to the atmosphere of mistery associated with the ancient standing stones... Nice light with long shadow, superb colours.
Good photo and interesting subject
Greetings
Laurent

Angshu (51394) 2012-03-09 1:58

Hello Rosemary
The wide view is something spactacular. Well composed, keeping in mind teh classical off-centre approach for this menhir (?). beautiful palette of colours, all in pastel hues...the green, the brown & the blue. A fine work!
I've seen the program you mentioned...is a fine documentary!
Best Regards
Angshu