Baikal Lookout Photo

Photographer’s Note

Looking north, from a high cliff top, on the north western shore of Lake Baikal, the world's deepest (1,741 metres), oldest, & biggest freshwater lake. It has more freshwater, than all the north American Great Lakes combined! The little boat in the distance is actually the rather large hydrofoil, from Listvyanka, at the southern end of the lake. I couldn't get a booking on it (sold out to Russian students on vacation), so I caught the bus to Bratsk, & the train to Severobaikalsk, instead. Even so, I still beat it!

"The lake is incredibly deep for its size. The depth of Baikal is around 5,380 feet (1,640 metres) to the floor and holds 5,500 cubic miles (23,000 cubic kilometres) of water. If the lake were completely emptied, a vertigo-inducing canyon over a mile deep would present itself.

These freaky proportions of the lake signify a violent geological past. Having been dated back to around 30 million years, it is the oldest in the world. It sits at the junction of tectonic plates which are slowly tearing Asia apart. This trench was originally 5 miles (8 kilometres) deep. Over time silt partially filled the trench, but seismic activities continue along the lake with frequent tremors and several hot springs. Scientists consider the lake to be a future ocean for it continues to widen at an astounding rate of about an inch (2.5cm) a year. ("World's Greatest Lake" by Don Gore, National Geographic, June 1993)".

Source: http://geography.suite101.com/article.cfm/facts_on_why_lake_baikal_is_the_deepest_on_earth

leonorkuhn, snunney, gervaso, pierrefonds, Budapestman, federico, Cricri, riclopes, subhendu_bagchi, jhm, Muse has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

leonorkuhn (13513) 2009-11-08 4:21

Hi Chris,

Reading the note, the vision of this ancient lake so deep is even more impressive. Magnificent POV, the cliff is very high and you can see its edges very far.
Great colors and excellent sharpness.

Have a nice week
Leonor

snunney (34376) 2009-11-08 4:25

Hello Chris,
A wonderful deep perspective across the lake. The little boat powering along creates a sense of dynamism and acts as a pointer towards the distant hills. Very good colours contrasts with excellent sharpness.

gervaso (5062) 2009-11-08 4:28

Hello, Chris!

It's incredible what you tell us in your note about this lake being so big, I really didn't know about it. The boat in the distance with the trail it leaves behind is great, very nice POV! Beautiful job!

jurek1951 (25866) 2009-11-08 4:55

Hi Chris,
a beautiful and peaceful landscape/seascape photo,
with fine POV & DOF, excellent contrast,
Georg

pierrefonds (25973) 2009-11-08 5:35

Hi Chris,

The point of view takes my eye towrd the mountains slightly hidden by the fog which is giving depth to the composition. The waves made by the hydrofoil are ectra to the composition. The cloudy sky is sending a light which is giving a good contrast to the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Budapestman (41336) 2009-11-08 7:00

Hi Chris,
a beautiful romantic endless landscape with spectacular composition and nice colours, the POV is very attractive, picturesque view, Tfs! Have a nice Sunday!
George

federico (382) 2009-11-08 7:55

hi chris very nice panorama view and interesting note
well done fred

Cricri (43030) 2009-11-08 10:29

Hi Chris
Magnifique vue profonde du paysage depuis la falaise,
intéressante note de ce lieu extraordinaire, belle lumière et couleurs
Good evening for you
cricri

Graal (57430) 2009-11-09 0:00

Bonjour Chris,
very nice nature by Baikal Lake. Fine photo from Your archive. Good vertical composition. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

riclopes (32901) 2009-11-09 2:50

Olá Chris, marvellous view with great depth. Excellent vertical framing with a good diagonal. That tiny beach contributes for the atractiveness of the photo and the boat passing by with its trace is a nice detail too.
ric

Nicou (44211) 2009-11-09 3:04

Hello,

quel cadrage, superbe, le romeat colle parfaitement, la band de sabe qui fait comme un courbe ce beau plan vert, les traces sur le'au, splendide ensemble.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

subhendu_bagchi (2709) 2009-11-09 3:20

Namaste Chris,
great capture of this famous lake. Nice little beach of the lake is looking great from this angle. Nice contrast with the left green cliff. Light is used nicely. Great composition.
Congrats.
Have a great week.
Subhendu

jhm (81991) 2009-11-09 3:59

Hello Chris,

You chose a very nice angle with the diagonal line of the rocks.
We get a nice view about the sea and small boat that gives small waves.
Very well composition and good presentation. TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

carper (64402) 2009-11-09 8:52

it's a fine outlook point Chris,
what a high... good composition, fine balance, good photo job here, have a good day Chris.
regard jaap

danyy (68248) 2009-11-10 0:01

Bonjour Chris,
une photo qui ne manque pas d'altitude et qui d'ailleurs donne un certain vertige. Beaucoup de profondeur pour une scène qui montre beaucoup de nature, asssez sauvage encore.
My best regards.
Daniel.

Muse (30737) 2009-11-10 7:37

Hi Chris,
Le format convient parfaitement et le paysage est superbe.
Un pov bien choisi et de jolies couleurs.
Best regards
Denise

npecanhuk (13381) 2009-11-11 7:32

Hello Chris!
That's a pretty interesting and truly beautiful photograph!
I really like its vertical format, its pov and composition! Sharpness, exposure, colors and dof are very good too!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan