Elba 2021
Island of Inspiration
The Misty Mountains
"The wind was on the withered heath, But in the forest stirred no leaf: There shadows lay be night or day, And dark things silent crept beneath." ― From the Lyrics for "Misty Mountains" (from The Hobbit) by Peter Hollens Listend to a wonderful live version of this song by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Looking forward to see real concerts again. Soon. The picture was taken from the car somewhere near Innsbruck/Austria on the way to Italy - End of May 2021.
Function
“You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.” ― Alan Watts
A Ship Arrives
A stormy sea. They talk and wait again. A ship arrives. --- The ferry arrives in the little harbour of Rio Marina, Elba.
Wild Elements
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Unlike the one before
Wave after wave crashing on the shore the little drops grinding the rock to uncover ourself every little stone a moment unlike the one before.
Disconnected
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Century Plant
Feels like being on an alien planet. The plant derives its name from its nature of flowering only once at the end of its long life. Fascinating 🖖
Capoliveri, Elba
This is the comune of Capoliveri. Situated on top of a small hill with beautiful views to the mountains in the north and to Porto Azzurro. Narrow streets, small alleys and stairs, children playing soccer on the plaza, women hanging the clothes on lines in front of windows. Almost clichée - but still wonderfully charming.
13 Chairs and a barrel
I was strolling through the little comune of Capoliveri at the end of lockdown. The main tourist season had not yet begun. When I came accross this lovely place. I guess that not having any one of the inviting outdoor seating places here occupied probably is a rare sight.
In Control
Most people when seeing this picture, probably have the same thought in their head, as I did. And even given the information that this was taken on Elba, in June 2021, we still cannot get the thought out of our head. It's funny how our mind always tries to create a story from the things it sees. And even if you know that this is just another cloud, it is impossible to unthink "nuclear explosion" or "mushroom cloud". So much fro being in control of our own thoughts ... (Currently reading "Thinking Fast & Thinking Slow", which gives a lot of great insights into how our mind seems to work)
Under my Feet
My foot sinks into the layer of little stones, making hundreds of tiny dents in my skin. My feet are pretty sensitive, but the pressure is distributed enough so that even the few sharper ones only hurt a little and do not cut. But most of them have been smoothened anyway. I am aware of the sound they make while shifting positions and grinding against each other. And then the crunching sound slows down as if time were standing still. The waves of the Mediterranean continuing to roll onto the shore in slow motion. It is hot today, and I feel a small drop of sweat finding its way across my brow. And then time begins to fly again. Another moment begins.
Where Legends Meet
View across the bay of Innamorata beach, the boats anchoring near the small Gemini Islands and just a shadow on the horizon: the Island of Monte Cristo. The island of course is namesake for the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, in which Edmond Dantés becomes the Count of Monte Cristo due to a treasure he find's on the island.. Inammorata - litarally "The girl in Love" - is named after a young woman, who, so the legend of Inammorata tells, tried to save her betrothed from Barbarossa pirates, and sadly drowned in the attempt near the beach.
Scale
A motorboat:8 meters long. Elba's highest Mountain - Monte Capanne - 1019 meters high - about 17 kilometers away. The island of Corse on the horizon - about 72 kilometers away. Immeasurably thankful to have been there.
The Cracks of Time
The past was like a handful of sand you thought you were squeezing tightly, but which had already run out through the cracks between your fingers. Memory was a river that had run dry long ago, leaving only scattered gravel in a lifeless riverbed. -- Liu Cixin in "Dark Forest" Finished reading this amazing book today. Literally couldn't put it down the whole evening. The ruin in the picture is part of the old mining facilities on the island of Elba near Innamorata beach. The place, once full of hard labor and activity, is now crumbling and nature find's its way again through crack and stone.
Dangerzone
Beware of explosions due to mining between 10 and 16. Beware of crazy people with guns shooting at signs at all times.
The Pit
I felt a little like a secret agent taking pictures from behind the "no trespassing" fence that surrrounds the quarry. Surely they are implementing the evil mastermind's plan for world dominance here ...
Black & White
I can only guess what purpose this place served in the past. Maybe it has been a pigsty? All in all, this felt a little creepy. The house this ruin is attached to seemed to have been somewhat hastily abandoned maybe one or two years ago. There were bags full of dusty children's books under a small alcove and the sad and soggy remnants of a stuffed toy cat in what must have been a dog hut nearby. I quickly left the ruin after I had taken this shot. What happened to the people who once enjoyed the cool shade while they were sitting in those chairs - we'll probably never know.
Abandoned
Nature will take it all back one day. Maybe quicker than we would like to think.
Wanderlust
Being by myself, but not feeling lonely. Looking back on the path on my way up to Cima del Monte on the island of Elba.
I Dream of Corse
I can still smell the warm sunset in your hair. That silence that we longed for, I see it sparkling in your eyes. A touch of your hand is like the sound of those waves caressing the stones on the shore. And then you kiss me.
Dance at Sunset
Warm glowing hills Mews dance across the sea LIfe with you.
The Farthest Star
We possess the power If this should start to fall apart To mend divides To change the world To reach the farthest star (The Farthes Star, VNV Nation) --- Taken on the last night on Elba at the beginning of this summer., this picture marks a milestone for me. After almost 20 years of photography, this is the first picture of a night sky with recognizable stars! The seven stars of the asterism (didn't know that there is a difference to constellations) of the Big Dipper can be seen to the right of the middle of the picture.
Fresh Fish
Fisher selling fish from his boat in the harbor of Portoferaio.