PHOTOGRAPH INFO

This photo was taken on Friday morning on a hike through the strange and wonderful Ringing Rocks park, about six miles from my house.

Ringing Rocks has a seven acre field of boulders that ring like bells when struck with a hammer. There's also a small waterfall, about 30 feet high, which is pretty dry in the summertime but flows beautifully during the winter and spring.

I've never been to Ringing Rocks when there weren't people around, but on Friday morning I had the whole 128 acres to myself! A light snowfall the night before left the rocks and logs coated and a bit slippery, but I carefully climbed to the bottom of the falls and was rewarded with a bath of negative ions.

(Negative ions are air molecules that have lost an electrical charge because they've been broken apart by things such as sunlight, moving air or moving water. They're in abundance in places like waterfalls, the mountains and the beach. When we breath in large quantities of negative ions, it increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and reduces the amount of the mood chemical serotonin in the bloodstream, creating a feeling of mild euphoria. There are no known side effects. :) )

Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens at 155mm, ISO 100, f/18, shutter 1/4s. Propped camera on a rock. Curves adjustments, color balancing.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

Cool picture -- you make me want to visit your area! Thanks for the picture.

Curious how you know you are getting the negative ions? Things feel differently?

I love how there's a scientific explanation for why people leave the hustle and bustle of the city to relax on the beach.

It's chemical!

In other news: Great shot. It almost looks like two photographs, somewhat surreal.

I'm flying back up to New York tomorrow. I'll be traveling from 80 degree heat to 18 degree cold. My body's going to go into climate shock!

I'm feeling mildly euphoric just look at those beautifully composed "ion sickles!" And now that I know there are no "known" side effects of a mild euphoric state, I feel considerably more comfortable about the "A Walk Through Durham Township" habit.

(Your shooting Niagara Falls at sunrise must have produced one whopper of a "mild euphoric state!")

Liquid cold and solid cold.

P.J.: Yeah, you just feel really good -- refreshed, renewed and happy. If you can stand near the crashing surf of the ocean or a waterfall for awhile you'll notice. It's easy to observe in other people, too.

In terms of negative ions per cubic centimeter, fresh country air has about 4,000. Yosemite Falls has over 100,000. The L.A. freeways at rush hour have less than 100.

Michael George: Bundle up! :)

David Tinnon: Funny you mention Niagara. That's where I found out about negative ions.

On the Canadian side, you can travel through a series of tunnels and stand at the base of Horseshoe Falls. You need to wear one of those funny plastic raincoats or you get soaked to the skin. It's an astounding thing to see and hear - so loud!

The longer I was at the base of the falls, the happier and more refreshed I felt -- and I watched how my family's behavior changed, too. Even the crankiest among us was happy! :) We didn't understand it at the time, but the profound effect of negative ions was clearly noticeable, even in other tourists.

Afterwards I found a book about Niagara that explained the apparently common phenomenon.

This is a beautiful picture, though it took me a while to see it--the right side of the picture was hard to decipher. And I am grateful for the information on negative ions--do you think Target carries any?

RD: The log was pushed over the edge of the falls and is now lodged about six feet in front of the falling water. The sun was just starting to appear over the top. The right side is dark, solid rock.

Actually you can buy machines that produce negative ions in the home, but I'd do a lot of research before buying one. Hard to prove whether those things work, despite the fact that they're used by doctors for depression therapy.

(Researching waterfall locations is a lot more rewarding.)

brrr. lovely shot! DW

Negative ions with a positive effect....Water captured in liquid and two solid forms....Rocks that ring.... a picture and a science lesson. Thanks.

That explains a lot. I've always had a hard time leaving places like that and now I know why.

As far as this shot goes? It doesn't get any better than that! This is gorgeous!!!

Nicely framed with a great depth of field.

Beautiful shot. Ring them rocks!
David Tinnon: We always wait for your comments.
You could have made a bundle while that writer's
strike was on.

Lovely photo and story.
Remember when Johnny Cash passed by from New York
on his way home to Tennessee? He felt those ions.
I hear those rocks a ringin'
Ringin' round the bend
I ain't been to Durham
Since I can't remember when
I'm headin' back to Durham
Durham here I come
They got some ringin' little rocks there
And I'm gonna get me one.

The world rushes by yet some pieces of your life are left behind. They hang frozen in time. They are filled with joy and sorrow, laughter and tears. The farther you get from them, the smaller the tug on your heart. But time can be a cruel steward and memories that have been safely tucked away can come flooding back without warning. Some will bring you comfort while others will leave you cold and barren. You must prepare for your future by accepting your past and then not be afraid to step back into the current.

Wow, spectacular framing and exposure, Kathleen -- a unique take on the waterfall subject.

This is one of those "artistic pieces" that "grow on you." I suppose ions age a lot faster than wine, "The Falls..." has improved considerably just in a couple of days. I'm curious to know how good it may become! I'll just have to keep checking. And once again, Willow puts a screenplay in a paragraph. (Is she getting better too, or is it just me?)

brilliant. amazing gallery.

Proof that negative ions can also be captured in pixels and relayed through a photoblog - looking at this I can just feel that mild euphoria and general well-being...