Pic(k) of the week 23: Turquiose waters of the Gorges du Verdon
As explained in my previous Pic(k) of the week 22 blogpost, due to high winds (Mistral) in South-Eastern France last week, we had to cancel the planned Paragliding course. Instead, I ended up doing a fair amount of landscape photography in the Provence.
We based ourselves at Les-Salles-sur-Verdon, next to the Lake of Sainte Croix ( Lac du Sainte-Croix ), in the French Alpes-des-Hautes-Provence departement. This beautiful man made lake which is 10 km long and up to 3km wide, was formed in 1974 after the construction of a reinforced concrete dam at the West side.
To the East one finds the "Gorges du Verdon"; a 25 km long and up to 700 m deep canyon, known by many as Europe's nicest river canyon.
The limestone walls attract many rock climbers like this brave lady here.
The image above of the amazing turquoise waters, was shot from a bridge at the Western entry to the Gorges. One can circumnavigate the canyon, by driving along the rim for about 100 km. Make sure not to mis the Route des Crêtes, a narrow ( partly one-way) ring road along some of the most spectacular sights.
Image details:
FujiFilm X-E1 with 18-55 lens
ISO 800, 27mm (full frame equivalent), f4, 1/850s
RAW development in Lightroom 4.4
Nik ColorEfex 4 with contrast adjustment
Compared to two other great landscape photography places, the Gorges du Verdon, feels like a mix of the Grand Canyon (only much greener) with the majestic rock formations of Yosemite. The image here, even reminds me of Half Dome in Yosemite.
I rarely recommend places to stay, but since we were very happy with our Bed and Breakfast ( chambre d'hotes ), I would like to make an exception; The "Clés du Verdon, (at Salles sur Verdon) is the perfect place to stay if visiting the area. Prices are reasonable, restaurants are walking distance and the hospitality by the lady of the house, Sophie, is great!
Remember, "To the complaint, there are no people in this photograph, I respond, there are two. The photographer and the viewer" - Ansel Adams
BJORN
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