Rhodes Summer 2007: Etona - Archangelos

Caves are formed by geologic processes. These may involve a combination of chemical processes, erosion from water, tectonic forces, microorganisms, pressure and atmospheric influences. Most caves are formed in limestone by solution. The largest and most abundant solutional caves are located in limestone. Limestone dissolves under the action of rainwater and groundwater charged with H2CO3 (carbonic acid) and naturally occurring organic acids. The dissolution process produces a distinctive landform known as karst, characterized by sinkholes, sinking streams, and underground drainage. Limestone caves are often adorned with calcium carbonate formations produced through slow precipitation, including the most common and well-known stalactites and stalagmites. These secondary mineral deposits in caves are called speleothems.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-5: F4.5-F7.1 1/60sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Etona - Archangelos

Rock formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. Rock formation in general refers to specific sedimentary strata or other rock unit in stratigraphic and petrologic studies.

Geologists classify rocks into three types according to their origin. A rock structure can be created in any rock type or combination:

-Sedimentary rocks are created from bits of rocks that have broken off other rocks by wind or water erosion, and deposited by wind, ice, or water. Erosion later exposes them in their current form. An example is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.

- Metamorphic rocks are created by rocks that have evolved into another kind of rock, usually by heat and pressure. An example is Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota.

- Igneous rocks are created when molten rock cools and solidifies, with or without crystallization. They may be either intrusive bodies or volcanic extrusives. Again, erosive forces sculpt their current forms. An example is Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-3: F11-16 1/60sec ISO 100

Photo 4: F7.1 1/125sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Etona - Archangelos

A waterfall is usually a geological formation resulting from water, often in the form of a stream, flowing over an erosion-resistant rock formation that forms a sudden break in elevation or nickpoint. Streams become wider and more shallow just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep pool just below the waterfall because of the kinetic energy of the water hitting the bottom.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-4: F5.6-F9 1/60sec-1/100sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Etona - Archangelos

Archangelos (Αρχάγγελος) is a town and municipality of the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese Islands in south-eastern Greece. It is located about 30 kilometers south of the town of Rhodes on the island's east coast at an elevation of 160 meters. Its population according to the 2001 census was 5,500 making it the third largest town of the Island (after the capital Rhodes, and the town of Trianta Ialysos)). The town's name derives from Archangel Michael who is also considered its patron. The Municipality of Archangelos has a land area of 115.375 km², and includes several other towns, the largest of which are Malónas (pop. 977) and Másari (931). Its total population was 7,779 at the 2001 census. These photographs are taken at the private property of Etona, near Archangelos.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-3: F9-10 1/125sec - 1/160sec ISO 100

Photo 4-5: F10 1/200sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Ceramic

Pottery on Rhodes is made from grey clay found in Rhodos. At a ceramic shop and pottery you can find dozens of designs. The designs are based on original pottery from the Greek Classic period, which are now exhibited in history museums. These designs are marked by a leaden pendant. Every ceramic item will be checked to garantee quality and similarity to the original.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-2: F4-5.6 1/60sec ISO 100 with flashlight

Rhodes Summer 2007: Seven Springs

The beautiful green forest at Epta piges.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm F4.5 1/60sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Seven Springs

Epta piges (seven springs in Greek) lies on the way to Archipolis Village at a distance of about 3km before the church of Agios Nectarios. It is a valley flowing with clear springs and covered with enormous plane and pine trees. Here the visitor can experience the unique beauty of the interior regions of Rhodes.

Canon Eos 350D

Photo 1-3: 75-300mm F4.5-6.3 1/60sec ISO 100

Photo 4-5: 18-55mm F4.5-6.3 1/60sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Profitias-Ilias and a Greek Orthodox Chapel

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1: Olive-tree F16 1/15sec ISO 100

Photo 2: Church of Foudoukli F16 1/80sec ISO 100

Photo 3: Fire watch F16 1/20sec ISO 100

Increasingly dry conditions, more development near forested areas, arson, and high winds are all contributing to the drastic increase in wildfires in Greece. Given the Greek terrain, both on the mainland and in the Greek islands, almost anywhere can be in the path of a wildfire. The green, heavily forested island of Samos was devastated a few years ago, and many wildfires have burned from coastal mountains down to the beaches of luxury resorts. More information about wildfires in Greece: http://gogreece.about.com/od/newsmedia/p/wildfiresgreece.htm

Photo 4: Surroundings of the church Foudoukli F16 1/60sec ISO 100

Photo 5: Fresh spring water F11 1/200sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Profitias-Ilias and a Greek Orthodox Chapel

The small but very beautiful Byzantine church of Foudoukli. The young Greek people do not visit the church very often, but the elder Greek do. They kiss the icons to honour Saint Nicolas.

The celebration of Easter means more to the Greek people than Christmas does. On the Saturday of Lazarus ( the Saturday before Holy Week begins), children go from door to door singing the 'Lazaros", and collecting money and eggs for the priests. In the old days, no farmer went to the fields to work on that day, since they believed that whatever they would touch would wither. They were only allowed to collect dry sticks for the ovens in order to bake the Easter cookies (Koulouriakia) during Holy Week. Also on that day, the housewives bake "Lazarakia" -coiled ring- breads, symbolising the wrapping of the body of Lazarus in his shroud. On the morning of Holy Thursday, groups of children visit all the neighbourhoods of the town, carrying baskets, singing and collecting flowers to decorate the bier of Christ. The epitaphios procession takes place in the early morning hours, after the Crucifixion rite, after which it is also customary for women to stay in church to sing the traditional laments.

Canon Eos 350D 18-55mm

Photo 1-3: F4 1/60 sec ISO 100 with flashlight

Photo 4-5: F8-10 1/200-1/250sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Mountain Attavyros

Rhodes island, named the Island of Sun too, is the largest of the Dodecanese and the fourth largest Greek island (after Crete, Euboea and Lesbos). The island is the favourite port when visiting the south east of Greece. The highest peak of the island is Mountain Attavyros (1215 m) situated in the middle of the west coast. Rhodos is fertile not only in the valleys but also on the higher slopes: pine, orange, olive, lemon, fig and pear trees thrive in these conditions. The villages are lush and colourful with hibiscus, jasmine and roses, which explain the many butterflies.

Canon Eos 350D

Photo 1-3: 75-300mm F6.3 1/200-1/250sec ISO 100

Photo 4: 18-55mm F8 1/125sec ISO 100

Rhodes Summer 2007: Embona

Canon Eos 350D 75-300mm

Photo 1&2: F5.6 1/160sec-1/200sec ISO 100

Photo 3&4: F5.6 1/200sec ISO 100