According to our Sunday Stills host, Terri, it is lava. Please visit this post, to see her excellent presentation of this month’s color challenge at Second Wind Leisure Perspective. I took this assignment literally and didn’t have to look too far back into my photo archives to retrieve the following favorites.
Lava
The intriguing formations below were caused by volcanic eruptions on the island of Faial, in the Azores. The Azores consists of nine major islands and all have volcanic origins.
The city of Horta on the island of Faial, was a cruise ship stop in Portugal a few years ago when we sailed from Miami to South Hampton. We had just a few hours here and chose to spend most of our time visiting the site of the last volcanic eruption, which happened on the island in 1957. Burying more than 300 homes, remarkably there were no fatalities during this eruption which lasted for thirteen months. It was a humbling and beautiful experience.
The white shadow in the middle right side of the photo above is not sand, but volcanic ash; a unique combination of rock, mineral, and glass. When the wind kicked up it was so intrusive that even sunglasses and face protections weren’t enough to avoid the sting of fine glass.
These photos are absent the color orange, so I have included a couple of fireside shots that I took with a cell phone camera. I can imagine that hot lava might look a bit like this. Especially the one on the right (I have shared this before) which looks quite demonic. I imagine that one interprets hot lava most appropriately.
Also shared with Journeys with Johnbo, Cellpic Sunday
Picture Retirement 
I’d like to visit Portugal someday. Beautiful photos of a somewhat somber, yet lovely, place. Nice way to add a bit of orange to the post, btw.
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Ally, Portugal is beautiful, as was this island. At least 90% of it is lush and green and covered with hydrangeas in the summer. It has a beautiful little town and locals who have so much pride in their island. They made us feel so welcome. This particular location takes the term ‘scorched earth’ to another level. It was eerily beautiful.
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I am fascinated by volcanoes, your photos are beautiful. I have never been to the Açores Islands, but would love to go.
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Gilda, we have only visited one of the Azores islands, but that was enough to make us want to return and explore. Maybe do a little island hopping…
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I always find the terrain around a volcano to be fascinating. Even miles away, there are lava fields that are worth exploring. Great post.
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John, these formations were truly unique to my eye and fascinating to photograph. Thanks for stopping by.
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Sad to read that this eruption lasted a year, Suzanne! How amazing to visit Faial, in the Azores, and to see nature’s underbelly! When you described that white cloud, I was intrigued to read that it was pumice and glass, yikes! Nice shots of the fire–not always easy to get with a cell phone. Great to see your post this week!
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Terri, based on what we learned during our observatory tour, about 3,000 people evacuated the island to the US, and most did not return. It is an incredibly beautiful island and I hope to go back someday. The bonfire was in my brother’s backyard last year at a family gathering. It was a cold, clear night – perfect for a fire. I got lucky with the dancing embers.
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Hi, Suzanne – I’ve marvelled at those fireside shots before. They continue to amaze me. They are very provocative shots!
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Thank you.
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I’ve never seen lava – but I’m getting a sneak peak after your post and Debs-world’s post. It would be so strange living in a place where volcanoes actually erupted. The fire shots are a perfect compliment to the rocks.
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Leanne, the Azores islands have about 26 volcanoes in total. None are currently showing signs of activity, but one never knows. I’m guessing that accounts for the low density and underdevelopment, which is very appealing to me. Undisturbed nature.
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I haven’t been to the Azores yet, but have heard amazing things about them. My cousin and her husband are joining an Atlantic crossing on a sailboat this fall with a stopover there for a week.
Hot lava is dark red in color and when you put a stick in it, it catches fire. Why would I know this? 🙂
Volcanic landscapes have a beauty of their own.
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What a fascinating landscape! I really want to visit the Azores one day – several friends enthuse about the islands. If I do I’ll try to include Faial for sure 🙂
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Sarah, Faial is very beautiful and very small. Next time we go I’d like to visit a couple of the more populated islands – still charming, but more services. It seems like an easy jaunt from Lisbon by plane and then Ferry between islands once you are there. That’s just a weekender for you guys!
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Haha, I think we’d need a little more than a weekend if we want to island hop, but you’re right, it’s not too far to go 🙂
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Liesbet, it sounds like something you have firsthand experience with. I don’t think I want to be that close! Not sure how you would get Thirsty Bella to the islands, but I’m sure if it can be done, you guys will figure it out.
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Haha. It’ll be part of the next grand (European) adventure.
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such a nice post and the fire did look demonic – lol – also – both fire images reminded me how diverse a fire can come out in photos – because the little sparks in the left one was like lights!
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and seeing the volcanic ash was interesting and sounds like it was blah to be around when the wind kicked up
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The volcanic ash was intriguing and it looked very unstable, although I’m sure it was solid beneath the surface. Not wanting to get swallowed up, I stuck to the pathways. The fireside shots were a lot of fun. My nephew fueled the fire with fresh wood as I shot on burst mode. Many, many different photos emerged.
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oh wow – burst mode sounds like it would capture many different depictions of that fire.
and I would stick to the pathways too – ha
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Wow…what amazing photos…the black is so stunning. I also loved the bit of history. Amazing no fatalaties.
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Kirstin, the black was striking against the clear blue sky and the deep blue water. I had never photographed a landscape like this one as it seemed unworldly to me.
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