Friday, August 1, 2025

Pulpit Rock in cloudy sky for Skywatch Friday

 


I have shared numerous photographs from this region. Pulpit Rock, a striking natural formation at Cape Schanck on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, bears a resemblance to a phallic symbol. This prominent geological feature is composed primarily of basalt, formed from ancient volcanic activity approximately 20 million years ago during the Miocene epoch. The rock stands as a testament to the region’s turbulent geological past, where successive lava flows cooled and solidified, creating the rugged coastline that defines Cape Schanck today.

In this particular image, the golden hour’s enchanting light is absent, replaced instead by an overcast sky. The green algae carpeting the foreground emerges as the principal feature, adding a vibrant contrast against the dark basalt. These algae thrive in the intertidal zones of the rocky shore, contributing to the complex coastal ecosystem by providing nourishment and habitat for a variety of marine life.

The air was chill, and Joel was unwilling to remain for long. During our visit, we observed a young boy of Indian descent nearly swept from the precarious rocks and into the sea—a stark reminder of the power of the ocean at this exposed headland. Pulpit Rock and its surrounding cliffs are constantly shaped by relentless waves and winds, making it a site of both breathtaking beauty and inherent natural danger.

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM



Linking Sky watch Friday


31 comments:

  1. I am beginning to become familiar with this area from your earlier photos, all lovely. Thank you for posting this one. I can see why you keep coming back here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, same locations hoping for a different light and scene

      Delete
  2. The lone towering dark rock in the background, and the algae in the foreground, makes me think of how the dark is overpowered.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beauty and danger, a risky relationship.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's like a beautiful planet that you can't take your eyes off of. Simply magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, strikingly beautiful shot! How scary about the man almost being dragged into the water. I think some people have a vaulted view of their own mortality and do dangerous things. But good news he was ok. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ...there are so many layers to this image.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That rock is well named. I'm so glad the little boy was OK.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You definitely need to be careful in such dangerous places!!
    The contrast of colors is amazing,
    I really like the green of the algae!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Is the inherent natural danger focused on visiting humans? Or to the animals who live there all the time?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is stunning. I would love to see this in person.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The long-exposure water mirrors the clouds. A very nice effect.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always appreciated. Thank you kindly for the kind visits