Enchanted-Circle_ (Click for larger view)

I came across this stone circle in Eastham Woods. Apparently it was

an old fountain that belonged to a large estate situated here. But to

me it resembled some kind of ritualistic tribal gathering place. Your

thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

That's the feeling that comes across. The faeries are gone for now but I'm sure they'll be dancing 'round the circle again the next full moon.

I can see the ritualistic presentation with fog surrounding it and focus crop on the fountain base and circle surrounding it.  There is something resembling this in an arboretum near where I live, but your presentation sure adds atmosphere.  Like a deserted witches' coven meeting.  Trees are amazing life forces with such personality.  I just love how you captured them here.  

If you haven't yet visited New York City, I urge you to do so.  Central Park includes an area named in honor and memory of John Lennon - Strawberry Fields,  The entire area is not circular, but its center contains a rendition of a flower, and in its middle there is the word "Imagine."  Your photograph immediately transported me there.  I've just returned, now singing "Strawberry Fields Forever" while training my eyes on the beauty that lives before me.

 

I won't spoil the moment by addressing more mundane matters.  Suffice it to say, I have fallen in love with this image.  It goes to my favorites.

 

My best always,

michael

When I saw this somewhere in the recesses of my subconscious a memory stirred, leading to a chase of subliminal fragments that was as frustrating as pursuing a butterfly with a point and shoot camera.  Then I caught one, then another, another and finally when a few of the jigsaw pieces meshed I realized the memory was not mine, but was a buried synapse of energy from my familial source and all became clear, it's the portal, the entrance to our ancestoral vessel that carried us to this blue green orb all those millennia ago. 

 

But then, it may be where the livestock used to drink ;-).  Either way it's a mystical atmosphere that sets the imagination spinning.  You'd never guess I've been reading Simak today... Mike

Alf- immediately thought this was a fountain- or a spaceship :)  either way you have caught a magical image.

A beautiful and mystical image Alf.  Love the wide view, and the blue fog.

 

Well done,

David

What a fabulous photograph!

Not only do I find the whole scene extremely interesting in itself, I also find it relaxing and I am able to bathe in the tranquility of it and enjoy what you actually saw through the lens. Additionally, the light mist lends an ethereal touch to it and that, together with your skill in taking an excellent photograph and your ability to capture and present textures, tones and light so incredibly well, teases my imagination, letting me take it to another level - to maybe even transport the scene to another continent and it allows me to add my own imaginary cast of characters to it. This scene can change from fact to fiction at the whim and will of the viewer.

It's incredible to realise that scenes like this can be found on our own doorsteps and, if it wasn't for highly skilled photographers like yourself who record them and present them to us in our own homes, many of us might never know they exist. Wouldn't that be sad! 

Fascinating presentation with lots of details. Warm regards.

I was caught both by the mystical feel of this image and the exquisite pastel color pallet.  Well seen and magnificently captured.

Wow, Alf. The mood is captured. The mist has a feeling to it. Well seen well capture my friend. Regards, Lawrence

Seems that this your image caught in this photo bring lot of discussions and is interesting how each one see this.As I say on FB to me first impression was of an UFO.

best regards

This image does stop you in your tracks.  I feared for a moment a remnant of some world war. But whatever, it was made new and magical by your artistry.  Excellent work, Alf.

Impressive!

Alf,

  Amazing scene that looks like a magical place, the fog just adds to the scene.  As always excellent work.  Take care, Patsy

Very nice and interesting scene. You can nearly see the ghosts hiding in the mist.

Hi Alf,  Perhaps this is a UFO or a launching pad for a UFO (LOL).  I like the misty surround in this excellent wide angle shot.  I'd clone out the green sprig in the front of the fountain - minor detail.  Nicely done.  Larry

Faeries, Goblins, and all creatures of the enchanted forest, all will be at play around the circle with the full moon in the night sky :)

Many Thanks Jack, so glad I could capture your imagination as much a your images capture mine!

 

Alf

 

DONNA

 

I know exactly what you mean about trees. Each one is as different and full of character as any human being. Perhaps more so, because they can't talk or communicate in the traditional way. But their shape, textures and movement in the wind says everything to me.

Thank you so much!

 

Alf

 

MICHAEL

 

I have visited New York on two occasions, but feel I haven't really seen very much of it. It is such a vast place I think I'd need a month to get round it all.

My home city is Liverpool which of course is the birth place of John Lennon so I would love to see the flower you describe!  maybe you could post it :)

Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words Michael.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MIKE

 

Now that is frustrating ...butterflies ..point and shoot cameras...the stuff that photographers nightmares are made of!

I'm not sure its the livestock that's been drinking :)  lol

But suffice to say it is most gratifying to read that this one caught your imagination!

Sincere Thanks

 

Alf

 

GREG

 

You got the fountain right first time, then went the way of the imaginative ones with spaceship........yeah I too prefer spaceship :)

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

DAVID

 

Thank you so much! Here on Planet A.L.F. the fog is always blue, the rain is too, makes your hair look crazy if you get caught in it :)

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

SANS

 

So pleased that this one caught your imagination :)

It is always most gratifying to read others impressions of an image or scene when they match my own. Although I must admit I did lead the viewers with the foreword to this one.

There must be a whole host of treasures that we don't even realise is in our midst, just a case of getting out there and finding them :)

Thank you for your thoughts and positive feedback!

 

Alf

 

JORGE 

 

Thank you for your interest and  kind words!

 

Alf

 

LYNNE

 

Many Thanks for your visit and thoughtful feedback, very much appreciated!

 

Alf

 

LAWRENCE

 

Thank you so much!

 

As you may have guessed, I love misty scenes, they add so much to the air of mystery and atmosphere.

 

Kind Regards

 

Alf

 

RADU

 

I can see how you would imagine this as a UFO It does have that surreal quality that makes the imagination wander.

 

Sincere Thanks

 

Alf

 

WAYNE

 

It s interesting to note your comments. Sometimes it's difficult to come up with something different that grabs a viewers attention.  I am so pleased that this one has ticked the boxes.

Thank you so much!

 

Alf

 

MARCO

 

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback!

 

Alf

 

PATSY

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!  I was most fortunate to pick a foggy day for my walk in the woods.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

EYSTEIN

 

The ghosts glide and hover between the wisps of mist of light, playing by day and haunting by night :)

Sincere Thanks

 

Alf

 

LARRY

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Yeah I could go for the UFO theory :)

Yes maybe the green sprig is too much in the way of reality for this otherwise surreal image :)

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Alf, In viewing this enchanting and beautiful image it reminded me of a similar scenario. Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania has an area with woods, also similar to this, that lead to a fountain called The Eye and it is filled with water and illuminated from within. A nice experience, I'll have to find the image. Thanks for the memory my friend. The hazy fog brings a slightly ominous feel to this place. Great shot Alf.

Best Always, Holger

At first I thought it resembled a UFO :) but once I saw the entire image up close, I immediately thought it was an old fountain - but only because I used to visit a very old Estate back in the Eighties where we would go Dancing on Saturday nights. There were many fountains there but it is the steps that made me immediately thing that this was probably a 'quiet' place on an Estate where one would enjoy solitude or meditation.  However I can relate to the other ideas re 'enchanted circle'. Once I go in that direction, my imagination really comes alive. All that aside, it is a beautiful capture, fog/mist elements add to an almost ethereal or magical mood. I love the quality of light that really brings this composition to life.  Excellent processing Alf............What a marvellous surprise and find this location must have been.

   

Good to know you are feeling better Holger and Thank you for your interest and kind words.

I think this image would have taken on another kind of atmosphere if there had been water flowing. I would like to capture that too, but fear that this old fountain will never work again.

I'd be interested in seeing you image of "The Eye"

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

GAIL

 

Just because my name is ALF  (Alien Life Form) doesn't mean I associate with UFO's :)

You are quite right about the fountain, and I suspect it was once as you say, a secluded place where one could enjoy a few moments of quiet reflection and peace.

I kind of knew that the old fountain was there somewhere in the woods having seen it many years ago, which was long before I ever contemplated picking up a camera. But re-discovering something when looking at it through the eyes of a photographer, lends these things a whole new meaning, or at least the potential to become something more than it was before....if that makes any sense :)

Many Thanks Gail

 

Alf

 

MICHAEL

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this.  If I ever manage to get back to New York I shall make a point of visiting this place.

That one word is a great summary of John Lennon.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

Hi Alf, what an interesting place and to have the foggy and mystical conditions to go along with it is pure Alf Bailey! It really does look like perhaps a Celtic or witches coven place of worship :-) Great work. Best wishes. Sarah.

I really like this, Alf! It has a mystical quality that also lets the imagination run wild. Even though the main subject is centered, the composition works very well. Especially, with the trees and three sets of stairs. Best regards, Robert 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and positive feedback!

I have been pondering for some time about setting up a shot with a Witch in a long black gown, and I think this could be the right setting :)

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

ROBERT

 

Glad you mentioned the central composition. A lot of debate about the so called "rule of thirds"  but sometimes a central composition just seems to work better.

Sincere Thanks

 

Alf