Killary evening, Ireland

Ian Stehbens, on May 25, 2007, said:

It was late in the evening about 11pm and we were returning to our accommodation at "Sleep Zone", when we came upon this vista of Killary Harbour. The gentl colours that deepened as we watched held us spellbound. A local photographer was there with his SLR on a tripod, taking time lapse shots to try to get the perfect one. A little nervously, and feeling like a cheap tourist, I took out the SLR digital and simply took a snap! I showed it to him - his first look at a digital preview and I was no longer able to engage him in conversation. If he wasn't convinced, I certainly was, that the switch to digital photography had been the right one. Prior to this moment, we had explored the local pub in Leenaun and enjoyed another wonderful seafood chowder - the Irish are very good at making seafood chowder...and contentedly decided with the light of a very long summer evening to drive into the deep valleys of the Mweelrea Mountains and of the Sheeffry Hills. We actually caught up with the previously set sun from a vantage point at Cregganbaun where we watched the sun set once more that day, as a fiery ball that rolled down a distant misty mountainside until it was extinguised in the sea beyond Killadoon. What a few wonderful hours of bliss and awe - then it was capped off with this sensuous view of Ireland's only fiord.

© Douglas MacGregor, on July 15, 2007, said:

Simply fantastic!

Ian Stehbens, on July 16, 2007, said:

Thanks Douglas - I appreciate your affirmaton. I enjoy photography in the subdued lighting of Europe. It is always so gentle. On the other hand, as I am an Australian, the strong light of the clear blue skies of our part of the world make for very different conditions - enjoyable nonetheless. As you appreciated this shot you might enjoy another "simple" or minimalist image of mine - Go to TAG "Fraser Island" and you will see one with very clear sky and very strong light. And because of my Scottish ancestry I have enjoyed reviewing your pictures. Ian

Marilyn Whiteley, on October 27, 2007, said:

Magical. Yellow star. Marilyn

steandeb, on January 18, 2008, said:

lovely pink sunset! have you seen mine with my illuminated man sreies, greetings from liverpool ,england!

© Green Irish Eagle, on January 22, 2008, said:

A fine shot Ian. The sky mimics the local salmon! And the land varies perfectly from black through the shades of grey! I love the magical calm of our long summer evenings and you've got it here! Deserves the 1000+ hits.

Ian Stehbens, on January 27, 2008, said:

Thankyou Gerry.

I don't know what fish they add to chowder but each variant chowder I ordered in a succession of pubs was wonderful. Perhaps it was the beautiful pink salmon. Any way we did feast on salmon a couple of times and I will never forget the delight and contentment after each of those meals. I am so glad that an Irishman appreciates this image. And I am blown away by the fact that it is now in the first layer of GE photos. Well all I can say is, it is a small gift to Ireland from one who appreciated wonderful hospitality, excellent food and generous humour.

Your Australian friend.

And Steandeb, Thankyou for the affirmation. I have enjoyed my wander through your gallery, and have viewed your Man. He stands out there in all sorts of weather, seasons and tides. I am curious though, how many are there? You are managing to create an iconic set of images. Well done.

Ian

Ian

Alberto Quagliaroli CM, on February 25, 2008, said:

Great Irish landscape view!

Ian Stehbens, on February 25, 2008, said:

Thank you Alberto for your comment. I regard affirmation from you as acclaim, for you are such an accomplished photographer and quality reviewer, for I have read your many constructive reviews of the photography in the folios of other. So thankyou very much..

Greetings from Sydney. Ian

klages k, on March 1, 2008, said:

Very good !

kk

pilios g, on April 12, 2008, said:

Greet shot and beautifull gallery.You captured very wonderfull places and interesting moments in your shots. greetings from greece.

Ian Stehbens, on April 12, 2008, said:

Hi KK and Pilios,

I send greetings from Sydney, but part of me wishes I was sending them to you from Ireland. Thanks for your affirmation, and I trust that I can keep giving your joy with interesting and artistic images.

Appreciatively,

Ian

UC58Fiji, on July 9, said:

Really captivating! Beautiful photo. All the best from Philadelphia.

Ian Stehbens, on July 9, said:

Thanks for the affirmation, Paul. I am pleased that you delight in this image. It is a magic part of island, whether sheltering in a pub relishing the warmth, company and seafood chowder, or out on a late summer evening exploring the glens and this fiord!

If you haven't been to Ireland, GO. If you have you'll know what I mean.

Kind regards from Sydney,

Ian

PS: I am very interested in 'Fiji' bit of your signature.

UC58Fiji, on July 14, said:

Regarding 'Fiji', Ian: The name-choice is not as exotic as you may at first think. Fully translated: Union College (Schenectady, NY), Class of '58, Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (nicknamed the Fiji's).

Cheers!

Rodríguez Prati, on July 19, said:

I can't tell you Ian why everything that's related to Kelts kicks me so deep. It happened ever and just a few years ago I discovered my ancestry lands, Asturias and Trentino, were so related to them... Another YS and warm greetings my friend, Edmundo

Ian Stehbens, on July 23, said:

Thank you Edmundo, for sharing a little more of your fascinating ancestral history. I know nothing of the relationship between Italy and Ireland, between Celtic history and Asturias/Trentino history.

If you have a little time, I'd be very interested to learn more.

And thanks to for exploring my folio and awarding me the honour of a Y*.

In sincere and convivial friendship,

Ian

Rodríguez Prati, on July 23, said:

Hello Ian. I think this is not the first photo of yours in my favourites. Another day I'll tell you all what I know about Kelts in my origins lands. Now I'll only tell you that the name Caldonazzo of the village of my ancestors Prati in Trentino is of celtic origin, and that very near from Trelles in Asturias, where my Rodríguez are from , they found the Castro of Coaña, the most important rests of a fortified celtic village in Spain (in the web there is much information about this one). The ocupation of Kelts in the north Spain is a well known thing, particularly in Galicia and Asturias, but even Basques has a strong cultural influence of that culture though it's language is of previous unknown origin (the only one in occidental Europe that's not indoeuropean). Kelt influence was so strong in northern Spain that what is not defined as purely céltico(keltic) is almost always celtibérico (keltic and iberian). Next weekend I'll try to tell you some other interesting things I know. Greetings my friend from my keltic interior world, Edmundo

Ian Stehbens, on July 25, said:

Dear Edmundo,

You are being my wonderful teacher again. Trentino is in Italy and Asturias is in Spain. That right so far? And you have ancestors from both regions, is that right? And they all come from some of the most outstandingly beautiful scenery! And areas incredibly rich in history, modern and ancient.

When you first mentioned the Celtic/Keltic connections I thought it was between Trentino and Ireland, but I think I understand now it was between Asturias and Ireland. That I understand, though I knew nothing of the historical stories of migration, trade, fishing, battles, evangelism and perhaps a bit of piracy thrown in. But I guess all of these are true.

Now that I am aware, I guess I will be learning much more in the future about this inter-regional relationship... and of your personal family history and roots.

Saludo,

Ian

Rodríguez Prati, on July 26, said:

Dear Ian, I really apreciate your concepts but I'm begining to worry that my english is not good enough. It's right I have my principal roots in Asturias and Trentino (where came from the two surnames I use, but also in Catalunya, Southern Italy, Basque country, Tirol and Rheinland, from which I have almost the same amount of blood but is not seen). But about the Celtic (Kelt or "gallic" as was call in northern Italy and France) origins, both Trentino and Asturias have a deep relation with it in the past. In Trentino at the age of Iron it was very important the influence of the Galli Cenomani and there are many ruins of castelliere or castioni, that's fortified villages of the kind of the castros from Asturias, and were found gallic traces in many toponimes. But after here was also very strong the Fritzens-Sanzeno culture (what historians of the past called Rethic people, from whom was derivated the name of roman province Retia) and the following romanization that was stronger than in Asturias. It's clear in Trentino they don't play pipes as in Scotland and Asturias. I think you know this Celt development is almost simultaneous in Ireland, Scotland, Asturias, France, Central Europe, Tirol and Trentino and began with the Hallstatt (in Austria) culture, nearer from Trentino than from Ireland. Well, sorry if maybe I've confused all more than it was, un gran saludo, Edmundo

Ian Stehbens, on July 26, said:

This is all absolutely fascinating, Edmundo. You have made me aware of a whole new raft of history. Thank you so much.

Ian

PS: I am getting ready to leave for Sulawesi, Indonesia this week, so I'll be silent for a couple more weeks.

Ian Stehbens, on August 16, said:

Thank you for your comment, ketanfol for I am particularly proud of this foto. I see that you have an eye fro good landscapes not only among those you have uploaded, but also in the fotos of other photographers that you have commented on, so far. I look forward to sharing with you more in the future.

Kind regards from Sydney, Australia.

Ian

N ﭑ ( ☼ £ Á S, on September 14, said:

Ian Stehbens hello!!, I pause at this picture to give you my congratulations! There is nothing more pleasing to see your photos and listen to Enya, which by the way, is a proud Irish.

A photograph beautiful, relaxing, calm, as new age music of Enya.

Also congratulations on the additional photos and text you type in each of them, certainly write much you like.

Greetings and I hope to return soon.

Nicolas

Ian Stehbens, on September 14, said:

Thanks so very much, Nicholas. I am naturally delighted that you appreciate the photo as well as the text that I write from time to time, but it is also wonderful that you have allowed the photo to speak to you.

Please do return for I look forward to further conversations and photographic exchanges.

Ian

cbjo, on October 19, said:

Very nice colours! Great shot!

Greetings cbjo

Please visit My Contest

Ian Stehbens, on October 20, said:

It is nice of you to express your appreciation of this image. Thanks for your greetings also.

Ian