Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Liesegang Bands -- Garden of the Gods, IL
‹ PreviousLandscape GalleryNext ›

Liesegang Bands -- Garden of the Gods, IL

by David Schwaegler

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 21, 20062,327 views25 comments
Here's what professor Raymond E. Goldstein of the University of Arizona says:
Liesegang bands are sharp domains of precipitation arranged in a geometric progression, produced by diffusion of a chemical trigger through a porous medium.

In this case iron oxide was impregnated in sandstone while underground. When the sandstone was exposed, it eroded irregularly because the iron oxide bands were harder. With the addition of lichen, they are a colorful sight. The panel I show is about 8 feet x 10 feet.

Nikon D2x, Nikkor 24-85 at 26mm, 1/200s F/11, ISO-100; Tripod; crop from top to 4x5 format

Comments and criticisms always welcome.

Comments

25 comments
Comment posted by David Schwaegler on April 21, 2006 at 11:22 AM
Since it is impossible to show much detail, I've added a crop from the center of the panel.
Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on April 21, 2006 at 11:26 AM
This is absolutely spectacular. I have seen many examples of Liesegang Banding (and was introduced to the geology by our very own Steve Weaver) but have not see them this pronounced and intricate. I love it.

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Greg Walker on April 21, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Quite spectacular. A feast of texture and subtle variations in tone - I especially like how the forms suggest figures and other things, and it shifts as something new presents itself - makes it feel as though it's alive.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 63 Posts, 782 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Jirka on April 21, 2006 at 12:50 PM
Wow I lived in Illinois for 34 years and I didn't realize there was a place such as this there. Is this in the Shawnee National Forest?
Registered on November 1, 2003, 254 Posts, 1620 Comments
Comment posted by F Timothy Kingst on April 21, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Amazing! I like how you used directional light to help bring out the textures. Tim
Registered on November 1, 2003, 401 Posts, 1393 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on April 21, 2006 at 1:02 PM
Very cool! Love the patterns and colors. I I even prefer the cropped version. So much excellent detail and more manageable for my eye. Both are very well done!!!!
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Tate on April 21, 2006 at 1:08 PM
Wow ! Just so neat..
Registered on December 11, 2004, 150 Posts, 1667 Comments
Comment posted by David Schwaegler on April 21, 2006 at 1:13 PM
Thanks for your comments. Yes this is in the Shawnee NF. The nearest town of any size is Harrisburg. It's not very near an Interstate either. Perhaps this is why it is so little known nationally.
Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments
Comment posted by Stephen Weaver on April 21, 2006 at 1:14 PM
Very nice David
A fabulous example of differentially erroded sandstone with liesegang bands! :smile: Your compostion is great.

Steve
Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 623 Comments
Comment posted by Alice Scoggins on April 21, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Wonderful. I would never have known "Liesegang bands" would be something beautiful! :toast:
Registered on February 21, 2005, 430 Posts, 5959 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 21, 2006 at 2:33 PM
I've never heard of Liesagang Bands before, but they are quite wonderful, as is your capture. Kinda reminds me of a topo map on steroids. :biggrin: Beautiful colors and pattern. Really well done David.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Mary Dennis on April 21, 2006 at 2:55 PM
Really neat shot David. Shhhhhhh. Don't tell anybody else about the Shawnee National Forest. It's one of Illinois best kept secrets! :wink:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 290 Posts, 2897 Comments
Comment posted by Juza on April 21, 2006 at 4:25 PM
A fabolous abstract. The detail is amazing! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on April 21, 2006 at 6:48 PM
Awesome Images David!!! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Wilson on April 22, 2006 at 9:57 AM
Like U2 and the Beatles, great bands! I really love this, what a great print this would make and what a great way to teach us all something.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Dunn on April 22, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Wow - this is beautiful and very interesting. Great work on the comp. I can imagine that it would be easy to have the lines and bands get out of control; instead, there's a great flow to this, complimented by the varied colors. Great eye.
Registered on February 22, 2004, 35 Posts, 1311 Comments
Comment posted by Christian Kiely on April 22, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Very interesting study David.
Registered on January 20, 2005, 311 Posts, 628 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on April 22, 2006 at 1:28 PM
David: Let me add to the kudos. Wonderful comp and exposure. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on April 22, 2006 at 1:45 PM
David,

Really cool imge.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 22, 2006 at 3:32 PM
FANTASTIC! Wish it were mine :wink:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on April 22, 2006 at 9:47 PM
Love this. Looks more like a painting. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments
Comment posted by Malcolm MacGregor on April 23, 2006 at 2:59 PM
I thought I saw a minotaur .
:toast: :toast:
Registered on March 20, 2006, 15 Posts, 140 Comments
Comment posted by Michelle C. Parent on April 24, 2006 at 8:11 AM
David,
Gorgeous! Congrats on the EP! :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 23, 2004, 453 Posts, 5551 Comments
Comment posted by Jody Grigg on April 24, 2006 at 9:23 PM
Just amazing detail! :toast:
Registered on February 7, 2004, 165 Posts, 1227 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Benner on April 30, 2006 at 2:51 PM
Interesting abstract composition. Congratulations.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments