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Bluestones, Arrigetch
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Bluestones, Arrigetch

by Vance Gese

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted October 26, 20171,458 views4 comments

This incredible blue rock was found on a packtrip with a good friend into the Arrigetch Peaks of Gates of the Arctic NP back when I lived in Alaska.  Found in an outcropping on a ridge above the Arrigetch Creek Valley, it is probably some kind of copper and/or silver ore but I don't really know.

Thought the image would qualify as rock art.  Used a Pentax 6x7 I had at the time, with a 135mm macro lens on Velvia film.  Would appreciate your thoughts on this.  Large size image is attached.  Thanks

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 26, 2017 at 11:50 PM
Vance, this certainly is well titled. Hard to believe it's that blue. Good find!
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 27, 2017 at 11:29 AM
What a great collection of blue stones, Vance.  The bits of orange, the sand, and the cracks all work together very well to create a view nicely reminiscent of a stained glass window.  The blue looks like it could be Malachite (a major copper bearing rock).
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Williams on October 28, 2017 at 1:09 AM
The colors are just amazing in this one Vance. The chemical makeup must be interesting. Great iron reds, but the blue malachite (thanks Mark) looks almost like old steel plates rusting away.
Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on October 28, 2017 at 11:57 AM
I like the strong blues here.  The sand and gravel at the bottom help anchor the image and put it into perspective.  Very nice.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments