Rub’ al Khali 3 – الربع الخالي

Rub’ al Khali – الربع الخالي‎

The stark beauty of the desert first thing in the morning – not a footstep to be seen: the air is so clean and cold.

There is probably nowhere on earth like it.

No amount of rain will help here.

Overgrown Falaj No 2.

This image has annoyed me all morning while in work – was not happy with it and think this is far better………

Scanned again and toned

Overgrown Falaj.

Masirah shipwreck.

Above the tide line – Masirah Island.

I’ve done a lot of printing over the last week or two – when it’s about 45c outside, best keep indoors! – so use my computer as a proofing aid.

Build a printing list for dodging & burning and in this way save on paper: I also use a great piece of kit from (see this link) R H Designs called the Analyser Pro which has a grey scale display – with the cost of paper every little helps…..

Old blanket Masirah.

Wadi Arbaeen 5.

Basket in alcove.

Wadi Arbaeen 4.

Wadi ghul.

High contrast development – brings out the stone work – I hope (Think ?)

Wadi Arbaeen.

Above the clouds.

Made with my Yashica 124G and cropped.

Dark room printing.

Unbelievably the pile of stones in the foreground of the above is the remains of a 3^rd millennium BC cairn tomb. The local description is that they are ‘wolf traps’ but as I know what one of these traps looks like; found on Jebel Shams, this is definitely not such an item.

Getting my fingers into paper and chemicals……….! scans from my flatbed.

Door Detail.

Wadi in full flow.

Wet feet for this one…..fortunately I have a Uni-loc tripod with water tight legs!

Omani Dates.

Omani dates being dried in the sun prior to storage.

I have tasted dates from many different countries but none are as nice as the ones here in Oman (for those in England – remember the oval box that gets sold for Xmas, terrible cardboard taste) they would be embarrassed to sell that type here.

Masirah Ferry – or Hurry up and wait!

Even the seagull is standing around doing nothing (find it if you can, in fact there are at least 3) there is no sense of urgency anywhere on Masirah……..

Masirah Island fishing Dhows.

What else is one supposed to do while waiting for the Masirah ferry but take photographs – those that have taken it know how erratic the times are: for those that don’t, let us be kind and say they go when full.

There was a time-table introduced a few years back but no one took any notice of it!

From the sublime to the ridiculous!

Continuing my water theme; it was still raining at 5am, the planned trip has been put off for 24 hours. Now this is a very rare thing here in Oman (trips planned, being put off for inclement weather) I know from experience (a rather uncomfortable night was once had due the weather) that there are at least two wadis that will almost certainly be in full flood on the way to Jebel Shams.

Hay ho – there is always tomorrow……..