A huge volcano in the ocean. The highest peak a stunning 3700 meters, excluding another 3000 meters of mountain hidden beneath the surface of the ocean. That is Tenerife.
A cat overlooking the world from a pole in volcanic rock. The volcano itself looms on the horizon. This view perfectly summarizes the magical atmosphere on this huge rock in the sea.
A volcano in the middle of the ocean creates a world of volcanic stones crumbling down under the combined power of winds, ocean and time. One day raised from the ocean, some day in the future doomed to disappear again.
It makes you wonder about our continuously changing natural world. Thousands of years ago, a hot, steaming, lifeless mountain arose from the sea. Every one of the animal and plant species now living there had to colonize that rock from the mainland. The whole vegetation, all of it arrived slowly over time from over kilometers of ocean. Species gathered from everywhere, ultimately creating a unique ecosystem totally different from the mainland.
This unique system is the main reason why such an island is a fascinating place for an ecologist. Over the next days, I will share my pictures and stories from this beautiful and amazing place.
One of my favourite places in all the world! Enjoy!
What a beautiful place, what an impressive nature! I am really glad I took some free days to visit this fantastic island!
Yes, it is magnificent. We take a field course there every year. I have a short series of posts about the island starting here if you have time to read them: http://jeffollerton.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/darwins-unrequited-isle-part-1/
I definitely understand why Darwin was eager to visit the place! We only saw the south-western part of the island, which is why our weather was a bit more predictable than on your wonderful adventure :). But what a great concept for a field course!
Cute cat 🙂
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Your Photos are so striking….(& the Kitty’s not bad, either)!
Oh, you should have seen her in real life ;)!
Oh….its a female? (*sigh*)…
(*tail flap*) just my luck!
Well, you are the expert, so I better leave that conclusion up to you. And I would not like to ruin your next hours of daydreams :)!
Well, purrhaps I’d better pack up my litterbox and head over there just to be sure….*(purrs)*