Taal Volcano as viewed from Tagaytay Ridge

[Oculus Sinister]

Shooting conditions were less than ideal for my S1 IS as the light kept changing and there was a mist/fog on the volcano island. But this was my best effort for the day. This place actually used to be one huge volcano which collapsed forming a Caldera which became the present lake. The Volcano Island in the center has numerous vents/small volcanoes.

[Oculus Sinister]

double post, sorry:-)

[Oculus Sinister]

Close-up of one of the more prominent small volcanoes on the island. This one erupted in the 60's. The small white squares seen around the island are galvanized iron rooftops. Despite being an active volcano, some stubborn people do live in the island and are forced to evacuate from time to time when there are signs of increased activity.

[Canna W]

Hi OS,

Really like the second pic - even though to my eyes the landscape looks a bit more Scottish than oriental in this weather . Love thegentle looking volcano. It'sa surprise though to hear it last erupted in 1960.It looks as though it's been sleeping for many centuries....

abw

Canna

[Oculus Sinister]

Thanks. The eruption inthe 60's was its last major eruption although it is still very much active in the form of occassional volcanic tremors and steam ejections in the other smaller cones. The scenery indeed isn't typically oriental and its hard to take pictures of it from afar as it is almost always covered with haze. This is a recent picture and you can see what I'm talking about:-)

[digcamfan]

Looks like a rather large structure on the island in your second pic...

One of the ranch homes of the stubborn islanders?

[Smileyguy]

I really like the second pic too. The shape of the volcano is quite eye-catching.

[Oculus Sinister]

Thanks:-)

[Oculus Sinister]

digcamfan wrote:

Looks like a rather large structure on the island in your second pic...

One of the ranch homes of the stubborn islanders?

Could be one of the Horse Stables in the Island. There are regular treks to the crater itself on horseback. Inside the crater is a small lake with a small island in the center. This is why its sometimes described as an island within a lake(crater lake)within an island(volcano island)within a lake(taal lake)within an island(Luzon) within an ocean. I haven't been there since I was a kid, and I've taken it for granted since I always see it from afar. I probably should visit it again if I have time, specially now that I'mgetting hooked on this photography thing:-)