Photographers and other tourists are attracted by this half-flooded marble quarry in Ruskeala settlement. However, it′s not as easy to get here as to the north-western part of Ladoga skerries. In fact, Ruskeala is even more to the north than the city of Petrozavodsk.
Texture of marble rock wall above waters of a small lake in Ruskeala. Fujifilm X100T, Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 Aspherical Super EBC, ƒ/6.4 ISO 400 1/80″.
I would not say I feel very familiar with what Ruskeala quarries may offer for landscape photography. Anyway it′s quite hard to get known to the place in just one day. But for sure I am impressed with various marble textures, patterns and surface types. These things may be photographed from both the boat and land.
Texture of marble rock wall above waters of a small lake in Ruskeala. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/80″.
Texture of marble rock. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/60″.
Texture of marble rock. ƒ/5 ISO 400 1/40″.
Tiny grotto at the Large marble quarry lake. ƒ/6.4 ISO 400 1/80″.
Texture of cut marble wall with dark and bright stripes, cracks and spots. ƒ/5.6 ISO 640 1/25″.
Rock walls of flooded marble mine in Ruskeala. ƒ/7.1 ISO 400 1/50″.
There are two two grottos on the Large marble quarry lake, one of which allows you to stand full-length in the boat, while in the other one you take care not to crash your head against the rock ceiling. Locals use to make wedding photos in the large grotto from a motor-powered pontoon. The smaller grotto is much less visited. I was happy to see a small duck there, which slowly moved to the open water and made a nice spot in the image.
Cave in marble mine flooded with waters of small lake in Ruskeala. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/25″.
Forest at Large marble quarry lake is highlighted with sunset. ƒ/7.1 ISO 400 1/125″.
Path marked with lanterns through autumn forest in Rusekala park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/30″.
There is a path along the lake shoreline which leads you to a vertical mine and a horizontal gallery. Huge depression with an underwater lake is located nearby. Then the path leads to Italian quarry. You may find some artifacts here, like large rocks of drilled and knocked marble, old rusty railway switch, tub wheels, etc. so there is something to explain about for your children.
Old rusty mine railway switch in Ruskeala marble mine park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/30″.
Texture of drilled marble rock in Ruskeala mine park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 400 1/15″.
Texture of cut marble wall with dark and bright stripes, cracks and spots in Ruskeala mine park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 640 1/25″.
Texture of marble rock in Ruskeala mine. ƒ/5.6 ISO 800 1/25″.
Smooth walls of Italian quarry demonstrate various textures of marble rock – stripes, twirls, and threads.
Texture of drilled and cut marble wall with dark and bright patterns, cracks and spots in Ruskeala mine park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 800 1/25″.
Texture of cut marble wall with dark and bright wiggled stripes, cracks and spots in Ruskeala mine park. ƒ/5.6 ISO 800 1/125″.
Two young pine trees grow in front of the cut marble wall in Ruskeala mine. ƒ/5.6 ISO 800 1/20″.
When I had got on top of quarry wall, the sun highlighted the landscape with low angle sunset rays – just what was needed for a few more photos. The wind was strong enough to make the clouds look like made from lead, too gloomy even for Karelia.
Bright forest highlighted by a sunset in front of dark cloudy sky in Ruskeala marble mine park, Italian quarry. ƒ/5.6 ISO 800 1/60″.