Have you ever heard of a Tufa (pronounced “Too-fuh)?”
From Wikipedia, “Tufa is a variety of limestone formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. Geothermally heated hot springs sometimes produce similar (but less porous) carbonate deposits known as travertine. Tufa is sometimes referred to as (meteogene) travertine, it should not be confused with hot spring (thermogene) travertine. Tufa, which is calcareous, should not be confused with tuff, a porous volcanic rock with a similar etymology that is sometimes also called “tufa”.
Well that doesn’t help much, does it? So, what the heck is a tufa? I can tell you it is not tofu, though it probably tastes the same. From what I experienced, it is a gnarly, prickly rock monster that maims you when touched. You can think of a tufa as the rock equivalent of a cactus on steroids. Even with all of their inherent dangers, they are really cool to look at and photograph.
Meet a tufa:
Say hello to a tufa.
There is even a family of tufas, though I am not sure I want to know how they reproduce.
This family of tufas is called the “Ghost Ship” because it looks like they rose from the waters – like a ghost ship. Some people have way too much time on their hands.
The amazing blue hour – a subdued palette of rose and blue
Tufas are beautiful at night:
You can see that sunlight is just hitting the horizon. And look carefully to see the big dipper,
Tufas are beautiful during the blue hour:
Just before the sun rises is the “blue hour” where there is magical light producing rich colors.
This tufa is angry
These tufas like to lean
Tufas can look like fighting monsters:
A battle at sunrise
Tufas are beautiful during the golden hour:
You can see Kassie shooting the water tufas just after sunrise.
They are beautiful – don’t tell them otherwise.
So, the next time you eat tofu, just think of the cool looking tufa. Also, if you act right now, you can get a tufa one sale (I really can’t help myself)!
And, remember, it’s all about the light.
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