PHOTOGRAPHS OF MAMMOUTH CAVE, KENTUCKY

Yesterday, we visited and took pictures in Mammouth Cave..


.I mentioned that I took a drop of water on my lens.


The drop of water came early in the cave. Be warned, it is very wet at the traditional entrance. They have 27 entrances now, I cannot speak for the others.


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A flash photo looking up into a hole from above.


In some pictures, I was able to crop the smudge.


From a long distance and no flash, this is a cluster of bats. The ceiling in one place was bristling with those giant crickets but when the guide would shine the flashlight on them so you could see them, they would immediately scurry into a crack.

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This was a very dark area of the cave. Lighting is very subtle.


This is a closer shot with the flash.  I took three flash pictures. I was amazed at what color came from the light when I unloaded my pictures.

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A hole in the ceiling worked through the heavy limestone cover above and water pours through this hole. You can't see the water.  It is a thin but forceful steady stream.


This particular tour is named for this formation called Frozen Niagara Falls. To the left you can see railings where those who can go down 49 steps and back up can look up at the falls.


This is a view down into the "fall room" from the top of the steps.

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The falls is the end of this tour, then you can photograph what you missed on the way back.


These last two photos are repeats from a different angle. I don't miss much.


I enjoyed this cave. I don't fear the dark or unknown or earthquakes or rocks falling  that others on the tour expressed. But there are some people who absolutely love them and can't wait to get back under. They can easily spend weeks in a cave. I heard people say, all caves are alike, and I can certainly acknowledge their similarity. But, there is something unique about each one, too.


When I got out of the cave, it was the strangest feeling, like this sunny world is unnatural  and less rich compared to what we had just seen. It only lasted for seconds. I guess the eyes couldn't make the switch quickly enough. Fleetingly, it occurred to me, the feeling of let down people get when they come up, may be what inspires those to become addicted to caving.


We lunched at their cafeteria. Great vegetarian choices made it tough to choose. I'm now hungering for the spicy black bean burger I didn't choose over this spinach wrap humus and veggies with mango and passion fruit dressing.  Yum!