Lake Melissani, Kefalonia

Lake Melissani, Kefalonia, Greece.
 

Melissani is a most spectacular underground lake on the island of Kefalonia (Ionian Sea). The cave is 100 meters long and the lake takes about one third of its length. It was first discovered in 1951 and was opened for the public in 1963. Locals were aware of its presence much earlier. The water is brackish (a mixture of sea and fresh water). In 1953, during an earthquake, part of the top of the cave collapsed; the sun rays getting through the opening make impressive light displays on the cave's walls. If you visit the cave between July and August at midday, you will be amazed  by the reflections of the sun in the water and the mind dazzling colours on the walls. Part of the fallen roof has formed a large rock at the darkest end of the lake, which actually resembles a very small island. Excavation of the island at the east side of the cave yielded objects dating from the late 4th and early 3rd century BC; these included a rectangular terracotta slab depicting Pan and three Nymphs, a terracotta disk, a terracotta figurine of Pan, a rectangular plaque with a female figure that has been identified as Nymph Melissanthi, and other objects currently on display in the Archaeological Museum at Argostoli. You will have a unique and wonderful experience by taking a short tour in one of the small boats and enjoying the sight and story  of each stalactite, the mineral formations on the interior walls of the cave, some of which resemble figures or shapes. We were there in mid-August at the right time of the day (12:30 pm) armed with our four Nikon cameras (D300, D2x, D70 and D80) and an array of lenses which were already attached on the bodies since lens changes on the boat would not be possible (Sigma 28 mm f/1.8, Nikkor fisheye 10.5 mm f/2.8, Nikkor 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR and Sigma 12-24 mm f/4.5-5.6 respectively). We were impressed by the friendliness of the boatmen who did everything possible (including stoping the boat or turning it round) to facilitate visitors taking some good shots of the cave and the lake.

 
Photos by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos

Shooting data:

1. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 28 mm f/1.8 D EX DG Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/5.6, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

2. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 28 mm f/1.8 D EX DG Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/200 sec - f/5.6, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

3. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 28 mm f/1.8 D EX DG Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/2000 sec - f/2.8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

4. Camera: Nikon D2x
Lens: AF Nikkor Fisheye 10.5 mm f/2.8
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1000 sec - f/4, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

5. Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikkor 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR @ 85 mm
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/4.8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

6. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 28 mm f/1.8 D EX DG Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/40 sec - f/2.8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.