Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: desert

This is a scan of a print from an old colour slide, taken in the desert outside Doha, Qatar (Middle East) in 1967. I have several of these old photos from Qatar that I need to scan and post as soon as possible. I don't know just where outside Doha this was taken, so I will mark it as Doha on my map - just in case anyone isn't quite sure where Doha is : ) We lived in Doha, Qatar, for just six months. This particular day was very special. One of the local Sheikhs, Sheikh Nasser, put on a "picnic" for employees and their families of one of the large oil companies. Various aspects of nomadic life were carefully arranged for us to see and enjoy, including a typical woven tent, a magnificent camel wearing its spectacular woven dressings, the slaughter of an animal hung from a wooden tripod and then prepared and cooked for us. This meal was eaten inside the tent, with everyone sitting in a circle on woven rugs - no knives or forks of course - and was followed by the preparation of coffee over a fire (and using the beautiful coffee pots that I love so much). Also a trained Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) was on its perch. A day I've never forgotten, including a ride on one of their camels (what an experience!). A most enjoyable day and one that we all greatly appreciated.

Rustaq (or Rostaq) was once the capital of Oman. Rustaq fort, built four centuries prior to the dawn of Islam in Oman, is an imposing structure built on three levels, containing separate houses, an armoury, a mosque and four towers. My photo was taken in 1977 - in more recent times, the fort has been renovated. I'm glad I had the chance to see it in its original condition, but renovations were necessary to keep it standing.

This is a scan from a print that was made from an old colour slide, taken on 8 December 1966. We lived in Doha, Qatar (Middle East), for just six months. This particular day was very special. One of the local Sheikhs, Sheikh Nasser, put on a "picnic" for employees and their families of one of the large oil companies. Various aspects of nomadic life were carefully arranged for us to see and enjoy, including a typical woven tent, a magnificent camel wearing its spectacular woven dressings, the slaughter of an animal hung from a wooden tripod and then prepared and cooked for us. This meal was eaten inside the tent, with everyone sitting in a circle on woven rugs - no knives or forks of course - and was followed by the preparation of coffee over a fire (and using the beautiful coffee pots that I love so much). Also a trained Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) was on its perch. A day I've never forgotten, including a ride on one of their camels (what an experience!). A most enjoyable day and one that we all greatly appreciated. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doha -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bet this took you by surprise, lol! It's a scan of a print from an old colour slide, taken in the desert outside Doha, Qatar (Middle East) in 1967. Will explain more about it when I get back home today. I have several of these old photos from Qatar that I need to scan and post as soon as possible. I don't know just where outside Doha this was taken, so I have marked it as Doha on my map - just in case anyone isn't quite sure where Doha is : ) Anyone else getting Hold Your Clicks ... this afternoon? Back to really slow page downloading, etc.. Taking forever to save comments this evening. When I click on Stats, it keeps taking me straight to the photo page for my most recent image. Weird.

This is a typical view in the Interior of Oman, seen sometime between 1972 and 1978. An old tower, an old shelter, mountains and sandy desert. We only very rarely managed to take a trip into the Interior, but I loved it there. With the dreadful heat plus three very young children (the youngest born in that country), it was never an easy thing to do, to travel inland. I remember it like it was yesterday, though.

This flower was blooming on a giant Prickly Pear cactus in the Calgary Zoo Conservatory. My dream ... that one day when I visit, one of the tiny Burrowing Owls flying loose in this desert area, will be perched on such a plant! And I WILL have my camera with me, because I never go anywhere without it!

This was the village of Nakhl in Oman on 17th March 1977. Scanned from an old photo.

Scanned from an old photo I took on 17 March 1977, of a deep, carved, rejuvenated wadi at Tabaqah, Oman. Flash floods can be dangerous!

Another photo of Birkat al Mause in Oman. Scanned from an old photo I took in April 1977.

Scan from an old print, taken in Oman in 1977.

Scan from an old print, taken in Oman in 1977. I hope that life has been good to all the gentlemen in my camel racing photos!

Scan from an old print, taken in Oman in 1977. The silver "khanjar" (dagger) worn here is part of a man's traditional dress. These khanjars (curved daggers) have beautifully ornate silver sheaths. The national emblem of Oman consists of a khanjar dagger in a sheath that is superimposed upon two crossed swords. This is also seen on the Omani flag. "The curved dagger, the khanjar is a distinguishing feature of the Omani personality as well as an important symbol of male elegance. It is traditionally worn at the waist. The shape of the khanjar is always the same and is characterised by the curve of the blade and by the near right- angle bend of the sheath. Sheaths may vary from simple covers to ornate silver or gold-decorated pieces of great beauty and delicacy. In the past the silver khanjars were made by melting down Marie Theresa silver coins. Different types of khanjars are named after the regions in which they are made and vary according to size, shape, type of metal and the overlay. The top of the handle of the most usual khanjar is flat but the "Saidi" type, which takes its name from the Ruling Family, has an ornate cross-shaped top. However, all possess certain common features and have the same components: • The hilt may be made of costly rhinocerous horn or substitutes such as sandalwood and marble. • The blade determines the value of the khanjar according to its strength and quality. • The sadr, or upper part of the sheath, is decorated with silver engraving. • The sheath , the most striking part of the khanjar, is worked with silver threads. Khanjars are supported on belts of locallymade webbing, sometimes interwoven with silver thread or belts of leather covered by finely woven silver wire with handsome silver buckles, and a knife with an ornate handle of silver thread is often stuck into a simple leather pouch behind the sheath. Khanjars are worn on formal occasions and at feasts and holidays, and almost all Omani men boast one. Once worn in self-defence, the khanjar is today both a fashion accessory and a prestige item much in demand." All this information is from www.omanet.om , the Ministry of Information's excellent website.

Scan from an old print, taken in Oman in 1977.

Scan from an old print, taken in Oman in 1977. I've been wanting to scan some of my Oman photos and these happen to be some of the first ones I scanned.

These six photos are scans of old prints taken in Oman in late 1977, hence the poor quality. My oldest daughter's school class went on a trip into the desert to watch the Camel Races and I went with them.

The old ruins by the Earth Satellite Station, Wadi Aday, Oman, Middle East. Taken on 18 March 1977, on one of our trips into the Interior.

The old ruins by the Earth Satellite Station, Wadi Aday, Oman, Middle East. Taken on 18 March 1977, on one of our drives into the Interior.

This was one of the places I really liked in Oman, taken in April 1977. These ruins were just before Nizwa, if I remember correctly.