I’ve been racking my brains for a topic that starts with S. At first the only thing I came up with was ‘Sketches of Stones’ but then I thought ‘Stonehenge’, and it’s in Salisbury. But I couldn’t find my photos of it; it’s probably in multiple boxes of Slides tucked somewhere or other. Then I thought of Standing Stones, both natural and man-made, that show up in surprising places.
So here are some Standing Stone rock formations from around the world.
Natural.
These fantastic standing stones and pictographs are found in Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, a rented motorcycle distance away from the city of Nong Khai, in Northeast Thailand (Issan).
In many cases the Thai people had wedged in sticks that made it look as if the sticks were holding up the enormous weight of the stones. 
In another instance they had built a small dwelling into the stone formation.
In the American South West there are many instances of standing stones.
‘Balancing Rock’ in Arches National Park, Utah.
Mexican Hat in Utah, a distinctive standing stone that gives its name to the nearby town.
In Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona, a trail leads down through masses of standing stones. 
Manmade.
Pentre Ifan, a burial chamber in Wales.
Megalithic tombs at Carrowmore, one of the four major passage tomb complexes in Ireland.
Standing stones: one of many megalithic dolmans in Portugal.
A map of Megaliths & Standing Stones in Castelo de Vide, one small part of Portugal on the Spanish border.
Finally, the Inukshuk in front of a Smoky Sun Set in August and September when our province was on fire. Inukshuks are the traditional Inuit way of Stacking Stones to act as a trail marker (Vancouver, Canada). 
For more of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Starts with the Letter S.
Albatz Travel Adventures 
We visited Phu Phra Bat a couple of years ago. What a fascinating spot along with your other Standing Stones.
Did you stay in Nong Kai? This was a really fun little town….
No we stayed in Udon Thani because we also went to the Red Lotus Sea. Udon Thani was not very cute. 🙂
Wow, Elizabeth. This is a great collection of standing stones. It’s a fabulous idea for the challenge. You’re the first one to think of them! I recognized the one in Vancouver. It’s a favorite walk of ours!
There’s something awe-inspiring about standing stones – I always thought it was because I wondered about how they happened (in the case of natural) or how they were made to happen (in the case of the ancients). But even the Inukshuk has some of that quality, even though it’s new and was much easier to put together. The walk is a favourite of many people, even in the pouring rain…
Yes, for me, too!
A very clever and creative response to the challenge Elizabeth. I’ve seen some mini-versions of standing stones that people leave behind on hiking paths and beaches, as well as some in Utah which are awesome, but your collection is truly amazing! Great idea.
For the longest time I thought that Stonehenge and Easter Island were the only two standing stones in the world – I was astonished to find them in Wales, and then later in Portugal there were so many we were tripping over them. Then came the natural ones – it doesn’t even seem possible that they exist. There’s something mesmerizing about the mini-standing stones on beaches…
Wow. Ssssssensational ssssselections. I’m fascinated by Man’s standing stones. What were they thinking?!?!
And often the huge stones came from the other side of the countries which begs the question: How did they do that?
Amazing.
Gorgeous post, Elizabeth! Love your choices and theme.
My cousin in Sweden has just told me about the Rauks in Gotland – she’s trying to tempt me to go back to Sweden, but she doesn’t have to try too hard!
I saw those rauks when I was very young – time to go back and revive it. Then you might come to Sweden again some day! IF we can travel.
WHEN we can travel…
IF
Wow, just looked up Sweden and it seems that the country is in trouble. We were in a similar state in our province in early November and went into a state of mandated masks and household bubbles only (just Al & I). We are still in that state of emergency but it’s obvious it is working – the number of new cases a day has halved even with the variants around. So hang in there, the vaccines are coming and things will change…
Hopefully! Glad that you are improving!