This is the Hawk Stone, near Dean, Oxfordshire – a Neolithic oolitic limestone standing stone – according to Wikipedia, local legend has it that the stone was used for burning witches – the cleft in the top was made by the chains used to tie them up.

I was not aware of the connection to witches until after I had looked it up on returning from the walk – this probably explains Sparky’s barking reaction to the stone – perhaps he could sense its shocking past!

I converted the photograph to B&W too as the atmosphere lends itself to that style, but could not decide which was best – I like them both!

Technical Details:

Colour: 18mm(XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS); 1/125s@f5.0; ISO200 – handheld – post-processing in Lightroom – DSCF71731712265957

B&W: 18mm(XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS); 1/125s@f5.0; ISO200 – handheld – post-processing in Lightroom – B&W conversion in SilverFX Pro – DSCF71731712265957-Edit