Moon Lift - Lake Mead

Even the moon needs a lift now and then.

Near Meadview, Arizona. February 2016.

Nikon D750 | Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

Sunset - Langley Resort Fort Royal

Deshaies, Guadeloupe. May 2014.

Sunset view looking north on the boardwalk in front of our beach bungalow.

Le Rayon Vert - Deshaies Guadeloupe

 Le Rayon Vert, Deshaies, Guadeloupe. May 2014. 

My favorite place for a relaxing swim,  fabulous sunset views overlooking the Caribbean and great food. We  loved stopping at Le Rayon Vert for dinner and a cool dip at the end of a long day. Our hotel served a buffet that had a better selection of alcohol than food, so we opted to dine at this local hotel/restaurant instead. The name Le Rayon Vert ,which translates to 'The Green Ray', stems from the lighting effect of the setting sun on the ocean/sea horizon. The views from the infinity edge pool at Le Rayon Vert are spectacular.

Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), known more for his writings on Japan and New Orleans than the Caribbean, mentions the green ray in his book, Two Years in the French West Indies. He describes the phenomena beautifully (1) "Across our way appears a long band of green light, reaching over the sea like a thin protraction of color from the extended spur of verdure in which the western end of the island terminates." (2) "The sunset offers a splendid spectacle of pure color; there is only an immense yellow glow in the west, - a lemon-colored blaze; but when it melts into the blue there is an exquisite green light..." 

While I too prefer a beautiful photo-shopped version of the Caribbean sunset famously depicted on postcards all over the island with lovely purples, magentas and blues.... this natural sunset reminded me of the lemon-colored blaze I had read about in Hearn's book. 

Le Rayon Vert is located in Deshaies, Guadeloupe near the shoulder of a steep hill on the N2. You will likely pass it going up the hill and again coming back down the hill, but you will catch it on the second trip up and trust me it is worth turning around for. The duck breast with the creole pepper sauce is incredible.

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Chutes Carbet - Guadeloupe

Chutes Carbet from a distance (about an hour away).

This is just the second fall of the three level waterfall. The first fall is way up there in the clouds, out of view. The third fall was another two hour hike away, so needless to say I do not have any photos of the other two falls. After an hour long hike through the wet and drizzling rain forest to this one and an hour hike back out, it was too late for any more exploring. I'm gonna make a point to return someday to do all three falls. May 2014.

Chutes Carbet from about a hundred feet away.

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Les Saintes - Guadeloupe

Les Saintes or Iles des Saintes (Islands of the Saints) is a small archipelago and part of the larger archipelago of Guadeloupe, which is an overseas territory of France located in the French West Indies. Guadeloupe consists of Les Saintes, Marie-Galant, and La Desirade. Les Saintes is comprised of nine islands: two larger inhabited islands: Terre-de-Haut Island and  Terre-de-Basse Island and seven smaller uninhabited islands: Îslet à Cabrit, le Pâté , le Redonde,   la Coche , Grand-Îlet , les Augustins and les Roches Percées This photo was shot overlooking Baie des Saintes from the top of Fort Napolean on Terre-de-Haut. Les Saintes has been ranked by several travel sites as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. I have to agree, it is pretty spectacular. 

Fort Napolean.

A canon at Fort Napolean.

A view from the Plage de Figuire.  That is Grand-Îlet in the background.

Shot this photo swimming in Baie de Pompierre looking at les Roches Percées.

Plage de Pompierre as seen from swimming in the Baie de Pompierre.

Baie du Marigot.

A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron at Plage de Grande-Anse.

A view of Rue Benoit Cassin. We had lunch here at the Smooth'Sea Bar a Jus.

Our rental scooter, we affectionately named L'Escargot - for it's sluggishness. 

Another view overlooking Baie des Saintes. For comparison, the very first photo of this post was taken from Fort Napolean, which is all the way at the top of the mountain to the far left of this photo.  

 Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe. May 2014. 

Pointe du Piton - Guadeloupe

The Atlantic Ocean and the beautiful Pointe du Piton. Northeast coast of Guadeloupe. While the view from here is breathtaking, just out of frame at my feet was a mound of garbage, because for whatever reason many islanders in the Caribbean think the ocean is their own personal landfill. May 2014.

Olympus TG-2 iHS  

Sunset - Deshaies, Guadeloupe

Sunset view from our beach bungalow at the Langley Resort Fort Royal.

Deshaies, Guadeloupe. May 2014.

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Windfarm Sunset

Shot this sunset, at about 60 mph from the train, returning from Chicago one summer evening. Benton County, Indiana. July 2011.

 

Nikon D300|Nikon AF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

Bryce Canyon - Lightning II

Bryce Canyon, Utah. August 2013.

I ended up with two lightning shots from Bryce Canyon last year. This is the second one, the first one was posted October 18, 2013. You can use the search box in the right hand column and enter "Bryce Canyon" or you can scroll down the right hand column, through the Blog Archive, to 2013 (select it), scroll down to October (select it) and then scroll down to 'Bryce Canyon - Lightning' and select it for those who want to go back and look at the previous lightning post. If you use the search box to the right,  all blog posts relating to your keyword search will appear at the top of the page above the current post (and you can select from that list). The first lightning shot is definitely the better of the two. Enjoy!

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Sunrise - Digby, Nova Scotia

I wanted to say something poignant and poetic about the sun rising on a new chapter of your life for this special day, but the words truly escape me. What can I say that I haven't told you over the years? I have always admired your courage, your strength and your determination. You really are an inspiration! Now it is time to slow down and enjoy your retirement. I am so looking forward to spending more time with you and sharing so many more adventures yet to come. I wish you the very best retired life has to offer!

Congratulations Mom! 

Sunrise at Digby, Nova Scotia, September 2012.

Sunrise in the Mirror

Sunrise in the Mirror.

This photo was taken on I70 westbound, somewhere near St. Louis, Missouri. August 2013.

Photographed with Iphone5

Ice on the Rocks

It was a mere 18 degrees this morning when I went for my hike. Crossing a shallow riverbed, I noticed these wavy lines in the ice and thought they might make for a nice composition with the rocks. I will spend the rest of the day wrapped in a warm blanket, defrosting in front of the fireplace!

Photographed with IPhone5

Autumn Day - Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis

A colorful selection of photos from my Saturday afternoon in the park.

Eagle Creek Park - Indianapolis, Indiana.

November 2, 2013.  

  

  

  

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Bryce Canyon - Lightning

My first attempt at photographing lightning. I did not want to get caught in this storm at nearly 9,000 ft elevation, so I left the tripod in the car. Without the tripod, long exposures are impossible and while I've always wanted a lightning trigger release - I still do not own one. For you non-photographer peoples that means this was a damn lucky shot! A special "thank you" to my wonderful friend who waited patiently enjoying the storm (in the drizzling rain), while I got lost in my photography. For your endless smiles, support, encouraging words, kindness and patience; for driving more than your share and last but not least; for being my lucky rabbits' foot (even tho you have yet to embrace that affectionate title) -This one's for you! Bryce Canyon, Utah. August 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Bryce Canyon, Utah - Hoodoos

Bryce Canyon, Utah. August 2013.

A wide angle view of hoodoos and sky.

Hoodoos are columns of weathered rock.

Nikon D7100 |  Nikon AF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

A storm moving in.

Bryce Canyon was an unexpected surprise on this trip. The variation in color combined with the various geological formations of Bryce Canyon will amaze you. Really my photos don't come close to capturing the true beauty of this natural wonder. Given the chance, I will return again someday.

Except as noted above, all photos shot with:

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

The Cross at Ground Zero

The cross at ground zero.

 Lower Manhattan, New York, February 2006.

This cross (believed to be from the North Tower) was discovered by Frank Silecchia amidst the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center in the early days following September 11, 2001. The cross was declared a symbol of faith, hope and healing by Fr. Brian Jordan O.F.M. (Order of Friars Minor - official title of the Franciscan Order) and was erected on this pedestal shortly thereafter. In March of 2013, U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts threw out a lawsuit, filed by the American Atheists, to prevent the display of the cross at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is scheduled to open in April of 2014. More information about the 9/11 Memorial® is available at the official website: 911memorial.org. A really wonderful, interactive website chock full of incredible details on 9/11 and the recovery. Checkout the timeline feature on the site - it sent shivers down my spine.  

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Turret Arch - Arches National Park, Utah

A view of Turret Arch from the North Window.

Climbing the many steps to Turret Arch.

Nikon D7100 |  Nikon AF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

A shot of the South Window (back ground) from behind Turret Arch (foreground).

Rear view of Turret Arch facing east.

The sun begins its slow descent behind Turret Arch.

Arches National Park, Moab, Utah.

August, 2013.

Except as noted above, all images shot with:

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Highway 128 - Utah Desert

Sunset on Highway 128 (Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway) northeast of Moab, Utah. August, 2013. 

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Chicago Skyline

A night view of the Chicago Skyline from the tall ship Windy (a 148 ft schooner) sailing on the open waters of Lake Michigan (2011). The Navy Pier is to the right of the photo where (if you squint) you can see the ferris wheel.

Indianapolis Skyline

Indianapolis skyline shot from west end of canal.

Indianapolis skyline shot from the lawn of White River State Park.

Indianapolis skyline shot from the west bank of the White River.

Nikon D300|Nikon AF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR