What else can I say about Oxbow Bend, the Snake River and the Grand Tetons featuring magnificent Mount Moran that hasn't been said or written before? Suffice to say that it is one of the most beautiful locations in the US and attracts photographers from around the world. The morning that I shot this, it had been raining all night and it was still drizzling when I got there before sunrise. It was quite dreary out, and there weren't many people there because of the weather. Had I been staying in Jackson, I would have stayed in bed. Luck be have it, I was staying in Jackson Lake Lodge just a few minutes away. So out I went with no hope of a sunrise, but hoping Mother Nature would provide me something to shoot. Just after I got there, a small opening in the clouds let some light hit the top of Mount Moran and I was able to get this shot. I have posted this as a color shot in the past, but I thought that the black and white treatment would better depict the gloominess of the morning.
203 Steps to Go - Ponce Inlet, Florida
Those of you who follow me regularly know my passion for lighthouses. While I don't schedule trips just to shoot them (okay, Maine might be the exception), I always try to visit them whenever and wherever I can. Earlier this month, I spent a couple of weeks on Florida's northeast coast and was able to visit three of them. I wasn't able to spend lots of time exploring the best vantage point, so most of my shots are from near the parking lot and not at the best time of day. On one of the days we spent in St Augustine, we decided to head south down the coast past Daytona Beach to check out the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse that Michael Pancier had suggested.
I must say that this lighthouse was one of the best maintained lighthouses that I have ever seen. The grounds are meticulous, the lighthouse is in great condition and the experience was great. The current lighthouse was built in 1887 and is the tallest lighthouse in Florida (and among the tallest in the US) measuring 175 feet. As I entered the bottom of the lighthouse and looked up, I saw the 203 steps that would lead me to some great views of the surrounding coastline.
Winter Escape - Vero Beach, Florida
It has only been a week home from Florida and I sure miss it. The trip was not a photo trip but rather a vacation, and circumstances worked out that I took even less photos than I had planned. There were a couple of reasons for this. We stayed in Vero Beach and had lots of great recommendations from friends, especially Michael Pancier. My only photo restriction (more self imposed) was that I would keep any serious shooting to sunrise and get back for breakfast with my wife and friends. I had never been to Vero Beach, and most of the locations were about 90 minutes from where I stayed. With sunrise after 7:00 am, it was impossible to get to them and get back in time for breakfast. The other reason for the lack of photos at sunrise was weather driven. It was quite cold, windy and cloudy (at least measured by Florida standards) most mornings, and there weren't many sunrises to be had.
This shot was taken right outside our resort in Vero Beach the first morning of our stay. Little did I know this was going to be the best morning of our two-week stay. That being said, it was still way better than spending it in New England, where the overnight temperature reached (I should say plummeted) to -14 degrees with a -31 degrees wind chill.
Hiking Park Avenue - Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
Two weeks from today, it is likely that I will hiking this trail in Arches National Park. Moab is certainly one of my favorite and most visited destinations for classic southwestern landscapes. The area has two major national parks (Arches and Canyonlands); a killer state park (Dead Horse State Park) and a a national scenic byway that follows along the mighty Colorado River.
I could pick any one of these places and call them my favorite. The one I always want to visit first though is Arches. The very first place to stop in the park is the Park Avenue Viewpoint. From the viewpoint, you look through a mile-long canyon and you can view its many sandstone monoliths. It is also the beginning of the hiking trail that runs the length of the canyon. As you walk down the floor of the canyon, you realize where it got its name. All around you, the sandstone walls tower above you, just like the skyscrapers that line New York's Park Avenue. The hike is not very strenuous, and is generally flat after a steep climb down the stone steps. Can't wait to be there again.
No Commuters - Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, New York
A couple of weeks ago, I was able to get down to New York City to catch Bruce Springsteen's new tour at Madison Square Garden. It has been a while since I had been in the city, and, as usual, we hopped on the Metro North train for the almost 3 hour commute. Our destination was Grand Central Terminal. I have commuted through Grand Central many times during my working career, but never took notice of how beautiful the Terminal's architecture was. A few years ago, I was able to photograph Grand Central as part of a workshop. We were allowed to use tripods, and, since it was on a Saturday, the crowds were a little sparser than my commutes. Just outside the main hall, I was able to capture the lobby entrance to the station on 42nd Street.
Waterfall Rainbow - Niagara Falls, New York
Being a travel and nature photographer, it is always amazing to stand in front of new things and experience them. My favorite part of the US is definitely the west, with the beautiful mountain ranges and deserts. Living on the east coast, I sometimes take the east for granted and yearn for the vast landscapes out west. Isn't it funny that we photographers often don't take advantage of the sights in our backyards, maybe because they are all easily accessible.
A few years ago, I was getting antsy waiting for the next trip out west. I started to think about what was in my backyard that I could shoot. As my great friend Jeff Clow says, "Stand in front of better things." Niagara Falls immediately came to mind. The falls are one of America's great destinations. Granted, the falls are not really in my backyard (an 8 hour drive), but what the heck.
I drove to the falls in April and discovered that it was a great time of year to visit. It was off-season, the hotels and restaurants were having great deals, and, best of all, there weren't the normal crowds that you would encounter in the summer months. Just standing near the edge of the falls watching the relentless water fall over the cliff was mesmerizing. The little rainbow at the edge of the falss was just icing on the cake.
Morning at the Pier - Venice Fishing Pier, Venice, Florida
Well it looks like our way too short visit to Florida is over. We got back to New England yesterday for the rest of the winter. Hopefully, it won't be like last year's horrific end of February and March but, when we landed, it was 12 degrees. The only good news is that I will be headed to Monument Valley and Moab in a couple of weeks.
So, goodbye warmer weather and ocean views. It was great to get up before dawn, don a pair of shorts and head out to the beach to capture shots of piers, like this one of the Venice Fishing Pier that I shot last year, when there is no one around but me and my camera.
Patiently Waiting - Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado
When I looked at this scene of Maroon Bells, the words from the song "America the Beautiful" came immediately to mind. The song writer's wonderful words "...purple mountain majesty..." actually referred to another majestic mountain in Colorado, namely Pike's Peak. Regardless, the Rocky Mountains are so amazingly beautiful that I think the words can be used for any of the peaks.
Mountains tend to take on a purple tone during sunrises and sunsets. I am not sure what the scientific explanation is for the purple tint or, for that matter, any other color tints that mountains seem to take on. I believe that it has to do with a lot of variables, including the angle of the sun, and the amount of dust in the air to name two. Perhaps my love for mountains is because of the different "personalities" they take on when the light changes.
Along the Amalfi Coast - Salerno, Italy
When we started traveling to Europe, one of the places I was excited to visit was Italy. My mother was from a large Italian family and her parents immigrated to the US before she was born. Growing up, I used to love when my mother's family got together. There was always great food, lots of laughter and good times. The only annoying thing was when the adults wanted to talk about something privately, they would start talking in Italian. It was an atmosphere that I now miss very much.
The next best thing was to visit the home country. While we have barely scratched the surface on our travels there, the Amalfi Coast is one of our favorite places. Located on the western coast of Italy, the Amalfi Coast stretches about 30 miles with sheer cliffs and narrow roads to navigate. Perhaps the better way to see the coast is to take a boat ride and see it from the water. There you get a better sense of the mountains dropping down to the water and and the many little fishing villages that dot the coast. We had taken a boat out of Salerno (my mother's family's surname) and I believe this photo depicts the town of Amalfi.
St Petersburg Waterfront - St Petersburg, Florida
It has been almost ten days in Florida and we will be headed home to Connecticut in a few days. Hopefully, the New England winter will be kind to us when we get back. I never thought I would enjoy heading to Florida each winter, but the older I get, the less I like the cold. I am an early riser, and there is nothing better than to head out to the beach or waterfront to watch the sun light up the surrounding area. Not only are you able to enjoy the scenes, but you often have no one else to distract you. This shot that I took last year in St Petersburg is an example. The night before, the waterfront was teeming with people. This morning I seem to be the only one awake.
John Moulton Barn - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
There are so many locations to shoot in Grand Teton National Park that it makes it hard to shoot every one in good light. That is one of the reasons that I keep going back there (trust me, there are quite a number of reasons). Even though I have been to the park probably five times or so, I never shot the John Moulton barn in good morning light. That is probably because of John's brother Tom's barn located about a mile down Mormon Row. Tom's barn is the iconic one that is probably the most photographed barn in the world.
The last time I was in the park, I made sure that we stopped at the John Moulton Homestead so I could finally get this other barn in good light. While it wasn't the golden sunrise light (we shot Tom's barn at sunrise) the light was still pretty decent for this photo. Using the very small creek that runs toward the home and barn as a leading line, I was able to get a pretty good composition. I would have gotten even tighter, but the roof had some packages of new shingles on it as part of some repairs that were being made to it.
Off to See the Wizard - Hollywood Studios, Florida
After spending a week on Florida's east coast, we are headed to Disney World for a couple of days. Disney World has been a go-to trip over the past few years, where we catch up with old friends, relax and eat some great meals. We will also act like kids again and jump on a few rides. One of the fun things to do when we are there is to people watch. It always amazes me what people will wear when in the confines of this place. It is also cool to watch children's excitement when they are there anticipating everything. You sometimes see the same kids near the end of the day passed out from all of the day's fun.
This shot was taken on the Great Movie Ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios. I am sure that we will see quite a few wizards when we are there, at least lots of people wearing wizard hats.
No Tears Here - Monument Valley, Navajo Nation
Did you ever view a photograph that captured your imagination and all you wanted to do is go there and experience it with your own eyes? To me that is what makes a great photo when you move someone else with your art. Back in 2000, I ordered a bunch of travel guides for possible places to visit someday. On the cover of the Utah travel guide, there was a photo of Tear Drop Arch. It was in this place named Monument Valley and I had never seen it before (granted this was before photos on the internet was where it is today). I resolved myself that I would take that photo someday.
In 2004, my son and I headed to Utah for two weeks of exploring, hiking and photography. We hired a Navajo Guide and told him that we wanted to end up at Tear Drop Arch. Turns out that the arch is not in Monument Valley proper (although what you see through it is). It sits way up above the high school, and a jeep and a Navajo Guide is required. The experience was spiritual and I try to get back as often as I can. I took this photo in 2012 on my last visit there. In a few short weeks, I hope to be standing in this same spot with two of my great friends hoping that they feel the same about this location.
Logan Pass View - Glacier National Park, Montana
Of the many trails that can be found at Logan Pass, the Highline Trail is my favorite one. Starting off near the visitor's center, it travels past the magnificent mountains and the valley looking westward. That is where this photo was shot. We were very lucky that day as the there were some great clouds that had cleared, leaving some low lying ones in the center. Despite the great views that the trail offers, it crosses the valley into the more challenging section. There the trail, just wide enough for one person to pass, towers high above the valley. There is a guideline to hold onto for those afraid of heights. Fortunately, my fellow hiker, Jaki Good Miller, and I didn't have that fear. On the way back, you get a great view of Reynolds Mountain with the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road meandering below. I highly recommend this hike for anyone who visits Glacier.
Heceta Head View - Yachats, Oregon
Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Pacific Ocean. Located just south of Yachats, it is a beautiful sight sitting high above the ocean. It's light can be seen almost 21 miles from the coast. Photographing the light is usually from three vantage points. The first is driving up from the south along the coastal highway. There you are shooting across the cove at approximately the same level as the light. The second (this one) is from a cove near the mouth of Cape Creek. As you stand on the beach, you get a sense of how high it sits - about 205 feet above you. The last is right up next to the light just past the old light keeper's house (now a B&B). Bring a wide-angle lens for that shot as there is very little room. Regardless of where you shoot it from (I shot all three), it is a beautiful place.
Canada Place - Vancouver, British Columbia
On our Alaskan cruise a few years ago, we spent some time exploring Denali and taking the a full-day train ride to our cruise ship in Whittier. It was an awesome experience, but all good things come to an end. On our last morning at sea, we pulled into Vancouver Harbor to dock and disembark at Canada Place. It is one of the main sailing ports, where a steady stream of cruise ships can be seen coming and going. Canada Place, with its iconic white sails, is located in the heart of Vancouver's downtown harbor front. The only thing that made the end of the cruise palatable was that we were staying for three days in Vancouver, which is a fantastic place to visit. I shot this photo as we approached the end of our cruise.
Florida Dreaming - Captiva, Florida
Headed to Florida to escape the New England winter. I never thought that I would be one to escape to Florida so often, but the older I get, the less the snow, sleet and cold appeals to me. This will be a relatively short visit, but welcome nonetheless. We are staying mostly on the east coast, north of West Palm Beach. I haven't spent much time in this area but hope to explore. I am hoping to find great weather and scenes like this one from last year's excursion to Florida. If anyone has any great locations to shoot, let me know.
Rainbow Bridge - Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Arizona
Another post on how certain land formations got their name. The Navajo Indians thought that rainbows were the guardians of the universe and they held this rock formation to be sacred because of it. Prior to the creation of Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge was one of the most remote destinations to visit. Even now, there are two ways to reach it - a two-hour boat ride from Page or a 14-mile hike through Navajo land (a permit is required).
The bridge itself is made of sandstone and is thought to be the world's highest natural bridge. It was formed over thousands of years when the area was alternately a sea and desert. This produced layers of sandstone with different levels of hardness and compressed them so tightly as to withstand time.
Big Sur Beauty - California 1, Monterey, California
When I was in the business world, I was able to travel a bit out to California on business trips. Whenever I was scheduled to go to San Francisco or Los Angeles, I would travel early to the other city on the weekend and then drive up (or down) California Highway 1. I probably have done this two-day drive about 10 times and I couldn't get enough of it. Most of the route north of Santa Barbara is along the coast (Highway 1 is also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) and there are spectacular sights to see. My favorite section of the drive is Big Sur, just south of Monterey. As you can see by this photo, the beauty and ruggedness of the coast is on display. I think this photo was taken just south of the Bixby Bridge.
Steeples - Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany
One of the advantages of taking a river cruise is that you get to stop in the middle of cities and be close to everything. Most ocean cruises dock outside of a city (usually in a not so pretty place) and bus or tender you in. When we stopped in Cologne, we were within walking distance of all of the sights. One of the tours that we did was to visit the beautiful Cologne Cathedral, a few mere blocks from the boat. We ate lunch at a great beer house and then explored more points of interest. Our wandering was cut short because of rain, so we headed back to the boat. I had planned to go back out into the city after dinner, but it was still raining on and off. I decided to go to the upper deck of the boat with my tripod and hoped that the movement of the boat would not hamper some long exposure night shots. They didn't. This is a photo of the steeples of the Cathedral that night.