The Tree of Epiphytes

The Tree of Epiphytes

GUAT07D-283

June 7, 2007

Sticking with Guatemala again, that beautiful Central American country.  This was found in Tikal, one of the great ruined cities of the Mayan culture.  I loved exploring the ruins of this country, especially the out-of-the-way ones like Yaxha, but Tikal is not to be missed.  It is the most immense ruin complex, and a lot of it has been reclaimed from the jungle.  However, the trees still abound; and here, right in the middle of the city, was this magnificent tree.  Covered in various epiphytes, mosses and lichens and orchids and bromeliads, the tree was a symbol of the struggle that is evident throughout the jungle, organisms clinging to each other for mutual support and protection.  I loved the complexity of the tree, its ecological importance and meaning.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-W55

Lens: n/a

Focal length:  6.3 mm

Exposure: 1/320 @ f/7.1  ISO 200

Post-processing: Minor tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4.

The Deepening Jungle

The Deepening Jungle

GUAT07D-197

June 3, 2007

Central America, the depths of Guatemala, highlight today's image.  This is down from the beautiful Semuc Champey area, and the water is still that bright aquamarine water flowing downstream.  But the hillsides, the jagged limestone that protrudes from the thick canopy of greenery, are so rugged, offering a glimpse of how vicious and wild this landscape can be.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: NIkon 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  20 mm

Exposure: 1/80 @ f/3.8  ISO 400

Post-processing: Minor tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4.

The Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory

GUAT07D-340_pan

July 8, 2007

While venturing through the sights of Guatemala, my main objective for going there was to see the Mayan ruins.  And they didn't disappoint.  My one hiccup was that they were very touristy.  Now, this is to be expected, as the ruins at places like Tikal are restored and in fantastic shape, and they should be appreciated by all so they can be maintained.  However, there is that part of me, as in most adventurers, who enjoys moving off the beaten track, seeing things out of the way.  And that was what brought us to Yaxha. 
 
This smaller site, located right on the river, is in various stages of decay and repair.  The 90-minute jeep ride through the jungle to reach the site gave you an idea of how isolated, how off the beaten track it was.  And the site did not disappoint.  Ruins fading into the jungle, crumbled by centuries of disuse and steady rain and humidity.  The royal astronomical observatory, which I climbed to take this photo, was in good shape, as were a few other pyramids.  Best of all, these places were without any other visitors; besides us two and our guide, only two archaeologists were at the site, giving it a lonesome, first-discovery feel.  It was fantastic.  I hope you like the panorama I stitched together of the royal palace sitting near the river, with clouds stretching far to the horizon.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/500 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Verdant Semuc Champey

The Verdant Semuc Champey

GUAT07D-190

July 3, 2007

I've been thinking a lot about Central America of late, as you can tell from my posts.  I was going to give it up for a time, but there is a plan to head back to the region later this year, for the first real vacation I've had in a couple years, and with a special traveling companion.  We're thinking of Costa Rica at the moment, it's relatively close, warm, with lots of outdoors adventures to partake.  So, if you're reading this and have ideas of what to do, let me know!
Today's image is a companion to the Semuc Champey valley scene I showed a couple weeks ago.  Moving down from El Mirador, we traversed the steep slopes down to the aqua pools, and came upon these beautiful swimming and bathing holes.  I was lucky to nab this shot of the relatively clear and calm water before bathers took over.  I like the colors in this image, it gives an idea of how green and lush the valley, and the jungle in general, look, and the water being so vibrantly aqua-green itself (no Photoshop color tweaking needed). Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 18mm

Exposure: 1/3 f/22 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Lonely Atitlan Paddler

Lonely Atitlan Paddler

GUAT07D-86

June 28, 2007

In the northern reaches of Guatemala, high in the mountains, lies Lake Atitlan.  This is a common stop for backpackers and visitors to the region, as there are numerous towns dotted along the coast, which then rises high into the jungle to climb ancient volcanoes.  This one morning, before the sun rose above the mountains, rode a single paddler across the water, everything in shades of blue. It was a peaceful morning, and I feel that this image reflects that atmosphere, the lone man setting off on the water in the cool of the morning.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 100mm

Exposure: 1/15 f/8 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Sunrise Over the Ruins

Sunrise Over the Ruins

GUAT07D-234_pan

July 7, 2007

A beautiful and famous landscape, sunrise over the Mayan city of Tikal.  This scene was not only found in Star Wars IV: A New Hope (the home of the secret rebel base), but is the site of one of the greatest cities of the Mayan empire.  I chose this image because it is a good reflection of a new year, full of optimism (so far), and also because the nay-sayers have the Mayans predicting 2012 as the end of the world.  Highly doubtful, I think it is misinterpreted, but oh well.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3 mm

Exposure: 1/13 f/2.8 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Pyramid

The Pyramid

GUAT07D-354

July 8, 2007

A quick post this morning, post-Christmas, to wish you all the very best.  Here's hoping you are secure with friends and family, and that you are off to new adventures, like seeing the main pyramid of Yaxha in Guatemala.  Enjoy!

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/800 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Antigua Arch

The Antigua Arch

GUAT07D-72

June 27, 2007

Today's image remains in the theme of central America, with a slice of the great arch at Antigua.  This colonial piece of architecture has stood for centuries, marking the beginning of the central plaza area, with its shops, restaurants, and government buildings.  It is a beautiful piece of construction, fitting with the rest of the town's ambiance.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 18mm

Exposure: 1/2000 f/8 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Antigua Washing with Volcano Watching

Antigua Washing with Volcano Watching

GUAT07D-10

June 25, 2007

Wandering through the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala, in the morning is a tranquil time.  This pool is used by locals for washing, and has been for the last two centuries or more.  And in the background, the ever-present threat of volcanoes.  Antigua is surrounded by three such monsters, which forced the moving of the capital from Antigua to Guatemala City after a major eruption.  Two of the three are still active, and Pacaya can be climbed until your boots start smoking.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 20mm

Exposure: 1/400 f/10 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Semuc Champey Valley

The Semuc Champey Valley

GUAT07D-169

June 25, 2007

This valley is famous, tucked in the central portion of Guatemala.  Cutting through the limestone of the mountains, these aqua pools  sparkle and beckon to dip your feet (or body) in and relax.  And after hiking through El Mirador (the lookout surrounding the valley, the vantage point of this image), that is a welcome thought.  The pools are clear and refreshing, with small fishes that tickle as you wade in.  Downstream there are areas where you can jump off waterfalls into pools (watch out for your glasses).  I like this image, as it cuts a nice contrast between the deep green of the jungle, and the small slice of warm hues that encapsulate the aqua pools.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:n/a

Exposure:n/a

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Aguateca's Canyon

Aguateca's Canyon

GUAT07D-212

June 5, 2007

Continuing on in Guatemala, I figured to double-down to end the week and present this image of the canyon along Aguateca.  This ancient Mayan city used this fissure in the ground as a natural defense point; there were only a couple of places where one could cross, and so it kept the city relatively well-defended from invaders.  By now, however, about twelve centuries after the city was abandoned, the jungle is back in full control, tearing down the bricks that were put up, covering the whole place in a verdant moss.  You can see, in the middle of the picture, the light brown strip is actually the road leading down and out of the canyon on the far side.  Quite an experience to walk among these ruins.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 4.5 sec @ f/16 ISO 200

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4

Tropical Fungi Bloom

Tropical Fungi Bloom

GUAT07D-208

June 5, 2007

Back to fungi again today, because they are just such amazing things, and yet so beautiful.  After showing off some fungi growing in my own neighborhood this week, today's image comes from Guatemala, deep in the ruins of a Mayan city, Aguateca.  This lichen-draped ruined city is deep in the jungle of Central America, and is quite isolated, requiring an hour boat ride to get there.  But the ruins represent a great example of how the jungle, and how nature in general, can reclaim the works of man.  This log, covered in moss and lichen, actually has two species growing on it, these beautiful basidiomycetes on their stalks, and the tiny white wood decayers in the background to the left.  Both thriving in the humidity and heat of the jungle, and doing their part to break down the wood and return nutrients to the soil.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  135 mm

Exposure: 3 sec @ f/16 ISO 200

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4

The Foggy Church

The Foggy Church

GUAT07D-135

May 31, 2007

It was a foggy day this morning, after a torrential storm whipped through the town.  During the morning run, the fog lay thick in the little creek that I run along, and it reminded me winding through the  higher mountains of Guatemala's Cuchumatanes Range.  This highland area in the northern stretches of the country doesn't see as many visitors as the popular East coast, and I was the only foreigner on the bus as we headed up to the town of Zunil.  Due to the weather, the market was shutting down early, but I was able to wander through the town, and came across this church.  They had just opened the doors, and the fog was flowing in past the pews, like something out of a horror movie, with a true eerie feeling.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  48 mm

Exposure: 1/13 @ f/8 ISO 400

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4