Flags over Peaceful Water

Flags over Peaceful Water

BHUT10D-250

November 19, 2010


Hopping over a bit, today we revisit Bhutan, and the set of prayer flags that drape over the pond at the Royal Botanical Garden (which is more like a National Park).  Prayer flags are always supposed to be situated close to the water, and this long string is positioned right over the water, creating a beautiful mirror image in the placid lake.  I struggled whether to do this image in black and white or color... I like the color of the prayer flags, but the light isn't too spectacular.  So I'm posting it in monochrome for the moment, perhaps I'll go back and also post the color version so you all can let me know which you prefer.  But, in the meantime, enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80
Lens: Nikon 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 40 mm

Exposure: 1/100   f/6.3   ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4 and LR

Lonely Macaque Baby

Lonely Macaque Baby
THAI10D-53

November 24, 2010


I have been away for part of the week, taking care of Sarah after some wisdom teeth removal (feel better!).  She is on the road to recovery, and so today I wanted to put up an image of a cute baby monkey.  Among the troupe of  northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina) we came across in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, this little baby was off to one side, watching the antics of his older relatives.  So sweet, though his father/uncle was none too pleased about our presence so close to the gathering.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon N80
Film: Fuji Provia 100F

Lens: Nikon 28-135 mm f/3.5-4.5

Focal length: 28 mm

Exposure: 1/80   f/8   ISO 400

Post-processing: Scanned on a Nikon Coolscan 5000; toning and curves adjustment in PS4

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.

Sunset over Roosevelt's Country

Sunset over Roosevelt's Country

THRO09D-44

July 10, 2009

Today's shot comprises a second set of Badlands.  Not the National Park in South Dakota, but instead Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.  Similar geology marks both parks, but the badlands in the north seem older.  Their peaks are less sharp, there is more scrub vegetation mixed in with the striated rock, and more wildlife (antelope, prairie dog, and bison just to name the big few).  This was looking across a short valley as the sun gently set, with the ever-present summer storm clouds passing across the sky.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  80 mm

Exposure: 1/8 @ f/16  ISO 100

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

A Painted Landscape

A Painted Landscape

SDAK09D-8

July 3, 2009

It was amazing, when first encountering the Badlands of South Dakota, how similar they were in some respects to the other canyons in the southwest, especially Bryce Canyon.  The striations, the unevenness and seeming random arrangement of the formations, all seem familiar.  Of course, they are totally different landscapes, when you get down to it, but still it is interesting to consider, on this Friday morning, when I'd rather be out hiking either one with the incredible Sarah.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  85 mm

Exposure: 1/10 @ f/16  ISO 100

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

The Dreary Badlands

The Dreary Badlands

SDAK09D-55_pan

July 4, 2009

A stark contrast from yesterday's cheerful, sunny panorama, today we see the storm-clouded side of the Badlands, which I think really highlights their name.  This storm rolled through, as this panorama was taken just a day after my arrival in the Badlands (when yesterday's image was composed).  But this expanse, with the scraggly green dotted here and there, but dominated by the unending brown, desolate-looking landscape.  In a way it reminds me of my shot at the travertine terraces of Yellowstone, which also exudes this lonely aura.  All the same, I like the moodiness, so enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/60 @ f/16  ISO 100

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

Badlands Panoramic

Badlands Panoramic

SDAK09D-9_pan

July 3, 2009

Sticking with the Dakota images still, since this one provides such a beautiful landscape and a very sharp depiction of what the Badlands look like.  The colored rock, worn away from eons of action by rivers and inland seas, now lays bare to the view of all, the strata of ages open to the sky.  The whole area is incredible, because it doesn't strike you as canyon country, this small area is surrounded by vast prairie that run right up to the park before falling away.  Driving up to it, you wouldn't know that there were these formations, the land seems so flat (and the Badlands are not mountains, despite what it looks like here... instead you drive/hike down into the canyon, then look back up to where the average height of the land is).  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  24 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/4  ISO 400

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

Destinations: Cordillera Huayhuash

Destinations: Cordillera Huayhuash

Peru
-10.267, -76.9 (highest point, Yerupajá)

If you've seen any bits of this blog, then you know I love the outdoors, and I love to hike.  It's probably not surprising that most of my dream destinations involve the wide open spaces, the infinite variety of geography on this planet.  So many incredible areas, I wish I had the funds and time to visit them all.  But for now, this blog will serve as a list of my highlights and desires.

Today we're back in South America, for a different mountainous landscape than we saw earlier with Mt. Roraima: the incredible Cordillera Huayhuash.  This small, 30km range rises through several areas, including the Ancash, Lima, and Huanuco regions.The Huayhuash also encompasses several lakes and peaks over 6,000 m (see the map from SummitPost below).





This is not the most popular route through Peru (that would be the busy Inca Trail, which winds up to the ruins of Machu Picchu), this one is certainly more demanding.  Most of the trail is above the treeline (4,000 m), so grasslands and landscapes typical of the paramo dominate, punctuated by lofty peaks. It is dry during the middle of the year, and that is generally considered the best time to go and explore the area. 
 
The area is also noted for its glaciers, which dot the spaces between the mountains and passes, as well as the glacial lakes that are fed from the runoff of the ice. 




From what I've read, the trek takes about 10-14 days, and during that time you are likely not to see another foreign tourist, only local Peruvians that inhabit the few towns you trek through.  The area is generally considered safe these days; the area was once a base for the rebel group Shining Path, and though there have been attacks in the past (1990s and before), the locals have taken security into their own hands.  There is a "security fee" charged in order to help provide them with means, but it seems a small price to pay to be able to trek safely through this region.
Thank you to Jack Brauer and his blog Mountain Photographer, which supplied this destination file with most of the images.  Check out his fantastic collection of images while trekking here.

Spring Frolic

Spring Frolic

SDAK09D-22

July 6, 2009

Ah spring, such a fun jovial time.  While this image was taken in the middle of summer, it still has a spring feeling to it.  While heading through the Black Hills of South Dakota, these young pronghorn were playing with one another, jumping, frolicking together, hiding behind trees and jumping out at their buddies.  It was such a peaceful scene (unfortunately ruined by a loud motorcycle that revved up the highway not too far away), the kind you always want to stumble upon while heading through the mountains.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: NIkon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length:  200 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/4  ISO 400

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

Badlands Cactus

Badlands Cactus

BADL09D-64

July 4, 2009

It is fitting that there should be prickly pear growing in the Badlands of South Dakota, that place has such a barren feel to it at times it would be forgiven if you thought you were transported hundreds of miles south to the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, or southern Utah.  But this spiny inhabitant makes its home in the intricate erosion landscape of the Badlands, and on that gray July 4th day, hiking out in the wilderness it seemed a fitting portrait of the day.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  32 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/16  ISO 400

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

Final Approach to the Lookout

Final Approach to the Lookout

BHUT10D-88

November 16, 2010

Wrapping up the week back in Bhutan, this country of beauty and mystery.  Prayer flags are habitually left up forever, no one ever takes them down regardless of their age.  These flags were situated near the top of a trail to the point that overlooked the town of Timphu, down in the valley below, with a sight of the river.  These prayer flags were old and tattered, having long blown their good wishes to the valley below, but remained a beautiful scene, serene in its simplicity and still powerful spirituality.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  32 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/16  ISO 400

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

Beach over the Water

Beach over the Water

SLBE10D-35_pan

June 9, 2010

My apologies for missing Friday; a pretty nasty sinus infection got the better of me, and I was sidelined all day.  But today I am back, mostly, and wanted to keep up with the posting that should have gone out Friday.  This is from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, an interesting and very beautiful place to roam around.  You walk out to the end of the sand, looking out over a body of water so large you'd swear it was an ocean.  It was brisk and crisp, even in June, and you could see the summer clouds popcorning across the sky.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  32 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/16  ISO 400

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

Sinuous Silver Serpent

Sinuous Silver Serpent

SDAK08D-73

July 7, 2009

Today we are in the Black Hills of South Dakota, in Custer State Park.  This small cascade was running down a steep part of the trail, slicing between rocks like a kayaker, twisting and turning all the time.  This part of the cascade is not very large, maybe a couple feet high at most, but it formed a portion of a multi-step waterfall that ran about a hundred feet down the hill.  I love the s-curve the water makes between the boulders, and the patch of green at the top left from the moss.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 mm f/4-5.6

Focal length:  17 mm

Exposure: 1.6 sec @ f/16  ISO 100

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

Teton Storm Clearing

Teton Storm Clearing

GRTE050104

September 7, 2005

Digging way back into the archives this morning for an image that dates back to 2005, my last visit to the fabulous Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.  This was shot on the approach to Cascade Canyon, watching as the storm that had clung to the granite hills slowly dissipated, leaving a fog that would burn off as the day continued.  I like the haunted look to this image, the overall mystery that is involved with the fog seeping through the trees.  I hope you do as well.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon N80
Film: Fuji Provia 100F

Lens: n/a

Focal length:  n/a

Exposure: n/a  ISO 100

Post-processing: Scanned on a Nikon Coolscan 5000; minor tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4.

Frozen Cascade

Frozen Cascade

COLO09D-132

December 31, 2009

Though this was a very mild winter by any standards (even the lax ones of North Carolina), this week winter officially ended, and we heralded in spring post-equinox.  So, to send winter off for another term, this image commemorates some really cold weather.  In Colorado, at the end of 2009 we were hiking along the Horsetooth Falls trail, and found the eponymous waterfall there, but it was frozen over for the season.  It was graceful and beautiful, suspended animation waiting for the spring thaw to let the water carry on its tumultuous course, splashing down to the canyon below.  And now, spring has come.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  31 mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f/8   ISO 400

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

Spring Cascade

Spring Cascade
NCAR10D-199

April 3, 2010

Starting off the week still in North Carolina, during my first backpacking excursion in the state.  I had found this gorgeous little camp spot next to the river, under the shade of rhododendron trees, and the next morning I got up, filtering water while sitting on a boulder and watching the spring water cascade past boulders.  It was such a peaceful way to wake up and start the day, utterly quiet save the murmur of the water.  If only that could happen every day :).  Enjoy, and have a good weekend.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  135 mm

Exposure: 4/5 @ f/25   ISO 100

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

The Ominous Storm

The Ominous Storm
NCAR11D-321_pan

November 27, 2011

This was the scene while hiking with my girlfriend (now fiancée) Sarah last November.  We were at Morrow Mountain State Park, and had summited the main peak of the area, when we stopped to look around and survey the land.  Fall was dying off, the trees were losing leaves, and a late autumn storm was coming in from the south.  The mood, the ominous feeling of the clouds behind the silhouetted trees made it a great photograph, despite being slightly warped from the wide-angle aspect of the lens.   This is an HDR composite of 3 images, blended first in Photomatix and then finished in CS4.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6

Focal length:  20 mm

Exposure: 1/30 @ f/8   ISO 400

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

A Rhododendron Jungle

A Rhododendron Jungle
NCAR11D-121

May 29, 2011

Hiking through Nantahala National Forest, you go through some pretty incredible and diverse landscapes.  This was Memorial Day Weekend last year, and I was in the middle of a 3-day trek around the headwaters of the Nantahala River.  As I leveled out on the trail, I spent part of the afternoon hiking through these dense rhododendron thickets.  The tangle of trunks, and the lush canopy overhead, was amazing, and it dampened the sounds from the nearby river so that everything was hushed.  I saw less than 10 people along the trail that day, as it was far from day-hiking trails and pretty much only backpackers or AT through-hikers were present.  I like how the panoramic merge helped convey the jumble of the rhododendron thicket, adding to the chaos of the trail.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/20 @ f/4   ISO 400

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

Morning Forest Light

Morning Forest Light
NCAR10D-208

April 4, 2010

Today's image is a bit different from others, in several ways.  First, it was shot on the fly and through the fly.  Waking up in my tent, I decided I liked the angle and just grabbed my camera and snapped away.  Reviewing it in the LCD, I didn't think much of it but left it on the card.  Since then I've grown to like its spontaneous atmosphere, the texture that shooting through the screen gave the image, and the silhouettes of the rhododendrons that surrounded my camp that night.  It is not a technically gifted image, but one that has a lot of elements going for it.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

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

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/125 @ f/3.5   ISO 100

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

Moss Carpeting

Moss Carpeting

BHUT10D-198

November 19, 2010

Another photo from Bhutan to wrap up the week.  This comes to us from the National Botanical Garden, which is a bit of a misnomer because it was more akin to a National Park than a regular botanical garden.  It had hiking trails, camping spots, and picnic areas.  And the plants were not cultivated or arranged in any manner throughout the park, they were wild.  This area was beautiful; a cloud forest, the whole park was draped in ferns and moss and mushrooms.  And the cloudy day that we visited dampened the sound, so the place was ghostly quiet, and we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  This stump of a long-forgotten tree was a microcosm of the entire forest, covered in the yellowish lichens and ferns surrounding, feeding off the constant moisture of the air.  Happy Friday, and enjoy.

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 105 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 105 mm

Exposure: 1/40   f/11   ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4