Harbor - Juneau, Alaska

Today's photo was taken using a wide angle lens from a small whale watching vessel as we returned to the small harbor from which we had originally departed near Juneau, Alaska.

The day had begun with a great deal of clouds but by mid-morning the sun broke through offering this beautiful view of the mountains in the distance.

Swan on Lake Eola, Orlando

This photo of a white swan was taken yesterday when I visited Lake Eola with the family.

Located in downtown Orlando with the skyline of the city as a backdrop, it is a great place to go for a walk, jog or to people watch. It also has the best playground that I know of which Edmund enjoyed very much. In addition to white swans, black swans, herons, ibis and seagulls can be found at the lake and all are easily photographed as they are accustomed to visitors passing close by. As you can probably tell, I was able to get within a couple feet of this swan.

Barrel Cactus in Bloom

Today's photo is of a Barrel Cactus and was taken on the one day I spent in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California earlier this year. I was in the park at just the right time to see many of the cactus blooming.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Euphoria

Today's photo is of Crystal and was taken yesterday on Vilano Beach, Florida.

Mikala, the daughter of a close friend of mine, is Crystal's agent. I didn't get a model release on this photo...hope you're OK with that Mikala!

Anyway, Crystal had a doggone good time frolicking in the surf and chasing her tennis ball and a few of the seabirds as well. Thanks for bringing Crystal over and hope to see the whole family again real soon.

Best wishes to all for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Some days you're the gator, some days you're the fish...

Today's photo was taken in March of 2007 along the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gainesville, Florida.

This gator had stationed itself below an old spillway that delivers water, and the occasional fish, to a sink. After missing several potential meals, he or she managed to catch this mudfish. Once firmly in its mouth, the gator swam over to the shore where I was shooting from so it could reposition the fish in its mouth, head first, for swallowing. I have a couple of rather gruesome shots of the aftermath of the meal I might post at a later date.

Canyon Gazer

Today's photo was taken in a Canyon near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California (very close to the photo of the VW Bug posted on 11/08/08).

I had to back up against a canyon wall to include what I think looks like the profile of a persons face (right side).

Venture a Highway

I don't recall the name of this highway, but it was very straight and plowed through some serious desert with a spectacular view of the distant mountains for many miles. Eventually it led into Borrego Springs, California.

Kid Collage

Today's photo is a collage of photos from 2007 of Diana and Edmund. Hope you enjoy it.

Reflecting

Lots of talk lately of bailing out the Detroit automakers so today's photo is of an airbrushed Ford logo on a old Ford (of course). The owners can be seen in the reflection. It was taken at the Yesterday's Festival at Gold Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights, FL.

Guam Bay

When you view today's photo, one response might be, "Ed sure is lucky to have visited all these cool places". Well, I couldn't agree more, even if, as was the case when this photo was taken in Guam, it took 21 hours flight time to get there and was made possible due to business. Actually, I made three trips to Guam this year. And to give you an idea of just how far away Guam is, when you get to Hawaii, you have another 7 hour (3,800 mile) flight across the South Pacific to reach the Island.
Guam is a US Territory located in the Marianna Island chain and was occupied by the Japanese for a period of time during WWII. For more information including some of Guam's history, click here..
This photo is looking over one of the many beautiful bays. I believe this one is Tolafofo Bay
Hafa Adai, Ed

College Fjord from the Sapphire Princess

This photo was taken from one of the upper decks looking aft over the stern of the Sapphire Princess as she was leaving College Fjord, Whittier, Alaska. In the left portion of the photo you can see ice calving from the glacier. To the right, you can see the wake from a recent calving. When one of these huge blocks of ice would begin to separate from the glacier, you could here a sharp rifle sound and then the crashing of the ice into the water. A spectacular place on earth. So fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit there.

Friendship Sloop

Staying in Bar Harbor, Maine today with this photo is of a Friendship Sloop sailing at sunset. This sloop was designed in the late 1800's by Maine fishermen and was used for hauling lobster traps. Today, it provides the opportunity for tourist to step back in time while cruising on Frenchman Bay.

Bar Harbor at Sunrise

This photo is of Bar Harbor, Maine and was taken at sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
Note the masts of several sailboats in the lower left corner of the photo near the shoreline. They help to give a sense of scale to the scene.

Mendenhall Glacier

Today's photo is of Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongas National Forest near Juneau, Alaska. The photo was taken in July of 2008 on a gorgeous day with temps, as I recall, in the 60's and 70's.

Red Rose

Taken with a macro lens, this is a close-up of a rose I gave to Diana. The droplets are from a little water I sprayed on it prior to taking the photo.

Rainbow in the Mist

This photo of Niagara Falls was taken on a combination business/vacation trip back in the fall of 2005. To the right is the US and to the left Canada.

We were very fortunate during our visit to have outstanding weather.

Begonia Blossom

Today's photo is a close-up of a Begonia...simple as that.

Acadia Shoreline

Today's photo was taken last year when we visited Bar Harbor, Maine with my in-laws, Poncho and Zeida, Zeida's sister Marina and husband Jim, and their children Alicia and Jonathan.
It is a view up the coastline along the Acadia National Park Loop-Road near a cove called Sand Beach.

Bar Harbor is a wonderful town and the park is a true national treasure. For someone who loves photography, the area offers endless opportunities.

Lady in Pink

Only in St. Augustine (or maybe Palm Beach) could you find a poodle as fashionable as the one in this photo. Actually a service dog in training, she was being made accustomed to the crowds and noises along St. George Street on this particular day. And to my surprise, the glasses were not just perched on her snout to make a fashion statement. They are to protect her eyes from the sun as poodles are prone to cataracts...or so I was told.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Today's photo was taken in 2006 during a side trip from business in San Diego. It is of a small portion of the vast Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which holds the remains of more than 91,000 veterans and family members. Although intended for both current and former military service members, very few in-ground plots remain and have been reserved for soldiers who will be killed during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, or family members of veterans already at rest there. I pray this need is modest and that somehow these wars soon end.

Located on the Point Loma Peninsula, Fort Rosecrans has breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Diego Bay to the east. Walking through this serene cemetery with headstones spreading out in every direction, I could not help being overcome by emotion. It is such a place of solemn beauty…truly hallowed ground.

On this Veteran's Day, please take a moment to thank those you know who have served and to remember those who never returned from service. I especially wish to thank my father, a Marine, who served in Korea.

Eye-Hop

This close-up is of a Cuban Treefrog. Of course, not everyone likes frogs or insects, but I find that when you look very closely at any of nature's creations, you will find something to marvel at.
Sadly, this species of frog is an invasive non-native of Florida and is having a negative impact on the ecology. For one, it is considered responsible for the decline in native Squirrel Treefrogs and Green Treefrogs. More info on this subject can be found here.

Normally we do not so much look at things as overlook them.
- Alan Watts

Jupiter Island Sunrise #2

Today's photo of the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean on Jupiter Island, Florida was shot near an area of the beach called Blowing Rocks Preserve. A long exposure created the soft "painterly" look to the surf and clouds and a graduated neutral density filter helped balance the lighting. My first post on Oct. 25th was also taken on the same morning.

Love Dog and the Beetle

Back to the desert today. This photo was taken near...possibly within... Anza Borrego Desert State Park in California. I had been wandering around Borrego Springs and a couple of guys in a jeep told me of a road that went back into some canyons. They said I could probably make it in my rented Taurus and it would be worth the trip. Off I went and after bouncing along for a good while, passing numerous Jeep caravans, and worrying that I would get stuck at any moment or damage the car, I happened upon this young couple driving an old VW Bug. It was like stepping back in time. There was an amazing rock formation that showed how the earth at this point had undergone some massive upheaval. They were kind enough to pose the Bug with their dog onboard in front of it and, thus, this photo. The dog reminded me a lot of a family dog named Dilligaf we had when I was a kid.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

This photo of a Great Blue Heron in flight was taken along the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Have a great weekend.

Paynes Prarie Dragonfly

This small dragonfly was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park located just outside of Gainesville. He or she is only a couple of inches long. Several other more colorful dragonflies were buzzing around the area but this one proved extremely cooperative by resting for long periods of time between flights on this twig.

To the Finish Line

Today's photo was taken during the 12 Hours of Sebring auto race in April of this year. This was only my second time attending the race. The first time was way back in '74 or so.

Red White and Blue Crab

Today's photo of my children was taken at the Palatka Blue Crab Festival in 2007.

Happy Election Day!

Rastafarian Dog

As "bad" as he might look, this dog has a very good temperament. His role as a street performer is to draw the crowd while his "master" jams on the guitar.
Photo taken last weekend during a festival on the Plaza De La Constitution in St. Augustine, Florida.

Cathedral Basilica

Today's photo is of the alter at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine. I did not want to use a flash inside the sanctuary (probably not allowed) so the shot is a little grainy/blurred due setting the ISO really high and also it being hand held. This cathedral is amazing. If you are ever in St. Augustine, make some time to check it out (and visit us). The photo was taken last weekend.

Millennium Bridge, London, UK

Today's photo is of the Millennium Pedestrian Bridge which crosses over the Thames River in London, UK. The photo was taken in December of 2005 when I was in the UK on business.