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Harbour Sunrise

In addition to cruise ships, a convention center and sight seeing, Vancouver Harbour is a busy shipping port. This morning I focused my lens on the industrial side of things as the sun was rising behind the cranes. Despite all the boat and seaplane traffic, the water remains crystal clear. I’m not sure how they manage that but thankfully they do. In any case, if you’ve ever seen pictures of English Bay (including my own) which surrounds Vancouver, you’ll notice many container ships docked offshore. My guess is they are waiting to take on a shipment of containers from here and head back out to sea. If you climb up one of the surrounding mountains and look back, you’ll see these ships lined up end-to-end for miles out into the bay. The first time you see them it’s quite a site, but in time you grow accustom to their presence and you almost forget they’re there. Day in, day out, they file in and out this port and this was just the start of another busy day.

In addition to cruise ships, a convention center and sight seeing, Vancouver Harbour is a busy shipping port. This morning I focused my lens on the industrial side of things as the sun was rising behind the cranes. Despite all the boat and seaplane traffic, the water remains crystal clear. I'm not sure how they manage that but thankfully they do. In any case, if you've ever seen pictures of English Bay (including my own) which surrounds Vancouver, you'll notice many container ships docked offshore. My guess is they are waiting to take on a shipment of containers from here and head back out to sea. If you climb up one of the surrounding mountains and look back, you'll see these ships lined up end-to-end for miles out into the bay. The first time you see them it's quite a site, but in time you grow accustom to their presence and you almost forget they're there. Day in, day out, they file in and out this port and this was just the start of another busy day.

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Guarding the Fort

A couple of weeks ago I was walking around the old fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. You couldn’t go inside because the park service was closed due to the federal government shutdown. Since the fort was shut down there were police at all the gates, guarding the fort. It was a little ironic and a little bit of a flashback to a few hundred years ago when there would be guards at the gates also, probably on the inside and dressed somewhat differently. Despite the guarded fort, it’s a nice walk along the outside. This is one of the many iconic lookouts that line the walls. As far as I know, the fort wasn’t attacked this day.

A couple of weeks ago I was walking around the old fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. You couldn't go inside because the park service was closed due to the federal government shutdown. Since the fort was shut down there police at all the gates, guarding the fort. It was a little ironic and a little bit of a flashback to a few hundred years ago when there would be guards at the gate also, probably on the inside though dressed somewhat differently. Despite the guarded fort, it's a nice walk along the outside. This is one of the many iconic lookouts that line the walls. As far as I know, the fort wasn't attacked this day.

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Hidden Beach

This was a recent sunset at Emerson Point in Manatee County, Florida. Emerson point is more about mangroves and wildlife than beaches. However, if you know where to look you can find a couple of secluded beaches like this one in and amongst the mangroves. The evening I shot this I had a couple of raccoons amble by. I think they were a little surprised since these little hideaways tend to be deserted, especially as the sun is going down. They decided to wait patiently from a few feet away as I took my pictures, probably wondering if I had any scraps of food to leave behind. The other thing I like about this spot is that we can bring our dogs here on a hot day. Most beach areas in Florida prohibit dogs, but since this isn’t strictly a beach, dogs are allowed and they love to wade in the shallow water to chase fish or just cool off.

This was a recent sunset at Emerson Point in Manatee County, Florida. Emerson point is more about mangroves and wildlife than beaches. However, if you know where to look you can find a couple of secluded beaches like this one in and amongst the mangroves. The evening I shot this I had a couple of raccoons amble by. I think they were a little surprised since these little hideaways tend to be deserted, especially as the sun is going down. They decided to wait patiently from a few feet away as I took my pictures, probably wondering if I had any scraps of food to leave behind. The other thing I like about this spot is that we can bring our dogs here on a hot day. Most beach areas in Florida prohibit dogs, but since this isn't strictly a beach, dogs are allowed and they love to wade in the shallow water to chase fish or just cool off.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Old Town

This is the old town section of San Juan Puerto Rico where I recently found myself on a Friday night. After an authentic meal at El Jibarito we spotted a coconut vendor who provided fresh coconut water, something I could get used to. By the time we left this section of town it was filling up with Friday night party goers and it took our cab about a half hour to navigate the narrow oneway cobblestone streets. Not that I minded that slow ride one bit.

This is the old town section of San Juan Puerto Rico where I recently found myself on a Friday night. After an authentic meal at El Jibarito we spotted a coconut vendor who provided fresh coconut water, something I could get used to. By the time we left this section of town it was filling up with Friday night party goers and it took our cab about a half hour to navigate the narrow oneway cobblestone streets. Not that I minded that slow ride one bit.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Memories of Lake Louise

If I had this view out back I’d never leave home. Nonetheless, this is the view you see from the Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta Canada. The last time I was here the lake was frozen and I was with a climbing party where we scaled a frozen waterfall towards the back on the right. It was an all day affair and since I was not qualified to lead I stayed below as the lead climber secured a route up the fall. If you can imagine being chained to a rock in subzero temperatures followed by brief periods of adrenalin rush, that would pretty much summed it up. Aside from that, my other memory is of how good the peppermint schnapps tasted once we finished. Our party must have been quite a site as we walked into the five-start hotel outfitted with ice axes, crampons and all manner of climbing gear. In fact, it was probably a common sight as this is a popular winter sport destination. Anyway, back to the present day. Winter or summer, the view here is about as good as it gets.

If I had this view out back I'd never leave home. Nonetheless, this is the view you see from the Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta Canada. The last time I was here the lake was frozen and I was with a climbing party where we scaled a frozen waterfall towards the back on the right. It was an all day affair and since I was not qualified to lead I stayed below as the lead climber secured a route up the fall. If you can imagine being chained to a rock in subzero temperatures followed by brief periods of adrenalin rush, that would pretty much summed it up. Aside from that, my other memory is of how good the peppermint schnapps tasted once we finished. Our party must have been quite a site as we walked into the five-start hotel outfitted with ice axes, crampons and all manner of climbing gear. In fact, it was probably a common sight as this is a popular winter sport destination. Anyway, back to the present day. Winter or summer, the view here is about as good as it gets.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Public Pier Dawn

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It’s a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It’s a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it’s not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it’s hot, and it usually is, there’s an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It's a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It's a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it's not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it's hot, it usually is, there's an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Tangle Creek Falls

This last summer I took a trip down Highway 93, the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Alberta Canada. It’s no wonder it’s considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. I’ve been on Highway 1 in California and driven through Yellowstone in Montana and Wyoming, however never have I seen such breathtaking views for so many miles. This was just one of many stops and I think that if I didn’t have a day job I’d still be here photographing. Nonetheless, I’ll surely come back here, if not already in my dreams.

This last summer I took a trip down Highway 93, the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Alberta Canada. It's no wonder it's considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. I've been on Highway 1 in California and driven through Yellowstone in Montana and Wyoming, however never have I seen such breathtaking views for so many miles. This was just one of many stops and I think that if I didn't have a day job I'd still be here photographing. Nonetheless, I'll surely come back here, if not already in my dreams.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Fall Sunrise

I came here last winter to Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg Florida take a similar picture, the only difference is that from this vantage the sun rose from the right side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and in autumn it rises on the left. This is a favorite spot for local photographers and at least two others were here on the morning I took this. Fort DeSoto is on the Gulf of Mexico and is lined with beaches, bike paths, camping, fishing and pretty much every outdoor sport imaginable. In fact, the morning I took this there was a triathlon getting ready to start so I made sure I got out of the park before it started since the roads would be closed during the race. In any case, I’m sure I’ll be back before too long to hang out at the beach, ride a bike or just take photos as I did on this morning.

I came here last winter to Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg Florida take a similar picture, the only difference is that from this vantage the sun rose from the right side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and in autumn it rises on the left. This is a favorite spot for local photographers and at least two others were here on the morning I took this. Fort DeSoto is on the Gulf of Mexico and is lined with beaches, bike paths, camping, fishing and pretty much every outdoor sport imaginable. In fact, the morning I took this there was a triathlon getting ready to start so I made sure I got out of the park before it started since the roads would be closed during the race. In any case, I'm sure I'll be back before too long to hang out at the beach, ride a bike or just take photos as I did on this morning.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Neighbors

One day while walking through Vancouver I noticed these front steps all nicely aligned in a row. Even though they look the same, beyond each threshold lies a vastly different story. I live in a townhouse that looks just like the one next to it and so I suppose that to someone from a different culture my neighbor and I might appear very similar. And to me, folks in a village on the opposite side of the globe might also appear similar. But we’re not, and the chances are that I have more in common with someone on the opposite side of the globe than I do with my next door neighbor. Good morning neighbor, wherever you are.

One day while walking through Vancouver I noticed these front steps all nicely aligned in a row. Even though they look the same, beyond each threshold lies a vastly different story. I live in a townhouse that looks just like the one next to it and so I suppose that to someone from a different culture my neighbor and I might appear very similar. And to me, folks in a village on the opposite side of the globe might also appear similar. But we're not, and the chances are that I have more in common with someone on the opposite side of the globe than I do with my next door neighbor. Good morning neighbor, wherever you are.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Manatee County Sunset

Not far from this spot, earlier this day I was riding my bike and noticed someone holding up a thirty two inch bass they had just caught. I’m no fisherman but I was impressed enough to stop and take a picture with my iPhone along with a half dozen others. I came back in the evening to catch this sunset which is somewhat typically for Manatee County, Florida where I live. The waters are warm and even if you’re not at a beach you always have plenty to see and enjoy. In fact as I write this it’s getting close to sunset so I better wrap up and head out with my camera. Or, if I procrastinate enough just sit on the back patio and download it into my brain. I’m still waiting for the day when I can develop all the pictures I have in there too.

Not far from this spot, earlier this day I was riding my bike and noticed someone holding up a thirty two inch bass they had just caught. I'm no fisherman but I was impressed enough to stop and take a picture with my iPhone along with a half dozen others. I came back in the evening to catch this sunset which is somewhat typically for Manatee County, Florida where I live. The waters are warm and even if you're not at a beach you always have plenty to see and enjoy. In fact as I write this it's getting close to sunset so I better wrap up and head out with my camera. Or, if I procrastinate enough just sit on the back patio and download it into my brain. I'm still waiting for the day when I can develop all the pictures I have in there too.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.