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Lone Tree at Elk Lake

I have this list in the back of my mind when I'm out taking photos. One of the things on it is any kind of lone tree. Of course I see lovely trees all the time but rarely alone. I was just about to leave Elk Lake near Victoria BC when I turned around and noticed this tree, ...alone! Needless to say I was a little excited. To get this I had to walk around a bit to get just the right composition, but in the end I was please with the result. Truth be told there are other trees just off camera, but from where I was standing this tree had the whole picture to itself. If trees have feeling, then this one should be a little proud.

I have this list in the back of my mind when I’m out taking photos. One of the things on it is any kind of lone tree. Of course I see lovely trees all the time but rarely alone. I was just about to leave Elk Lake near Victoria BC when I turned around and noticed this tree, …alone! Needless to say I was a little excited. To get this I had to walk around a bit to get just the right composition, but in the end I was please with the result. Truth be told there are other trees just off camera, but from where I was standing this tree had the whole picture to itself. If trees have feeling, then this one should be a little proud.

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Skippers Canyon Ridgeline

While in New Zealand I was with a group that hiked down Skippers Canyon road not far from Queenstown. When we started in the morning it was chilly but by the time we hiked back the layers were peeled off as the sun rose above the mountains. This ridgeline was opposite the road we traveled and from this vantage I could begin to get a sense of the scale. Just behind this ridge was an extreme mountain bike trail and while I didn't see anyone on it, I could tell that on a scale of one to ten it was an eleven. The only thing more exhilarating might be bungee jumping which by the way was available at the bottom of the trail. And if that wasn't enough you could finish the day with a raft ride down some class three rapids. Lets just say Kiwis know how to have a good time.

While in New Zealand I was with a group that hiked down Skippers Canyon road not far from Queenstown. When we started in the morning it was chilly but by the time we hiked back the layers were peeled off as the sun rose above the mountains. This ridgeline was opposite the road we traveled and from this vantage I could begin to get a sense of the scale. Just behind this ridge was an extreme mountain bike trail and while I didn’t see anyone on it, I could tell that on a scale of one to ten it was an eleven. The only thing more exhilarating might be bungee jumping which by the way was available at the bottom of the trail. And if that wasn’t enough you could finish the day with a raft ride down some class three rapids. Lets just say Kiwis know how to have a good time.

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Kennedy Lake

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There's not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that's kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There’s not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that’s kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

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Sunshine Skyway Bridge

All ships coming into Tampa Bay pass under this bridge. Knowing that, when they built it about thirty years ago they made it fairly tall at about 130 meters. Now it turns out it's not tall enough for the new mega ships which has planners scratching their collective heads. One idea would be to take the bridge down and build a tunnel under the bay. I don't think that will ever happen but that's just me, you never know. Once I took a cruise out of Tampa and stood on the top deck as we passed with what looked like only a few feet of clearance. And that ship was small as compared to the

All ships coming into Tampa Bay pass under this bridge. Knowing that, when they built it about thirty years ago they made it fairly tall at about 130 meters. Now it turns out it’s not tall enough for the new mega ships which has planners scratching their collective heads. One idea would be to take the bridge down and build a tunnel under the bay. I don’t think that will ever happen but that’s just me, you never know. Once I took a cruise out of Tampa and stood on the top deck as we passed with what looked like only a few feet of clearance. And that ship was small as compared to the “mega” ships. Boggles the mind.

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Emerson Canopy

From a little park known as Emerson Point which has trails through the canopy of trees draped with Spanish Moss. About 10 minutes later the sun would set and the canopy became much darker. I usually linger to watch the sunset on the water over to the left and then walk back through these trees to my car. During the day and weekends there are a lot of visitors, but I typically come here at dusk and have the whole place to myself. If I ever get lost in the canopy on my way out, you'll know where to find me.

From a little park known as Emerson Point which has trails through the canopy of trees draped with Spanish Moss. About 10 minutes later the sun would set and the canopy became much darker. I usually linger to watch the sunset on the water over to the left and then walk back through these trees to my car. During the day and weekends there are a lot of visitors, but I typically come here at dusk and have the whole place to myself. If I ever get lost in the canopy on my way out, you’ll know where to find me.

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Still Water

I woke up early to capture this while the water was still calm and the fog was deciding how long it might linger. Ever notice how when you first wake up it feels a little like this? In art, photographs or whatever we try to take meaning and sometimes look for metaphors. I think I do that. Reflections, mist, space, calm. I wish I could take this feeling with me during the day. Maybe I can, just a little bit.

I woke up early to capture this while the water was still calm and the fog was deciding how long it might linger. Ever notice how when you first wake up it feels a little like this? In art, photographs or whatever we try to take meaning and sometimes look for metaphors. I think I do that. Reflections, mist, space, calm. I wish I could take this feeling with me during the day. Maybe I can, just a little bit.

Click on photo to obtain print

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Black Rock in Ucluelet

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It's on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn't be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren't huge, they're respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It’s on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn’t be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren’t huge, they’re respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

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Walk in the Garden

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens. I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I'm no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

Took this after a brief rain shower in Butchard Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens.  I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I’m no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

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Sundown Across the Field

This was taken from Bendemeer which is a residential area just outside of Queenstown, New Zealand. I've posted several pictures from here, I was with a group that had a couple of hours to walk around before sundown. New Zealand has no snakes or predators to speak of so for all intents and purposes you could just lay down here in this grass and take a nap. That's such a cool idea, one I'd not try here in Florida unless I was on the beach. But then, that's just part of the magic of this land across the sea.

This was taken from Bendemeer which is a residential area just outside of Queenstown, New Zealand. I’ve posted several pictures from here, I was with a group that had a couple of hours to walk around before sundown. New Zealand has no snakes or predators to speak of so for all intents and purposes you could just lay down here in this grass and take a nap. That’s such a cool idea, one I’d not try here in Florida unless I was on the beach. But then, that’s just part of the magic of  this land across the sea.

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Ucluelet Killer Whale

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn't been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I'll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he's never seen this. It's a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn’t been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I’ll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he’s never seen this. It’s a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.