Last week in Vancouver I stopped at Ambleside Park on my way back to the hotel. It was late but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get the full moon behind the bridge. I climbed down a rock and concrete barrier in total darkness to get my camera down close to the still waters of the bay. I started shooting and saw a ship approach the bridge. Perfect; a bridge, a moon, a ship; elements for a composition. From the ship’s bow I couldn’t tell how big it was as it slowly approached head on, then it turned slightly to head out to sea. It went under the bridge and I began to see it’s profile, much bigger than I thought. As it came alongside I realized it was some type of a super-massive cargo ship, maybe seven hundred feet or longer. I watched in stunned awe as it passed slowly in the night with the low sound of the engines, hardly breaking a wake. Hardly. About a minute later the glassy still water started to move and large low frequency waves began to wash on shore. In effect a mini tsunami. The sound of the wave breaking along the entire length of the shore broke the silence as I grabbed my tripod and jumped for higher ground. Let’s just say I was a little lucky. Perhaps there was no harm, but I left there a little shaken from the ordeal and wondering if I had let my enthusiasm overpower my better judgement.
Cypress Point
A friend of mine suggested Cypress Point as a possible place to get a good view of the city. He passed me a link that listed it as one of Vancouver’s “free” attractions. Bingo, I’m sold. So anyway, I looked it up on Google maps and headed on my way, the second exit on the highway, no problem. Somehow I ended up in a residential neighborhood and all over hell’s half acre for a half an hour before I found myself back where I started. I got back on the highway and “three” stops later I found the right exit. Sheesh. This is Cypress Point which overlooks Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge. Worth the drive, just remember, the third exit.
Don’t get lost, purchase an amazing print (that’s lame, I know).
Playing in the Park
This was me. Long time ago but this was me. I really don’t know what to say about this. Go ahead picture, you do the talking. I’ll just listen, …and remember.
Vancouver Story
A good friend of mine took me to this secret location one night where, as you can see, we had unbelievable views of Vancouver. I’ve taken a lot of pictures from down on the ground but up here it’s a whole different story. Okay, bad pun. In any case, it involved a race car team and hot tub full of, well, pretty young ladies. Way out of my league. So I did the only sensible thing and concentrated on my tripod. …Did I just say that? Good grief, I’m such a nerd.
Purchase a huge metal print, or a little bitty paper print, it’s all good.
Mangrove Sandbar
This is a mangrove that’s taken over a sandbar just down the street from my home along the Manatee River in Palmetto. In the southern states along the Gulf Coast these mangroves are a natural defense against the erosion caused by hurricanes. As a result they are protected by the state and local governments. Basically you don’t mess with them, just leave them alone and let them do their job. Anyway, I thought the calm water created by the sandbar made for a nice reflection. Have a lovely day everyone.
Denman Dusk
This is view above Denman street in Vancouver a few weeks ago. If you’re not familiar Denman is one of those uber cool streets packed full of restaurants, cafe’s and shops. If you like Sushi restaurants you’ll love it here as it seems there’s one on every corner. I like this area just to walk around and soak up west coast vibes or grab a coffee at Starbucks and people watch. There are a lot of cool streets in Vancouver but this is probably my favorite.
On a side note, this is the last picture I took with my Nikon before it broke. As I write this it’s still in the shop on parts hold. No big deal, I used that partly as a reason to get a lighter Sony. I was planning on it eventually but the long wait at the Nikon shop accelerated my decision. So far I’m extremely happy with the new Sony.
Tree of Light
A few weeks ago I captured this tree in Maximo Park, St Petersburg Florida. Actually I copied my wife who was already taking a picture of this tree. I do that, copy other people, especially people that are smarter or more creative than me. But hopefully I learn, little by little. Anyway, the park is also a Frisbee golf course. I’m not sure when that was invented, but it seems the same rules apply and since I suck at golf, maybe I should try Frisbee golf. Anyway, while I was composing this shot, uh, copying my wife who composed the shot, I notice a Frisbee fly by. It was then we figured out we were standing in the fairway. We both got our shot, moved on, …and nobody yelled “Fore!”.
How Is This Possible
That’s the question I ask myself whenever I get immerse myself into the city of Vancouver. How is it possible that such an awesome city can even exists? I have no answers, just photos of the awesomeness that is this electric city. I used to live in Toronto but now I’m in Florida, I’m an American, I was born in California. Anyhoo, …when I lived in Toronto there was a sense that it was the center of the Canadian universe, and in many ways it is. But in terms of beauty and quality of life, it’s got nothing on Vancouver, not even close. So here is a taste of the northwest city on the pacific. And don’t be surprised if when you look up the word spectacular in the dictionary you see a picture of Vancouver.
Vancouver TED
I just got back from an amazing trip to Vancouver. There’s nothing better than walking around Vancouver at night unless perhaps you’re walking around during a TED conference. This is Janet Echelman’s sculpture which was lit up for thew conference last week. It’s a 745-foot wide installation made of netting and suspends between the roof of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and the Vancouver Convention Centre. You could actually control the lighting with your cellphone thanks to a collaboration Aaron Koblin of Google Creative Lab’s.
Bradenton Beach Pier
This is the clock tower and pier in Bradenton Beach Florida. I was trying to get a good picture of the moon as it sunk into the beach just before dawn, but that didn’t work out too well. Moons are hard. So I turned around and walked around this deserted beach village just before sunrise. The local bartender on Bridge Street was still sweeping up from the previous night and gave me a sideways glance as I walked the empty streets with my camera. I need to give up on moons and try this a little more often.