inspired photography with just enough perspective
Last summer we took the rail through the Canadian Rockies and along the way was Pyramid falls where the conductor slowed down enough to get a few shots. I stood in the opening between cars to catch this. It was last year but as I think back I can still hear the rushing of the water and feel the mist in the air. One of many such spectacular sights as we wound our way from Vancouver to Jasper. A trip I recommend.
Glenorchy in New Zealand on a brisk morning. Glenorchy is about an hour drive north of Queenstown, is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and is at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu which is a very long lake. This shot is looking towards Mount Earnslaw which is prominent in the area. With all this at every turn I could understand why the people of New Zealand seem to have an outdoors lifestyle. Being surrounded as such they seem generally happy and healthy. Of course it’s hard to generalize, but that was the impression I was left with, and I think it’s not far off the mark. I had an overwhelming desire to explore every stop we made. I’m pretty sure I’d still be there hiking through the hills and valleys if I stopped at each vista we came across. And who knows, I might even be a little healthier.
This is one of the locations we did a hot stop with the chopper. Basically the pilot keeps the engine running, you jump out, compose, shoot, compose, shoot, jump back into the chopper. We were looking for a water shot and there was one near here but with fishermen so we decided against disturbing the peace and landing in this field about a mile away. I immediately gravitated towards this lone tree which seemed to be the sentinel between the regions of the valley. I think to an observer it would have been quite the sight; landing, jumping out, running, shooting and taking off. Yeah, just another day at the office.
On the weekend we took a drive to the east coast of Florida to see what we could see. A little more than halfway we stopped at Lake Placid for lunch. Picked up lunch at a friendly little diner and then found the public boat dock for a picnic by the water. Later I learned that Lake Placid has a clown college, …okay? So if you’re afraid of clowns you might steer clear, …I’m just sayin. Other than that this sleepy town seems like a nice enough spot and a good place to put your feet in the water to cool off from the Florida midday heat. And besides, the only clowns I saw were these waterfowl playing in and amongst the reeds.
Don’t clown around and obtain a fine art print for your home or office.
A couple of weeks ago we stopped in Half Moon Bay and walked the beach at sunset. The beaches, waves and landscape of the Pacific are so much more dramatic than the west coast of Florida where I live. Even though I grew up in California, now when I return it all seems so new and interesting. Perhaps the same is true the other way around, each is unique. In any case, in the states we have a long weekend ahead so maybe I’ll head to the beach again, there’s always something fun there. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
A little over a week ago I got a little lost on my way to Half Moon Bay, but lost in a good way. No schedule, headed for the ocean, just taking it all in. I came upon this tree around a bend and knew I had come to the right place. There is a lot of good energy in this forest.
Portfolio: http://goo.gl/heoXEJ
Late one afternoon we hung around a residential area which was surrounded by mountains on all sides. The sun sank and cast a red glow on the nearby mountains and the day passed from one phase to the other. At this time of transition the light can play tricks with your eyes. Such is the magic of New Zealand.
The name says it all. A week ago today I flew through the southern alps of New Zealand with a most talented pilot Michael Clarke of Over The Top Helicopters. He is not only an ace pilot, he’s an avid mountain climber and intimately familiar with the peaks and hidden valleys we flew through. Had I known it was going to be that awesome it would have been on my bucket list a long time ago, so do yourself a favor and put it on yours. Here’s the link: http://www.flynz.co.nz/
These are the southern alps of Otago, near Queenstown New Zealand. I took this from a helicopter piloted by Michael Clarke of Over The Top Helicopters in Queenstown. We landed all over these and each landing was more spectacular than the last. I highly recommend it when in New Zealand.
Walking along Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown New Zealand the clouds were clearing from the night’s rain revealing snow packed peaks of the southern alps. Sound too good to be true? Just another day in the land of magic.