One Moment More

World Series of Poker

2008-07-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine placed in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas so I showed up to watch it all go down. The event was held at the Rio Hotel and was packed with some high-profile poker players. Sadly, I didn't recognize any of them at the time or I probably would have been able to appreciate it more. At the time, I only got interested because my friend was playing. Now I know that at the very least, I saw Humberto Brenes.

When I walked in the room where the World Series was taking place, it was eerily quiet and all you could hear was the nervous shifting around of chips. It was pretty interesting to watch as some people emerged victorious and others left upset and empty-handed. I think the initial buy in for the WSOP was $10,000. Oh... and my friend didn't win but he went out, guns blazin' aka ALL IN!

Afternoon Warmth

2008-07-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

Warm light. Dark shadow. The reflection of the apples in the window. There's just something about this picture for me.

Click on the image to enlarge. The smaller size honestly doesn't do the details any justice.

Long Day

2008-06-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

ThisClose

2008-06-23T01:53:00.000-07:00

This picture of Tom Cruise is a little dated, it's from the movie premiere of "Mad Money" starring his wife, Katie Holmes along with Queen Latifah and DIane Keaton. I was actually pretty sick and had gone into Westwood Village to a drugstore to get some cough syrup and other fun stuff when I realized the premiere was going on. I usually have my camera with me. Yes, even to go to the drug store. I wanted to go home and just sleep but I thought, OK, I'll give it a couple of minutes just in case "they" arrive and then be on my way. Well, in less than 5 minutes, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes showed up in their SUV to the sound of screaming fans.

She is skinner than I thought and very tall and you could tell he was trying to hang back and let her have her moment. I thought it was actually quite nice. You'd think a star that big would always want the spotlight but he seemed happy letting her do her thing. At one point, he came over to the other side of the street where the fans were hoping for a closer glimpse, from behind barricades. He started at one end of where the fans were and walked down clear to the other end -- at least a city block. He signed autographs, posed for pictures and was actually very calm and kind to everyone. I snapped this picture just because he was thisclose and then went home and went to bed!

Click on the picture if you want to see Tom Cruise's pores.

The Great Escape

2007-12-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

Wispy

2007-12-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

Poop Cam

2007-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Seriously.

Let the Light In

2007-11-20T09:52:00.001-08:00

Side Street

2007-11-19T00:55:00.001-08:00

Follow Me

2007-11-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

Enchanted Light

2007-11-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

Become the Sky

2007-11-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

Up, Up and Away

2007-11-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hancock Place, or John Hancock Tower as it is more commonly known (or even just The Hancock), is an icon of Boston and is reportedly the tallest building in New England. The 60-story skyscraper stands at almost 800 feet and its exterior includes more than 10,000 reflective glass panes.

The Hancock Tower was designed by I. M. Pei in the 1970's. He went on to design the Pyramide du Louvre.

I just thought the shape of the building was interesting and I how reflective it is.

Did You Guess Right?

2007-11-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

The answer to yesterday's post... it's a lampshade!

Guess What

2007-11-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

Take a guess as to what this image is of in comments. I will reveal what it is in my post tomorrow. Good luck!

Don't Fence Me In

2007-10-31T19:19:00.000-07:00

"A Wise Passiveness"

2007-10-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

To read my other posting about this mosque, click here.

Time Goes On

2007-10-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Paris's Musee d'Orsay is one of my favorite museums in the world. Well, at least of the ones that I have actually visited. I enjoy it much more than (gasp!) the Louvre. I love the collection and I also love the building itself.

The museum replaced what was once the Gare d'Orsay, or Orsay train station, which originally opened in 1900 across the Seine from the Jardin de Tuileries and the Louvre. You can tell just by looking at the museum from the outside that it's not an ordinary building and once you are inside, you can still see the remnants of the former train station including this massive clock. And yes, it still works.

Bloody Moon

2007-10-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

Watchful Eye

2007-10-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

The Joy Of Music

2007-10-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Raging Inferno

2007-10-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Southern California is ablaze and the world is watching. I took this picture with my cell phone while I was driving on the highway. I didn't have my camera with me so I had to use my last resort. The sun was a bright, Crayola crayon red. I have never in my life seen the sun this color. Since the massive wildfires broke out last weekend across Southern California, the sky looks eerie and yet colorful at the same time. Some places you go, there is an orange glow while in other parts it's a blanket of black. It's disturbing and surreal. The image really doesn't do it justice but at least it's something.

Gum For Sale

2007-10-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

This little Ecuadorian boy came up to our breakfast table outside a restaurant in Quito as we were eating. He was tiny and had a small, plastic basket hanging around his neck selling equally tiny packets of Trident gum.

Of course we bought some from him, we would have regardless, but there was something that stood out about this little boy. He had a sparkle in his eyes and a lot of personality for a person so small and I wanted to remember him. The funniest part of our interaction was whenever I would take a picture of him (I asked first) with my digital camera, he would lean over to see the instant results. Every time.

A Whole Blue World

2007-10-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Better Than Ice Cream

2007-10-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

I shot this picture in Quito's Old Town, or as the locals call it, El Centro. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1978 and rightly so. You can spend quite some time wandering through Old Town's narrow streets looking at one beautifully restored colonial building after another, people watching in one of the magnificent squares or sitting deep in thought inside one of the glorious churches.

The people milling about Old Town are just as diverse as Ecuador itself. An old-fashioned ice cream cart operator will be on the same street as a young Ecuadorian off to school or work or an indigenous woman carrying her child on her back.

Click on the image to see more details.

One fish, Two fish

2007-10-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

To follow up yesterday's post... the image I posted was of a Puffer fish! Thanks to all those who guessed either in comments or via email.

The animal is named as such because it puffs up with water or air when it becomes alarmed. This unique looking fish is also known as a blowfish or fugu and is served as a risky delicacy in Japan, China and the U.S. The puffer fish is poisonous and even though in restaurants the poison is removed, there are cases where it still manages to linger and kill people.

There are dozens of varieties of puffer fish worldwide. Oh and yeah, they're sharp! To see the images in more detail, click on them to make them larger.

Figure it Out

2007-10-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what this is? You can click on the image to see the details. I'll reveal what this picture is of in my post tomorrow.

Heading Out

2007-10-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

"At length did cross an Albatross"

2007-10-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

White Teeth

2007-10-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Asleep on the Job

2007-10-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

There is a highly-regarded market north of the Ecuadorian capital in the town of Otavalo. It takes about 2 hours to get there by local bus but once you do, you see some gorgeous handmade crafts. The huge, outdoor artesan market is known throughout South America for its variety of goods and every year draws tourists from around the globe. Don't go if you're afraid of haggling.

I went on Friday which is not the day that everyone hypes as the day to go. That is Saturday when they also have the animal market where people come to buy livestock. I opted to not go on the really crowded day which made the experience much more relaxing... and for some working there maybe a little too calming.

Darwin's View

2007-10-09T00:20:00.000-07:00

Blue-Footed Beauty

2007-10-08T00:20:00.000-07:00

So... I am back from my trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The region is truly inspiring and the Ecuadorian people are wonderfully kind and so hospitable. They are on the US dollar there which made life quite easy and even their electricity is the same voltage as in the States.

The Galapagos is an awe-inducing archipelago located about 600 miles from mainland Ecuador. It's amazing to be in a place you have studied in school and that helped form one of the most groundbreaking scientific theories in history.

The main draw of the Galapagos is its wide variety of plants and animals that are endemic to the island chain. The blue-footed boobie seen in these pictures is not exclusive to the Galapagos but they are omnipresent. These gorgeous creatures are noted for their striking, aquamarine webbed feet.

Click on the images to make them larger.

On Vacation....

2007-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I will be on vacation for a little while but I will be back with tons of new and hopefully improved pictures!!
xo GT

Look Up

2007-09-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Galeries Lafayette is a legendary luxury department store in Paris and one of the city's most popular stores. What I like about it is that all these new clothes, purses, shoes, etc. are all housed in this stunning, Art Nouveau building. The structure is one of the city's heritage sites because of its unique decor. Perhaps the focal point of the building, and the one part of it I always make a point to see when I am in Paris, is it's ornate, colored glass dome. Just walk to the cosmetics section and look up.

Click on the image to see what I mean.

Coastal Calm

2007-09-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge.

Stair Light, Stair Bright

2007-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Bicyclette sur Seine

2007-09-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Click on the image if you'd like to see more details.

God's House

2007-09-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is an impressive and massive site. The woman who took us on the tour said the mosque cost $800 million "that we know about." Seriously.

What really struck me about the mosque was its intricacy, it was clear a lot of time and effort went into its conception and construction. The house of worship was built right on the Atlantic Ocean. It is so calming being there looking at the elaborate architecture while listening to the sound of the waves crashing into the barrier wall outside.

Click on the images to see the details.

Fetch

2007-09-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

Like Sweet Morning Dew

2007-09-11T00:26:00.000-07:00

I shot these photos outside my house one recent morning because I was captivated at the size of the dew drops and how they seemed so strong and so soft at the same time. If you click on the images, you'll see the larger versions. You may notice some sunlight poking through the dew drops. The clarity varies depending on the dew drop which I never really thought about before until I looked closely at these pictures myself. There is also a sweet, tiny flower just resting on one of these massive leaves, almost as if it is waiting for the day to begin.

Surfing CA

2007-09-10T00:29:00.000-07:00

Christ on Campus

2007-09-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

Endless Summer

2007-09-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

I took this picture as my brother threw my little cousin into a pool, just as his toes touched the water. The photograph almost looks fake because for some strange reason, if you click on the image and enlarge it, the water is still even though his foot has already penetrated the top. Regardless, I loved the moment and I thought the color of the water looked so vibrant and alive.

I Want to Rock With You

2007-09-05T00:05:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Gothic Gargoyle

2007-09-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

I took this photograph while visiting the Notre Dame in Paris. The cathedral is adorned with intimidating gargoyles carved directly into the structure as a way to protect it from evil spirits. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Tumbleweed in Flight

2007-09-03T00:07:00.000-07:00

I took this photograph from the passenger seat of a car while on a cross-country drive to California. The wind picked up on a stretch of Route 40 near Flagstaff, Arizona and this was the result: tumbleweeds flying around mid-air.

The initial entry into Arizona on that route is mainly desert. Once you get closer to Flagstaff, the trees begin to pop up and the landscape changes dramatically.

Click on the image to see tumbleweeds in flight.

Scenes from an Accident

2007-08-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes an accident can be caused by simple human error... in your own garage. Such is the story with this series of photos. I am not the one who left the VW bus in gear and crashed into the storage area of the garage for those of you who are wondering, but I was definitely fascinated by the way the glass shattered and yet remained intact.

Click on any of the above images to get a closer look at the way the windshield reinvented itself and how the light continues to dance right on through it.

Rolling the Hay

2007-08-30T00:28:00.000-07:00

Click on any of the images to get a closer view.

I always found bales of hay intriguing, mainly because I had never had the opportunity to see one up close or feel it for myself. I finally had the opportunity and what I discovered surprised me. Instead of the soft rolls, what I found were hard, round clusters. I'm not sure exactly why I thought they would be billowy but when I walked out toward them in an open Texas field, I could hear crunching beneath my feet. I realized I was walking on the land from which these bales came and it was all hard and dry. Now whenever I see these images, I recall the bone-dry crunch on that hot Texas day.

Rocky Shore

2007-08-29T01:20:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Praying on Rosemary

2007-08-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

I shot this photograph while at my grandmother's house. It's a praying mantis spending a sunny afternoon exploring a rosemary bush. I just loved the various shades of green and how the light made some parts of the bush appear to be the same color as the insect. Click on the image to see the details. The praying mantis is such a fascinatingly strange looking creature. It's head looks almost like the stereotypical image of an alien.

Opposite Directions

2007-08-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to get a better look at the irony.

Where the Day Breaks

2007-08-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Click on the image if you'd like to see the details.

Remembering Oklahoma City

2007-08-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

In April of 1995, a bomb went off at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma leaving 168 people dead, including 19 children. The site of the devastation is now a national museum and memorial. Click on the photos to see the details.

Overlooking the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum stands what is called the Survivor Tree. It's an elm that withstood the blast. The tree has the scars to prove it.

It is a solemn place with 168 bronze chairs that represent those who lost their lives on April 19th. Some of the chairs are smaller than the others to represent the youngest victims. It was an emotional experience being there.

The memorial was also built to include what was left of the original foundation of the building. When you walk around the grounds, you can see the mangled metal that once helped hold up a nine-story government structure. It's traumatizing just to see it in person and know that so many people lost their lives right where you're standing.

Wedding Wonderland

2007-08-22T00:23:00.000-07:00

A Light in August

2007-08-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

Click on the images to see the details.

Feeling Blue

2007-08-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

The Shades of Texas

2007-08-17T00:09:00.000-07:00

I shot these two photographs in Texas during a cross country drive on my way back to California. We had stopped for gas and I just wanted to stretch my legs so I started walking around what was a former RV park . These two huge, red tires caught my eyes because that part of Texas had a great deal of green grass and the occassional tree but I didn't notice many other colors other than various shades of green so I was happy to spot the tires. I have no idea why they were there but when I took the picture, something interesting happened to the image. Click on the above picture to see what I'm talking about because I did not alter the color, it just happened somehow. Maybe it was the blazing Texas sun. If you do click on the image, you'll also be able to see the old RV park sign on the right side of the frame.

Click on the image below as well to see the detail of the tire. The effects of the sun are very visible.

The aging sign of the now-defunct RV park also intrigued me as the fading red looked so alive and so vibrant against the spectacular blue sky that day.

Click on the images to see more details.

Standing Still

2007-08-16T02:02:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Moorish Memories

2007-08-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge it.

I took this picture in Denia, Spain which is located on the country's Mediterranean coast known as Costa Brava. In the center of town, the rocky ruins of an ancient fort sit on top of a small hill overlooking the marina and the water. Denia once served as the capital of an Islamic-ruled kingdom and the fort was built during that time. The French later re-built the fort in the early 19th century but it still has Moorish design elements like this gorgeous doorway.

The walk up the hill to the fort is quite enjoyable. It takes you past charming houses built into the hillside and one part of the fort overlooks an old church that still actively serves the community.

If you'd like to see some other photos I took in Spain, click here or here.

An Outside Perspective

2007-08-14T00:08:00.000-07:00

Click on the photograph to make it larger.

The Arenal region of Costa Rica is a popular destination especially for foreigners. Drawn to the area by its active volcano, Arenal is also a place where you can go on some great hikes and sit and unwind in natural hot springs. The hot springs pictures I will not be posting on this blog... those pictures are probably for a different type of blog all together.

But the picture that does make this blog is one I took during a simple hike near the Arenal Volcano. It is of La Fortuna waterfall. I was with several other people, one of whom jumped right into the powerful waters. I'm sad to say I was not as brave but I used the time to go exploring. I walked down and around a bunch of rocks, away from where everyone else was taking pictures and climbed up even more rocks. That's the perspective I tried to capture in this image.

What I loved about being at the waterfall was how lush and green the foliage was, how powerful the force of the water was, how harsh the volcanic rock looked and how seemingly well they all blended together.

For my other Costa Rica post, click here.

Ship Aground

2007-08-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

I shot this photo in Marin County, California on the way to the beautiful Point Reyes. I have no idea what the story is with this boat but I loved the image. Click on it to make it larger and see the details.

I Still Love You, New York

2007-08-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

New York is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the noise, the people pouring out of everywhere, the fast-pace, the restaurants, the art scene, the park... I love all of it.

I shot this photograph from the rooftop of my friend's apartment when she lived midtown. It's one of my favorite photographs I have ever taken. To me, it best represents the life that emanates from the streets of New York. Click on it to make it larger, the details are really what make this picture. Trust me on this one.

Twin Islands

2007-08-09T00:02:00.000-07:00

The Mokulua Islands, or the "Mokes", are located off the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Many people think when you look at the two islands together, they look like a woman with her head tilted back with her knees sticking out of the water. They really are an impressive sight.

I took these three photographs on different days and during different months. It's hard to believe but the colors in the images are as they were on those days, I didn't tinker with any of them. It is amazing to see how the same subject can look so different. To see the details, you can click on them to make them larger.

Moku lua means "two islands" in Hawaiian but the frequently photographed pair are more commonly referred to as the "twin islands." The larger island on the left is Moku Nui and the smaller, Moku Iki. The Mokes are about a mile and a half away if you launch a kayak or jump on a surfboard from the gorgeous Lanikai beach in Kailua. I got to Moku Nui by kayak. What I remember the most about it was if you walked around to the open ocean side, the water was incredibly powerful. The surf would hit the rocks and water would go flying high into the air. It was intriguing and yet frightening at the same time because I remember thinking I could get sucked out into the ocean at any time.

If you want to see my other images from Hawaii, click here or here.

Reyes Light

2007-08-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to see the details.

Bondi Beach

2007-08-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most popular places to visit and is perhaps the country's most famous of its many beaches. If you're relying on public transportation, as I was, it takes a little while for you to get there but once you're there, Bondi is a beautiful sight. Some of the interest I think comes from actually being at such an iconic place but the water is wonderful and it's a nice change of pace compared to some parts of Sydney.

Bondi gets criticized for being too touristy. When I went, it was closer to sunset, and most of the people there were local. Bondi wasn't as crowded as Manly Beach but the color of the water was not as striking either. The surf on one end is really powerful and too dangerous for a swim which I didn't know until I visited. The street that runs parallel to it is lined with housing, shops, bars and restaurants. If you're relying on public transportation to get there, make sure you carve out time to get there and back because it took me about 45 minutes, each way, on the bus.

Click on the image to make it larger.

For more information about Bondi Beach, click here. If you're interested in my other post about Australia, then click here.

Ocean Approaching

2007-08-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

Click on the photo to see the details.

The Mystique of Mist

2007-08-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

Click on the image if you would like a closer look.

Natural New Zealand

2007-08-06T00:10:00.000-07:00

Abel Tasman is on New Zealand's South Island and is the country's smallest national park. It is named after Dutch explorer and merchant Abel Tasman who in 1642 became the first European to visit Aotearoa - New Zealand. What is interesting about the park is that you can hike and camp its more than 55,000 acres and you'll always end up on the glorious golden beaches and in the gorgeous turquoise water. It's perfect for the traveler who likes to be outdoors and exploring. You can hop on a boat that will take you past a small outcropping where seals spend their time and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of a dolphin. Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them.

To learn more about Abel Tasman National Park, click here. For my previous post about the park, click here.

This last picture I shot on the ferry that runs between New Zealand's two main islands. This is a look back at the South Island as we set out on the Cook Strait, headed for the North Island. I just thought the way the light hit the land looked amazing and I wanted to capture the excitement I felt as we hit the open water. Later, the ride became so choppy that majority of people on the ferry ended up throwing up. The distance is only about 12 miles but the ride itself takes about three hours. In this case, it was a very long three hours.

French Musings

2007-08-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

France is a place of great sights, culture and intellect. Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world... it's my "happy place." But many tourists never leave Paris to venture out into the breathtaking natural beauty that is the Loire Valley. It's perhaps best known internationally for its castles but the Loire Valley is also filled with magnificient forests, impressive rivers and picturesque places to hike and bike. I shot the last photo in this posting in the Loire Valley.

The first two photos in this posting I took in Paris. One is of an architect's office near the Eiffel Tower. I found it incredible that an Art Nouveau building such as this would be used for something so banal as someone's office. But the truth of it is, I liked the juxaposition. The second is of a bridge over the Seine. Many of the photos I post on this blog were taken with my digital camera but I shot these images on black and white film. Click on the images if you'd like to see the details.

For my many other France posts, you can click here, here, here, here, here, or here.

Baja Sunset

2007-08-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Spiritual Sedona

2007-08-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Click here to enlarge the picture.

Sedona is a small town in Arizona surrounded by massive red rocks and canyons. One of the town's main draws is that some people consider it to be a sacred place full of positive energy with the potential to inspire and heal. Skeptics call the whole scene there ridiculous and for the terminally lost. I found it beautiful and centering. There is a seemingly endless number of hikes to take and the town has several art galleries and great places to unwind while taking in amazing views.

We didn't have that much time to properly explore Sedona, but we did manage to hike Cathedral Rock. The views are breathtaking and the hike is a good time, assuming you start early like we did before the sun really comes baring down on the rocks. Once we reached the top, the rock flattened out so we continued left. We found a small pocket and hiked up to the top. That's where I took this photograph.

Click here to enlarge the above picture.

Which Way to the Water

2007-08-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

Click on the photograph to see more details.

School for the Faithful

2007-08-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Tucked inside the Marrakech medina is the Ben Youssef Medersa which a 16th-century Koranic school. At one point, it was the largest Islamic school in North Africa. It is now a museum. The school was originally built in the 14th century only to be rebuilt some 200 years later. As many as 900 students from Muslim countries all over the world reportedly once studied at the Ben Youssef Medersa with all of them cramming into the 132 rooms arranged around the courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard, there is a tiled water basin which is the subject of this photograph. Click on the picture to see a more detailed view.

The Ben Youssef Medersa is a place of serenity, reflection and comfort. The intricacy of the building is amazing but what really strikes you when you are there is the calmness you feel in a fast-paced city like Marrakech.

For my several other Morocco posts on this blog, you can click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

The Land Down Under

2007-07-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

My travels through the Southern Hemisphere led to me to Sydney, Australia. I didn't have enough time to see the entire country, that's for a separate trip. But I did manage to sneak in a few days in Sydney which was well worth the time. The two most recognizable landmarks are the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Sydney Opera House is quite impressive when you see it in person. Photographs often don't do it justice because the details, such as the tiles on the outside, are not always clear. Click on the photos to enlarge them.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic image of Australia as well. The bridge's steel arch makes it one of the most identifiable in the world. You can walk across it, climb it with a tour or climb about 200 stairs inside one of the pylons to get a view from the top. That's where I shot this next photograph. The following picture I took as I walked across the length of the bridge which is less than a mile. You can click on both images to enlarge them.

Light Square

2007-07-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

The Birds

2007-07-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was in a bathroom stall on Baker Beach in San Francisco when I heard strange sounds coming from the roof. I looked up and saw two seagulls walking around on the outside of the bathroom, their webbed feet practically glowing through the sky light. Click on the photo to make it larger.

California Coast

2007-07-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture to enlarge it. In the larger version, you can see the detail in the light along the magnificient coast of Northern California.

Traveling Through Thailand

2007-07-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

My trip to Thailand took me to various parts of the country, from the madness of Bangkok to the calm of the North and the overwhelming beauty of the South. The landscape is diverse, the people are so kind and of course the food is worth the trip alone. I shot these first two pictures on the Railay Peninsula in Thailand's Southern Krabi province. The area is surrounded by high, sharp cliffs. Some of that same rock formed the outcropping I shot in these picture at sundown.

Click on this next image to enlarge it so you can really see the detail. There are actually two mischievous macaques not just the one in the foreground. They were running all up and down the same beach where I took the previous photo, snatching food from wherever they could get it. It was a strange experience at first because living in the United States, you're not really used to seeing macaques or any primate for that matter running free on the beach or anywhere else.

Thailand's temples and ruins are plentiful, beautiful and more importantly, amazingly intricate. This one is made completely of small, pastel colored tiles some of which are used to make flowers while others appear to form jaws or teeth. Clicking on the photo will reveal more details.

I was on the River Kwai Bridge in the Kanchanaburi province when a group of Thai schoolchildren on a field trip walked by with their teacher. The area is perhaps best known internationally as being part of the Japanese government's so-called "Death Railway" during World War Two. POWs were used to construct the bridge which resulted in the deaths of some 16,000 Allied POWs and 90,000 Asian laborers.

For another image from Thailand's Kanchanaburi province, go to my previous post. If you're interested in the history of the bridge, you can find some archive photos by clicking here.

Thai Tranquility

2007-07-27T00:08:00.000-07:00

I shot these photos as I zig-zagged across Thailand. The first picture is of Buddha's hand at a ruin in Sukhothai, one of the former Thai capitals.

This second photo I took at a cemetery for American servicemembers in the province of Kanchanaburi which is about 150 miles outside of the modern capital, Bangkok. That's where the River Kwai is and the cemetery holds the remains of Americans who died during World War Two. If you look closely, you can see two Thai women taking care of the grass and weeds around the headstones. There is also a small wheelbarrow on the right-hand side of the frame. The ruins were so ancient and the cemetery was so grounding. Both images struck me as so serene and calm and I wanted to capture the feeling while I was in the moment. You can click on both images to make them larger.

Office Daydream

2007-07-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Bright Beach

2007-07-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Through the Looking Glass

2007-07-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

Interesting pictures don't always have to be of sweeping landscapes or faraway travels. A different perspective can turn every day things around the house into worthy subjects. I shot both of these photographs in a bedroom. They are of the same drape only the first photo is taken from an angle and the second one is a reflection of the drape on a CD. You can click on the images to check out the extraordinary details.

Jammed Jellyfish

2007-07-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

For a closer look, click on the photo which I took at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California.

Misty Hike

2007-07-25T12:02:00.001-07:00

Breathing Orange

2007-07-25T00:06:00.000-07:00

I was coming back from a hike at Tree People when I looked over on the east side of Mulholland Drive and thought the sky was on fire. It was near sundown. Some mist had set in and the wind blew it down the hill, breathing bright orange life into what was just a short time ago a pale blue sky. My friend pulled over so I could take these pictures. When we got out of the car, the scene was a bit overwhelming. We couldn't stop watching. There was an orange glow to everything around us. The sky was so bright, we were all almost convinced there was a massive forest fire nearby because it was just so eerie. Click on the photographs to make them larger, the bigger versions do them more justice.

photography

Boogie On

2007-07-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Palm Tuesday

2007-07-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

A Bridge Over Solid Water

2007-07-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

The Ravenel (Cooper River Bridge) in South Carolina has the longest cable-stay span in North America and reportedly cost more than $630 million to build. The suspension bridge features two diamond shaped towers. I shot this photo from the Charleston side of the bridge, near the city's aquarium. What attracted me to the scene was the span of the bridge as well as the way the water looked. It looked almost solid, as if it had a definable shape and texture. Click here to view a larger, more detailed version of the above photograph. To see a picture taken from underneath one of the bridge's towers, click here.

Persian Painting

2007-07-23T00:03:00.000-07:00

Was Ist Das?

2007-07-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Variations on a Curtain

2007-07-20T00:02:00.000-07:00

Contemplations on a Kitchen Counter

2007-07-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

I was making breakfast when the phone rang and took me away from my task, breaking my concentration. As I navigated the conversation, my mind drifted and my eyes wandered until I saw this image. The light beaming through the kitchen window, bouncing off the counter in a way that makes an ordinary room seem curious.

Sneaking a Peek

2007-07-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Another Day at Work

2007-07-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

For my several other Morocco posts on this blog, you can click here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.

Three's a Crowd

2007-07-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Man vs. Nature, Round 2

2007-07-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

I took this photo because I thought it was odd and intruging at the same time. There were all these kids playing in the water seemingly oblivious to these forboding, polluting smoke stacks hovering over them. The juxtaposition was amusing if not a little worrisome. The scene reminded me of something out of the Simpsons TV show. I thought a fish with three eyes was going to come shooting out of the water. Click here to see a bigger version of the picture, the details are fascinating.

Elephant Legs

2007-07-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Cast Away

2007-07-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

The Strength of Sand

2007-07-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

What struck me about the Sahara was the sand. I mean, other than the fact that it is a desert. When you approach the dunes, they look soft... almost fluid. But once you get close, you realize that a lot of the sand has been packed by wind and hardened by the sun. The texture was actually a lot different than what I had expected. It was a surprising discovery.