What can I say about color? It is what drives me to photography! I love it – I live for it. Based on the portfolio I continue to collect, it looks like I am attracted to greens and blues! The images below are from a recent trip to Cuba – being an American, it was an amazing experience. More to come on that topic in another post….
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This weeks photo challenge is Delicate….I have a few versions of what this means to me – enjoy!
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Hummingbirds are one of the most delicate birds on earth….I was incredibly lucky the day I captured this little guy (or gal) in Palm Springs, CA. There are 17 species of Hummingbirds…who knew?
Ever found yourself in a delicate situation? This image was taken on the top of Half Dome in Yosemite, CA. The rock pile looks a little delicate to me….certainly felt that way when I was sitting on top of it!
Even though we humans are relatively large creatures, sometimes we find ourselves feeling delicate when our surroundings are larger than life! This is the hubby near Vogelsang Peak, Yosemite, CA.
Do you ever find yourself in a place that just doesn’t float your boat? I travel frequently for work and was recently commuting to Houston, Texas. Don’t get me wrong, I lived there for roughly 13 years and have many wonderful friends and family there. I just don’t have a strong appreciation for Houston the city – it’s big, hot, humid, traffic is insane and clearly there are no mountains close by.
Now that I have just slammed this vast city, I have to say, last Monday night I had an amazing experience in Houston. I ended my long work/travel day and shuffled my way from the office to the Hilton hotel located near the convention center in downtown. My work buddy Lisa and I mustered up some strength and ran at Memorial Park (an excellent 3 mile loop should you make it to town). Afterwards we decided to check out a great restaurant called The Grove (across the street from the Hilton) in search of some good grub and a juicy glass of wine. We found both of those things, AND came across one of the coolest art exhibits I have seen in a long time.
The Grove sits in the middle of Discovery Green Park which was built to provide a little oasis for those visiting downtown Houston. There is a pathway lined with century-old live oaks that cuts through the park. Given winter never really arrives in Houston, all of the trees are still a deep, velvety green. Now for the good stuff: Hanging like ornaments in the trees, were incredible balloons of all sizes adorned with images of people from all walks of life. It was a stunning and powerful exhibit and one I could not get enough of – I passed through this park every day that week I was in Houston (too bad all I had with me was my iphone camera).
The exhibit is called “Through the Eyes of a Child” created with images by the talented artist David Graeve and those taken by children who participate in a program called Change Happens. Change Happens is a 3rd Ward based non-profit who provides various programs for adults and at-risk kids in the Gulf Coast region of Houston – probably one of the poorest in the state. Their new facility in the 3rd Ward stands where crack houses and condemned properties once reigned supreme.
Even though Houston doesn’t float my boat per se, this creative display will stick in my mind for years to come and for that I am grateful. Just goes to show, there are nuggets of beauty no matter where you are in the world and in unexpected places!
We are so lucky to have 4 seasons in Colorado – The Life Bus looks forward to each and every one! The images below represent 2 things, 1) The most significant season for Colorado – the Winter, and 2) My favorite time of the year to dust off my camera – late Spring.
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This image below was taken on the Gore Creek Trail in Vail, CO in Late November. This was one of the first snow falls of the 2012 season.
I spend hours and hours at the Denver Botanic Gardens in the late Spring months! After a long winter, I crave the color of the gardens.
I am a huge fan of reflections – here are a few of my favorites!
This image was taken in New Zealand A LONG time ago with a simple Canon point and shoot – coincidentally – this was appropriately called Mirror Lake – somewhere on the South Island. I say somewhere only because it was so long ago and my memory is failing!
The backdrop of this Alpine Lake is high in the Salkantay mountain range in Peru.
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….and he looks like he wants to kill me – lol!
I was recently traveling in Portugal and came upon this lady taking her cat for a stroll! I have to say, this was a new experience for me!
This image was taken at sunset on a trek up to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro – nearly above the clouds at ~14,000 feet.
Life in the Serengeti below…
I just spent 12 unforgettable days in Portugal and one thing I have to say is there is art and color EVERYWHERE from the stones used to pave sidewalks to thoughts and passions adorning the sides of buildings to 15th century architecture (or earlier!) – it just goes on and on….what a beautiful and special place. Thought I would share some of my favorites around the country from Lisbon, Obidos, Cascais, Douro River Valley, Sintra, and Sagres – Enjoy!
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At first glance, Page, AZ looks like an old washed up desert town with bad diners and cheap motels (this part is true in my opinion). Then you start digging a little deeper and you realize it is one of the most fascinating vacation spots in the United States. Page is home to the infamous Antelope Canyon. What is so fascinating about Antelope Canyon? It is one of the most gorgeous slot canyons in Utah and is located on land owned and managed by the Navajo Nation.
The Canyon itself is made up of Navajo Sandstone and over time has been eroded and formed by wind and flash flooding. There are 2 parts to Antelope Canyon – the Upper and the Lower. I would recommend the Lower Canyon simply because it can be a little more difficult to get into, therefore, the crowds are potentially smaller. You have to climb down and out on a solid ladder system and some of the pathways can be a little tight. The total distance underground is about .25 miles.
If you are a photographer or interested in geological formations, this is akin to heaven on earth. Since 1997, you are no longer allowed to enter the canyon without a Navajo Guide. Eleven tourists were trapped when a rain shower blew through the area and flooded the canyon. You can guess what happened next – it was quite tragic.
Key Tip: I would not recommend going during the monsoon season (July through September) which is in the summer time. It is hotter than hades and the chance of a flash flood occurring is high. Please, please, please check the weather before you venture into any slot canyon. Do not attempt if there is a chance of a flash flood unless you have a death wish. I cannot stress this enough.
How do you get there? Drive a few miles miles outside of Page and search for ‘the signs’. If iI remember correctly, it was not well marked and Greg and I seemed to miss the turn off a few times (that made for some fun car conversation). Double check with folks at the hotel for specific directions as markers and signage may have changed since we were there. Once you find the correct turnoff, you will quickly see a shack where you pay and hire the first available guide for the tour. Here is a pretty good link to describe hours of operation, etc. Antelope Canyon Logistics.
After walking just a few hundred yards, you will come upon a mysterious crack in the ground and descend a ladder about 25 feet under the surface of the earth. The scenery is one of the most stunning I have ever seen in my life. A combination of orange, red, pink and violet swirls adorn the walls of the Canyon and are significantly highlighted when the sunlight seeps through the cracks from above.
If you have an exceptional guide, he or she will take you through the canyon at your own pace and share the rich history and major landmarks. You have a 2 hour limit in the canyon, maximize it – it is truly an unbelievable experience and one you may never have the chance to see again. Who knows, the Navajos may get sick of the tourist industry and shut the whole thing down or you could violate the rules of the Life Bus and hoard your vacation until you are on your deathbed (not recommended).
Key Tip: Bring a good SLR camera with a wide angle lens, a tripod, a remote control release, a very large memory card, and a backpack with water and snacks. If you come across a particular spot where the sun is shining directly down to the bottom of the canyon, have your travel partner or guide throw a fistful of sand into the air. I missed out on this tip and therefore was not able to experience one of the most unbelievable photographic moments of my life. This just means I have to go again. If you are a photographer, go in the early hours and late afternoon in order to maximize your chances of a National Geographic moment.
How do you get to Page? You can fly into the local Page airport on Great Lakes Air, Las Vegas International Airport, or the Phoenix International Airport. I had the fortunate experience of a solo road trip from Denver – Greg met me in Page. It was a lovely, peaceful drive and one I will never forget.
Where does one stay in Page? There are not a whole lot of options – we stayed at the Best Western – pretty unremarkable really, but cheap and I got frequent traveler points. One guy actually had the audacity to gripe out the hotel manager because the breakfast was not to his liking. I figure, what do you expect from a Best Western? You will get a load of sugar and carbs and like it.
This experience was everything and more for me. All of the images you see in magazines, books, and websites are true to form and even more stunning in person. If you are an amateur photographer, it is really difficult not to get at least one good shot – you will feel like a pro. For you couch potatoes, this is not a physically challenging adventure, but is definitely Life Bus worthy – get out there and give it a go.