NASCAR

Every year we make a pilgrimage to a few NASCAR events. The race in Dover Delaware is coming up at the end of September and we will be there. Earlier this year we attended the “Coca-Cola 600” held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. It is a BLAST! From fast cars and engine roar to die-hard fans and death defying crashes. There’s something for everyone, even if it’s funnel cake and a pre-dawn sunrise view over the stadium.

​Coca-Cola 600 sunrise

Nikon D5100 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm f/11 ISO 100​ 7 image HDR 1/30-1.6 sec

For all it's worth

Imagine your favorite dessert. Picture it so clearly that you can smell it. Smell the rich chocolate enveloping your senses. Feel the chill of the ice cream, see the contrast between the colors in the dish, and feel your spoon and it dives into your little piece of heaven. Savor that pleasure. Make the most out of it, and immerse yourself into the experience. I witnessed a beautiful sunset a few weeks ago.

This tiny scene inside of it’s grandeur almost escaped me. The ducks, silhouetted in the lake, with soft color all around spoke to me. I would have missed it since I was in awe of the sunset, but I looked deeper.

If its a tasty dessert or an inspiring view, or a beautiful piece of music, enjoy it fully!

​ Silhouetted ducks at sunset 

Nikon D5100 ​Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm f/8 ISO 100 1/6 sec.

#TravelTuesday

I will try to accommodate #TravelTuesday as much as possible on this website by showing pictures from wonderful trips. Earlier this year my wife and I embarked on a short trip to the Emerald Isle. Ireland is a wonderful country full of rich history and breathtaking scenes. It’s one of the most convenient countries in Europe (less the 7 hours to get there) and the people speak English. Irish hospitality is found everywhere from the local pubs in Dublin to the bus tours around the Ring of Kerry.
In Kilkenny city there stands St. Canice’s Cathedral. The tower was erected in the 9th century and the rest of the structure in the 1200’s. Here in America when you visit an historic structure it’s few hundred years old. In Ireland you can stumble across truly ancient sites right in the middle of a modern city. Ireland should be on everyone’s bucket list.

​St. Canice's Cathedral

Nikon D5100 ​Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 13mm f/9 5 image HDR 1/640-1/80 sec

​St. Canice's Cathedral

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Nikon D5100 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ ​11mm f/9 ISO 100 5 image HDR 1/250 - 1/30 

Philadelphia Skyline

I did make it to the Philadelphia Zoo yesterday and had a great time photographing the animals. I will post the pictures when I have had time to edit them. I have always liked cityscapes and the Philadelphia skyline has very few places to snap a good photograph. This one is at the west end of Boat House Row along the Schuylkill River. The area was brimming with life yesterday with people soaking up the few remaining weeks of pleasant weather.

​Philadelphia Skyline

Nikon D800 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8​ @ 70mm f/11 ISO 100 5 image HDR 1/800 - 1/50 sec.

The Lieutenant John Waterman memorial

A stone’s throw from the entrance of Washington’s Memorial Chapel stands the John Waterman Memorial. It is the only grave marker in Valley Forge National Historic Park. The obelisk was erected in 1901 by the Daughters of the Revolution. It was modeled after the Washington Monument is Washington DC (obviously a bit smaller at fifty feet).

Lieutenant John Waterman memorial

Nikon D800 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/8 ISO 100 3 image HDR 1/320 - 1/80 sec.​