#TravelTuesday Big Sur

Between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway there exists a spectacular stretch of California. Ninety miles of rugged terrain line the western edge of the U.S. The Pacific Ocean crashes against the Santa Lucia Mountains in grand style at a place named Big Sur. Native Americans populated the area more than a thousand years ago. They harvested food from the sea and appreciated spiritual surroundings. Not only is the scenery breathtaking but its presence is felt on such a large scale that one can’t help acknowledge that a higher power had something to do with its design. Go here and drive the coast. Stop at the pull offs and take pictures. Breath in the salt air, and feel the laid back atmosphere of the west coast.

Big Sur​

Nikon D5100​ Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17mm f/8 ISO 100 1/60sec 3 image HDR

Zoo Week!

A few weeks ago I took my camera to The Philadelphia Zoo. I thought I could use the time to practice on species I rarely see but are fascinating to behold. So for this week (except for Travel Tuesday) I will share my pictures from the zoo. The first picture is taken at the pond in the center. To the right in the image is the Aviary building and the swan paddle boats are sailing in the algae covered waterway. Please visit the link to see other creatures from the zoo.

​The Philadelphia Zoo

Nikon D800 ​Sigma 50-500mm @ 50mm f/9 ISO 100, 5 image pano, 5 image HDR

The Willows

Early one morning before work last week, I was passing The Willows. It’s a cozy little park in Villanova that is a great place for a picnic, or an afternoon stroll. I was lucky enough to arrive just before sunrise and was greeted with this image.

Have a great weekend.

​Sunrise at The Willows

​Nikon D800 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/8 ISO 100 HDR

On the way home

Last weekend my wife and I took a drive up to Hawk Mountain. I figured it would be a great opportunity for some fall foliage pictures. Fifteen minutes before we arrived at the visitors center the rain started and the blue skys receded into gray clouds. I took plenty of pictures from the summits and saw some beautiful views, but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. On the way home, out of the corner of my eye, this scene caught my attention. I like the way the red in the trees looks like its sneaking up on the remaining green leaves, preparing to ambush the final flourish of summer.

​On the Way Home

Nikon D800 ​ Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/8 ISO 200 5 image HDR  1/640-1/40 sec

The Why

Why is such a human question. Why did this happen? Why do things happen to me? Why am I here? Why, why, why...

This small tree is in a row of a dozen trees. They line a road in Valley Forge National Historic Park, and yet all the other trees in the line are green. Why did this one’s leaves change sooner than all the rest? Why was the Sun at the right elevation to illuminate the clouds with such colors? Why did I happen to notice it, or why was I there at that exact time?

We search for answers to these questions to explain the mysteries of our lives. For some people there exists a higher power, for others science probes for answers, for others it’s chance or even karma.

Whatever conclusions we find, the infinity of questions grows.

Maybe we are asking the wrong question...

​The Why

​Nikon D800 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/8 ISO 100 5 image HDR 1/20-.8sec