The Shortening of Days

As winter encroaches around us, the sunlit hours dwindle. During this time of year I often find myself out working at night. Driving from one house to the next, trying to earn a living, I keep my eyes open for interesting photo opportunities. One thing that has peaked my curiosity is night photography. The picture for today was taken by leaving the camera shutter open for thirty seconds. The minimal light that was in the scene poured into the lens and slowly constructed the picture you see below. It’s amazing the detail that the camera saw but I could not. Getting pictures like this makes me feel better about the coming Winter.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 36mm f/10 ISO 100 30 sec. 

#TravelTuesday Kerry Ireland

Earlier this year my wife and I visited Ireland One of the places we wanted to see was the Ring of Kerry. This much talked about attraction goes around the Iveragh Peninsula, along the Southwest coastline. Beautiful vistas looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean are scattered along the treacherous drive. The tour buses navigate narrow roads by each driving counter clockwise to prevent head on traffic stoppage. Our bus driver was deft at his skills of narrating the tour, driving the enormous tour bus, and imbibing Irish Coffee. We stayed in the town of Kerry at a spacious bed and breakfast called Cahernane House Hotel. Its history dates back to the 17th century and it is beautifully maintained today. The picture today is the view from our room. Acute shades of green are everywhere in Ireland. The rolling countryside and lush vibrant hills extend on for what seems like ever. Ireland is a great place to get your feet wet in European travel. Highly recommended.

View from Cahernane House Hotel

Nikon D5100 Sigma 50-500mm @ 50mm f/13 ISO 100 HDR

With a little luck...

Sometimes serendipity surprises me. For example, I’ve been waiting to purchase something and the day I decide to buy it the item is on sale. Or when I pull into a crowded parking lot and the car next to the entrance puts its reverse lights on. Or like in this picture, when I was walking towards a small jetty in Marsh Creek State Park and out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed a blue heron fishing for his breakfast. Stealthily I opened up the tripod, as quietly as possible.Then I set up the camera, using a red headlamp because the pre dawn light was insufficient to see by. I then focused on the silhouette of the great bird, and shot for a good ten minutes as soft sunlight came into the scene. It was almost like I called his agent and scheduled a photoshoot for the cover of Heron’s Weekly.

Morning Heron at Sunrise

Nikon D800 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 116mm f/5.6 ISO1600 1/3 sec

Thanksgiving

Being self employed long vacations don’t exist for me, so Thanksgiving is my biggest break of the year. Needless to say, I am very thankful for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the many blessings in my life. My life is full with loving family and friends that enrich me every day. Each year I try to think of something new that I should be thankful for, something that I have overlooked, or forgotten, or thought was trivial but isn’t. This year it’s “sunrise”. Every day the world awakens, softly blanketed by the glow of the sun. Each day is fresh and new, like rebirth from another night’s slumber, which brings infinite possibilities.

Bask in all the things you’re thankful for tomorrow and cherish this holiday.

Sunrise at the Quarry

Nikon D800  Nikor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 35mm f/6.3 ISO 100 1/20 second

#TravelTuesday Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is located in Kennett Square PA roughly 45 minutes west of Philadelphia. The gardens began their long history when the Peirce family bought the land from William Penn in 1700 and turned it into a working farm. In 1798 Samuel and Joshua Peirce started planting an arboretum and in 1906 Pierre du Pont purchase the grounds to preserve them. Over the next twenty five years much of the gardens we enjoy today were created. In 1946 the first fountains were installed. From then until now the Longwood Gardens has blossomed into a world class setting of nature and education.

My wife and I have been members for the past few years and enjoy visits through the seasons. We look forward to the Christmas lighting exhibit every year. My daughter and I have enjoyed a few long afternoons strolling in and out of amazing flowers and watching the fountain shows. During the summer there are firework displays that burst into the sky above the fountains that visitors ogle over. They watch intently from the terrace overlooking topiary wonders.

Spend a Spring morning, a Summer evening, an Autumn afternoon or a Winter night at Longwood Gardens for an enjoyable time. Bring the kids and prepare to walk in amazement in this botanical wonder.

This past summer the Italian Fountains were lit for the first time. We were visiting with our parents for father’s day and (of course) I had my camera.

Italian Fountains at Longwood Gardens

Nikon D5100 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11.5mm f/11 ISO 100 5 image HDR

Image not for purchase, Longwood Gardens has somewhat restrictive photo policies.