Discovery

Week number two and the realization that there is lots to see and discover.

Fisheye Canal

From Santa...10.5mm Nikkor Fisheye lens that should help with some creative shots!

The Sullivan House

Hershey Mill, Pa. "The Sullivan House"...a fisheye view from the rear. Christmastime 2007, a wonderful visit for sure!

Christmas Gift

A most wonderful Christmas gift...grandson Oliver!

Garish Christmas

Tis the Season to be understated. Looks like there is still room for more on that lawn....

Wintry Vineyard

Long Island winter...cold, damp and gray. East End vineyards provide a classic stark picture of the months to come.

Real Time Weather

With some many photos to "go through" from Bonaire and the Galapagos it's easy to ignore the fact that winter has made it's chilly arrival on Long Island. While the solstice is still a week away, the weather forecasters are spreading panic with their foreboding predictions for this weekend. Perhaps the owner of vessel should Seize the Moment and admit that the boating season is in the rear view mirror.

Harbor Holiday Greetings

The Harbor Village Christmas card expressing the resort staff's wishes for a joyous

holiday features this image...MY Shot! I took this photo from the flybridge of the dive boat when we were dockside. I guess they were happy with some of our work afterall....

A Loving Welcome

December 12th 2007 @ 3:04 p.m. Oliver Scott made his appearance. Checking in at 7.4lbs at a length of 21 inches, Oliver's life journey begins surounded by loving family. Grarandson number three.... :-)

Galapagos Penguin

A penguin species unique to the Galapagos islands...this guy was not the least bit shy an seemed to enjoy the attention of being photographed!

Darwin Bay Sunset

After a day of discovery, a few hikes, a cold snorkle and a joyous panga ride there is time to enjoy the early evening Galapagos light show! Cocktail hour awaits back onboard the Galaxy!

Bird's Eye View

It has occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, the truly curious don't have the cameras on the Galapagos Islands.

Sante Fe Island, Galapagos

(Best seen in the large view, CLICK on the image). It's ironic that such a harsh environment is host to so many unique species of life. As a very delicate ecosystem, the local government struggles with the push-pull of tourism and conservation that is on-going in the Galapagos Islands. I suppose (in regards to these islands) that the main difference between a strict conservationist and a tourist is.....the consevationist has already visited here.

Among Many

Santa Fe Island, the Galapagos...and yes, you can get that close!

Priceless

Experiencing the vista at Machu Piccu...Spiritual
Exploring the Andes and the treasures of Peru...Thrilling
Up close and personal with unique wildlife in the Galapagos...Adventurous
But...Knowing that each and every day is a true gift to be shared and celebrated with those whom you love...PRICELESS.

Free Lunch

There is a lot going on in this shot, it reminded me of a "Where's Waldo" image. This is the small local fish market on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. The pelicans and frigates are being very opportunistic and certainly have an advantage in numbers! The sea lion arrived shortly after I snapped this shot, seems like the word gets out quickly once the fishing boats return. Click on the photo for the larger view (Waldo is a pelican in this instance!).

Movin' Along

...and at his own pace! I am still going through "raw picture" files from the Peru/Galapagos trip. Shots that were initially passed over now get a second look. These guys were very photogenic!

Main Street

Aquas Calientes is the departure town for Machu Picchu, the only access is by rail. The locals seem unfazed by the reality that their Main Street is actually a railway. The dirt road out of town is the busy bus route that takes tourists up and down the steep narrow switchback trail to the historical site. The town itself is a delight, cozy restaurants and friendly people.

In Different Hemispheres

Okay..time for the required tacky tourist "at the equator" photo. There is a large tourist trap equatorial monument park in Quito. Complete with gift shops, eateries and a brightly colored "equator" line that bisects the entire complex. But, there is a problem in geography here. In recent years, with the advent of GPS technology, it became evident that 18th century science was off by 200 yards or so. Hence the "true" equator around which the present landowners saw a entrepreneurial opportunity in the form of "must do" stop for tourists. AND...there we are with a foot in each hemisphere and not feeling the least bit conflicted!

Heron Close-Up

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos...When I first saw this guy he was very much asleep, sitting in a low bush close to the trail. The gentle sound of my shutter caused him to open his eyes and give me a sideways glance. With a great deal of indifference, he closed his eyes and seemingly continued his snooze. I suppose that I looked like just another one of those strange animals with a camera.

Young Frigate

The underbrush and low trees on Isla Genovesa were teeming with new life during our visit. In this shot a very young frigate bird speaks his or her mind. Note the adult female off in the distance...

Red Footed Family

Red Footed Booby and offspring...During our visit to the Galapagos island of Genovesa Spring mating season was in full swing. Many eggs had hatched!

Galapagos Afternoon

The Bahia Darwin lies in what was the center of a very large vocano on the Island of Genovesa. Click on the image to get the perspective with the dingy close to shore.

Table With a View

Karel's Bar in Bonaire.... a "good table" can always be had!

Local Tourist

And why not?...The real attraction here is the Inca stone construction. The size and location are of these building blocks is impressive enough, the tightness of the joints (without any type of mortar) is worth a photograph or two!

Strutting His Stuff

The Dancing Booby..ends his mating dance with a little show that ends with his whistling a (apparently) sexy song. Hey...seems to work for him!

Girls of Peru

In the larger cities is seems as though traditional dress is mainly worn for the tourists

attention, the opposite is true in the rural countryside of Peru. These young girls were the real deal proudly wearing the colors that identify the region of the country where they live.

We Made IT!

Machu Picchu October 2007...Chico, Bobbe, Alida and Chris.

Poolside

We shared the pool at our hotel in Galapagos with the local wildlife. This Great Blue Heron was enjoying the hot tub as well during our stay!

Dance With Me Baby

Blue Footed Boobies in a mating ritual dance...the male will dance for his partner followed by a posture that features whistling. They really put on quite a show! North Seymore Island, the Galapagos...

Stones of Sacsayhuaman

Click on this shot to get the best perspective in it's large view. The people in this shot give you an idea of the size of these ancient Inca building stones. How they were brought to this high elevation is a question to ponder. Perhaps the most impressive aspect for me is that these stones are joined so tightly that a credit card can not be inserting in any of the joints. This was all done without any mortar or cement. And...word has it that the Inca did not have any Labor Unions!

Images from Peru

So many pictures, so little time with only one week between Peru/Galapagos and Bonaire. Lots of photos to go through and process, this is from the Inca site Sacsayhuaman above Cusco.

Windward Side of Bonaire

On a very calm day...The energy of the open ocean can always be felt on the "other" side of the island. On this day it was unusually calm and without the spray of thundering surf.

Day's End

Another beautiful sunset over Klein Bonaire...

Lac Cai

The north side of Lac Bay is a weekend haven for local Bonaireans. Working fishing boats frame a very pretty view of the calm bay... (Best seen in the larger version, CLICK on the image to see)

Sunset at Karel's Bar

One of Bonaire's more popular spots to watch a sunset, Karel's Bar/Pier attracts a truely international crowd of appreciative viewers! Fun spot along the downtown waterfront...

Visitors

Once a week the island is invaded by thousands of sun burned people with very loud shirts. For several hours there is a huge demand for snorkel vests and rental fins. Peace and quiet return as the setting sun and the cruise ship disappear into the horizon. The ultimate definition of "Day Trippers"...

Bonaire Icon

Red Slave Huts...Historical navigation marker and slave huts, restored remnants from a dark part of this Dutch island's salt producing history. (click on image for best view)

Directions

We have actually lost count of the number of trips that we have made to this paradise for scuba divers. At this point Bonaire feels much like a second home where we are surrounded with familiar friendly faces and colorful wainting fish of all shapes and sizes.

Shore Exit

Fellow divers exit in front of the beach at Harbor Village. There is a nice wreck in 40 feet of water just in front of the resort. Easy Dive....:-)

Salt Works Vista

Bonaire's Salt Moutains....Gotta love this place!

Dive Dock Sunset

Very special light as the sun sets over the small uninhabitated island of Klien Bonaire.

Off to the Dive Site

Another glorious day of diving just ahead....

Our Post Dive Hangout

Thr Private beach at Harbor Village...not too shabby!

Salt Pans

Salt and more salt...still a major industry here in Bonaire, salt is dried from the sea and stock piled until the ships arrive. Creating the only mountains in Bonaire these storage areas are quite high and create a dynamic landscape. And by the way...the diving here is as beautiful as ever!

Promise Kept

Before we left for Bonaire Dad had one request:... "Please tip your wine glass to your Mother and me at one of those glorious sunsets". Promise kept, Dad!
This post is for November 1st as getting on line is not always a sure thing and I'm feeling lucky tonight!! I have to be honest and say that I did not miss the "Trick or Treaters" this evening..LOL!

Afternoon Light

Back in Bonaire....weather is wonderful, diving is as fabulous as ever! Happy Halloween...

Showing Off

The Galapagos...complete with Penguins at the equator! Many species of life in the Galapagos exsist no where else on the planet including this Penguin sub-species.

Peruvian Cuties

Native peruvian dress is still very common in rural areas of the Andes, these two little girls live in a community of Llama farmers outside the city of Cusco.

Serious Frigate

There is a constant dogfight overhead on Isla Genovese. As Red Footed Boobies return from the sea with food for their young the Frigates await. Frigates skillfully grab the Boobies by the tail causing them to regurgetate their catch. The result is natures in flight food service.