Night Life

So what's to do after a full day of Bonaire diving and a dinner out? Not requiring elaborate entertainment, feeding and attempting to photograph the bats brought us more than a few hours of fun. Darting very quickly, these guys made for a challenging subject! The free food seemed to meet with their approval... :-) (See the additional image below)

On The Radar

...again, out of what could have been fifty or more "blind" shots this guy was captured mid-flight.

The Evening Show

Just another awesome Bonaire sunset....

Under the Boat

The last 10 or 15 minutes of most dives in Bonaire are spent under the boat. The slower pace often yields some interesting discoveries, spending time focusing on small critter interaction. This usually shallow part of the dive also serves as a "safety stop" to allow the body to off gas nitrogen.

Morey the Moray

Lots of technical issues with this shot, still getting the kinks out of the new underwater Canon G9 set-up. The attraction here is that seeing a free swimming Green Moray is extremely rare!

These guys tend to hide in the reef with only their heads visible, they respirate through the mouth showing their menacing needle sharp teeth. It was indeed a thrill to happen upon this guy swimming out in the open. Not the sharpest of underwater images, but a moment worth sharing!(click on the image for a closer look!)

Beach Blanket

The American Airlines connection from Bonaire to New York involves some rather lengthy layover time in San juan. How better to spend 12 hours in Puerto Rico than in a bed, on a beach just steps from the bar? Something here about getting lemons and making lemonade....

Dive Buddy

An essential component of safe diving is the "buddy system". The "buddy" does not have to be beautiful...but in my case it sure is a bonus!

Octopus Garden

Boss Barracuda

All attitude, these guys like to pass by slowly and "give you the eye". Bonaire memories...(Best seen in large version)

.....Home safe and sound and working on photos!

Time Flies

Time to reverse this process and head on back to the ranch! Caught this shot of our dive buddies, Anthony and Lorna, as they arrived from Oregon two weeks ago.

Stairway to The Reef

Just steps away to Bonaire's bountiful reef....

Bonaire Skyline

Our view to the North of Bonaire, the entire hilly section is part of the Washington Slaggbai Park.

Light Leap

Celebrating the Bonaire sunset in style.

The Wild Side

Click on the image for a larger view of Bonaire's windward side...

February Retreat

Bel Mar, our home away from home in Bonaire. Not much for the weatherman to do here......

Spent Air

The diving could not be more convenient here at Bel Mar, grab a tank and step off the dock. Bonaire's reef is just a few fin strokes away....

The Pool

Our "pool" in Bonaire is always open. Bel Mar Apts. have two piers, one dedicated for diving only, the other for sunning and swimming. Either way the view easy on the eyes!

Light Show

Bonaire Sunset...not much time for photo processing down here, perhaps playing too hard is the reason! It is difficult to see true color on the laptop so this shot is a crap shoot....Another glorious sunset over the Caribbean!

Bonaire Awaits

Escape from Winter Part Two.....Meeting dive friends in Bonaire, the best place to spend much of February!

Grand Cayman Approach

After the the undeveloped landscape of Little Cayman, Grand Cayman offers a contrast seen in dramatic fashion from the air.

Little Cayman Farewell

Last look...with a decent view of the Booby Pond.

Colors

Warm, peaceful and colorful....

Sun Sizzle

Great seat for the best show in town....Little Cayman's sizziling sunset.

Beach Corner

My own little corner of the beach... :-)

The Ride

Recent major airport upgrade...the runway at Little Cayman was paved in 2006. The grass and gravel runway always had the feel of an island lost in time. Change is still slow in Little Cayman and plans for a longer jetway is only just in the casual discussion phase. Cayman Air provides daily service to Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.

Morning Promise

...more from the Little Cayman light show! (It was beautiful underwater as well...!)

Hangout

Escape from winter, that's my plan. As a younger man I didn't understand (completely) the whole snow bird mentality and I'm still not sure that Florida is the place for me. The need is strong however, for more frequent relief from the bitter bite of January and February. Thank heaven for the Bonaires and Little Caymans of the planet!

From Above

Little Cayman's North side has a fringing reef and a shallow bay, the only "safe harbor" on the island. The bay is also home to a wide variety of fish both small and large and is a premiere fly fishing destination. Bone fish, tarpon and permit are the prized catches here, it is very common to see eagle rays and large sharks as the area is also a nursery for several species. The small island is Owens Island, a public trust preserve. Images of this small island against the cyan colors of the bay are used in countless advertising campaigns. Be sure to click on the image to see the large view.....

Afternoon Rain

Where sky meets sea can be a real show in little Cayman. No high rise condos, casinos or hotels here to obstruct the view. On an island with less than 200 residents solitary beachfront vistas are a sure thing!

(Seen best in the larger format....click on the image)

Little Cayman Sunrise

After almost a week's worth of promises to catch the sunrise, motivation and self discipline were rewarded. Morning's first light on Little Cayman...

Heading Back

...to the dock, to the airport and to the good old homestead.

Happy Divers

Soon to be returning to Northeast January temps....

Traffic Regulations

Hey...Rules are Rules. I'm just not sure if the Iguanas are aware of the fact that they have the right of way here on Little Cayman. Empowered Iguanas ....now there's a scary possibility for Manhattan.

Enjoying the View

....he seemed to be enjoying the view and a thoughtful moment.

Manhattan Bridge

On the waterfront...a beautiful January day for a stroll (complete with stellar views) along the East River.

Let it Rain

I realized, once I saw this on the computer, that a lone rain drop had found it's way to the center of my lens. The price paid for that "one last shot"......

Point of View

Seeing things from a different angle with my new fisheye toy..... (large view is best, click on the image)

Beach Light

Fire Island Light as seen from the beach at Robert Moses State Park.

January Afternoon

(Click on image for the larger view)..Beauty in a cold and still wintry afternoon.

Atlantic Sunrise

Some things just simply need to experienced to be appreciated. A golden sunrise was the reward for facing the bitter cold wind and the early wake-up. Once again the photo lesson is more about the "when" than the "where".

New Year's Resolution

Second thought....pass me the scissors.

Morning Storm

Looks like we are in for a change in the weather. Shortly after sunrise the day's weather went downhill in a hurry. There was this bit of beautiful drama in the morning sky, just before the rains came. (click on the image for the large view)

First Light

Some things are just worth getting up early to see, first light over the Atlantic made an impression on me!

Dawn of a New Year

Happy New Year!... Fire Island provided the perfect spot to witness the year's first beautiful sunrise. The first sunlight of 2008 did not last very long as the clouds and rain arrived shortly after sunrise. Best wishes for a safe and healthy New Year!

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.