Mainstreet in Roatan's only tourist town, West End, shows the effects of the rainy season. The highway department plans for road improvement involve trucking in more sand.
We were honored to have a Black-Crowned Night-Heron spend some time at our place yesterday. This guy spent most of the day in one small area and did not seem to mind our curious cameras.
A little after sunrise on Roatan and time for coffee and a last minute wide angle shot before breakfast!
Our beach house in Honduras was well named as we had stellar views of the sunrise. Sleeping to the melody of seabirds and surf was a real "back to nature" treat!
A trip to Roatan would not be complete without spending some time out of the water to experience some of the local flavor. This gentleman agreed to have his picture taken as he was cleaning the morning's catch in West End. Still a funky town of sand streets, West End retains it's old Caribbean alure with character. One can still find plenty of time warped hippies in West End's beach bars!
There is a certain rhythm to a dedicated dive trip. Folowing coffee and breakfast ( or afternoon lunch) gear is checked and stored onboard the boat, and the dive plan is discussed. Our dive master for the week, Mark, explains the features of a site called "Connie's Dream". The motto of safe divers continues to be: "Plan the dive and dive the plan".
Pre-coffee light is as peaceful as it is pretty at our favorite gazebo. After the first few shots of the gazebo I was puzzled as to why I could not keep it level. I took a closer look and discovered that it was not my eye but rather the roof supports that had shifted!
Our week of diving at Roatan, Honduras was wet above the surface as well as below. On the day of our departure things appeared to be improving as the early morning sky showed a promise of blue. It was just a tease however as our flight lifted off in a steady rain.
Great place to "hang out" during our escape from winter. The weather this week in Honduras has been a mixed bag of rain and sunshine in a constant state of flux. AND..it's warm!
Our platform for playing in the ocean, we are assigned to the same dive boat for the week. A great idea for making new friends and sharing underwater experiences! Wonderful diving here in the Bay Islands of Honduras!
Early morning and shot with tired eyes through a screened in porch this view is our window on the Bay of Honduras for the next week. I'm not sure what is best the view, the soothing gentle sound of the surf, the sleeping or the diving.
The challenge is...to walk out of here with just a cup of coffee! Our recent tour of the Dyker Heights Christmas light display required a stop for coffee. Typical of many Brooklyn specialty bake shops, this establishment was wall to wall with every manner of cookie, pastry and cakes. I can still smell the aromas.....
I've been taking some time out on a rainy and dank morning to go through photo files. This shot was from our final 2008 boat trip to Fire Island. At first glance I passed over this shot but on a nasty winter day I was reminded how fortunate we are in so very many ways including (and not limited to) having nature's beauty in our own backyard.
Click on the image for the larger view...The Great Blue Heron who surprised me by taking advantage of my limited attention span and lack of focus sails out of sight. This shot was a rather severe crop for my 150mm lens and lacks the detail of a much longer focal length.
Windy and bitter cold. I was playing with image depth of field and shutter speed here as the winter wind made me realize that just being out here with a camera was a bit insane! Photography can be a little like fishing sometimes as we often hear about the shot that could have been (as in the fish that got away). In this case a Great Blue Heron took flight behind me as I was fussing with camera settings.
Salty and unglamourous an old seine net skiff sits alone in a Peconic River marina awaiting winter duty during the herring run.
Nickerson Beach in Nassau County had shadows that caught my eye the other day. For me, this type of shot frequently "just does not work" but there was something about the lines and shadows that was appealing. Anyway another attempt to find interest on another empty (and serene) wintery beach. (best in larger view)
As 2008 sails off into the sunset we yearn for a less chaotic, more peaceful and healthy New Year.
The lights of Dyker Heights...so many shots to go through after our tour of the holiday displays! See the post below for more... (check out the larger views by clicking on the image)
There has been a great deal of media hype about the electric celebration of the season in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn. After first hand observation, I must admit that the reviews are indeed accurate! For several blocks one can see a dazzling display of neighbor out-doing neighbor in what has become a rite of the holiday season. As Christmas slowly fades in the rear view mirror I was impresssed, amused, and fortunate to experience the results of what must have been hours of preparation.
Over the top for sure, every shrub, lamp post and railing are decked out for the season in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights section.
Let the Holidays continue! It's a wonderful to see the entire family even if the Jersey turnpike is in the way!
Lunch Christmas Eve with a happy one year old! Ollie is developing a discerning palate...
Let It Snow...as long as we have no place to go. On the other hand, last minute shopping just became a nightmare!
Tranquil December afternoon in Flanders, well worth the drive out east! (Best in larger view)
Experimenting with shutter speeds...as Snoopy, Lucy and Charlie spin away in their Christmas bubble.
Mid-December and the daily sunset show is now afternoon event. For me, the silver lining in winter's journey is the gradual day to day increase in sunlight.
Taos Pueblo...A boy appears to be late for wherever it is that he needs to be on a dark and cool November afternoon.
Out of town Thanksgiving guests can't resist the lure of the surf. Small details such as air and water temperature are obviously of little concern.
Curious and perhaps hungry the deer on Fire Island are even more approachable this time of year.
