While looking back at my images for 2010, I found difficult to define the year; so many places, so many experiences. I will start with my forgotten trip to Maine in August; it was not a destination but a disruption of of a trip to Canada by sickness and a broken vehicle. But at least I got a shot of the Bass Harbor lighthouse, one of the most photographed in New England.
The most challenging trip was to an Eskimo village in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. We contracted with an Eskimo guide to take us to photograph polar bears by boat. He took us to a sand spit where we landed to photograph some adult bears that were sleeping. As we approached them, one woke up, started to sniff the air and started to walk towards us. When I looked to the Eskimo, I noticed that he was drinking coffee but could not see the rifle that he was to carry for our protection. I asked him where the rifle is and he very coolly responded: in the boat. I glanced towards the boat and I saw that it was about 150 feet away...I knew I could not outrun the bear. Decided that if he charged, I will stand my ground and photograph him as it ran for his meal. The bear may have decided that I was not too appetizing, turned around and went to sleep. A while later, we ran into a mother bear with two cubs, they approached us while in the safety of the boat. I got my images; one of the cubs was playing with a bird feather is above.
I am not a city person but travel requires their visits as ports of entry and departure for more pleasant destinations. From the mundane signs in New York City, to the gory colors of a bench in Berlin, the camera could not resist them, what am I to do, it runs my life. So I obeyed and recorded the sights. But there is also beauty, as the sunset image of a building in Santa Fe three weeks confirms. Imagine, a year ago!
Familiarly creates contempt which causes me to ignore the area where I live. The last couple of weeks brought historical high snowfalls to the region, so I was suffering from cabin fever. Looking through the backyard windows, saw the cold and shivering birds, so got the camera out despite the low light, got rewarded by a female cardinal, my best bird photo for 2010.
As I search for this year's destinations, don't know where I will find myself next month. So distant, not much time, let you know when I get back. Best to all in 2011.
While looking back at my images for 2010, I found difficult to define the year; so many places, so many experiences. I will start with my forgotten trip to Maine in August; it was not a destination but a disruption of of a trip to Canada by sickness and a broken vehicle. But at least I got a shot of the Bass Harbor lighthouse, one of the most photographed in New England.
The most challenging trip was to an Eskimo village in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. We contracted with an Eskimo guide to take us to photograph polar bears by boat. He took us to a sand spit where we landed to photograph some adult bears that were sleeping. As we approached them, one woke up, started to sniff the air and started to walk towards us. When I looked to the Eskimo, I noticed that he was drinking coffee but could not see the rifle that he was to carry for our protection. I asked him where the rifle is and he very coolly responded: in the boat. I glanced towards the boat and I saw that it was about 150 feet away...I knew I could not outrun the bear. Decided that if he charged, I will stand my ground and photograph him as it ran for his meal. The bear may have decided that I was not too appetizing, turned around and went to sleep. A while later, we ran into a mother bear with two cubs, they approached us while in the safety of the boat. I got my images; one of the cubs was playing with a bird feather is above.
I am not a city person but travel requires their visits as ports of entry and departure for more pleasant destinations. From the mundane signs in New York City, to the gory colors of a bench in Berlin, the camera could not resist them, what am I to do, it runs my life. So I obeyed and recorded the sights. But there is also beauty, as the sunset image of a building in Santa Fe three weeks confirms. Imagine, a year ago!
Familiarly creates contempt which causes me to ignore the area where I live. The last couple of weeks brought historical high snowfalls to the region, so I was suffering from cabin fever. Looking through the backyard windows, saw the cold and shivering birds, so got the camera out despite the low light, got rewarded by a female cardinal, my best bird photo for 2010.
As I search for this year's destinations, don't know where I will find myself next month. So distant, not much time, let you know when I get back. Best to all in 2011.
8 comments:
This is a wonderful post Jose. I wish you great fun and happiness for 2011 and look forward to seeing where you go to this year.
I would love to live in that lighthouse. The isolation, peace and tranquility would definitely suit me.
LOL!! By all accounts that trip so photograph was a scary one, not to mention the fact that he did not wake you for the Borealis lights. I did enjoy that story. I hope if you go anywhere you need a guide this year that they turn out to be better than that one and I am please the bear did not eat you. It would have been great shots though. Just please make sure you leave a note somewhere that in case something like that happens to you, your camera must be sent to me so I can publish those terrific shots. LOL!!
New York? Well what can I say, it will always be the worst place in the world to me and only good to fly into the airport and fly straight out of again.
Love the warm glow on the hacienda. That is a great shot and I wonder why you have not posted it before.
I have to agree, that Cardinal picture is magnificent and stunning!! But you have had so many other wonderful bird shots this year.
Love the self-portrait too.
All in all, I think you had a wonderful year and I thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures, love of life and travels with us.
May 2011 be just as exciting and fulfilling.
Hola a todos, después de esta larga ausencia vuelvo para desearos un feliz año 2011
Carlos Martinez
The colors in your light house and Santa Re pic are stunning - as well as the reflection in your last one!
Wishing at least another of these wild adventures that you like in 2011!
Beautiful blog with beautiful photos Jose!!!
I will with great pleasure to follow your blog.
Big regars from Croatia.
I wish you all the best in the New Year.
Zondra Art
Beautiful blog with beautiful photos Jose!!!
I will with great pleasure to follow your blog.
Big regars from Croatia.
I wish you all the best in the New Year.
Zondra Art
Hi Jose,Happy New Year.
Love your wonderful Blog,outstanding Photography.
Happy Birding 2011.
John.
Hi. Thanks for visit my blog. I´m surprise for your photos around the world. Excuse my English.
See you later.
don jose, muy buenas fotos
saludos desde pta arenas,espero qe le vaya bien
adios
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