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Freedom Tower

I took this not long ago at the World Trade Center in what is called ground zero. A lot has happened in the last thirteen years and now the Freedom Tower is in the final stages of completion. The sight of this building leaves a feeling that cannot be conveyed, but you soon realize its more than just a building, it's a symbol of revitalization on many levels. Eventually the people working here will go about their business day in and day out, a return to some semblance of normal. But to anyone coming here, residents, workers and visitors such as myself, it is undeniably an emotionally charged setting.

I took this not long ago at the World Trade Center in what is called ground zero. A lot has happened in the last thirteen years and now the Freedom Tower is in the final stages of completion. The sight of this building leaves a feeling that cannot be conveyed, but you soon realize its more than just a building, it’s a symbol of revitalization on many levels. Eventually the people working here will go about their business day in and day out, a return to some semblance of normal. But to anyone coming here, residents, workers and visitors such as myself, it is undeniably an emotionally charged setting.

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Ucluelet Killer Whale

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn't been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I'll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he's never seen this. It's a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn’t been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I’ll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he’s never seen this. It’s a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.

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Pond at Sunset

This is a shot I took last December at Robinson Preserve. I just arrived from the rainy pacific northwest where it was sunny all day to the sunshine state where we have clouds and rain, go figure. This time of year in Florida has a lot of clouds which of course I love but the photo reminded me that we get occasional clouds in winter as well. Sound mixed up? It is. My weather bearings we're messed up for years when I first moved here, basicly winter is like summer and with all the tropical storms summer is like winter. Had enough? Okay, this concludes today's message from the Department of Confusion.

This is a shot I took last December at Robinson Preserve. I just arrived from the rainy pacific northwest where it was sunny all day to the sunshine state where we have clouds and rain, go figure. This time of year in Florida has a lot of clouds which of course I love but the photo reminded me that we get occasional clouds in winter as well. Sound mixed up? It is. My weather bearings we’re messed up for years when I first moved here, basicly winter is like summer and with all the tropical storms summer is like winter. Had enough? Okay, this concludes today’s message from the Department of Confusion.

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Little Qualicum Falls

Yesterday I stopped along the highway at Little Qualicum Falls on Vancouver Island. There are trails that give you great perspectives of the falls from all angles just a short walk from the parking lot. This was my last stop before heading to the ferry, then the airport and then home here in Florida. I was in a bit of a rush to get to the ferry after this stop, perhaps I lingered too long. Next thing you know I got a ticket for speeding. I should have been upset but I was in too much of a good mood from seeing these falls and all the other great sights of British Columbia to worry that much. Driving within the limit, I made it to the ferry on time.

Yesterday I stopped along the highway at Little Qualicum Falls on Vancouver Island. There are trails that give you great perspectives of the falls from all angles just a short walk from the parking lot. This was my last stop before heading to the ferry, then the airport and then home here in Florida. I was in a bit of a rush to get to the ferry after this stop, perhaps I lingered too long. Next thing you know I got a ticket for speeding. I should have been upset but I was in too much of a good mood from seeing these falls and all the other great sights of British Columbia to worry that much. Driving within the limit, I made it to the ferry on time.

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Wild Pacific Trail

Took a hike on the lighthouse loop of the Wild Pacific Trail today. It starts at the lighthouse in Ucluelet, British Columbia and then along the rugged coast and forests of Douglas Firs. It's only two and a half kilometers but the problem is there are spectacular views about every fifty meters (I'm not exaggerating for once). It ended up taking four hours to complete and I think my camera worked harder than me, poor thing. I don't know for sure, but I'd guess this must be in some top ten list of most scenic hikes in North America. If not, then I'm creating my own and this starts at the number one spot.

Took a hike on the lighthouse loop of the Wild Pacific Trail today. It starts at the lighthouse in Ucluelet, British Columbia and then along the rugged coast and forests of Douglas Firs. It’s only two and a half kilometers but the problem is there are spectacular views about every fifty meters (I’m not exaggerating for once). It ended up taking four hours to complete and I think my camera worked harder than me, poor thing. I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess this must be in some top ten list of most scenic hikes in North America. If not, then I’m creating my own and this starts at the number one spot.

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Wickaninnish Beach

Called Wick beach by the locals this is a classic

Called Wick beach by the locals this is a classic “long beach”, meaning it’s really long. A great opportunity for me to pull out the long lens and look for interesting perspectives. It rained for a couple of days and this was the last band of rain clouds coming out of the Pacific, and trailing was blue sky and warm temperatures . A favorite spot for local surfers as well as beachcombers like me.

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Ucluelet Harbour

This is the fishing harbour in the little town of Ucluelet. You could be forgiven if at first glance you mistook this for an Alaskan fishing village as sequences from Man of Steel were filmed here for that very reason. I thought I lived in a small town, at a population of just over 1,600 good chance everyone knows everyone. I think this is one of those little secrets of a destination you just have to know about. In my case it was just dumb luck.

This is the fishing harbour in the little town of Ucluelet. You could be forgiven if at first glance you mistook this for an Alaskan fishing village as sequences from Man of Steel were filmed here for that very reason. I thought I lived in a small town, at a population of just over 1,600 good chance everyone knows everyone. I think this is one of those little secrets of a destination you just have to know about. In my case it was just dumb luck.

Click on photo to obtain print

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Neal Preserve Pond

Neal Preserve is one of my favorite destinations inside Bradenton. As preserves go it's fairly small but still has surprises each time I go. Theres a big lookout where you can look over the preserve in one direction and the inter-coastal waterway in the other. I prefer coming here after the rains to view the ponds.
Neal Preserve is one of my favorite destinations inside Bradenton. As preserves go it’s fairly small but still has surprises each time I go. Theres a big lookout where you can look over the preserve in one direction and the inter-coastal waterway in the other. I prefer coming here after the rains to view the ponds.

Click on photo to obtain print

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Cathedral Grove

According to the BC Pars website,

According to the BC Parks website, “This is the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island”. Well (according to me) this place is nothing short of spectacular. Some of these ancient trees were blown down in a storm back in 1997 and so the path is littered with trunks, while others remain tall and healthy. I won’t try to explain how big these are, but it was well worth the stop on Highway 4 as we travelled to the west coast of Vancouver Island. When walking along this path one gets the sense that the little earth spirits (gnomes) are all over the place. I can say that about a lot of places, but I think they (the gnomes) must have their headquarters here. And why not?