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Florida West Coast

This is a section of Bradenton Beach in Florida opposite the Tortuga Inn and Resort which is a favorite of visitors from the north, especially for weddings and family gatherings. Bradenton Beach doesn’t have any mega-size resorts, they’re all rather small in comparison to those in Miami or Ft Lauderdale. The west coast of Florida has a different feel, low key, laid back, go with the flow. In a sense, I think Florida’s west coast is an east coast version of California. I’ll admit it’s a weak comparison and there are a world of differences, but the beaches here rival anywhere in the United States and the sand is powdery white and smooth. That, the warm water and calm waves all add up to a nice experience. Add to all that a sunset and Bob’s your uncle.

This is a section of Bradenton Beach in Florida opposite the Tortuga Inn and Resort which is a favorite of visitors from the north, especially for weddings and family gatherings. Bradenton Beach doesn't have any mega-size resorts, they're all rather small in comparison to those in Miami or Ft Lauderdale. The west coast of Florida has a different feel, low key, laid back, go with the flow. In a sense, I think Florida's west coast is an east coast version of California. I'll admit it's a weak comparison and there are a world of differences, but the beaches here rival anywhere in the United States and the sand is powdery white and smooth. That, the warm water and calm waves all add up to a nice experience. Add to all that a sunset and Bob's your uncle.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Irresistible Force

In Saint Joseph Parish in Barbados is Bathsheba Park and along the beach are these rocks eroded by the waves at the bottom. Water is one of the most powerful forces on the planet yet you can put your hand in it, swim in the warm waters of the tropics, take a shower, and it all seems so harmless. I think it’s one of those things that’s hard to fathom until you experience it’s force first hand. Reminds me of Niagara Falls, until you see it for yourself you really can’t imagine. But back to Barbados, the waters here seemed perfectly harmless, warm and inviting and the only force I was feeling was urge to take a nap in the shade.

In Saint Joseph Parish in Barbados is Bathsheba Park and along the beach are these rocks eroded by the waves at the bottom. Water is one of the most powerful forces on the planet yet you can put your hand in it, swim in the warm waters of the tropics, take a shower, and it all seems so harmless. I think it's one of those things that's hard to fathom until you experience it's force first hand. Reminds me of Niagara Falls, until you see it for yourself you really can't imagine. But back to Barbados, the waters here seemed perfectly harmless, warm and inviting and the only force I was feeling was urge to take a nap in the shade.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Autumn Twigs

In Autumn I pay more attention to my surroundings, cold is coming. There are little queues which increase each day until one day I can’t ignore it. It’s not the end of the world, just dimming of the lights and I know what’s coming next. Autumn reminds me that time is ticking and I better get ready because once the clouds come and the rain starts we’ll all be in it for the long haul.

In Autumn I pay more attention to my surroundings, cold is coming. There are little queues which increase each day until one day I can't ignore it. It's not the end of the world, just dimming of the lights and I know what's coming next. Autumn reminds me that time is ticking and I better get ready because once the clouds come and the rain starts we'll all be in it for the long haul.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Morning at Sea

Not too long ago I was at sea heading back to Florida across the waters of the Caribbean. I took this about a half hour after sunrise looking back towards the stern of the ship. Days at sea on a passenger ship are like weekends. On port days everyone goes their separate way to see what there is to see, but days at sea have no agenda, just chill. As the day goes on I find myself staring out at sea, looking for, well, anything. So when we pass an island or a fishing boat, it becomes topic for conversation. I think my brain tries to see things that aren’t there, looks for patterns. Its good therapy to have nothing to focus on for an extended stretch, like looking at a camp fire. Anyway, back to the sea, there were no campfires on this day, at least none that I could see.

Not too long ago I was at sea heading back to Florida across the waters of the Caribbean. I took this about a half hour after sunrise looking back towards the stern of the ship. Days at sea on a passenger ship are like weekends. On port days everyone goes their separate way to see what there is to see, but days at sea have no agenda, just chill. As the day goes on I find myself staring out at sea, looking for, well, anything. So when we pass an island or a fishing boat, it becomes topic for conversation. I think my brain tries to see things that aren't there, looks for patterns. Its good therapy to have nothing to focus on for an extended stretch, like looking at a camp fire. Anyway, back to the sea, there were no campfires on this day, at least none that I could see.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print.

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Autumn Sunset

Living in Florida we don’t get a lot of Autumn colors (nada, zip, zilch), and so when I recently landed in Vancouver I was pretty stoked that the colors were still there. I quickly deposited my bags and headed out to Stanley Park. I should have known I’d have good company, half of the city was out snapping photos as well. I witnessed the same phenomenon in spring when the Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom. Take it from me, Vancouver is one snap-happy town. It feels like one massive photo walk; I’ll notice something interesting and someone else will come over to take the same shot. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt, trying to find the best compositions. Silly, yes, but fun nonetheless. I’m glad I was there to get a few pictures, along with about a million of my fellow photographers.

Living in Florida we don't get a lot of Autumn colors (nada, zip, zilch), and so when I recently landed in Vancouver I was pretty stoked that the colors were still there. I quickly deposited my bags and headed out to Stanley Park. I should have known I'd have good company, half of the city was out snapping photos as well. I witnessed the same phenomenon in spring when the Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom. Take it from me, Vancouver is one snap-happy town. It feels like one massive photo walk; I'll notice something interesting and someone else will come over to take the same shot. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt, trying to find the best compositions. Silly, yes, but fun nonetheless. I'm glad I was there to get a few pictures, along with about a million of my fellow photographers.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Fort Desoto North

This is a sunset I took one evening at the northern tip of Fort DeSoto park in St Petersburg, Florida. Typically this park has a lot of visitors, but if you drive to the end the crowds thin out and the scenery is quite pretty. There were other photographers here, each focusing on a different aspect of the scenery. For instance I was focused on the waves and sunset while others were focused on birds and wildlife. Is it just me or are there more photographers than ever before? I don’t really follow the trends but I’m noticing more and more photographers wherever I go. Maybe I’m just more sensitive to it, or maybe I just frequent popular spots for photography, but I have this sense that it seems to be growing. I think the cameras in cell phones and the great mobile software like Snapseed are inspiring more people to take up the pursuit. Whatever the case, it’s a good trend in my books.

This is a sunset I took one evening at the northern tip of Fort DeSoto park in St Petersburg, Florida. Typically this park has a lot of visitors, but if you drive to the end the crowds thin out and the scenery is quite pretty. There were other photographers here, each focusing on a different aspect of the scenery. For instance I was focused on the waves and sunset while others were focused on birds and wildlife. Is it just me or are there more photographers than ever before? I don't really follow the trends but I'm noticing more and more photographers wherever I go. Maybe I'm just more sensitive to it, or maybe I just frequent popular spots for photography, but I have this sense that it seems to be growing. I think the cameras in cell phones and the great mobile software like Snapseed are inspiring more people to take up the pursuit. Whatever the case, it's a good trend in my books.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Anna Maria Island

This is Anna Maria Island, which is in Manatee County Florida. It’s a quiet beach community along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Normally people will sit here to wait for the free trolley, enjoy an ice cream, or just catch a little shade as they plan their next move. However if you get up at the crack of dawn you can have the whole place to yourself, unless of course you run into someone like me taking photos. I never get tired of Anna Maria Island, and the next time you go there you’ll know what I mean.

This is Anna Maria Island, which is in Manatee County Florida. It's a quiet beach community along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Normally people will sit here to wait for the trolley, enjoy an ice cream cone, or just catch a little shade as they plan their next move. However if you get up at the crack of dawn you can have the whole place to yourself, unless of course you run into someone like me taking photos. I never get tired of Anna Maria Island, and the next time you go there you'll know what I mean.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Memories of Lake Louise

If I had this view out back I’d never leave home. Nonetheless, this is the view you see from the Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta Canada. The last time I was here the lake was frozen and I was with a climbing party where we scaled a frozen waterfall towards the back on the right. It was an all day affair and since I was not qualified to lead I stayed below as the lead climber secured a route up the fall. If you can imagine being chained to a rock in subzero temperatures followed by brief periods of adrenalin rush, that would pretty much summed it up. Aside from that, my other memory is of how good the peppermint schnapps tasted once we finished. Our party must have been quite a site as we walked into the five-start hotel outfitted with ice axes, crampons and all manner of climbing gear. In fact, it was probably a common sight as this is a popular winter sport destination. Anyway, back to the present day. Winter or summer, the view here is about as good as it gets.

If I had this view out back I'd never leave home. Nonetheless, this is the view you see from the Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta Canada. The last time I was here the lake was frozen and I was with a climbing party where we scaled a frozen waterfall towards the back on the right. It was an all day affair and since I was not qualified to lead I stayed below as the lead climber secured a route up the fall. If you can imagine being chained to a rock in subzero temperatures followed by brief periods of adrenalin rush, that would pretty much summed it up. Aside from that, my other memory is of how good the peppermint schnapps tasted once we finished. Our party must have been quite a site as we walked into the five-start hotel outfitted with ice axes, crampons and all manner of climbing gear. In fact, it was probably a common sight as this is a popular winter sport destination. Anyway, back to the present day. Winter or summer, the view here is about as good as it gets.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Public Pier Dawn

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It’s a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It’s a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it’s not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it’s hot, and it usually is, there’s an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It's a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It's a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it's not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it's hot, it usually is, there's an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Tangle Creek Falls

This last summer I took a trip down Highway 93, the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Alberta Canada. It’s no wonder it’s considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. I’ve been on Highway 1 in California and driven through Yellowstone in Montana and Wyoming, however never have I seen such breathtaking views for so many miles. This was just one of many stops and I think that if I didn’t have a day job I’d still be here photographing. Nonetheless, I’ll surely come back here, if not already in my dreams.

This last summer I took a trip down Highway 93, the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Alberta Canada. It's no wonder it's considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. I've been on Highway 1 in California and driven through Yellowstone in Montana and Wyoming, however never have I seen such breathtaking views for so many miles. This was just one of many stops and I think that if I didn't have a day job I'd still be here photographing. Nonetheless, I'll surely come back here, if not already in my dreams.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.