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The Sun Sets Over the Biltmore Estate

I took this last November at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The biggest impression I had was of the size of the place, thousands and thousands of acres of lush rolling hills, vineyards and horse pastures for as far as you can see. I think I'll come back here this year and spend a little more time. Or better yet, how about I come back in a different life and live the life of an aristocrat. That probably won't happen. However, after seeing this place I'd settle for the life of a stable boy, just being here is it’s own reward.

I took this last November at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The biggest impression I had was of the size of the place, thousands and thousands of acres of lush rolling hills, vineyards and horse pastures for as far as you can see. I think I’ll come back here this year and spend a little more time. Or better yet, how about I come back in a different life and live the life of an aristocrat. That probably won’t happen. However, after seeing this place I’d settle for the life of a stable boy, just being here is it’s own reward.

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Sedona Scrub

When I was in Sedona I was a little out of my element. I live by the beach and in central Florida there’s nothing taller than a palm tree. Sedona has crazy big red rock mountains, trees, scrub, …and no palm trees. No matter which way you look the red rock provides an impressive backdrop. This was taken on a short trail up Bell Rock, which is a big rock just off the highway. Just before dusk these mountains glow deep red, kind of how I imagine Mars. In any case, I was so impressed with the change of landscape that I had to take a picture of this Sedona scrub.

When I was in Sedona I was a little out of my element. I live by the beach and in central Florida there’s nothing taller than a palm tree. Sedona has crazy big red rock mountains, trees, scrub, …and no palm trees. No matter which way you look the red rock provides an impressive backdrop. This was taken on a short trail up Bell Rock, which is a big rock just off the highway. Just before dusk these mountains glow deep red, kind of how I imagine Mars. In any case, I was so impressed with the change of landscape that I had to take a picture of this Sedona scrub.

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Partial Eclipse

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

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Lake Pleasant Harbor

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir just north of Phoenix. It was nice to see such a big lake in the middle of the dessert and I can only imagine how important this is to the needs the booming city of seven million. At the entrance to the lake is this small harbor with a restaurant at the lower right. Beyond the harbor you can see the dam and then the lights of the highway beyond that. On account of the cirrus clouds I stood here on a hill and watched a most spectacular sunset, one that lingers for thirty minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. That was a lucky night indeed.

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir just north of Phoenix. It was nice to see such a big lake in the middle of the dessert and I can only imagine how important this is to the needs the booming city of seven million. At the entrance to the lake is this small harbor with a restaurant at the lower right. Beyond the harbor you can see the dam and then the lights of the highway beyond that. On account of the cirrus clouds I stood here on a hill and watched a most spectacular sunset, one that lingers for thirty minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. That was a lucky night indeed.

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Bendemeer Sunset

This is from Bendemeer which is a residential community just outside Queenstown New Zealand. I was just thinking how this looks just like my backyard, ...not! Well, in my dreams this is my backyard and so I go here from time to time in daydreams throughout the day when I should be doing something more productive. But what are we if not for our dreams. So here is a glimpse into my dreamscape, straight from the southern island of New Zealand. Good night and sweet dreams.

This is from Bendemeer which is a residential community just outside Queenstown New Zealand. I was just thinking how this looks just like my backyard, …not! Well, in my dreams this is my backyard and so I go here from time to time in daydreams throughout the day when I should be doing something more productive. But what are we if not for our dreams. So here is a glimpse into my dreamscape, straight from the southern island of New Zealand. Good night and sweet dreams.

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Lakewood Ranch

This is the road that straddles the county line along a planned community of Lakewood Ranch which has Polo fields, stables, lakes, trails and of course homes. As I was driving by one afternoon I stopped by a herd of cows grazing near the road. The cow pictures didn't come out too well but I like this one of the clouds as I turned the other way. I think that planned communities offer photographic opportunities if they have open spaces or are not completely developed. It kind of reminds me a little of Bendemeer in New Zealand, only without the rolling hills and mountains surrounding it.

This is the road that straddles the county line along a planned community of Lakewood Ranch which has Polo fields, stables, lakes, trails and of course homes. As I was driving by one afternoon I stopped by a herd of cows grazing near the road. The cow pictures didn’t come out too well but I like this one of the clouds as I turned the other way. I think that planned communities offer photographic opportunities if they have open spaces or are not completely developed. It kind of reminds me a little of Bendemeer in New Zealand, only without the rolling hills and mountains surrounding it.

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Coquina Sunset

This is one of those locations I just keep coming back to time and time again. It's an iconic location known as Coquina Beach at the south end of the town of Bradenton Beach. I have a lot more from this location in backlog, but at the rate that I collect them it might be a while before I get them all out. In any case here's one that seemed to convey a sense of serenity. I think I need a little of that to get me through the rest of the week.

This is one of those locations I just keep coming back to time and time again. It’s an iconic location known as Coquina Beach at the south end of the town of Bradenton Beach. I have a lot more from this location in backlog, but at the rate that I collect them it might be a while before I get them all out. In any case here’s one that seemed to convey a sense of serenity. I think I need a little of that to get me through the rest of the week.

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Time for a Break

Riverwalk in Bradenton Florida. It's the end of the week and I'm clean out of brain cells. As I lean against an allegorical lamp post and take a little break I think it's time to slow down, change gears and regroup before another crazy week. I hope you are getting a little break as well; we all work so hard. Nice to just chill once in a while. Dontcha think?

Riverwalk in Bradenton Florida. It’s the end of the week and I’m clean out of brain cells. As I lean against an allegorical lamp post and take a little break I think it’s time to slow down, change gears and regroup before another crazy week. I hope you are getting a little break as well; we all work so hard. Nice to just chill once in a while. Dontcha think?

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Sun on the Path

This path leads to beach near Tofino, BC and just like the beaches at home in Florida, a stream of people arrive here for sunset each evening. The earth turns, the sun goes down, round and round we go. Play it again Sam. The things that happen with the light at that golden hour drive me a little bit crazy, and if I don’t have a camera, possibly a little more than a little bit. Addiction? Obsession? Perhaps. I suppose there’s no harm as long as nobody gets hurt. And nobody will get hurt, …as long as I have my camera.

This path leads to beach near Tofino, BC and just like the beaches at home in Florida, a stream of people arrive here for sunset each evening. The earth turns, the sun goes down, round and round we go. Play it again Sam. The things that happen with the light at that golden hour drive me a little bit crazy, and if I don’t have a camera, possibly a little more than a little bit. Addiction? Obsession? Perhaps. I suppose there’s no harm as long as nobody gets hurt. And nobody will get hurt, …as long as I have my camera.

Click on photo to enlarge

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Clouds Over the Water

I captured this earlier this evening close to my home in Palmetto Florida. We have some cool air and wind which created these long crazy clouds as the light of dusk painted the water. Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states and among other things, I'm thankful for amazing displays like this every now and then.

I captured this earlier this evening close to my home in Palmetto Florida. We have some cool air and wind which created these long crazy clouds as the light of dusk painted the water. Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states and among other things, I’m thankful for amazing displays like this every now and then.

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