When I hiked to this remote beach in the Virgin Islands, I wasn't expecting much. Barely a couple of hundred yards long, this small beach sandwiched between the a tropical forest and the gentle waves wasn't much to look at. But being a mile away from the nearest road meant that I had the place to myself for a while.
Walking on the soft white sand while listening to the soothing sound of the waves, and basking on under the warm sunlight instantly made me forget about my worries and just enjoy a grand vista of puffy white clouds and azure blue waters. Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.
Virgin Islands National Park
USVI
Beckoning Sunrise
I never expected to have a beach all to myself, especially in the crowded island of Maui during its peak tourist season. But nevertheless, I found one such beach in the eastern side of the island, far away from the oft-touristed locations.
I wandered its shores, listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves, some breaking over a jagged line of rocks offset from the beach, and others gently caressing the red sands over which I tread. The sun was yet to crest the horizon, but I waited, wading into the cool waters of the Pacific, hoping to find a composition that worked for this unique location.
I am not yet completely satisfied with this framing, and will likely experiment more with this image in the future.
Maui
HI USA
Sun, Sand and the Shining Sea
Sky above, Sand below, peace within....
A blast from the past as we all need a cheerful break from this doom and gloom...
Krabi
Thailand
Winding down to winter
As the colorful fall slowly slips into the grey gloominess of winter in the Pacific Northwest, I often look back at the archives of the summer wonderlands of the country to help tide things over until the next blast of sun. Not only does it help with the Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder, it also gives me something to look forward to for the next year.
I found this grey gloominess to be a challenging change as I moved from California to the PNW. While it makes the summer ever so glorious, I miss the ability to go outside year-round as I did in the Golden state. While I can still enjoy quiet winter moments in the snowy woodlands of Cascadia, it quite doesn't compare to the stimulating freedom that the southwest offered.
It is time for another winter here. So here is a blast from the past summer: the crystal clear sparkling waters of Lake Tahoe
Sand Harbor State Park
NV USA
Splash of Color
It was mesmerizing to watch the waves barrage endlessly onto the rocks. The rush of water loudly marching towards the rocky outcrop, followed by the thunderous roar of the crash, an explosive burst through the fissures, followed by the salty spray, all in one beautiful poetic motion accompanied by the orchestra of water.
While the golden sands of this peaceful beach in Las Penitas in Nicaragua may seem inviting, the country is going through a period of rough political unrest, with no end in sight. What was once one of the safest Latin American countries to travel to is anything but. Here is to hoping that the situation changes for the better, for the people of Nicaragua, and for the travelers of the world. Meanwhile, the graceful act of the water, wind and gravity working together on this lazy evening in Nicaragua will continue on.
Las Penitas
Nicaragua
The Land of Waterfalls
Iceland, the land of foss - the land of waterfalls. This windswept island nation in the arctic is home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls thanks to its unique geology and climate conditions. Its huge glaciers and ice-caps, combined with plenty of rain and snow in the central highlands lead to a massive outflows of melt-water. Its volcanic geology, with rugged terrain and plenty of highlands results in some spectacular waterfalls, often located in absolutely breath-taking surroundings.
The country has its share of hypnotizing waterfalls, and other graceful ones such as Seljalandsfoss, which empties out onto a vast plain facing west, and this sets it up for some memorable sunsets. And while this particular day started out cloudy, it cleared up towards the evening, and I was blessed with great lighting and red-tinged clouds to complement green landscape. Climbing up behind the waterfall, I searched for this composition to capture the sun and the mesmerizing flow of water.
Seljalandsfoss
Iceland