Mountains, again

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Well, I've got to apologize (just a little), for I'm bringing you more pictures of mountains. Now, as some of you know, I've got a serious weakness for mountains. It doesn't matter whether they're mountains in temperate climes or icy, snowy mountains. They seem to represent something that I am unable to describe in words - some instinctive searching for the unattainable. And this is especially true of mountains that seem to be interacting with the sky and clouds, as in this set. Photos 1 - 5 are from Alaska, and photos 6 - 9 are from Costa Rica. There isn't much that I can say about the pictures - just enjoy them for what they're worth.

What if I got a better camera?

For many years, I was opposed to the idea of getting any sort of "better" camera. What did it matter what kind of camera I took a photo with? It is what you are photographing that really makes the difference. Or so I thought...

Well, in the meantime I got myself a really good Olympus DSLR, and I have to say, it really does make a big difference what type of camera you use. The first set of shots were taken with my older digital camera, and the second with the camera I now have - you be the judge.

Where have I been?

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All right, I confess. I have been on vacation. We went and spent a week at Beaver Lake, in Arkansas. It was an extraordinarily relaxing week, which I do believe that we needed. There were family members and their kids, and a fabulous time was had by all. Photo number 1 is of Beaver lake in the morning. Photo number 2 is Sam Englin, who considers himself the star of the week's activities, and it's hard to argue. Photos 3 - 5 are of Sam's father Dan, water skiing (without skis!). Photos 6 and 7 are typical pictures from me. Photo 8 is of our boat dock, where much swimming was done, with multiple complaints that the fish were "biting" the little ones. Photos 9 - 12 are some of the few things we did on the water. And Photo 13 is a Hibiscus flowering in our yard. As I said, it was a fabulous and relaxing week.

Things that fly, swim, crawl and walk, & more.

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I'm going to share one of my life's guilty pleasures. I love taking photos of animals, and Costa Rica is one of those places where even very amateur photographers can "get away with it." The incredible diversity of animal life in that little country is truly amazing. I only regret that I didn't get any pictures of the beautiful tree frogs or snakes, but, as you can see, I did manage to capture some of the other variably magnificent species. Well, maybe on another trip.

Costa Rica Revisited, Part One

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All right, I admit it. I'm a real sucker for scenery, and there is no place on earth (in my opinion) with more scenery per square mile than the little country of Costa Rica. Not all of the scenery is of the spectacular, mountainous vista type (though there is plenty of that to go around). Much of the scenery is at your feet and finger tips, and much of it flies, jumps, swims, and makes itself challenging to photograph. So here is part one (without the animals). Photo number 1 is of a small community nestled along side the Arenal volcano. And photo number 4 is of the Meseta Central, or central plateau, where most of the population of Costa Rica lives and works. Photo number 7 is an example of where we the tourists get to stay, if we are lucky. Photos 2, 3, 5 and 6 represent some of the spectacular scenery at your finger tips. And finally, photos 8, 9 and 10 are of the amazing rivers and waterways that course through the land. Enjoy, and next time, we'll do it with animals!