Travel – Page 4 – Juridicious

Mackinac Bridge, MI

Something about bridges and sunsets – the contrast of human effort and natural beauty! The Mackinac Bridge connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan across the Mackinac Straits that join two great lakes (Huron and Michigan). The Mackinac Bridge is over 8Km long with the longest span of over 1Km. The following photograph is as a result of a long exposure at sunset from a place on Mackinaw City.

Mackinaw Bridge, MI — Sunset over Mackinac Bridge. MI. Please click on the photo for other viewing options on Flickr!

Technical Details:

Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 50mm, f/1.8 lens
f/20, 13seconds, ISO 100
Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Arch Rock, Mackniac Island, MI

There is this spectacular limestone arch on Mackinac Island in Michigan. I had a leisurely stroll around the island yesterday after hiring a bicycle. The 8 mile circumnavigation of the island offers lovely views of Lake Michigan (more photos from that later). For now, here’s a picture of Arch Rock.

Arch Rock, Mackinac Island, MI. Click on the photo for more options on Flickr!

Like a Swan over choppy waters!

On a windy day at the Staines Reservoirs. This swan made a perfect contrast to the choppy waters in which it was swimming. I was reminded of the song “Like a bridge over troubled water” except with the words “Like a swan over choppy waters”! 🙂

Mute Swan — Like a swan over choppy waters (with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel)

Technical

Nikon D7000 with a 105mm f/2.8 sigma lens.
ISO200, 1/3200, f/5.6
Processed in Adobe Lightroom

Tranquility #4

Sometimes a picture looks better than the real thing. When I shot this, I didn’t think it looked all that impressive. Processing the bracketed shots as HDR makes this scene of a path lined with trees look serene and tranquil. The noisy tourists were all behind me at this stage :).

Shot using a 28-70mm Sigma f/2.8 lens on a Nikon D7000. Processed in Adobe Lightroom, Photomatix Pro and NIK Color Efex Pro.

Moving up in life!

_DSC4308_09_10 — Steps on the River Walk, San Antonio. Please click on the photo for a larger version on Flickr.

HDR of a set of steps leading from the River Walk to the city above. San Antonio, Texas. Photos taken at -2, 0 and +2 stops, then merged and processed in Photomatix Pro.

Tranquility #3

What is it about the serene bubbling sounds of water that so calm the human mind? Does it hark back to millions of years to our origin from water to land?

_DSC4300_1_2-Edit — Calming waters on the River Walk in San Antonio. Click on the photo for more viewing options on Flickr.

3-shot bracketed HDR using a 28-70mm f/2.8 Sigma Lens fitted on a Nikon D7000. Processed in Photomatix Pro and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Roseate Spoonbill

This bird obviously knows something I don’t! Hence that expression and the hint of a smile.

Photo shot at the Fort Worth Zoo, Texas.

Tranquility

At the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. A HDR of 3 shots at -2, 0 and +2 merged in Photomatix Pro. I loved the tranquil moods in this part of the gardens with the flowing stream and colourful japanese maples.

The Alamo!

The battle of the Alamo (1836) has attained a mythical status in american culture and history. The story of this battle has been told many times in print and on film, so much so that it is now difficult to separate truth from hype and fiction. Either way, the remains of the Alamo mission is a historical legacy of the wars between american forces of the Texas colonist and Mexico leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas. The story of a few embattled soldiers fighting against an overwhelming force resounds throughout human history and the Alamo is one such example of exemplary bravery in the face of all odds.

Photographed at ISO100, f/14 20 second exposure. Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 lens perched on a bottle cap!

Human activity

A stark reminder of the destruction we are causing to life in the oceans. A shark made up totally of non-degradable garbage found in our seas on display at Sea World, San Antonio. The disappearance of flight MH370 and the number of false sightings of wreckage in the ocean indicates that our oceans are full of floating debris resulting from indiscriminate and reckless dumping of waste, much to the detriment of all life that has survived for millions of years.

Floating peril — All manner of plastic waste found in our oceans!