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Category Archives: Travel

Simply Beautiful Moments from National Geographic

25 Nov



Silverback Gorilla, Africa Photograph by Ian Nichols, National Geographic

Some photographic moments are memorable because they are so unlikely. It is impossible to look at this wonderful image by Ian Nichols and not smile. The juxtaposition of the giant silverback gorilla holding a delicate leaf is a delightful surprise and a unique moment. —Annie Griffiths

Photo Tip: The phrase “wait for it” must have been coined by a photographer, because it is such an essential part of what we do. When photographing wildlife, capturing the perfect moment is just as important as it is with humans—and requires even more patience. Link here.

African Lion Mother and Cub, Tanzania – Photograph by Mitsuaki Iwago, Minden Pictures

Everything about this photographic moment is tender. The light, the gesture, the color are perfect. But there is also a small detail that completes the intimacy of this scene by photographer Mitsuaki Iwago. It is the small catch-light in the lion cub’s eye. Perfect. —Annie Griffiths

Photo Tip: Capturing the catch-light in a subject’s eye can take a photograph from lovely to sublime. Eyes are the windows to the soul, so when the eye reflects a beam of light, it draws viewers in and makes them feel a greater intimacy with the subject. Link here.

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2011 in Art, Environment, Nature, Photography, Travel

 

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National Geographic’s Best

17 Mar

Photograph by Norbert Rosing, National Geographic

A polar bear sleeps on the ice in Canada.

Photograph by Chris Johns, National Geographic

Burchell’s zebras nuzzle at the Ngorongoro Crater in the Great Rift Valley, Tanzania.

Click on images to purchase.

 
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Posted by on March 17, 2011 in Art, Current Events, Nature, Photography, Travel

 

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Many moods

10 Mar

Photography by Gracie – © All rights reserved

Cape Hatteras, NC

 
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Posted by on March 10, 2011 in Art, Coast, Environment, Gracie, Inspirational, Nature, Nikon D60, Outer Banks, Photography, Travel

 

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Lessons from France

09 Mar

The United States could learn quite a bit from the French. The priorities in our country are in stark contrast to those in France who understand that an overworked and underpaid society is not productive. Money and power do not trump the people’s right to a good quality of life. Being healthy, well-rested and educated does make a difference in some countries. No wonder so many politicians and right wingers dislike the French here. They continue to worship the almighty dollar. Sigh!!


Photography by The Best Beaches

From CBS
“In my line of job, I am a journalist working on a French newspaper. We have eight weeks of vacation — eight weeks of vacation,” says Stephane Marchand, a senior economics editor at the French newspaper, Le Figaro. “Eight weeks, yes. I know it may be surprising for you because I know in the U.S. you might have only two or three, if you’re lucky, but we have eight.”

Like most Frenchmen, Marchand has no guilt about taking so much time off. In fact, it’s the law: full-time workers in France are guaranteed at least five weeks vacation — guaranteed those long lazy days in the sun, and leisurely lunches in outdoor cafes.


Photograph by landahlauts (Flickr)

On top of the five weeks, there are another dozen public holidays, and a maximum 35-hour work week, with no paid overtime allowed. Managers like Marchand, who work more than 35 hours a week, get more time off.

“The so-called 35-hour work week gives us 22 more days a year,” says Marchand.

Twenty-two more days in addition to the eight weeks vacation?

“Yes,” says Marchand. “Which is a lot.”

Normally busy streets in Paris empty out in July and August, when most locals take their annual holiday. Shops and businesses are often deserted for a month, sometimes longer. Whole apartment buildings are shuttered when Parisians flee the city.


Photograph by The Best Beaches

The French are so passionate about their vacations, they put pleasure before profit. As tourists throng the streets and summer temperatures hit their peak, Paris’ most popular ice-cream parlor is closed for a whole six weeks. It’s the kind of business bonanza that would be seized upon by Americans, but the French don’t seem to care.

“The big difference is money, the place of money in your life,” says Marchand.

Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on March 9, 2011 in Art, Current Events, Flickr, History, News, People, Photography, Politics, Travel

 

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Portland Head Light in Maine

03 Mar


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Portland Head has long protected Portland and the adjacent area. Cape Elizabeth residents were deeply committed to American independence from British rule. In 1776, the new Town of Cape Elizabeth posted a guard of eight soldiers at Portland Head to warn citizens of coming British attacks.

In 1787, the General Court of Massachusetts (the Massachusetts legislature) provided $750 to begin construction of a lighthouse. In 1790, when the United States Government took over the responsibility of all lighthouses, Congress appropriated $1,500 for its completion. The original tower measured 72′ from base to lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil lamps. It was first lit on January 10, 1791.

Construction of the first Keeper’s Quarters began in 1790 as the result of a contract signed by Massachusetts Governor John Hancock. A one story dwelling built to replace the first keeper’s house was erected in 1816. It measured 34′ x 20′ with two rooms, a cellar and a porch in the rear.

By 1864 a 4th order Fresnel lens and a cast iron staircase were installed.

By 1865, the tower was raised 20′ and a 2nd order Fresnel lens was installed. A portion of this lens may now be seen at the Museum at Portland Head Light. Except for a period between1883 and1885, this lens was in the lighthouse until 1958.

Late on Christmas Eve in 1886, the three masted bark Annie C. Maguire struck the ledge at Portland Head. Keeper Joshua Strout, his son, wife, and volunteers rigged an ordinary ladder as a gangplank between the shore and the ledge the ship was heeled against. Captain O’Neil, the ship’s master, his wife, two mates, and the nine man crew clambered onto the ledge and then to safety . The cause of the wreck is puzzling since visibility was not a problem. Members of the crew reported they “plainly saw Portland Light before the disaster and are unable to account for same.”

The current Keepers’ Quarters building was constructed in 1891 as a two story duplex. Until 1989, it was home to the head and assistant lighthouse keepers and their families.

Portland Head Light was the responsibility of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1790 to 1852 when management was transferred to the US Lighthouse Board. The Board was reorganized into the Bureau of Lighthouses in 1910. In 1939, aids to navigation became the responsibility of the United States Coast Guard. On August 7th, 1989, Petty Officer Davis Simpson struck the US flag for the last time at the decommissioning ceremony recognizing the automation of the lighthouse. The property was leased in 1990 to the Town of Cape Elizabeth. Three years later, through the efforts of United States Senator George Mitchell, the property was deeded to the Town. The United States Coast Guard maintains the actual light and the fog signal, but the remainder of the property is managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth.

Link

Photography by Gracie – © All rights reserved

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2011 in Architecture, Art, Environment, Gracie, History, Lighthouses, Maine, Nature, Nikon D60, Photography, Photoshop, Snow, Textures, Travel

 

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Sunset in Merrymeeting Bay, Maine

02 Mar


Photography by Gracie – © All rights reserved

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2011 in Art, Environment, Gracie, Inspirational, Maine, Nature, Nikon D60, Photography, Snow, Travel

 

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Stephen King’s Unique Home

24 Feb


Photography by Gracie – © All rights reserved – Please do NOT use without permission!

Textures used in photoshop to add a little creepiness.

Photography by Gracie – © All rights reserved – Please do NOT use without permission! (Original)

Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies[7] which have been made into many movies and television films. As of 2011, King has written and published 49 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, five non-fiction books, and nine collections of short stories. Most of his stories are set in his homestate of Maine, although some are also set in Colorado and Florida. He has collaborated with author Peter Straub and together they wrote The Talisman and Black House.

King has received Bram Stoker Awards, World Fantasy Awards, British Fantasy Society Awards, his novella The Way Station was a Nebula Award novelette nominee[8] and, in 2003, the National Book Foundation awarded him the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.[9]

King and his wife, Tabitha, have three children, Naomi, Joe and Owen. Tabitha, Joe and Owen are also published writers. More at wikipedia

Stephen King’s official website here.

 
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Posted by on February 24, 2011 in Architecture, Art, Gracie, History, Maine, Nikon D60, People, Photography, Photoshop, Snow, Travel

 

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