Vernazza afternoon

Posted on 19 July, 2022 by Eric

Looking down on the Cinque Terre town of Vernazza on a stormy afternoon. The harbor would normally be full of small boats at this time of day, but they were all pulled out of the water due to dynamic sea conditions.

Earlier this year, we were able to spend a bit of time in Italy. Out of this, we had three days to rattle around in Cinque Terre — a group of 5 old fishing towns. They’re quite a photogenic group, although I’d vote for Vernazza as the prettiest. They’re all also connected by both a seaside hiking trail, and shuttle service on the local rail line — so you’ve got multiple options for getting around to see the sights, as a function of your schedule and exercise tolerance. I took this shot from the trail on the north side of town — not terribly far to go for a “postcard” view.

EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 lens
8mm, f/11, ISO 200, 1/200 sec

Just a little walk in the woods

Posted on 10 July, 2022 by Eric

A calm, yet colorful scene in Keukenhof Park, Netherlands.

What can I say about Keukenhof….? Well, it’s a big flower garden / park outside of Amsterdam, that’s only open to the public for 2 months out of the year — and during those two months, it’s covered in mind-blowing levels of floral color. We were able to visit it this year, and it’s got to be one of the most amazing visual experiences that I’ve ever had.

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Keeping a lookout

Posted on 29 June, 2022 by Eric

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird, seen at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Arboretum.

EXIF:
OM System OM-1 camera, M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 lens
f/6.3, 328 mm, 1/1000 sec, ISO 8000

Long view to the Acropolis

Posted on 4 June, 2022 by Eric

The Acropolis in Athens, as seen from the top of Lycabettus Hill:

I don’t seem to see this perspective of the Acropolis very often online, but it turns out that it’s pretty simple to achieve. Lycabettus Hill is in the middle of an urban park in Athens, and while you’ve got some walking to do at first, a funicular can get you the last steep stretch to the top. Or, you can walk the whole way, if you have the time and fortitude to walk the trail up the hill.

Get up to the top with a reasonably long lens, and you’re ready to go. This is an afternoon shot (with light overcast); the lighting should be more-dramatic on a clear day near sunrise.

EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 lens
f/8.0, 106mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 200

Out to sea

Posted on 25 April, 2022 by Eric

A view from Santorini, across the Thera caldera, toward the open Aegean sea.

There’s nothing but water past the little islands in the foreground until you get to Crete (~100 mi / 160 km).

EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 Pro lens
ISO 200, 14mm, f/10, 1/400 sec

On through the snow

Posted on 10 January, 2022 by Eric

A shot of an intrepid couple, working their way across a snow-covered patch of ice.

Seen at Barr Lake State Park, Colorado.

EXIF:
Olympus E-M1X
M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 lens + MC-20
f/8.0, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200

Rhinos in Glass

Posted on 31 December, 2020 by Eric

Seen at the 2020 (30th anniversary) Zoo Lights, Denver Zoo. Captured with an Olympus 12-100mm f/4 lens and 80mm crystal ball.

If only we could capture the ugliness from 2020 and keep it locked away in a glass ball like this…

Gorilla Fisheye

Posted on 30 December, 2020 by Eric

Seen at the 2020 (30th anniversary) Zoo Lights, Denver Zoo — 1995’s addition to the lights, captured through a Lensbaby 5.8mm f/3.5 circular fisheye lens.

Crop circles

Posted on 20 October, 2019 by Eric

Seen on a recent flight east (somewhere over eastern Colorado / western Nebraska), it’s center-pivot agricultural fields in the midst of what are essentially stabilized sand dunes:

It’s late-afternoon raking light like this that really brings out the ancient nature of Colorado’s eastern plains’ “sand hill” terrain. It’s all a desert dune field, (temporarily) frozen in place

Runkurakay Pass

Posted on 13 July, 2018 by Eric

So the high point (physically) of day 3 on the Inca Trail is Runkurakay Pass — with views just as good as Dead Woman Pass had, but not nearly as painful to get to. Just before the pass, the trail winds between two small hanging lakes (I haven’t been able to find any reliable names for them). First, we’re looking uphill / west across the lower / larger of the two (you can see some of my hiking buddies on the trail above it to the right).