Venetian Algae Swirl Venice is a wonderful place to visit. Most people gawk at the ornately adorned buildings that are precariously perched at the water's edge. Some enjoy exploring the canals and walkways that dissect Venetian neighborhoods. Others are enthralled with the bustling marketplaces. Nearly all people visiting Venice have one thing in common, they look up a majority of the time and neglect to appreciate the water that makes Venice's "streets" so romantic. This image captures one of the often overlooked necessities, steps into the lagoon. Without such steps, disembarking from watercraft would be difficult, if not impossible. I exposed this photograph along the Grand Canal as the sun set on a day filled with memories. I was drawn to these algae-covered stairs that were in front of an empty building. The beautiful green algae intermixing with the lagoon's turquoise tides is fixed in my mind. So much of the lagoon's waterfront is heavily trafficked in the tourist areas, but getting outside of one's comfort zone is the best recipe for interesting compositions. April 18, 2010
Snow-capped Quinault Last week I experienced the brilliance of the Pacific Northwest. As my plane started to descend on approach into Sea-Tac, bright stripes of illuminated rain danced by the windows at 150 mph. Sure enough, the precipitation continued while en route to the hotel. Seattle, Washington is known for its gloomy weather and rain. However, this often gives Seattle a bad rap and in fact, the storms beautify Seattle with lush foliage and a variety of outdoor activities. I could not have planned a better time to visit Seattle and the surrounding National Parks! The rain provided excellent opportunities for dramatic clouds at sunset for the first few days and then the storm deteriorated. As the time neared to head west to the Pacific Ocean, a torrential downpour dowsed my hope for nice weather while exploring the Olympic National Park. Did the persistent rain wane? Oh yes! This panoramic image highlights the beautiful snow-capped mountains surrounding Lake Quinault. April 16, 2010
Balboa Crescent Spring is here. The sunny San Diego weather is back, not that it left for very long! Deep blue skies and a touch of clouds make for fabulous photographic opportunities. Visiting Balboa Park in San Diego is wonderful because of the numerous museums, laughing children, and Old World-styled architecture. The varied subjects make for an exciting adventure each time I visit the park. April 14, 2010
