Wanderings
THE SOUTHERN OCEAN, ENGLAND, France & Italy
I have been fortunate to travel with Lindblad Expeditions to Alaska, Baja California (twice) and the Antarctic. Their small and nimble vessels and knowledgeable staffs took us to natural places that few ever see or experience. Their Nat Geo photographers freely shared their skill and insights with me and had a profound impact on my photography. We also travel to Europe, usually basing ourselves for 4 to 10 days in rented apartments for a deeper dive into the local color, culture and history,
Talk Amongst Yourselves, King Penguins, Gold Harbour, South Georgia Island
While the Gold Harbour colony is not the largest King Penguin colony on South Georgia, it was my first encounter with these beautiful, social birds. About three feet tall, they are curious and completely unafraid of humans (and often oblivious to them). Due to their asymmetrical mating cycle, all penguin behaviors (courting, mating, chick raising and molting) are on display all the time unlike the phased annual cycles of other Antarctic penguins. You just don’t know where to look sometimes.
While the Gold Harbour colony is not the largest King Penguin colony on South Georgia, it was my first encounter with these beautiful, social birds. About three feet tall, they are curious and completely unafraid of humans (and often oblivious to them). Due to their asymmetrical mating cycle, all penguin behaviors (courting, mating, chick raising and molting) are on display all the time unlike the phased annual cycles of other Antarctic penguins. You just don’t know where to look sometimes.
Helluva Hurry, Black-Browed Albatross, Off NG Explorer, Southern Ocean
This bird is a Black-Browed Albatross I shot off the deck of the NG Explorer between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. He is not a small bird. They are about the size of a bald-eagle with an 8-foot wingspan and are only found in the circumpolar Antarctic region. They, as with all albatrosses, are beautiful to watch as they skim the wavetops with miraculous ease wheeling and soaring effortlessly in search of food.
This bird is a Black-Browed Albatross I shot off the deck of the NG Explorer between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. He is not a small bird. They are about the size of a bald-eagle with an 8-foot wingspan and are only found in the circumpolar Antarctic region. They, as with all albatrosses, are beautiful to watch as they skim the wavetops with miraculous ease wheeling and soaring effortlessly in search of food.
Pup Luv, Baby Fur Seal, Rosita Harbor, South Georgia Island
These pups are found all over South Georgia in late February. Their mothers are at sea feeding and they often roam around in packs for safety. Watching them can be quite amusing. As they grow, the males, in particular, grow very aggressive and will often charge humans. Although a raise of the hands and a loud noise will stop them, a visitor needs to be alert because the bacteria in their bite is very dangerous.
These pups are found all over South Georgia in late February. Their mothers are at sea feeding and they often roam around in packs for safety. Watching them can be quite amusing. As they grow, the males, in particular, grow very aggressive and will often charge humans. Although a raise of the hands and a loud noise will stop them, a visitor needs to be alert because the bacteria in their bite is very dangerous.
Whale Tale South, Humpback Whale, Cierva Cove, Antarctica
This image was taken in Cierva Cove on the Antarctic Peninsula from a Zodiac (a rubber boat with a motor). At the time, we were completely surrounded by a group of about 50 humpback whales cooperatively feeding on krill. They were “bubble-netting” as a group to drive the prey into an undersea ball and then swallow them in large gulps. They were completely aware we were there and moved gently to avoid us. Nevertheless, they were almost close enough to touch.
Baby, it’s coaled outside, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Grosmont, North Yorkshire, UK
After a three-mile hike from Goathland through a pleasant wooded valley, my wife and I arrived at the outskirts of Grosmont to discover the shops and coaling tower for the NYMR railway. Engine No. 894 had just received her load of coal and was about to return to service. Chugging and smoking, she soon smoothly rolled out of the frame. For someone raised in the age of diesel, this was a sight from another era rarely seen today.
After a three-mile hike from Goathland through a pleasant wooded valley, my wife and I arrived at the outskirts of Grosmont to discover the shops and coaling tower for the NYMR railway. Engine No. 894 had just received her load of coal and was about to return to service. Chugging and smoking, she soon smoothly rolled out of the frame. For someone raised in the age of diesel, this was a sight from another era rarely seen today.
Folly of War, Broadway Tower, Worcestershire, UK
This impressive old castle is not actually a castle nor is it particularly old. Built in the 1790s, it is called a “folly” because well-heeled landowners built these kinds of buildings as part of their landscape design. This one, however, has a spectacular view of the surrounding area including Stratford-upon-Avon and hosted William Morris and other members of the Arts and Crafts movement during the 1800s.
This impressive old castle is not actually a castle nor is it particularly old. Built in the 1790s, it is called a “folly” because well-heeled landowners built these kinds of buildings as part of their landscape design. This one, however, has a spectacular view of the surrounding area including Stratford-upon-Avon and hosted William Morris and other members of the Arts and Crafts movement during the 1800s.
Flying Fortress, Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, UK
England is castle country: Saxon, Norman, Restoration, Victorian. This magnificent pile shares all that history and is one of the few located on the sea. We arrived late in the day as the weather cleared but had little time for photography as we were headed to Lindisfarne, the nearby island, accessible only at low tide. Nevertheless, I had time to set up and get this image with a hint of a rainbow.
England is castle country: Saxon, Norman, Restoration, Victorian. This magnificent pile shares all that history and is one of the few located on the sea. We arrived late in the day as the weather cleared but had little time for photography as we were headed to Lindisfarne, the nearby island, accessible only at low tide. Nevertheless, I had time to set up and get this image with a hint of a rainbow.
Up against the Wall, Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort, Hexham, Northumberland, UK
Hadrian’s Wall, built in 122 AD, runs for 73 miles from coast to coast across the north of England. The adjacent path is a popular trek for the outdoor minded of all ages. We had spectacular weather this day with 50-mile views and cumulus clouds. I waited till the couple, who had just passed us with a wave, were silhouetted at the top of the hill to complete the scene.
Hadrian’s Wall, built in 122 AD, runs for 73 miles from coast to coast across the north of England. The adjacent path is a popular trek for the outdoor minded of all ages. We had spectacular weather this day with 50-mile views and cumulus clouds. I waited till the couple, who had just passed us with a wave, were silhouetted at the top of the hill to complete the scene.
Eiffel Rising, Eiffel Tower and the American Church, Paris, FR
I was photographing the ornate Alexander IV bridge over the Seine River at sunset on a stormy day in Paris. While walking back to the left bank, I noticed the lights had come on in the Tower and the church. The backdrop of the dark clouds, the colors and rapidly clearing sky was irresistible.
I was photographing the ornate Alexander IV bridge over the Seine River at sunset on a stormy day in Paris. While walking back to the left bank, I noticed the lights had come on in the Tower and the church. The backdrop of the dark clouds, the colors and rapidly clearing sky was irresistible.
Structured Investment, Eiffel Tower, Paris, FR
After a dreary evening atop the Eiffel Tower in intermittent rain (fun and amazing but not good for photography), I turned around and saw this view of the leg structure as we were leaving. It is a truly remarkable construction of lattice, rivets and iron. The passenger elevator is in the upper right with the fluorescent lights.
After a dreary evening atop the Eiffel Tower in intermittent rain (fun and amazing but not good for photography), I turned around and saw this view of the leg structure as we were leaving. It is a truly remarkable construction of lattice, rivets and iron. The passenger elevator is in the upper right with the fluorescent lights.
Cat Walk, Alley Cat, Naples, IT
As I passed this alley in Naples, I was struck by the colorful life there. The scene was evocative of post-war Europe with laundry on the line between buildings. The cat was walking right down the middle as if he owned the place. After the shot, he ran up and rubbed against my leg. Having received the requisite ear scratch, he moved on and resumed supervision of his domain.
As I passed this alley in Naples, I was struck by the colorful life there. The scene was evocative of post-war Europe with laundry on the line between buildings. The cat was walking right down the middle as if he owned the place. After the shot, he ran up and rubbed against my leg. Having received the requisite ear scratch, he moved on and resumed supervision of his domain.