Big Island Tea Leaves

If you know anything about my wife, you know she has a deep passion for tea. I don’t know exactly how it started or the explicit stages of its evolution (though I have witnessed a LOT of stages), but I know when I travel anywhere known for tea…I am going to have a special order placed often with precise details as to which places to visit and exactly which blend to purchase. I once walked 5 miles (probably more since I was lost) in Koyto, Japan trying to find the Ippodo shop to pickup a special Matcha. Needless to say, when we went to the Big Island of Hawaii in February of this year, we HAD to visit some of the tea plantations. I will say, in all my travels, Big Island Tea has some of the most beautiful (and extremely tasty) tea I have seen.

Happy Memorial Day!

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4.5
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 16 February, 2018
  • Focal length: 25mm
  • ISO: 800
  • Shutter speed: 1/400s
  • Title: Big Island Tea Leaves

A Calm Kilauea

If you have been watching the news, you have probably heard of the havoc Pele is making on the Big Island of Hawaii.  There is of course nothing we can all do but sit back and watch her awesome power consume.  Pamela and I were just on the Big Island back in April and I took this photo from my iPhone.  This is shot from the Jagger Museum at Volcanoes National Park.  The park is current closed to visitors while the change of eruption is so high.  Our heart goes out to all the folks we met, those we did not and all of our friends on the Island!  Stay safe!

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/1.8
  • Camera: iPhone 7
  • Taken: 18 February, 2018
  • Focal length: 3.99mm
  • ISO: 20
  • Shutter speed: 1/2800s
  • Title: A Calm Kilauea

Sunset on the Shores of Ecola State Park

This photo was a precursor really. I was trying to find this particular location on Cannon Beach that I ended up having to run to (anything for a shot right). This silhouette of the shoreline came out pretty nice as well from Ecola State Park.

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 7 March, 2014
  • Focal length: 33mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/640s
  • Title: Sunset on the Shores of Ecola State Park

Under the Bali Sun

Bali is a hot place, even in February when I visited. For me, its odd, but I actually spend almost this whole trip at the resort. I was just plain exhausted! Sometimes despite being half the world away from home, the right answer is just to stop and enjoy yourself however you wish!

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 16 February, 2015
  • Focal length: 31mm
  • ISO: 250
  • Shutter speed: 1/2500s
  • Title: Under the Bali Sun

Hong Hong’s Space Museum at Night

I just finished up watching Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights show (I’m afraid the name is the most exciting part of this show) and was headed back to the hotel for the evening. The waterfront is really pretty and the Hong Kong Space Museum was all lit up in oscillating colors.

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 26 May, 2014
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 3.2s
  • Title: Hong Hong's Space Museum at Night

Notre-Dame de Paris One Morning

The area outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is BUSY! My suggestion is to go at night, when you get to see what a real Parisian sewer rat looks like (literally Pamela saw one and said…TELL ME THAT WAS A CAT….THAT WAS A CAT RIGHT)! Nope, that was Not a cat. Or get up early, this isn’t REALLY early, but the crowds are not crazy yet. Honestly, I would suggest going at various times around Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis. The area is absolutely beautiful and the rats really only come out at night (well at least the kind that live in the sewers).

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 23 March, 2014
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/100s
  • Title: Notre-Dame de Paris One Morning

Vienna Opera House at Night

I have been REALLY lucky just to travel and see some of the amazing things I have so far in my life. I am sometimes flabbergasted at my luck when it comes to the kindness of others. I often find if you ask nicely, people are happy to help and interested in what you are trying to do. Take Austria…I was only there for one night, and I simply asked if the hotel might have a room I could stay in with a great view of the Opera House. They put me in a suite with a view that was…well it wasn’t at all shabby!

Photo Technical Info

Out West

I kind of love photos where you have a hard time determining where you are or what time period you are seeing. It’s sort of like a puzzle to me I guess and things I don’t immediately understand often spark my interest. The other thing I loved about this is the reminder that there are tumbleweeds blowing across the highway in Washington and Oregon!

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 5 March, 2014
  • Focal length: 26mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/400s
  • Title: Out West

Instagram Favorites Early 2018

Instagram Favorites

Happy Birthday to ME! It’s also time for an Instagram Favorites post. Since I have not been traveling as much, these posts are fewer and further between, but I just got back from The Big Island of Hawaii, so if you missed them, enjoy!

Hiking to a Goal

Having just left Hawaii I can’t help but think about it constantly. It was warm and full of adventure and time with my favorite person in the world…what’s not to love! This last trip was my 9th to the Hawaiian Islands, and my next will mark a very momentous occasion. When you enter Hawaii, the State of Hawaii ask you to fill out a declaration form on the plane. On the back is an optional demographic survey and they ask how many times you have been to Hawaii. I know this is coming and I always have to count my trips there. This next time (though I will still count one last time) should be the point I hit 10 or more and no longer have to prepare! That is probably a silly goal, but the one I will share today…I just might have others.

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 31 August, 2014
  • Focal length: 23mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/125s
  • Title: Hiking to a Goal