feathers in the sky-- sunset at tunnels
Tunnels Beach with it's view of Makana is one of those special places on Kauai where energies and colors mix together like few places in the world.
In this picture, I wanted the viewer to feel as if they were walking on the beach at sunset with the surf playfully running up their legs. In composing this shot, I have the tripod just barely in the surf and am clicking the shutter release as the little waves break onto shore. In order to slow down the movement of the wave I chose a slower shutter speed (0.4 sec) and an aperture of f/20 (due to the large quantity of diagonal light) all at an iso of 100.
Just a few more weeks before the sun begins to set behind Haena point. Many people who visit the gallery will ask about the seasons, and specifically if we have seasons. Well, we do, but they are subtle. In the summer, the north shore has the sunsets. In the winter the waves. And of course the fall and winter have near nightly showers and the late winter and early spring can see heavy rains.
feathers in the sky, tunnels, kauai, hawaii
signed with a flourish!, tunnels, kauai, hawaii
Aloha,
lee
if you are interested in purchasing any of the photos in this post, please email or give me a call. mahalo!
all photos in today's post were taken with a canon 5d3 with battery grip and a canon 24-70 f/2.8 ii lens. other gear used during this shoot: manfrotto tripod with arca swiss ball head, kirk l bracket, b+w polarizer, costco beach chair.
hanalei in the morning, hanalei in the evening
Hanalei is a beautiful town. It's a fairy tale-- lush mountains with waterfalls cascading; blue sea with waves rolling; good coffee; inspiring yoga; delicious foods; it just has an all around good time vibe. And a great way to view Hanalei is from the Okolehao Trail in the Hanalei River Valley Wildlife Refuge, which is just over the one lane bridge and beyond the taro fields.
Cook Pines and fluffy grass stand tall at the first clearing along the Okolehao Trail, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
Peeking through the pines. Hanalei Bay and Makana Ridge lies farther in the distance. Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
The view from the Okolehao Trail just gets better and better. The "snout" like protrusion at the north end of Hanalei Bay is said to be the head of Puff the Magic Dragon made famous in Peter, Paul and Mary's song of the same name. The trail actually continues on up the ridge from here, but becomes exceedingly difficult as the pitch increases and the ridge steepens. Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
I like the this fluffy grass. It grows in patches all along the trail. Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
Cook Pines in morning light. This is probably my favorite section of trail. The cook pines are so fresh and green! Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
Interlude.
If you are in Hanalei in the evening then you must spend a little time at Hanalei Bay. And Hanalei Bay on a summer evening means watching sunset at the Hanalei Pier. This is a tradition for locals and visitors alike. In general, the locals park right of the pier and tailgate on the beach. Visitors park in the lot and take their chairs and coolers and set up left of the pier. Either way, it's all good. As a photographer, the scene can be quite challenging. There's a lot of people enjoying the day, one another's company and, of course, Kauai's beauty. But all that means is you just have to be a little creative with your perspective and camera angles.
The world is a big and wonderful place. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Together. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Aloha Po (Hana Ho!). Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Aloha,
lee
kalalau clouds
kalalau clouds, kalalau lookout, koke'e state park, kauai, hawaii
One of my most favorite places on kauai: the kalalau lookout in koke'e state park is a transcendent place. To experience it is not for the senses alone, but for the soul. The clouds move in and out, freely from east and west, from above and below. It's a vortex of (spiritual) phenomenal energy. And as beautiful as it is to see, it's the sound of the place that stirs me.
The lookout is known for it's fickle sky of clouds, often completely obstructing what is otherwise a glorious view. So if when you go, you can't see anything other than a cloud bank, wait a while. It may open up (and you can always listen to the sounds while you wait). Sometimes, though, it never clears. I've waited an hour before turning my back and driving home, sightless of the view. Other days, like the one pictured above, the clouds lift and fall, rapidly revealing and concealing-- an interplay of truth and change and flow. We can't will it, we can't force it, we can't make it do what we want it to do. It's nature. It's natural. It just is. Kalalau and clouds. Beautiful they way they are.
a hidden view, waimea canyon state park, kauai, hawaii
After descending the mountain a ways we turned down a semi-secret road that was well paved, but narrow and with no center line. From the area and the trails that i knew were around the road i figured we were heading towards a naval observation post. And sure enough we were soon u-turning before a fenced gate that read NO ENTRY US NAVY.
patterns, waimea canyon state park, kauai, hawaii
Back on the main road, we climb down towards waimea town as the sun begins it fall behind a massive cloud floating above ni'ihau. Ever the romantics, we decide to park the car and enjoy the view-- canyon side .
canyon clouds, waimea canyon state park, kauai, hawaii
*all photos in today's blog were taken with a canon 5d3 and a canon 24-70, f/2.8 ii lens, and B+W circular polarizer
have great day.
aloha,
lee
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Have a good one.
aloha,
lee
the feeling of man more than mana
I don't get down to poipu that often, and really-- other than mahaulepu and shipwrecks-- i don't have many pictures of poipu's beaches and other sites. I guess I'm more of a north shore guy, but i'm starting to open up to the sunny south shore (they call it the sunny south shore, but most of the time i go it's cloudy!).
Sometimes you can find honu and monk seals resting along the sand at poipu beach park. I found this honu there in the early morning, and was able to watch him/her (?) walk away. They actually move surprisingly fast!
If you've ever wondered what honu tracks look like, well this is it. Pretty cool, eh?
Looking back at the sun as she rises behind the clouds and palm trees lining poipu beach park.
I think my main "problem" with the south shore is that there are so many people! I never feel that I have the beaches to myself. It's not so much the amount of people, but more the amount of infrastructure and buildings made for and by people. The north shore feels a little different. Maybe it's the greenery and mountains, the lush landscape and hidden beaches. There I can quite easily feel the mana of nature without the imprint of man.
Morning clouds move through the sky, bringing short shower to the sunny south shore.
No rain, no rainbows. Waves were up at poipu on this day and generally this is where you can find summer time surf on kauai.
Time for pancakes at Living Foods Market in Kukui Ula (my favorite place to eat in Poipu).
A hui hou Poipu! I'll see you again soon.
aloha,
lee