Low Lying Rest
The rains of the day have stopped and it's as if the rays of the sun are pulling the clouds from their low lying rest.
As the earth dries out a landscape that was hidden begins to appear in a mixture of reds, brown and green.
The mystery of a landscape revealed, and the state of nature's abundance animate the evolving scene.
Energy moves throughout the Canyon as the weather shifts, and I sit and watch the clouds fly by.
Light and shadow play--like desire and need-- and I try to find a compromise between the two as I point the lens at canyon wall.
The canyon appears to me like a hulking brown bear whose coat of fur is drying slowly in the evening light.
The sun has set behind me-- behind the ridge-- and the canyon goes dark while the rising clouds hold the light, still.
Finally dusk falls over the entire scene, but the clouds still swirl and throw a little light as they stir.
In the blue hour I take one last look before walking away from a landscape I love.
Aloha,
Lee
All photographs in this post were taken on the afternoon/evening of February 1, 2020.
My Favorite 19 from 2019-- Part 3
Mahalo for sticking with me as I countdown my favorite 19 images from 2019. This year on Kauai I spent a lot of time in the water, photographing empty waves and surfers with my new SPL Waterhousing. Off island I made two trips to California, visiting first, the Sonoma Coast and Point Reyes National Seashore; and then Yosemite National Park and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest later in the year. My now annual trip to Alaska took me to Katmai National Park for the second year in a row and to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for the first time. The top 6 will have a few from the water and a few from these trips, for sure.
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#6. There's So Much to Like, Kealia Beach, Kauai. February 21, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 300mm @ f/2.8, 1/3200 sec. ISO 250
On a good day Kealia can be one of the most beautiful places on the island. So what makes a good day here? Well, for surf, you want no trades or slightly variable winds. Unless there are very heavy clouds you'll almost always get the waves back lit, causing the water to shine like an emerald or a delicious granny smith. There's so much to like about nature. The way it can inspire us or calm us. Heal us or even provide us a place to play.
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#5. Carving Glass, Poipu, Kauai, May 27, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 70-200mm @ 200, f/6.3, 1/2500 sec, ISO 200. SPL Waterhousing
This photo of surfer Keakaikauai is so special to me. First, this was an epic day in the water. Probably my first real good day of photographing surfers. The conditions were excellent. The surfers incredibly talented, extremely generous, and patient with my presence. The lineup wasn't too crowded and everyone was sharing waves. Bethany Hamilton was even in the water just rippin'! Yes, it was an awesome day, but I did have to suffer for this photo. You see there was a negative low tide on this day. And to get to the surf break I have to swim about 200 yards or so. Even on a medium to high tide there are a few shallow areas and a notorious "rock pile" that you navigate your way around, but on this day I had to literally walk over the rock pile as there were just a few inches of water between my belly and the reef. So walk I did. With fins. Not easy. I stumbled and stumbled and stumbled again. I fell on vanna (sea urchin), and the thing just stuck into my right butt cheek. I was pulling out needles and scratching the venom all session long. The wound took about two full weeks to heal, but I got this shot and enjoyed a wonderful day in the ocean with my camera and lens. Something that, before this year, was just not possible.
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#4. Dawn Dance, Katmai National Park, Alaska. July 6, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 300mm, f/2.8, 1/640 sec, ISO 2000
#3. Young Wolf, Katmai National Park, Alaska. July 6, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 300mm, 1.4 EXT III, f/4, 1/1000 sec, ISO 2000
Numbers Four (Dawn Dance) and Three (Young Wolf) were taken on the same day. Same morning. Thirty-Two minutes apart. 5:22 AM (bear) and 5:54 AM (wolf). What a morning of photography!!! I chose to get up early to look for the wolf, which I saw a few days earlier (before I went backpacking into the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and from where I had just returned). Instead of taking the trail directly to Brooks River I decided to walk the beach and see if any bears were visible. And sure enough, there was one. The soft light of dawn reflected off of Naknek Lake, filling the lens with pinks and blues. I love the graceful step in the soft dawn light of this giant brown bear. Blessed with this sighting, I then went on to the river-viewing area and where I sat up my gear and waited, hoping for another wolf sighting. After a few minutes, the young wolf came out, cautiously steping through the shallow waters of the Brooks River. The wolf walked from one area of tall grass to another until it swam to this little island. The gaze of the wolf was arresting. Eyes alight with life-- hunger and curiosity. I love this photo. The texture of the grass, the drops of dew ,and those young wolf eyes. These photos are why I dream of Katmai all year long.
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#2. Flexibility in Body and Mind, Poipu, Kauai, September 27, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 70-200mm @ 110, f/6.3, 1/2500 sec, ISO 250. SPL Waterhousing
When I evaluate a wildlife photograph it's all about the eyes. That look of expression, wisdom, emotion, concentration, playfulness, intensity, life. I believe all of these qualities are seen in the eyes. If it's there you know it. And if it's there it's, then it's usually a great photograph. That's why I like this photo of local Kauai surfer Kyle Ramey so much. Yes, the wave is nice. The action is there. The splash of water, too, gives it a sense of realness and intimacy. But what makes me really feel the photograph is the look in Kyle's eyes, and the emotion and energy that those eyes share. Kyle is so focused on the experience of riding this wave that nothing else in the world (at this moment) matters. He is totally in a state of FLOW, and I am so stoked to have been able to photograph this moment of skillful/playful zen. One with the water. One with the wave. One with mother mother ocean. Yes, as my favorites move along so too my prose takes on a purple pace. Mahalo Kyle for gracing my camera with this fantastic moment. Aloha!
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#1. Transformation, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. July 15, 2019
Canon 1DX II, Canon 70-200mm @ 75mm, f/7.1, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
When the rain stopped, the lagoon glassed out and perfectly reflected the glacial ice that had calved off of Bear Glacier some 4 miles away. The icebergs cracked and popped as I glided by in the kayak. It was as if the ice was alive. Other sounds that I heard were the distant waves, the birds, my paddle, and the thunder of these icebergs, breaking. That was a scary sound. Thunder through the silence. A portent of the dangers to come.
The solitude was profound. I had a lot of time to think about what we are doing to the earth. I could see the effects of climate change right in front of my eyes. Often what I photographed in the morning was either gone or completely transformed by the afternoon. And after a week of near 90 degree weather and smoke filling the Alaskan skies, climate change became very real to me. It was an incredible experience, and it impressed upon me the need to fight global warming. To physically feel the difference of being near to a glacier and it's cooling qualities was startling. The water that poured off my paddle froze my hands. The temperature difference on the lagoon and at camp was striking. The experience added a physical understanding to the intellectual. The need to lower the earth's temperature-- to combat climate change-- became mind-blowingly obvious.
2.7 degrees Fahrenheit is the current goal. To lower the temperature of the earth 2.7 degrees. If we consider the earth to be a living organism then just think how much a difference of 2.7 degrees would make. Think of us. As humans, when we have a high temperature, lowering it 2.7 degrees can mean the difference between severe illness and recovery. So, too, for the earth. Let us work to lower the temperature 2.7 degrees. Glacial melt will slow and future generations will have an opportunity to live on a healthy planet full of nourishment and beauty.
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I look forward to sharing my photography with you in 2020. I'll have more images from Kauai, and a few from abroad as photography trips to Bolivia, Peru, Scotland, and Ireland are on the books. So stay tuned....
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and mahalo for taking the time to read these blogs and view these photographs.
To see a slideshow of the images contained within this 3 part blog, please, click here.
Have a good one.
Aloha,
Lee
My Favorite 19 from 2019-- Part 2
I am counting down my favorite 19 images from 2019. Part one had a few photographs from home and a few from adventures away. Part two will be more of the same. I hope you enjoy the images.
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#13. Hanakapi'ai Beach and the Kalalau Trail, Na Pali Wilderness, Kauai. August 25, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5.0 @ 1/160 sec. ISO 125
I like this photograph not so much for the photo itself, but for what it represents: the road to Ha'ena and Ke'e is open! The Kalalau Trail is open! You see, following the historic floods of April 2017 the road beyond Hanalei was closed for repair. And it finally opened summer this year. Finally! This view is iconic Na Pali Coast-- leafy, green, rugged and wild. If you plan on going to Kalalalu or to Ha'ena State Park, even, please get a permit online. You will need a permit to access the park and a permit to park (if you plan on driving). Together we can keep this area verdant and wild and enjoyable for all.
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#12. A Saltwater Abstract, Centers, Poipu, Kauai. September 1, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 16-35 @ 16mm, f/6.3 @ 1/2000 sec. ISO 640. SPL Waterhousing
Sometimes getting tossed around underneath a wave is totally worth it. This is one of those occasions. Clean, Poipu blue water and a fast shutter can make for interesting abstracts. I like this one because of all the different elements: sky, wave, reef, energy, the tumult of it all.
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#11. Colors and Curve, Secrets Beach, Kauai. May 30, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 16-35 @ 34mm, f/7.1 @ 1/2000 sec. ISO 100. SPL Waterhousing
A wave rolls onto shore as if it were a ribbon flipped by a child. The colors of sand mixed with water, the curve and loud splash are a aspects of a Secrets wave. This beach is so dynamic. Every time I go it's different. The shore break is heavy and intense. But when the conditions are right the surf break here can be a sweet ride.
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#10. Kuio Young at Acid Drop, Poipu, Kauai. September 27, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 70-200 @ 100mm, f/6.3 @ 1/2500 sec. ISO 200
This was an epic day at Acid Drop. The biggest surf that I have ever photographed from the water. And what a day it was! Glassy, ideal swell, BIG waves and a great group of surfers rippin' all morning long. Here, Kuio Young, pumps in front of a draining wave, that looks like it's gonna eat him up. The shades of blue-- especially the turquoise-- contrasts nicely with his yellow board. Such great memories of this day and you'll see another photo from this epic session a little later in the countdown. Stay tuned....
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#9. Tree Hugger, Katmai National Park Alaska. July 8, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 300 +1.4 ext III @ 420, f/4, 1/1000 ISO 1000
I've always heard that while brown bears can climb trees, they never do. Well, I'm here to tell you they do! Here's a beautiful momma bear climbing a tree to get her two spring cubs down. At first she barked at them from below, but after they refused to come down she decided to go up. This July saw record heat all throughout Alaska and Katmai NP was no exception. Each day seemed hotter than the previous one and the animals (and humans) were suffering. I think that's why this momma bear treed her cubs for such prolonged periods. It was easier to protect them up a tree than have them on the lakeshore with her. This photo was taken just outside the campground at Brooks Camp. Katmai NP is my favorite park and a few more photos from this trip made this list of 19. Absolutely the funnest park ever.
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#8. Teddy Bear Be Humble, Katmai National Park, Alaska. July 5, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 300mm, f/4.0 @ 1/1000. ISO 1600
This sweet brown bear cub was so cute! He was always eating in the high grass and cupping his paws as if making a blessing. Humble little bear. Scenes like these keep me dreaming of Katmai NP all year long.
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#7. Shifting Moods, Kilauea, Kauai. February 19, 2019
Canon 5DS R, Zeis 21mm Milvus, f/11 @ 1.3 sec. ISO 250. LEE graduated ND filters and LEE Polarizer
The long, silky flow of ocean-- like cream -- over an exposed north shore lava shelf in winter. Day break gentle in a divided sky. High risk high return photography can produce some of the best results. This one keeps bringing me back.
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Next up #1 ~ #6. Stay tuned for Part 3...
Aloha,
Lee
My Favorite 19 from 2019-- Part 1
It's that time of year again. Time to look back at the year that was, the places we visited and things we have seen. Best of lists and Top Tens full of nostalgia and memories. I'll give you my favorites, but I'll cheat a little. So instead of ten I'll give you 19 of my favorite (not necessarily my best) images from the past year. I know it's always a dangerous to ask a photographer their favorites (and trust me, a photographer's favorites are never the most popular with their clients), but it's fun to go back and look at a year in photographs. See what I was up to. What challenges I was working through and see the results of the places where I chose to be. So without further adieu let the countdown begin!
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19. Be Good to the Earth (The Wisest Trashcan I Have Ever Seen), Seward, Alaska. July 17, 2019
Canon 5DS R, Canon 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/2.8 @ 1/3200 sec. ISO 200
This trashcan was right outside my campsite in Seward, AK where I camped for several nights while exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. I just love the message: Be Good to the Earth. The opposite side said: "Be Good to People". And a third side read: Go places. Have Fun. Be Nice. I mean, really. The wisest trashcan ever. Now, to go back to the message depicted in the photograph-- Be Good to the Earth. This was especially poignant as much of my Alaska trip was made in record heat and smoke from no fewer than 8 major fires all across the state. I spent smokey days in Katmai, baking from the days spent under the midnight sun. So yeh, be good to the earth. Protect her. Limit our carbon footprint. Make a positive change and accept our responsibility and influence. Seek out ways that we can help to lower the earth's temperature and reverse the worrying trend of climate change.
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18. Peering Into the Night Sky, Hanalei Bay, Kauai. August 30, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 16-35 III @ 16mm, f/2.8 @ 30 sec. ISO 2000
I try for one night sky photograph a summer. And in 2019 I got clouded out on my first attempts in June. I was traveling in July so that left the days before and after the new moon in August as my last real chance for a starry night photograph. Luckily, clear skies welcomed the new moon in late August and I was able to take this photograph at Hanalei Bay. I painted the pier with light with my headlamp, and might have upset some fishermen while doing so. Because they decided to shine their lights back towards me. This is what that looked like...
After this happened I decided to pack it up and go home. It was late anyway (about 1:30 AM) and I was getting sleepy.
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17. Sky Burn in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Katmai National Park Alaska. July 7, 2019
Canon 5DS R, Canon 16-35 @ 16mm, f/13 @ 2.5 sec. ISO 100
This photograph was taken about 10 feet from my tent, which was set up just below this sand dune in between to streams of icy cold snowmelt. I hiked into the valley on the hottest day in Alaska's recorded weather history. I swear it was 90 in the shade and 100 in the sun. Easily. I photographed from 4 AM to 6:30 or 7 AM then ate breakfast and hid in the tent from the unrelenting sun and smoke. It was definitely a backpack that I wouldn't want to repeat, but a location that I would like to revisit. Maybe in the fall, perhaps? It would be nice to see these mountains again and hear the soft thud of boot falling into the ash of the valley. Nostalgia. It's a dangerous thing.
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16. Meadow and Patch of Snow, Harding Ice Field Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, July 19, 2019.
Canon 5DS R, Canon 16-35 @ 20mm, f/6.3 @ 1/400 sec. ISO 200
I like the green. I like the pink fireweed. I like the rolling slope of the mountain. And the little patch of snow to remind me of the elevation and the northern clime. This is Alaska in the summer. Colorful, verdant, wild, full of adventure, and ready to be explored.
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15. Shangri- La, Tunnels Beach, Kauai, August 8, 2019
Canon 1 DX II, Canon 16-35 @ 16mm, f/5.6 @ 1/800 sec. ISO 100, SPL Waterhousing
Another pretty blue and green one. This is pure Kauai magic at its best. One reason this one made my list of favorites is because I imagined this shot before I bought my SPL water housing and I was able to make it happen after a summer of swimming around the Kauai surf. I call this one Shangri-La because of the supernatural nature of Makana seemingly floating above the ocean. I like, too, how the sky and ocean share the same blue, the same cooling, inviting hue. Yes, I'm happy to have this in the collection. And blessed to have the health to make an image like this one happen.
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14. Pastels and Granite, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, October 17, 2019
Canon 5 DS R, Canon 16-35 @ 28mm, f/16 @ 8 sec. ISO 100
Yosemite Valley is one of the most beautiful places that I have been. The granite walls tower above the surrounding trails, with Half Dome and El Capitan commanding your view at the South and North ends of the Valley. This photograph was taken on top of Sentinel Dome and looks toward Half Dome and "Little Yosemite Valley" towards the Tioga Road and Bishop in the far, far distance. This is the scene at dusk. I also hiked up here for sunrise on the same day, but found the light at dusk to softer and more manageable. I like how the soft pastels of the sky and clouds contrast with the hard granite that Yosemite is known for. Yes, Yosemite is one of the prettiest places on Earth.
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Part 2 coming soon....
Aloha,
Lee
My Favorite Walk in Poipu-- The Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail from Shipwrecks Beach in Poipu to Mahaulepu beach and beyond is my favorite walk on Kauai's south side. Here are 10 photos from this wonderful shoreline trail.
Lemuria (The Past Holds Secrets of the Present)
Along the Golf Course!?!
The Last Hawaiian Warrior
Time Run Slow and Tide Run Low
A Splash of Rainbow
South Shore Sunrise
Misty Sunrise Beyond Exposed Reef
A Curl at the Nose
I Think I'll Stop Here
Looking Back on the Heritage Trail
Finito...
Aloha,
Lee