How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. – John Burroughs
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 200 : 10 mm : f/13 : 4.0 sec
Jones Gap State Park
Marietta, South Carolina, USA
January 20, 2020
Autumn Glow
January 13, 2020
A Window with a View
The views you get to see, depends on the windows you choose.
If you don’t like where you are (even in life), get up & move. You are the one who can decide what happens to you. Worst case, you can at least decide how to respond, with what happens to you – and that makes a world of difference :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 11 mm : f3.5 : 2.0 sec
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
January 6, 2020
Cosmic View by Backyard
The Cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be. – Carl Segan
It is one thing to drive out to the county side in the dark of the night to enjoy the stars. But imagine a world where you could wait for the sun to go down the horizon, grab some coffee and just enjoy this celestial view.
There exists places where, when the sun sets the black curtain rolls up and the sky fills with dazzling stars.
Most of us being urban dwellers, ought to do more to protect the night sky. Not just for the sake of protecting it, but for the sake of amazing views and serene feeling it brings !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
Cedar Key, Florida, USA
December 15, 2019
Million shades of green
It is no surprise that Autumn shines with a million colors.
But Spring shines with a million shades of one color – Green :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-280 mm : ISO 250 : 119 mm : f5.6 : 1/60 sec
Anna Ruby Falls
Helen, Georgia, USA
November 26, 2019
An Art called Autumn
Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. – Stanley Horowitz
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-280 mm : ISO 250 : 119 mm : f5.6 : 1/60 sec
Rough Ridge
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA
November 18, 2019
Sunrise by Choleswaran Kovil
It would have been great if some clouds were there to make the sunrise more dramatic. But am not complaining – since just few hours before this – I got to witness the grandeur of the night, with Milky Way hanging just over the Kopuram …
Lesson to self : Always make the most of what is around, than complaining for what could have been better :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f4.0 : 1/10 sec
Vijayalaya Choleswaran Temple
Pudukottai, TamilNadu, India
November 5, 2019
That tree in Hampi
Vittala Temple is one of the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. Words can not depict this spectacle. This temple was built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus. But this wonderfully shriveled tree, standing tall, just around the corner from the famous Stone Chariot at Vitthala Temple, steals the show.
The temple built around 15th century – is a splendor. But this tree dated back by 150 years – equally matches to its grandeur. The twilight sun – kissing the wizened tree was a sight to behold.
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 17 mm : f6.3 : 1/10 sec
Vittala Temple
Hampi, Karnataka, India
October 31, 2019
Separate yet same
The Oaks of Charleston – at the outset it looks like each one is standing in a line – individually. Look further, and you would realize each one of them is connected at a far deeper level – by the comprehensive root system. But not always the connections manifest at a physical level.
We are connected with each other & everything that surrounds us. Be aware, Breathe, when you get a chance to walk on the grass barefoot, hug that tree, sense the surrounding, feel the connection – with one another & the surroundings :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 119 mm : f11 : 10 sec
Oaks of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
October 20, 2019
Sunset, as seen by the falls
Smokies is such a vast place – that you can find an interesting subject to shoot, irrespective of the weather – lovely sunrises, dynamic landscape, long exposure waterfalls, fireflies, dark skies and what not – you get the picture.
This particular afternoon started out as a moody and overcast one. After gambling that the the sunset would not hit the high cord, decided to hike up to the little Gotto Falls.
But as luck would have it – the overcast became cloudy, resulting in a bit of drizzle, eventually clearing up by around sun set. The colors were starting to show up thru the trees, but it was too late to head out. That is when I decided to capture how the falls would witness such a lovely sunset … how do u like it :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f16 : 30 sec
Grotto Falls
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
October 6, 2019
Stillness
The Stillness that you search within, can be initiated with external triggers – that slow music melody, that soothing breeze as you walk by the green fields, that moment when the sunset makes the sky it’s canvas.
If nothing else, just take a deep breath. A conscious breath can do miracles. When you cannot handle the mind directly, it can be handled through breath …
Hope this serene sunset from Hampi, brings you the peace you are looking for :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 640 : 18 mm : f3.5 : 0.4 sec
Kamalapur Lake
Hampi, Karnataka, India
September 28, 2019
Shipwreck by Keys
Seeing a place from a different vantage point always makes it stand out. Getting over the keys was one of the best ways to enjoy the view. We even got to see some marine life (sharks and rays, etc.). The different colors in the water helped appreciate & perceive how shallow some places indeed were.
In addition, getting to view the ship wreck made the experience complete :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 100 : 85 mm : f5.6 : 1/500 sec
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Key West, Florida, USA
September 17, 2019
Star Fort of Sakleshpur
Sakaleshpur – a hill station town, in Malnad region lies on the magnificent range of the Western Ghats. It has a temperate climate surrounded with lofty green hills full of Coffee, Cardamom, Pepper and Areca Plantations. And hidden in this forest is the amazing fort of Manjarabad.
Started in 1785 and after almost 7 years, Tipu Sultan completed this star-shaped fort as part of his defense strategy. This enabled him to see the British Army from Mangalore. Also, it is said to be used for storing ammonia, horses, and a secret tunnel to Srirangapatna – the capital of Tipu Sultan.
Though – in the present day – the busy Bangalore Mangalore N48 runs close to the fort, not many take time to stop by and enjoy this marvel. I was glad I did :)
DJI Mavic Pro : ISO 100 : 4.73 mm : f2.2 : 1/250 sec
Manjarabad Fort
Sakleshpur, Karnataka, India
September 5, 2019
Not all conversations need words
Some conversations need words, Some only silence :)
So, if you are too tired to speak, sit next to me for I, too, am fluent in silence. – R. Arnold
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 640 : 19 mm : f4.0 : 1/45 sec
Sunset Beach
Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA
August 25, 2019
The Hiker in Red Jacket
Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry, hence its name. Unfortunately no one told this is true, only when the flow is low. That particular day we got pretty wet – with the spotty rains and more so from the spray of the falls. Not that we were complaining, but it would have been good to know !
With the rain, I was not shooting much and this particular view felt cliche – but the hiker in the red jacket (yeah that tiny red fleck you can see, in the center of the frame, about to hike behind the falls) made all the difference and I couldn’t resit but go for the click :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10 sec
Dry Falls
Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina, USA
August 18, 2019
Magic of Kodai
If Ooty is the “Queen of the hills”, Kodaikanal goes with “Princess of the hills”. Folks also refer to kodaikanal as “Switzerland of the East”, “Set of Southern Emeralds”, “Chilled paradise among the Hills”, “Summer Heaven”.
In Tamil – Kodaikanal has several meanings depending on how you break it up – “A place to see in Summer (kodai kanal)”, “The End of the forest (kO Di kanal)”, “The forest of the Creepers (kodi kanal)”, ” The Gift of the Forest (kOdai kanal)” – (oh the beauty of Tamil)
But what is there in the name … Irrespective of how you call, it is beautiful. The view points, lake and everything else is well developed but the beauty is still kept, atleast in pockets. The floating mist as it sails thru the valley, adds magic to the already beautiful place :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 125 : 35 mm : f5.6 : 1/60 sec
Magical Mist
Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu, India
July 31, 2019
Sunset by the Concrete Jungle
The sun doesn’t care … it sets just the same way – be it majestic mountains, lovely valleys or man made concrete jungles.
It continues with it’s magic.
But may be we should care.
Or is it already too late to fix the mess we are creating, in the name of development ?
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100: 10 mm : f4.0 : 1/90 sec
Urban Sunset
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
July 22, 2019
Calming the Chaos
Our society thrives on the concept of being busy all the time. The entire system is built around to keep you busy, on the edge, always being bothered, forcing to carry the mountains that aren’t yours to carry.
Photography for me, helps to go within and contemplate what is it I am here to do. Sometimes our life is full of chaos, sometimes the mind is full of chaos. It is all about Calming the Chaos …
Hidden in the chaos, are the treasures of life … Would you agree :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 160: 14 mm : f4.0 : 1/30 sec
Lake Hartwell State Park
Fair Play, South Carolina, USA
June 30, 2019
The Path of Fireflies
This is not a great shot in technical sense, but the experience was quiet surreal …
I was really lucky : I got to experience the synchronous fireflies at Smokies for two years in a row. For the first year I got the tickets (this was the first year when they introduced the lottery for the viewing). For the second year I was not that lucky – the tickets got sold in minutes, from when it was opened up online.
As I was exploring to see if anyone would share or other alternate options – realized that booking a camp site at Elkmont campground, during the same days – would grant access to the trails. After trying few days, was able to grab a reservation as someone else cancelled. This even had an added advantage – It gets you within a mile of the Elkmont Viewing area. Even more, one could hike up the entire trail to avoid the crowds, much beyond the set area for lottery viewing. Just make sure to carry the campground reservation.
This shot is a composite of 164 shots (22 minutes) and around 8 sec exposure for the foreground. Thanks to the Sony A7S II that I was able to rent. This low light monster was able to capture so much of details even in the faint moon light !
The 70% gibbous moon was not conducive for the fireflies, but that did help light up the nearby stream :)
The hustling stream, chilling breeze, dark of the night, the little bit moon lit forest, walking with my son, by the trail into the Smokies Forest & Fireflies along the path – it was indeed a surreal experience !
Sony A7S II : Sony 28 mm: ISO 12800 : 10 mm : f2.0 : 8.0 sec [164 shots]
Great Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
June 23, 2019
Just show up
It was almost new year’s eve and we were in the process of moving out of Florida. As much as I was excited about the move to the new place, I knew I would miss those lovely florida sunsets.
That particular Friday was pretty darn cloudy. Looking up the forecast via Clear Outside, realized the evening was going to be 99% cloudy. Was debating if it was worth taking the chance. Since there were not many more evenings left in Florida, decided to just drive out.
It was pretty overcast all along and the sun was nowhere to be seen. But the walk by the lake was pretty soothing with the evening breeze. Then the 1% clear sky happened by the horizon. And that was enough for the sun to put up a show …
Sometime, all you got to do is just show up :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm: ISO 200 : 10 mm : f6.7 : 1/350 sec
Fred Howard Park
Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA
June 15, 2019
The Perfect Traveller
Enroute to Smokies we heard about this waterfalls that was tucked away in the mountains. We decided to make the trip to Minnehaha and it was well worth it. Located the trail head with head with help of GPS [34.749633, -83.479083]. There were very few parking spots by the road, but the drive up the winding road and the lake was quick a sight. Once you locate the trail head (with small set up stairs from the road) and get a parking spot, the fun continues. The trail is somewhat uphill, but the few stairs sprinkled along the way helped.
In addition to the trail, the falls itself is incredible. They spill over a cliff in a gorgeous, multi-tiered cascade before continuing downstream to the Lake Rabun. The morning sun, the floating fog, the spray from the falls, the chillness of the water – it all makes it a worthwhile experience.
Water is the most perfect traveller, because when it travels it becomes the path itself !
― Mehmet Murat ildan
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm: ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 8.0 sec
Minnehaha Falls
Lakemont, Georgia, USA
