The time for longer and more everlasting contentment is in the autumn of our lives – Albert Emerson
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Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f/16 : 8.0 sec
Jones Gap State Park
Marietta, South Carolina, USA
November 20, 2022
The autumn of our lives
August 29, 2020
Gratitude enriches existence
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. – John Milton
Have you ever thought – in life we receive a lot more than we ever give. Yet, it is easy for us to remember about things we wanted but haven’t got yet, plans that were planned but haven’t worked out yet etc. But you just reading this, shows you are among the gifted – who got to learn to read, have the will to read, probably have the basic needs met and among the the ones who have WiFi or mobile with a data plan. If nothing else, just the probability of you even existing now at all comes out to 1 in 102,685,000. Basically, the odds you even exist is zero. Yet you exist.
Realize the miracle you are and yet how wonderfully insignificant you are. Be thankful… live… live a life filled with Gratitude :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 1000 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/15 sec
Furman Bell Tower
Greenville, South Carolina, USA
July 18, 2020
A Contemplative Evening
Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated ?
– David M. Bader
It is not complicated, it indeed is very simple
But simple might not be easy
Easy or not, Be simple, Be mindful.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/60 sec
Furman Bell Tower
Greenville, South Carolina, USA
January 20, 2020
Autumn Glow
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
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
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
March 28, 2019
Little things
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 85 mm : f5.6 : 1/30 sec
| Spring Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
November 8, 2018
Pristine beaches of SC
Nature has its way of taking care of things, all we need to do is not interrupt :)
Bulls Island, is an undeveloped barrier island within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Its one of the most pristine spans of coastline on the eastern seaboard. Its seven miles of beaches include the famed Boneyard Beach, where the remains of surf-battered trees are littered across the sand. To add to that, after each high tide, every corner of the beach is restored to its immaculate state :)
To preserve the wildlife and its habitat, Cape Romain is closed from dawn to dusk, and no camping is allowed on the refuge islands. Hence not many get to witness sunrise on the pristine Boneyard Beach.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/125 sec
| Boneyard Beach Bulls Island, South Carolina, USA |
September 30, 2018
Twin Falls on a Rainy Day
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover
And never judge a day by it’s weather
This particular Saturday started with showers all around. It was a tough choice to decide between lazing the afternoon with family in the couch vs driving couple of hours and taking a hike. With the rain, it was tempting to decide to stay at home, especially since it involved a hike. ClearOutside showed a small break in weather for the late afternoon. Am glad I gambled to take the risk, at the end it really paid off :) Though I did get wet, the rain added to the volume of the cascade and the rolling fog made the day !
Generally, worse the weather & lower the probability of getting a shot, the better it turns out to be :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10.0 sec
| Twin Falls Sunset, South Carolina, USA |
March 15, 2018
Be Curious
Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up. – Stephen Hawking
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
| Caesars Head Cleveland, South Carolina, USA |
February 11, 2018
Just in time by Jones Gap
Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter – Ansel Adams
Jones Gap is one of a kind, so wild, yet not very far from Greenville. The main highlight of Jones Gap is the Middle Saluda River – the states first designated scenic river. The hike & terrain is somewhat challenging in a couple of places, but the views are amazing.
The late afternoon sun and the clouds were just right. The fall colors and the diffused light caused the entire place to be flooded with the golden glow. Was there just in time to enjoy this lovely scene :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 13 mm : f22 : 15.0 sec
| Jones Gap Wilderness Marietta, South Carolina, USA |
January 26, 2018
Hiking by Paris Mountain
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir
One of the easiest ways to unload, unwind and de-stress is to get out and connect with nature. Natural environments are rich in the characteristics necessary for the brain to replenish itself :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 400 : 39 mm : f4.5 : 0.3 sec
| Paris Mountain State Park Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
January 17, 2018
Snowflake Snowflake
Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake.
Little snowflake falling from the sky.
Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake.
Falling, falling, falling, falling, falling,
falling, falling, falling, falling…falling on my glove :)– To be read as if you were a kid !!!
After couple of years, got to shoot the little little snowflakes again. It was fun. Snow out here in South Carolina is rare and that made it even more exciting :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 320 : 270 mm : f5.6 : 1/90 sec
| Snow Flake Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
December 12, 2017
Sunset by Clock Tower
The beauty you see in me, is a reflection of you. – Rumi
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 1000 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/15 sec
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Furman Bell Tower Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
November 6, 2017
Magic of Fall
The raging winds of Irma, Jose & Nate (2017 hurricane) took down most of the leaves this season, especially in higher elevation. The sporadic temperature swings did not help much with the colors either.
But this hidden treasure by the corner of Blue Ridge Parkway, had protected the beauty of the season. With a slight drizzle, rolling fog along the sparkling creek – the colors of the fall were just a magic to be witnessed.
Magic & Magical places do exist. You just need to believe !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 20 mm : f16 : 30 sec
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Jones Gap State Park Marietta, South Carolina, USA |
October 21, 2017
Orionids on a Chilly Night
A Sip of a hot chai
Gentle breeze of the cold night
Shimmering of the twinkling stars
A blazing streak of a meteor
– few experiences are worth skipping the cozy sleep :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
| Orionid Meteor Shower (10.21.2017) Whitmire, South Carolina, USA |
August 23, 2017
The Sun, Moon & Regulus
Watching the Solar Eclipse was quiet an experience. Witnessing the totality was even more personal.
In the peak of the afternoon – the scorching summer sun became so pleasant ; the temperature dropped ; the crickets became exuberant ; there was sunset all around and quiet an excitement permeated in the air. It was a surreal experience to witness a 360° sunset and right in the middle of the afternoon.
High above, as the moon obscured the Sun, it was a sight to behold ! Totality is the only time during solar eclipse that can be enjoyed with out any additional protection to the eyes. The Sun’s corona extends millions of miles into space and is most prominently visible during a total solar eclipse. Regulus, a bright star in the constellation Leo and among the brightest in Earth’s night sky. Due to its extreme brightness, Regulus can be spotted next to the sun’s corona, though its 79 Light years away.
The photos / videos do no justice to the experience, but here is an attempt to freeze that moment – for my friends who were not able to experience this in person. Do check out full screen at higher resolution – definitely worth it :)
| Moon | 1,079 Mile Radius | 238,900 Miles Away |
| Sun | 432,288 Mile Radius | 92,960,000 Miles Away |
| Regulus | 1,296,864 Mile Radius | 458,500,000,000,000 Miles Away |
Canon 7D : Sigma 150-600 mm : ISO 320 : 600 mm : f5.6 : 1/6 sec
| Solar Eclipse Totality Whitmire, South Carolina, USA |
May 2, 2017
Yellow Branch Falls
Google Maps, you need to step up. Occasionally navigating me to the back side of Walmart is manageable, but putting me on a spot (Rich Mountain Road : F744), back side of the water falls, where there is no potential trail and telling me to walk the reminder of the way, not cool :) Luckily, I was able to assess and get to the Hwy 28S and located the trail head.
I generally love waterfalls, but some are just really enchanting. This is one of them – Yellow Branch Falls ! The hike to Yellow Branch Falls is a backtrack hike over moderate terrain that ends at a beautiful waterfall with many individual cascades. Give enough time to get to the falls with regular breaks and u can call this an easy & fun hike.
On the route you pass through groves of dignified hardwood and meander across a number of streams. But the highlight of the hike is the 50 foot multi tier cascade, that awaits you at the end :)
When you are treated with views like this, all the huffs & puffs from the strenuous hike magically disappears :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 22 mm : f4.0 : 8 sec
| Yellow Branch Falls Walhalla, South Carolina, USA |
April 21, 2017
Pineapple Fountain with Sun Cherry topping
When I heard about the pineapple fountain, I was pretty exited. As per the name, it was quiet a fountain. Arrived before sunrise to shoot. Unfortunately the fountain was not turned on. It was surprising that the near by spider fountain was operational.
As I was walking by the gardens and enjoying the twilight, found a building opposite to the fountain. The high vintage from the steps gave a nice perspective. As I set the camera for the first rays, the fountain sprung to life !
Here is a Pineapple fountain, with sun cherry topping, for you :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 85 mm : f27 : 1/125 sec
| Pineapple Fountain Charleston, South Carolina, USA |
April 6, 2017
The Long White Bridge
Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy — Guillaume Apollinaire
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 18 mm : f3.5 : 1/10 sec
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Magnolia Plantation Charleston, South Carolina, USA |
Like the Ocean 