It’s possible to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the world, to take a plane, three trains, two ferries and a bicycle, in order to stand completely still. – TED Talks
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 30 sec
| As the Sun set Clearwater, Florida, USA |
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 |
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.
There are seven million. everything is a wonder :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 110 mm : f5.6 : 1/500 sec
| Sunset by the bay Cedar Key, Florida, USA |
“See you at Sunset !” – This iconic phrase has embodied the spirit and history of Key West since the event took off in the late 1960s ! The “Key West Sunset Celebration” is a nightly festival @ Mallory Square. It hosts visitors from all over the world, to take part along side with local magicians, jugglers, clowns, psychics, local musicians, artists and food vendors, that combine for an incredible cultural experience.
But for me the sunset itself was iconic enough. I preferred the nearby Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (which probably is the true south most point in continental US, as opposed to the one commercialized at Whitehead street ). It too was a bit crowded, but much less touristy than Mallory Square.
There is something magical about Key West Sunsets, wouldn’t you agree :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 22 mm : f4.5 : 1/10 sec
| Fort Zachary Taylor Park Beach Key West, Florida, USA |
A trip to Clearwater, FL would not be complete without a visit to Pier 60, especially during sunset. It is as if the pier was put here, just for the sunsets! It was a bit touristy for my liking. But still, it was one of the best spots to enjoy a sunset by the Gulf Coast.
In addition to being a great place to relax during the day on Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 turns into a daily festival of sorts two hours before sunset and two hours after.
It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean.
Canon 7D : Canon 10 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f8.0 : 1/10 sec
| Sunset by Pier60 Clearwater, Florida, USA |
Once, while driving to Atlanta, the evening sky was so dramatic, that it would have been a sin not to stop. Luckily, Maps showed a blue patch near by, indicating a water body. But only in a crunch, you realize how much time it takes to drive up, even a few miles, when it is not the highway :) Shot this literally scrambling to find a spot, from where I had parked …
The light was fading down quickly and there was not enough time, but was real glad I had pulled over !!!
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. – Deepak Chopra
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 160: 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/60 sec
| Lake Hartwell State Park Fair Play, South Carolina, USA |
Starting from the political scenario currently here in the US, to that back home in Tamilnadu,India there seems to be lot of uncertainty.
Added to this, on the personal front, it has been one unexpected start of the year, with change in work and locations. Though it was unplanned, I realized that anchoring ourselves with an abundance of security can actually become a dangerous habit :) Agreed, Uncertainty is scary, but may be that is what keeps us alive … Uncertainty and life go hand in hand. So if you want to make the most of your life it is critical to embrace uncertainty.
I sure would miss the lovely colors of Florida Sunset, but am sure the sun does set every day, where ever you are :) So here is to life, embracing uncertainty & back to sharing my shots from my travels ! Happy Living !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100: 10 mm : f22 : 2 sec
| Sunset by SandKey Clearwater, Florida, USA |
Fall colors do happen in Florida, it just happens in the sky and all around the year :)
The name Sunshine State might bring in memories of crisp & sunny days at beach, but Florida also is the home of some amazing & best sunsets. This was shot at a secluded spot, from a not very well know local beach. The low tide enabled the kids (look close, there are two of them) to play and venture out for shell combing. As the sun was fading behind the horizon, the entire sky burst in million shades of twilight colors. It was just magical :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100: 10 mm : f22 : 6.0 sec
| Sunset Beach Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA |
Almost always, things happen for a reason.
For the remaining times, it still happens for a reason, but we just don’t know it :)
This particular evening, planning for a full moon shoot, I headed to Fort de Soto Park. But since it turned out to be pretty overcast by the horizon, decided to head to the other side of the island for the sunset. Turned out to be a great evening.
It was a nice walk by the waves, enjoying the sunset. As the sun was going down the horizon, there were these two White Ibis playing by the coast. Watching these guys was fun and in the end, it was just a matter of waiting for things to align. Glad it all came together !
Eventually, on the way back, we got to see the full moon in its glory too. After all, things happen for a reason :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100: 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/350 sec
| Guardians of the Sunset Fort De Soto, Florida, USA |
Was surprised to learn that Palm Jumeirah isn’t the only artificial island out there in the coast of Dubai. When I was in the area, learnt there were quiet a few more – The World, The Universe and may be they will even come up with a Multiverse sometime in future :) Standing on the world’s tallest man made structure (Burj Khalifa), watching ones of the largest man made islands (the world) & the Sun going down the gulf – it was quiet a tranquil.
Though there was definitely an awe on all the man made structures (and islands & its eco systems), in the back of my mind, one thought did linger – how would we justify the energy required to desecrate natural, aquatic ecosystems in an effort to fabricate a habitable environment that is in no way sustainable merely, for the sake of being able to say that it was done.
Only time will tell …
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100: 70 mm : f5.6 : 1/90 sec
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Sunset over The World Archipelago, Dubai, USA |
Driving this past weekend was like a theme park ride. During thru the afternoon thunderstorms, the rain was lashing quiet heavily. All that was visible were the blinkers from the car ahead. Even with that visibility the traffic was flowing at 70 mph & there was no way to slow down. Once in a while, the lighting would remind and highlight miles of everglade wilderness on the right. Listening to beats of the AR Rehman , interrupted by the far thunders – it all was like a adventure theme park ride :)
Was planning for the sunset, but driving for hours with out knowing, if the clouds would indeed open up, in quiet daunting :) Racing with time, arrived at the pristine lake just in time. But the horizon was still cloudy.
As the sun started going down, the sky towards southwest cleared & the colors started to bleed. Then something peculiar happened, the break of clouds, around the horizon added the much needed depth and the clouds were backlit with subtle shades of the pink. It was interesting to watch the sun set in a veil of clouds.
Finally, as I was trying out a time-lapse, the lightning from the distant storm made it for one Striking Sunset, with some pristine reflections :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100: 15 mm : f22 : 1.5 sec
| Pine Glades Lake Everglades Wilderness, Florida, USA |
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Met this guy during the stroll by the beach. He too was taking the time to enjoy the sunset and strolling even more leisurely to get a dip in the warm waters. If you look close, you could see his legs as he is dragging lazily towards the sea :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/20 sec
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Sand Key Park Clearwater, Florida, USA |
Now that is a reason to call Florida – the sunshine state ! And Tampa, FL seems to be one of heck of a place to enjoy sunsets. This particular evening, as I was strolling on the beach of Sand Key Park, just off of Clearwater, was treated with a lovely sunset. The pop corn clouds were making their journey across the sky, the sun was about to hide behind the ocean, the Caribbean blue waters were frolicking the shore and a distant pirate ship was heading back with the loot.
As I later found, the pirate turned out to be Captain Memo, jaunting across the horizon. But nevertheless, it did not take away any of the magic from the evening … After all not all treasures are Silver and Gold , right :)
Not all treasure is Silver and Gold.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/125 sec
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Sand Key Park Clearwater, Florida, USA |
Japanese Garden also called as The Garden of Three Islands is one of the many gardens within the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Here it is indeed easy to overlook how the Japanese respect for nature and age are revealed. If you look closely, though, the effect is evocative, as seamless as a traditional haiku. The larger rocks are partially buried, as if they have been in place forever. Flowering plants have a short bloom time, reflecting the yin-yang balance between the ephemeral existence of human life and the timelessness of nature. Many of the trees are pruned and trained to give the illusion of age.
This 17-acre lakeside garden includes three islands. Only two (Island of Clear, Pure Breezes & Island of the Auspicious Cloud) are open to the public. Across the lake, the inaccessible island (Island of Everlasting Happiness) is symbolic of paradise—in sight yet elusive.
Sunset is particularly an awesome time to take a walk by the lake around these islands :)
Deep within each one of us lies a garden – Julie Moir Messervy
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 8.0 sec
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Chicago Botanical Gardens Glencoe, Illinois, USA |
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.
– Vivian Greene
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 400 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/15 sec
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Brewing Thunderstorm Wolcott, Indiana, USA |
The most fertile lands were built by the fires of volcanoes – Andrea Gibson
35 Years later, Mt St Helens is still recovering. It was interesting to read that time of the day (8:32 AM local time) and the season of the event play a lot in its recovery. Many nocturnal animals were already bedded down for the day and so were more likely to have been protected in burrows and to have survived the explosion than their neighbors up and about during the daylight. You just don’t think about that; that’s a chance event – But then nothing else is by chance either :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 12 mm : f22.0 : 30.0 sec
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Mt. St Helens Mt. St Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington, USA |
Last week, as I was driving back from Atlanta to Chicago, I got to encounter a thunderstorm. Driving along the highway, the mobile was going abuzz with warnings. When I pulled over to check the same, it was the weather warnings suggesting to take cover. Luckily there was a rest stop near by to take shelter. In a few minutes, the showers stopped, allowing to capture this. The setting sun added drama to the scene.
Maybe someday, will make time to plan and chase some storms. Witnessing the power is one, in addition, the light during extreme weather is just magical.
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 : ISO 200 : 18 mm : f3.5 : 1/45 sec
| 06.15.2015 7:50 PM CST Hwy 65, Indiana, USA |
This was from the lovely viewpoint at Sandy, Oregon. I love this spot for its accessibility. Just drive, get out of the car, and you are greeted with this view. Jonsurd Viewpoint is a hidden jem in Sandy, Oregon.
This was a incidental shot. It was all about being prepared when the opportunity presents itself. As I was awaiting for the blue moon to raise from behind that majestic Mt. Hood, the sun was setting behind us. It was such a lovely scene, the shadows running ahead – first over the trees, then over the Sandy river, then the plains and then over Mt. Hood itself. For a spilt second, the last rays of the sun, kissed the tip of Mt. Hood – creating this surreal scene !
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 25 mm : f22 : 4.0 sec
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The Last Kiss Sandy, Oregon, USA |
The winter brought loads of snow !!! It is always fun to walk in the snow. If you are dressed appropriately and do not mind the cold, the winter can add so much beauty to even the regular neighborhood, that you are familiar with. This is from one such drive from within the city @ Schaumburg :)
There is something incredibly honest about trees in winter; They are experts in letting things go.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22.0 : 0.5 sec 
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Busse Woods Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA |
Though Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, you could get a flavor for the same in the neighboring upper peninsula of northern Michigan too.
This shot was from the day when I drove up to Bond falls, to capture the Perseids. After initial scouting, realized the back drop of the falls was not conducive for sunset. Hence decided to fire up Google maps and started driving towards a water body with a west side view. After a couple of miles and a few lakes, ended up at this lovely view. The banks of the lake was laden with mosquitoes and a bit swampy – but the view from behind the grass, the colors from the setting sun and the crescent moon – made up for it :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 19 mm : f8.0 : 1/10 sec
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Sunset by the Lake Land O’ Lakes, Michigan, USA |
| pedrol on The Road to Milky Way |
 | Sathya on The Road to Milky Way |
| pedrol on The Road to Milky Way |
 | Vivekananda Rock by… on Vivekananda Memorial Rock,… |
 | Elsa on Sleeping with the Stars |
