It looks like Pixoto Members found this beautiful cat just as irresistible as I did!
Once you cross the Arctic Circle, only the Greenland Sled Dogs are allowed (and they are not allowed south of the Circle!). These beautiful creatures are definitely not pets, but working dogs. They do get to vacation during the summer and you can see hundreds of them lying around the hills and towns. Naturally, I could not resist approaching two tail wagging sweeties and was rewarded with joy and kisses
This marks the official start of the Nordic Diaries! I have landed in Copenhagen after close to 24 hours of travels from San Francisco via my beloved France. Such torture to only stay 3 hours! Saturday morning, we start very early early in the morning when we fly to Iceland to spend 6 hours of sightseeing and then…… Greenland!
Some people may find it slightly sad that my four-legged neighbors give me such joy! Having lived most of my life in Cities, I am just enchanted with the nocturnal visits that I have every night around sunset. For 11 years now, I have a new generation of raccoons arriving each summer with Momma Raccoon proudly showing off her babies and have lately also made friends with a family of skunks and possums. The beauty of it all is that they all get along and that MeiMei the cat patiently waits for them every evening so that they may dine together.
If all these species can live together in peace, why, pray, can we not?!
Like everybody else, I hear the names of places that get attacked by hatred; the Twin Towers, Oklahoma City, Norway, Paris, Istanbul, Miami, Baghdad, Brusells, San Bernadino, Kabul, Jerusalem, Dublin, Ankara, Moscow, Thailand, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, London – places we have never heard of and/or places we love dearly.
And now Nice…. Un quatorze juillet.
This year, I have personally been so emotionally affected by the places that mean something extra special to me, but there are people in places I cannot even place on the map who are crying and feeling hopeless and helpless just like me right now.
The rational me can fully understand anger, jealousy, fear of the unknown, social injustice, desperation, lack of education, lack of communication. The caveman (and of course I include the cavewoman) has evolved so very little in spite of their gadgets, but I had hoped that history would have taught us that war, brutality and hatred have never solved a conflict or embellished our world.
Neither has passivity. Not reading the news because it will ruin my day will probably make me feel a bit less pain, and so I have gained 10 minutes of living in a bubble. My world will still be as ugly as before when I open my eyes again.
I am a Buddhist and I do not say that proudly, as if that would somehow make me a better person. Nor am I “die-hard-Buddhist” who feels the need to observe rituals that make no sense to me. If a two-year old were to ask me what it is to be a Buddhist to me, I think my answer would be “I want to create ripples”. It is the only thing that is in my power and the only thing with which I can affect the world. My ripples would be love, a smile, a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, absence of violence, an open heart to listen to the person on the other side of the room. We all have that power regardless of our background or religion. To choose a positive or a negative ripple to send through the Universe. Not just on Christmas, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, but every day, every moment. So when I hear that people say that there is nothing we can do, forgive me for stating that you are wrong and just start sending out a little baby ripple in your own backyard and see where it takes you. I guarantee no overnight miracles, but have to believe in positive ripples over retaliation or my life has no purpose. And as far as I am concerned, we only have this life, this planet and each other, so let’s cherish it all with respect – and together.
There you have it. No photo to become the next Ansel Adams, no brilliant philosophy. Just my two cents in an ugly world, but that still makes me hope that Louis Armstrong was right. Namaste.
No, they do not! Sometimes, you can get really creative with zooms and swirls, panning and shaking. Play with it and enjoy the fun. Every result is a total surprise!
Last weekend was the final opportunity to enjoy the beautiful lavender in Sonoma County before the harvest. We were told that this would take two weeks to complete! What a beautiful day to enjoy the perfume of the lavender and the sounds of happy honey bees.
I thank Gale Perry of Light Fantastic Photo Tours for organizing this delightful workshop!
Each year, the town of San Rafael in Marin County closes off a couple of blocks for artists to show their immense talent at street painting during a weekend in June. I visited on the first day and would probably opt for the second day next time in order to see more finished works, but it was still amazing to witness all the talent, creativity and colors on this extremely hot summer day.
http://www.italianstreetpaintingmarin.org/index.php/events
There can be something so majestic, mysterious, zen and sometimes just simple with blanc & white, but it really is like walking into a different universe! Would Ansel Adams’ photos have been just as striking in color? Probably not.
In August of this year, I take off on a Nordic Adventure! Although I have been traveling to many exotic places, this trip may well be THE Once in a Life Time Voyage!
We start out with 6 hours in Iceland after which we fly to the West Coast for our 9 Day Cruise on board the Ocean Diamond. In order for us never to forget this trip, and to share it with friends and family, I though I would create a little diary on this page. Please be aware that the photos will be straight out of the camera, so just a preview!
I will also spend some time in Copenhagen and Stockholm and will be sharing photos and adventures from there, too!
I learned this trick from my friend Gale Perry, a very talented photographer and photo tour operator.
You buy a roll of silver colored mylar (you can find them on Amazon or in art supply stores) a make a cone which you attach to your lens with tape. It is a bit tricky to get it on without crumbling the paper, so be patient! The cone should look something like this:
Make sure you have plenty of light and that the cone is straight and watch the magic unfold!
In August this year, my favorite travel companion, my mother, and I will be going on a cruise in the North. The adventure starts out in Iceland after which we fly to Kangerlussuaq to board the ship where we will spend 9 days touring the West Coast of Greenland.
Stay tuned for photos and stories!
One of the aspects of Japan that I find so captivating is its ability to combine East and West, Old and New. Anachronisms live in perfect harmony with one of the most modern countries in the world and it is a joy to experience!
The first four photos here are from Asakusa (take the Ginza or Asakusa Line by subway) and the last one is from Kyoto (take the Shinkansen, the Bullet Train, from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station). Please note that it is less expensive to buy the Shinkansen tickets on-line outside of Japan!)
I find Dahlias endlessly fascinating! So many different shapes and colors and so much grace. The pictures were taken at the San Francisco Botanical Garden during their peak season of August-September. These were shot handheld, but there is plenty of room for tripods.
The California drought has not been kind to our lakes and rivers, but there is hope! These two photos were taken about a year apart in the same spot.
A very moving visit to the city that was hit on August 6, 1945.
We owe it to history and ourselves to witness important moments in time. While it was very difficult to see the Atomic Dome and visit the Museum of Peace, I felt an immense sense of dignity and hope for a better future.
Tip: All Nippon Airlines is currently running a promotion on domestic flights making it faster and less expensive to go to Hiroshima from Haneda Airport.
I love walking around the rustic fish market in Tsukiji in Tokyo. Only a subway stop away from Higashi-Ginza and you find yourself in a different world and different times. Sadly enough, the Tsukiji has outgrown its space and is moving to a different location in Toyusu.
Shanghai is a beautiful modern city, but it does have its backstreets behind the glitter. I was lucky enough to get lost while searching for the YuYuan Tea Garden and came across some interesting characters:
Welcome to my Blog!
This is where I show the world as I see it through my lens!
