Alaska
There were many things about our brief visit to Alaska that are memorable. But oddly, the profusion of these tasty, orange berries stands out. No doubt there is a name for them but all I know is that I didn't eat enough.
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It would appear that I'm trying to score points with my in-laws in this blog over the last few days. But of all the photos I took in Alaska, this is one of my favorites. When we walked by the cut-out on the streets of Sitka, Alaska, my mother-in-law agreed to pose. But she didn't agree to be the "Picture of the Day." I guessing I'm out of the will. Again.
Canon 5DII 1/60s f/5.6 ISO100 28mm
Our son Jon has a way of getting work that allows him to get paid to do things that others might do just for the fun of it. This summer he is in Sitka, Alaska, taking tourists on thrilling (and occasionally bone-jarring) rides in the waters around Sitka. The boat is a high-performance Zodiac-like vessel that Jon says will do 60 mph on smooth water.
In this photo Jon is giving us our instructions before we board the boat. Reassuringly, he tells his passengers that the orange suits they are wearing will keep them afloat if they should fall overboard. No one fell off - not even my 70+ mother-in-law. (And NO, I wasn't wishing she would. I love my mother-in-law. :-) )
Yesterday's Alaskan adventure was to motor to Kruzof island and ride Yama Rhinos (a heavy duty ATV) through the woods. This is one of many spots where hardwood trees have grown along the narrow, rough and pond-rich roads.
When we got back home around 8 pm, we were tired, dirty and more than a little sore. When our son, Jon, is leading us, quiet museums and art galleries aren't usually part of the itinerary. And that's OK with us!
Here's another one from the Raptor Center we visited in Sitka, Alaska. I don't know the story on this beautiful bird aside from the fact that he/she is a survivor who now has a permanent home showing off to photographers and other visitors.
For the tech geeks, I should mention that this photo is about a 3/4 crop, meaning that I threw about 3/4 of the photo away. I was wondering why I needed a camera with 23 million pixels and this photo is the answer. Of course, it helps to shoot with a lens like the 70-200 2.8L.
I'd like to say I'd captured this photo as I walked through the Alaskan woods. But actually, this is a photo of one of the many survivors being cared for at a raptor rehabilitation center just outside of Sitka, Alaska. Somebody had shot at this owl but fortunately it was only wounded. Hunters and power lines seem to be the biggest cause of birds needing rehab - not drugs and alcohol.