That Luang Vientiane Laos

Since I lived in Laos for at least 6 years I considered Viantiane, its capital city as one of my homes. I've left a few close and good friends there and one time a younger sister who worked in one of the International school in the city. Since I left I've visited twice. This photo was taken on my last visit, October 2005. The gate above is the entrance to the Country's national landmark and symbol. I darkened the contrast a little bit using Adobe Photoshop editor to enhance the silhouette efffect.

Blue sun

Limasawa Island Afternoon

Late afternoon shot in the island called Limasawa, southcentral Philippines. I edit it a little bit with Adobe Photoshop, change the color.

The Blue Mountains

Petty about the size. I should fine the original shot. Taken about 3 years ago I think, on one my holidays in Australia.

St Louis Landmark

As we were leaving the area. Took some last minute shots. This turned out to be okay and focus even if the car was moving.

Reflections

Somewhere in St. Louis near the arch. We were looking for a parking. I was inside the car, those were reflections on the building and the car window.

Sunflower Morning

A Hospital Cheer!

I took this photo 3 days after a major surgery. A bunch of sunflowers someone very special brought to my hospital room. One of the night shift technician woke me before sunrise for my pain meds, waited for the sun light through the windows, decided to take a photo. It was gorgeous. I was in some pain yes but apparently standing up and walking around would help.

Orange beautiful

The same one from the previous post, only with petals this time. I love the contrast between the orange and green. This photo is a little blury . . .

Flower at the park

I think this particular one has lost its petals or perhaps is starting to bloom.

Muktinath at 4000 meters

Muktinath, Lower Mustang, Nepal
December 2005

This photo I took after 10 days of walking. This structure is about a meter and a half. I don't remember exactly what this is for. I thought this looks okay. No alteration whatsoever.

The Wild

A photo I took last August while walking with my son through the woods. I took several shots but still didn't get a spectacular one. I've discovered that being heavily pregnant makes it difficult to get macro shots . . . well . . . a challenge anyway.

Once a year - flower!

This flower blooms only once a year. When we just moved in Kathmandu some of the flower pots that I have inherited from the previous tenants of our new house had this one single flower. In my entire 2 years and a half in Kathmandu that was the only time I say these planst bloom. The rest of the time, there were only hints but didn't actually flower. I didn't get the name of this one! I tried searching on the internet but it just to much hardwork when you don't know much.

Nepal - candles

Prayer candles ready for pouring in the butter
photo taken in 2004
Swayambunath Temple

This little brass or bronze container would hold melted butter and devotees (Hindus and Buddhist alike) would buy this to offer in the temples. The containers then will be reused for the next patrons.

NEPAL - Pashupatinath

In the Grounds of the Holy Temple
Photo 2004

Pashupatinath is the most important Hindu Temple and one of the most important Shiva Temple around this region of Asia, many Indian Devotees come and visit here annually. It is located on the banks of Bagmati River. Shiva is the destroyer god of Hindu beliefs and comes in many form. One of his pleasant form is Pashupati the lord of the beast. Bagmati River is a holy river and this is where locals burn their dead in a Hindu ritual. The primate picture below is of one of the permanent resident around the area. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the Pashupatinath temple.

Line of Shiva Temples

Free Range Monkey

Primate

Golden Lion Tamarin
(one of the adult)
Smithsonian Zoo, DC
Photo 2007

(One of the babies, not a good shot but I think this shows what they look like.)

This is one of my favorite display at the Smithsonian Zoo. These monkeys, during summer, are on free range exhibit. They put them back inside a warm area during winter. When they are inside enclosure you can view them closely (and gosh they are so cute) but when they are free range they are so happy that they are all over. Of course a few handlers are around keeping an eye on them in case the patrons misbehave or the animals itself. The zoo has quite a few of them but only a handful are on free range. I was hoping they have the pygmy marmoset on display but none yet, next time perhaps.

Both photos were enhance significantly, boosting the colors with Mac's iPhoto software. I don't have any other software, not yet anyway! Although am thinking of buying Photoshop sometime.

More info here

Behind the Glass

A Dragon
Nikon D70

I think this is the "Australian Inland Bearded Dragon" though I am only about 90% sure (LOL). One of the displays at Washington DC Zoo at Reptile Discovery Center. No alteration on the photo whatsoever. I kind of like it this way, almost just the eye in focus.

Self Portrait

Pregnancy Shadow
Canon Ixuss55

Sifting through my old photos I found this one. I thought this is interesting. A self portrait on concrete road backdrop somewhere in Shenandoah Valley. A few twix on "Iphoto" editor, and this is what I have come up with!

Dancing Lady

Orchid - Dancing Lady
Sony DSC85

This orchid is called Dancing Lady because as you notice or look closely each flower looks like a lady dancing or doing a flamingo.

The image above is one of the first macro shots I took. I was quite happy with how this photo turned out. This shot was taken from my mums flower garden, one of her collections.

Sundara

Sundara or Bhimsen Tower
located: Central Kathmandu, near the Post Office

This mosque looking like tower is of no big significance structure in Kathmandu but a very useful landmark. This was hugely damage by an earthquake in the 1930s. It is believed that one time one of the female Royal member or someone broken hearted has jumped off the top, the story has never been confirmed. Today, there are a few who tried, some were unfurtunately successful.

Pinoy Surfer

This kid is trying to get surfing in a very little wave on his handmade surfboard. It's made out of ply, smoothen and then varnished. I've appreciated the persistence of this kid and his friends. With very limited chances and small wave still got them some fun. As soon as they noticed me taking photos of them, they where all into it!

Mango and Soy sauce

Sweet and Salty

Nikon D70, Sigma DG Macro 105mm 1:2.8
20 August 2007

I grew up eating mango when it's raw with soy sauce, a good "pinoy tuyo" (soy sauce). A friend once said it is a crime when we don't let the mango reach is prime (ripe) and taste the ultimate mango flavour. I reckon you should enjoy mango in every possible way you can, eating it raw, in a salad (they do that in Lao) with salt or "tuyo" (soy sauce) or with vinegar mixed with garlic and salt.

This photo is a little grainy. I took it inside the house and it was overcast outside, no lights and no flash. I just love the color.

Silhouette 2

Taken at the same place (Sleeping Bear Dunes) I have no idea or cannot remember what this is. It can't a mail box because this out in the "bush". Perhaps for notices etc. I love the shadows that footprints have created. I suppose I could have cropped it a little bit . . . mmnnnn

Silhouette

I love silhouette shot. This is my recent one last June at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. While we were waiting for the sunset (it turned out to be nothing special) our son was keeping himself amuse by jumping and us taking photos of him. It was a good time even though I was cold.

Heavily Customize Truck

This photo was taken somewhere between Indiana and Philadelphia!

Nikon D70 with the same macro lense.

Autumn

I still haven't figure out what this is, didn't really look into it. These are fallen fruit/nut during the fall of last year. Picture was taken at Centennial Park near Columbia on one of our family walks. Maybe you guys can tell me!

Back in the woods

Common Daisy
Nikon D70
EX sigma DG Macro 105mm 1:2.8

This kind of flower is a friend of mine because every time I take a photo of one I feel happy and seems to get a better picture compared to the others. Although this one is not really that focus. I still love it though!

Wild Flower

Hardware: Nikon D70
Macro Lense: EX Sigma, DG Macro 105mm 1:2.8
Software: Mac's iPhoto

Swing

Tot's Swing
17 July 2007

The metal chain from the nearby Tot's Lot's swing. Still practicing how to use the Macro Lense and the DSLR itself.

The Color of Sweets

Tic Tac Mints Fruit Fantasy
limited edition

A trip to Bed bath and Beyond got us these colorful mints. I love the colors. They taste nice too. Sometimes I use one to bribe my son, just one and it always works.

The Symbol

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis

• The Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States at 630 feet; it is the city's best known landmark and a popular tourist attraction.
• Construction began February 12, 1963 and the last section of the Arch was put into place on October 28, 1965.

More info in Gateway Arch Riverfront Site

Gettysburg

A History Harder to Forget!

Civil war re-enactment at Gettysburg Pennsylvania not too long ago. Actual tents where the participants slept for 3 days I think.

Herpetarium

Shake Rattle and Roll
a resident of St. Louis' Herpetarium
14 June 2007

This is an Eastern Diamond Rattle Snake. It must have been very hungry because when we got there (his cage) he was moving around, very restless. My husband and I took turn on taking the photos, like we were almost in competition who gets the best one, ha ha ha ha. I am still practicing with my macro skills and how to use the camera.

According to the Herpetarium management:

This impressive, heavy-bodied snake may exceed eight feet in length, making it the largest of the rattlesnakes. It makes its home in the burrows of armadillos or gopher tortoises. Range around Southeastern United States and the Florida Keys most commonly found in woodlands; abandoned agricultural and logging areas.

Destruction of its habitat threatens this species, especially in Florida. Another growing threat in the Southeast are rattlesnake "round-ups." Zoos and other conservation groups have long been critical of these events, and support their regulation or prohibition. Did you know that this snake is venomous?

Somewhere out there!

One of the shots I took while trying to get used to the macro lens we just got for our DSLR. It's harder than I thought. A tripod would be useful. Anyway, this seems to turn out okay! I am happy with it anyway.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Nikon D70
June 2007

I had to crop way much for this photo, a macro lens is not really ideal to take wildlife shots. This little guy was trying to stay still as much as possible so that we won't notice him, so he thought.

A flower for you!

A day's Lily
Battle Creek Michigan
16 June 2007

Camera: Nikon D70, EX/Sigma DGMacro 105mm 1:2:8
Software: iPhoto

a spring's confirmation
life is here after a dull's earth tone

This flower is called "Day Lily". Each flower only last a day hence the name. These flowers can be found on roadside, meadows, borders, and blooms from May through July. It reproduces from its roots, and the entire plant is edible. The flower buds (the green buds, not the open flowers ) taste like green beans when cooked and served with butter.

Tropics in St. Louis

Indonesian Wax Ginger
7 June 2007
St. Louis Botanical Garden
Camera: Canon Ixuss55

This on is called TAPEINOCHILUS ANANASSAE, native in Indonesia and Australia, taken at St. Louis Botanical Garden at the Tropical Plants display. This plant is sometimes called Indonesian Wax Ginger, resembles an upside down pineapple.

Father of the Country

The Obelisk As It Stands, 122 yrs later
Washington DC
22 January 2007
Camera: Canon Digital Ixus55
Software: Apple's iPhoto
Editing: No alteration done

The Obelisk, popularly know as "The Washington Monument" was completed in 1844 constructed for George Washington recognized as the father of the country. The photograph was taken on January in the middle of winter.

Where the bear lies!

Sleeping Bear Dunes
Saturday, 2 June 2007
- took this photo while waiting for the sunset
- same camera

The park is named after the Chippewa legend of the sleeping bear. According to the legend, an enormous forest fire on the western shore of Lake Michigan drove a mother bear and her two cubs into the lake for shelter, determined to reach the opposite shore. After many miles of swimming, the two cubs lagged behind. When the mother bear reached the shore, she waited on the top of a high bluff. The cubs, exhausted, drowned in the lake, but the mother bear stayed and waited in hopes that her cubs would finally appear. Impressed by the mother bear's determination and faith, the Great Spirit created two islands to commemorate the cubs, and the winds buried the sleeping bear under the sands of the dunes where she waits to this day. The location of the "bear" is a patch of dark sand, which once covered the entire bluff top and was visible from the lake. Wind and erosion have caused the "bear" to be greatly reduced in size over the years. Visit Wiki for more info.

Aerial view of the Sleeping Bear Dunes
Photo borrowed from Wiki.
More info in www.michigan.org
Click image for bigger view

Out of Town

I should have more photos later when I get back. I have left the web world for a while to fulfill something "important" he he he he . . .

Kayaks and Canoes

Kayaks and Canoes

Camera: Point and Shoot, Canon Digital Ixus55
Software: iPhoto Editor
Alteration: no cropping but boost color and edge blur effects,
and sepia effect for the next image

I took this shot outside an outdoor gear shop last Memorial Day. I was tired from walking, in fact I have taken off my shoes while inside the shop to give my fat little feet a break from a new pair of walking sandals. Outside the shop, resting on a patio chair which was blue, these "heap" of kayaks were in front of me. There is really nothing special with this photo just rich in color so I thought why not. I've also discovered recently that I like monochrome color especially with BW or sepia, so I have one in, converted into black and white or rather sepia tone to compare which one looks better. You be the judge!

- the original shot, click photo to view bigger image.