During my last visit to Houston airport I bought a book just to kill some time on board. It was a first book I've ever read that was written by Lee Child. It's entitled "Bad Luck and Trouble". The story absorbed me so much, that I almost finished book on board - luckily flight was too short and I spent more two days reading it at home. Lee in his book is telling us the story of ex-military cop Jack Reacher. It turned out later that Child had written more books about Reacher, so I quickly had found them on allegro and bought next two. Each book in Lee Child's series is very addictive and New York Times is referring them as "pure escapist gold". I completely agree with them and plan to read next two books pretty soon. The only problem is that when you start, you can't stop...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Lee Child
During my last visit to Houston airport I bought a book just to kill some time on board. It was a first book I've ever read that was written by Lee Child. It's entitled "Bad Luck and Trouble". The story absorbed me so much, that I almost finished book on board - luckily flight was too short and I spent more two days reading it at home. Lee in his book is telling us the story of ex-military cop Jack Reacher. It turned out later that Child had written more books about Reacher, so I quickly had found them on allegro and bought next two. Each book in Lee Child's series is very addictive and New York Times is referring them as "pure escapist gold". I completely agree with them and plan to read next two books pretty soon. The only problem is that when you start, you can't stop...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What a snore...
Currently I have a very intensive period of my life - a lot of everyday concerns to run. It means I completely have no time for taking pictures and even not enough time for post-processing pics taken during Phototrip. But be patient. Some day I'll process them and show to the world. I know I have at least 3 good pictures, so it's not bad.
But let's not discuss what's going on now, but better focus on what will happen in the near future. On the nearest weekend I plan to visit Mazury - maybe not for taking pictures, but rather for drinking. In spite of the main reason, I'll take my camera and try to take some pictures. My friend was in Mazury few days ago and took this nice picture shown on plfoto.
Later I'll go to Rome, Italy for family weekend. Again I don't have big plans for taking pictures, although I hope to take some. Rome is a very good place for photographers, but you've to work very early in the morning - later it's too many people in all famous places.
Then I plan to spend a weekend near Jastrzebia Góra and again will try to experiment a bit with waves and sea pictures. But to be honest, polish sea is probably the most boring place in the world - so again it's another time I'd like just to take a chance of being there to capture some pictures and develop my photographic skills.
But let's not discuss what's going on now, but better focus on what will happen in the near future. On the nearest weekend I plan to visit Mazury - maybe not for taking pictures, but rather for drinking. In spite of the main reason, I'll take my camera and try to take some pictures. My friend was in Mazury few days ago and took this nice picture shown on plfoto.
Later I'll go to Rome, Italy for family weekend. Again I don't have big plans for taking pictures, although I hope to take some. Rome is a very good place for photographers, but you've to work very early in the morning - later it's too many people in all famous places.
Then I plan to spend a weekend near Jastrzebia Góra and again will try to experiment a bit with waves and sea pictures. But to be honest, polish sea is probably the most boring place in the world - so again it's another time I'd like just to take a chance of being there to capture some pictures and develop my photographic skills.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Going back home...
This moment was inevitable from the beginning. It's the worst moment of the whole Phototrip. We have to get back home. Today we'll go to the Phoenix airport and then to Warsaw via Houston and Paris. This time our carrier is Continental and Air France. We'll see how they care about passengers.
Today is the best moment for summarizing the whole trip. So generally I'm very happy that we did it almost exactly according to the plan. We were in all places, weather wasn't bad, we've taken about 5000 pictures or even more, met a lot of nice people, etc. Later we'll see if any of pics are good enough, but I hope to have at least 3 good pictures and at least 20 acceptable. It's hard to say now. Of course if pictures are not good enough, it's not a problem - we think positive and we'll just plan another phototrip :)
What else can I say? Of course I have to thank to my friend for getting along with me for almost three weeks (to be honest it brings to my mind the Speccy game - "Three Weeks in Paradise" - remember this great game?). He is a very good pal and I'm sure I can go with him one, two or even hundred more times for such trips. So thanks a lot, again!
Besides I must thank to my beloved wife for allowing me to go for such trip and for taking care of kids. Thank you sweetheart! Of course I'd like to greet my daughters in this place and thank them for waiting for me. Or maybe rather for what I brought for them? :)
And that's it. I have nothing more to say about this Phototrip. But hope to keep this blog alive and write about my other trips. The nearest is Italy in June, so keep waiting!
Today is the best moment for summarizing the whole trip. So generally I'm very happy that we did it almost exactly according to the plan. We were in all places, weather wasn't bad, we've taken about 5000 pictures or even more, met a lot of nice people, etc. Later we'll see if any of pics are good enough, but I hope to have at least 3 good pictures and at least 20 acceptable. It's hard to say now. Of course if pictures are not good enough, it's not a problem - we think positive and we'll just plan another phototrip :)
What else can I say? Of course I have to thank to my friend for getting along with me for almost three weeks (to be honest it brings to my mind the Speccy game - "Three Weeks in Paradise" - remember this great game?). He is a very good pal and I'm sure I can go with him one, two or even hundred more times for such trips. So thanks a lot, again!
Besides I must thank to my beloved wife for allowing me to go for such trip and for taking care of kids. Thank you sweetheart! Of course I'd like to greet my daughters in this place and thank them for waiting for me. Or maybe rather for what I brought for them? :)
And that's it. I have nothing more to say about this Phototrip. But hope to keep this blog alive and write about my other trips. The nearest is Italy in June, so keep waiting!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Havasupai and mysterious meeting
It had to be the highlight of our Phototrip 2008. And to some extent it was even more! But let's start from the beginning...
After the very short night spent in Caverns Inn we packed our Hummer very early and headed to the Hilltop Parking. Arrived there about 6 a.m., left the car and started to hike down. Backpacks were heavy, but trail seemed to be easy. We passed the village at about 9 or 9:30 and only stopped by the post office to drop postcards, then went farther to famous Navajo Falls.
I was amazed with the amount of water in the fall - during my autumn visit it was much less water and the falls were more easily accessible. Besides weather was a bit windy and water was everywhere - especially on our cameras. I've to mention that taking good pictures of this waterfall requires crossing the Havasu creek, then standing on the terrace in knee-depth water to take pictures. Of course you have to set your tripod to be stable and sometimes it's not easy while having all the gear on your back, belt and everywhere else. We wanted to make the most of the morning light, but it was changing rapidly and I've only taken few pictures. The worst was endless cleaning of the lens, filters and cameras and covering gear with some protector - water was splashing in a really bitchy way. I must admit that autumn seems to be much better season for taking pictures in Navajo Falls and how later turned out, also other waterfalls. So after not very long fight with nature, we gave up about 1 p.m. and headed to the campground, where put up the tent and prepared some food. Weather was very hot and lazy. After so short previous night and good lunch I fell asleep immediately. Woke up late and was too lazy to go anywhere, so we used the situation to take some pictures of birds, lizards, bats, squirrels, dragonflies and other stuff. It was the first evening we could commune with nature and relax - decided not to take any more pictures of waterfalls that day.
On the next day we woke up early and went to Mooney Falls for some morning photos. Weather was good and not many people came to the spot. We've taken few memory cards of pictures and came back to the campground for breakfast. Sun was going higher and higher and we had a lot of plans - one was to go to Beavers, the other - to check the upper trail. But as usual, life verified plans, we were very lazy and quit both of them.
Instead we went to Havasu Falls to check some spots for the evening session and see how is the light about noon. It was good decision. Light wasn't perfect, but there were two "mermaids" swimming around the corner. I saw them, because just went to the small remote island. They weren't very shy and shown me everything, but I was too shy to take pictures :) On the way back to the campground we took some pictures of cactis and other flowers. Then had a very lazy afternoon - some nap and hunting for hummingbirds and other beasts with a camera of course!
Few hours before sunset we headed to Havasu again. This time with a serious sunset pictures in mind. Light was much better, but wind was blowing stronger and just after setting the tripod and camera on it, everything got wet. It was really a challenge to take a picture in this circumstances. I think we found pretty good spots, and recent ones even gave us some water protection. But this is not the most important thing that happened this evening...
While I was on the remote island (discovered earlier) taking pictures, I've just noticed the guy getting to me through the water like chamois. He came to me and start talking about the place, pictures and just general small talk. Seemed to be a very nice guy and had very deep knowledge of the place. I asked him about upper trail, good spots and some other stuff and he answered to all my questions. Once I started to wonder if by any chance it might be Derek von Briesen (this guy is my photo guru and has best pictures of southwest I've ever seen in my life!), but I've never seen his portrait, so it was just suspicion. My friend was away from me, so I couldn't ask him for opinion. Somehow it was not easy to ask the guy directly what was his name and we finished talking. He left Havasu.
Then my friend came and ask me about the guy and his suspicions. We discussed facts and myths and decided that we are almost sure it was Derek. Decided to walk along the campground and look around. Unfortunately we didn't find the guy. What a pity!
Next day first thing in the morning we packed our tent and all the stuff and started hike up. Just before 7a.m. we got to the Havasupai Office and asked the guy for backpacks transport by helicopter. The price was 20 USD per bag, so we decided to send the stuff up and not to carry it. It was very good decision. With only light bags we reached the top in about 3h30m (from the campground) - much faster then during my autumn trip when I had all the stuff with me. Unfortunately bags came over an hour later, but finally they came and we headed to Phoenix to pick up our new lenses (Canon 100-400), but this is a different story...
After the very short night spent in Caverns Inn we packed our Hummer very early and headed to the Hilltop Parking. Arrived there about 6 a.m., left the car and started to hike down. Backpacks were heavy, but trail seemed to be easy. We passed the village at about 9 or 9:30 and only stopped by the post office to drop postcards, then went farther to famous Navajo Falls.
I was amazed with the amount of water in the fall - during my autumn visit it was much less water and the falls were more easily accessible. Besides weather was a bit windy and water was everywhere - especially on our cameras. I've to mention that taking good pictures of this waterfall requires crossing the Havasu creek, then standing on the terrace in knee-depth water to take pictures. Of course you have to set your tripod to be stable and sometimes it's not easy while having all the gear on your back, belt and everywhere else. We wanted to make the most of the morning light, but it was changing rapidly and I've only taken few pictures. The worst was endless cleaning of the lens, filters and cameras and covering gear with some protector - water was splashing in a really bitchy way. I must admit that autumn seems to be much better season for taking pictures in Navajo Falls and how later turned out, also other waterfalls. So after not very long fight with nature, we gave up about 1 p.m. and headed to the campground, where put up the tent and prepared some food. Weather was very hot and lazy. After so short previous night and good lunch I fell asleep immediately. Woke up late and was too lazy to go anywhere, so we used the situation to take some pictures of birds, lizards, bats, squirrels, dragonflies and other stuff. It was the first evening we could commune with nature and relax - decided not to take any more pictures of waterfalls that day.
On the next day we woke up early and went to Mooney Falls for some morning photos. Weather was good and not many people came to the spot. We've taken few memory cards of pictures and came back to the campground for breakfast. Sun was going higher and higher and we had a lot of plans - one was to go to Beavers, the other - to check the upper trail. But as usual, life verified plans, we were very lazy and quit both of them.
Instead we went to Havasu Falls to check some spots for the evening session and see how is the light about noon. It was good decision. Light wasn't perfect, but there were two "mermaids" swimming around the corner. I saw them, because just went to the small remote island. They weren't very shy and shown me everything, but I was too shy to take pictures :) On the way back to the campground we took some pictures of cactis and other flowers. Then had a very lazy afternoon - some nap and hunting for hummingbirds and other beasts with a camera of course!
Few hours before sunset we headed to Havasu again. This time with a serious sunset pictures in mind. Light was much better, but wind was blowing stronger and just after setting the tripod and camera on it, everything got wet. It was really a challenge to take a picture in this circumstances. I think we found pretty good spots, and recent ones even gave us some water protection. But this is not the most important thing that happened this evening...While I was on the remote island (discovered earlier) taking pictures, I've just noticed the guy getting to me through the water like chamois. He came to me and start talking about the place, pictures and just general small talk. Seemed to be a very nice guy and had very deep knowledge of the place. I asked him about upper trail, good spots and some other stuff and he answered to all my questions. Once I started to wonder if by any chance it might be Derek von Briesen (this guy is my photo guru and has best pictures of southwest I've ever seen in my life!), but I've never seen his portrait, so it was just suspicion. My friend was away from me, so I couldn't ask him for opinion. Somehow it was not easy to ask the guy directly what was his name and we finished talking. He left Havasu.
Then my friend came and ask me about the guy and his suspicions. We discussed facts and myths and decided that we are almost sure it was Derek. Decided to walk along the campground and look around. Unfortunately we didn't find the guy. What a pity!
Next day first thing in the morning we packed our tent and all the stuff and started hike up. Just before 7a.m. we got to the Havasupai Office and asked the guy for backpacks transport by helicopter. The price was 20 USD per bag, so we decided to send the stuff up and not to carry it. It was very good decision. With only light bags we reached the top in about 3h30m (from the campground) - much faster then during my autumn trip when I had all the stuff with me. Unfortunately bags came over an hour later, but finally they came and we headed to Phoenix to pick up our new lenses (Canon 100-400), but this is a different story...
Californian Condors on South Rim
Today we woke up late in the hotel in Flagstaff and figured out that for the first time we're not in a hurry. Our only goal for today is to get to The Caverns Inn near road 18 - the entrance to Havasupai. But before getting there we had enough time to visit classic South Rim Grand Canyon.
Just before leaving the hotel in Flagstaff it turned out that BestBuy is in the close vicinity of our lodge. I wanted to buy one more portable hard disk and look around a bit, so we decided to visit the store. It was bad idea - everything in the store was so cheap that I got out with full basket. Only that wasn't the bad thing - worse was that my suitcase filled earlier and I really didn't have any more space in there!
Finally we headed to Grand Canyon Village for advertised Imax movie. I thought it's a 3D movie, but it wasn't. It's just shown on Imax screen and that's it - nothing special and more than 12 USD for tickets - what a shame! I definitely do not recommend this attraction - it's better to go to the edge and see more by your own eyes. Waste of money. Can't forgive it to them.
After such disappointment we decided to touch the canyon with our own hands one more time and went to Hermit Rest Transfer Point and took the shuttle to Hermits Rest. It was first time I decided not to drive on my own along the South Rim, but just take a shuttle and see some other side of the park. It was to some extent a very good decision, because we saw something completely new for us. Unfortunately we were able to get only to Hopi Point, because of road closure. Next good date for seeing more is probably autumn 2009.
Hopi Point is very interesting, because you can see river from much closer distance than you can do from Desert View. Besides as I noticed all the photographers go there for sunset pictures. I can recommend it, but you've to be in a hurry, because they plan to close the whole road very soon and reopen it in 2009.
One more thing worth mentioning are Californian Condors (Gymnogyps californianus). You can see many of them from Yavapai Point - they are numbered so it's even easier to see which one is which and trace their behavior (if you've enough time of course). It seemed another new thing for me, so I took few pictures. It was before I got my new superlenses: Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6, so I've used 70-200/4L+1.4x for this picture - that's why it's not perfect. Besides this picture was taken handheld.
Just before leaving the hotel in Flagstaff it turned out that BestBuy is in the close vicinity of our lodge. I wanted to buy one more portable hard disk and look around a bit, so we decided to visit the store. It was bad idea - everything in the store was so cheap that I got out with full basket. Only that wasn't the bad thing - worse was that my suitcase filled earlier and I really didn't have any more space in there!
Finally we headed to Grand Canyon Village for advertised Imax movie. I thought it's a 3D movie, but it wasn't. It's just shown on Imax screen and that's it - nothing special and more than 12 USD for tickets - what a shame! I definitely do not recommend this attraction - it's better to go to the edge and see more by your own eyes. Waste of money. Can't forgive it to them.
After such disappointment we decided to touch the canyon with our own hands one more time and went to Hermit Rest Transfer Point and took the shuttle to Hermits Rest. It was first time I decided not to drive on my own along the South Rim, but just take a shuttle and see some other side of the park. It was to some extent a very good decision, because we saw something completely new for us. Unfortunately we were able to get only to Hopi Point, because of road closure. Next good date for seeing more is probably autumn 2009.
Hopi Point is very interesting, because you can see river from much closer distance than you can do from Desert View. Besides as I noticed all the photographers go there for sunset pictures. I can recommend it, but you've to be in a hurry, because they plan to close the whole road very soon and reopen it in 2009.
One more thing worth mentioning are Californian Condors (Gymnogyps californianus). You can see many of them from Yavapai Point - they are numbered so it's even easier to see which one is which and trace their behavior (if you've enough time of course). It seemed another new thing for me, so I took few pictures. It was before I got my new superlenses: Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6, so I've used 70-200/4L+1.4x for this picture - that's why it's not perfect. Besides this picture was taken handheld.
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