By Darren Stones – Freelance Photojournalist / Subscribe via RSS/Atom...
By Darren Stones – Freelance Photojournalist / Subscribe via RSS/Atom Australia is blessed with pristine beaches and coastal scenery that is to die for. My Sapphire Coast slideshow on YouTube can be found here The Sapphire Coast, located south of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia remains virtually untouched from development. Bermagui – Horseshoe Bay If you enjoy investigating national parks, love to wet a line, want to improve your suntan, sip a coffee by the sea, or catch a wave, then the Sapphire Coast is for you. Tathra Wharf Witness the unloading of the catch-of-the-day, visit a winery, taste award-winning cheeses, grab a bargain at a market, attend a festival, indulge in delectable oysters, go whale watching and take in some of the local history. Merimbula – Long Point The towns of Bermagui, Tathra, Bega, Merimbula, Pambula and Eden all have that bit of sapphire magic. Eden – Seaside Pool If you are looking for that get-away-from-it-all experience then let yourself go. Merimbula Wharf For more information log on to; http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/ My portfolio of Sapphire Coast photographs can be viewed and purchased at RedBubble.com Subscribe via RSS/Atom
In the next few days I’ll be uploading a bunch of photos I took while travelling overseas in 1992. I had planned on working and backpacking in the UK and Europe for 2 years, but after nearly one year came home… just missed family and friends too much! I’m not including all the photos, just my favourites… I only took about 12 rolls of film!! Imagine if I had a digital camera back then!! There’d be thousands to see!!! Love my digital camera… no film or developing costs… plus, I get to see my fab images in an instant!!! Talk about living in a world of instant… I keep telling my son that nothing is instant so stop expecting things straight away!! Anyway… you’re not here to read this… you want to see my beautiful photos!! Enjoy ;D Backpacking in Europe, 1992
Oh! I am sooo upset! Yesterday we traveled from South Carolina up through Asheville North Carolina and took I-40 through the Smokey Moun…
Oh! I am sooo upset! Yesterday we traveled from South Carolina up through Asheville North Carolina and took I-40 through the Smokey Mountains. I didn’t take one picture! Woe is me! It was the first time I was a passenger on this trip-and I didn’t snap one shot. I just sat back in awe of the ridge lines, windy road and just the beauty of it all. On my next trip I will be camera ready! / We stayed in London, KY over night – nothing awesome there and continued on our trip back to WV. / Needless to say it was a gorgeous sunny day yesterday but the wind was ferocious. It was freezing. but that is not an excuse!
After two days of straight-through driving, Monty and I stopped at Santa Rosa, New Mexico, just south and east of Santa Fe. We found a h…
After two days of straight-through driving, Monty and I stopped at Santa Rosa, New Mexico, just south and east of Santa Fe. We found a hotel right on the main drag through town, a little highway called Route 66. After a night’s rest we started out Monday morning on our drive westward on “The Mother Road”. Our first stop was just a couple of blocks down from our hotel at the Route 66 Auto Museum. What first attracted our attention was a bright yellow car up on a tall pole. We pulled in and immediately saw a vintage 1950 yellow taxi cab and an old pickup truck with a wooden truck bed. Bet you “youngsters” didn’t even realize that truck beds were once floored with wood planks! As we entered the museum, we stepped on the black and white checkered floors and immediately spotted Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean – no, Elvis is NOT alive. These were life-sized posters in the gift shop. We rested on a bench designed from the trunk and fenders of an aqua 1957 Chevy. Very cool! No need to wonder what happened to the rest of the car. We handed the $5 admission fee over the cashier’s desk, which just happened to be the front end of that same Chevy. Besides approximately 30 completely restored vintage automobiles, there was an impressive collection of vintage toys and signs and other memorabilia celebrating Route 66. Even if you are not a vintage car buff, you can’t help but be impressed by all the shiny chrome and fins. If you are ever near here, this is a stop you don’t want to miss! Further along the stretch of Route 66 in Santa Rosa there was evidence of long-closed businesses that suffered from the building of nearby Interstate 25. But more importantly there were many other businesses have stood the test of time and still remain open. It is obvious that Santa Rosa is working to preserving this section of historic Route 66. After leaving Santa Rosa, we picked up Route 66 again near Dillia and followed a 40-50 mile section to Santa Fe. For the most part, the two-lane road ran a close parallel to I-25 but sometimes curved away from the noise of the interstate. It was during these times, driving along in the rural areas of New Mexico that we experienced a taste of what the early Route 66 travelers must have enjoyed. I suppose it will be no surprise that I will soon be uploading some of the many, many photos taken on our road trip this week.
One of the good things about driving down the Historic Route 66 is that there are so many interesting side trips. On Tuesday morning, we…
One of the good things about driving down the Historic Route 66 is that there are so many interesting side trips. On Tuesday morning, we woke up to a warm southwestern sunrise in the beautiful Taos Valley nestled at the base of New Mexico’s Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Taos has a history that dates back to the ancestors of the Pueblo people, commonly known as the Anasai. The room blocks and pit houses in the area verify their presence since 900 A.D. AlthoughTaos has a long and colorful history, let’s jump forward to 1898 when two young artists from the East named Ernest Blumenshein and Bert Phillips came to Taos to get a broken wagon wheel fixed. Totally captivated by the beauty of the area, they stayed and were soon joined by other artists. By 1915 the Taos Society of Artists had been formed and the town of Taos was known world-wide as an artist haven. Monty and I love to search out free stuff to do first. We drove down to the 200-year-old Taos Plaza with streets that radiate outward from the town square to form the National Historic District of Taos. Stopping in one of the gift shops, we picked up the free 26-page “Walking Tour” brochure for a self-guided tour of 22 historic Taos landmarks. Starting in the heart of the plaza or town square, we visited the Kit Carson home/museum, the El Rincon Trading Post, The Couse House, Fechin House, and Old County Courthouse, to name only a few. The brochure included maps, photographs, and a written history of each of the 22 landmarks. It was a lovely day for a stroll through Taos. The sun was shining and the temperatures were in the mid 70s. Spring was in the air and the tourist rush had not started yet. I was able to photograph many of these beautiful landmarks in their natural state without dozens of people standing around. Arriving back at the Plaza around noon, we decided to have lunch at Ogilvie’s. From the 2nd floor covered balcony, we enjoyed delicious sandwiches while overlooking the downtown area. For dessert afterwards, we strolled over to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for chocolate ice cream, which we consumed in leisure sitting on a bench in the plaza square. After lunch we visited the Taos Pueblo. Located only a few miles north, the Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Interestingly, their native language – Tiwa – is unwritten, unrecorded, and will remain that way. Instead of the written word, the tribe relies solely on oral history handed down through the generations. The pueblo looks today much like it did when the conquistadors first arrived around 1540. The only exception is the addition of doors. Before the doors were added, the only entry was by ladder through an opening in the roof which also was a source of light. The buildings are made entirely of adobe, which is a mixture of earth, straw, and water, which is poured into forms and then sun-dried. There is no electricity and no running water in the sacred village. It costs $10 per person and $5 per camera to gain admission to the Taos Pueblo. You can join a group with a native tour guide or wander about the pueblo on your own. A note to all photographers, “All commercial and or professional photographers need prior approval through the tribal Governor’s Office.” All other photography is restricted to personal use. Next we will travel the scenic route to Sipapu Ski Resort (Elev 9,000+) and begin a gradual drive back east on Route 66.
It was another gorgeous day in Oklahoma. While we have been out west, there have been storms east of us but we have been blessed by gorg…
It was another gorgeous day in Oklahoma. While we have been out west, there have been storms east of us but we have been blessed by gorgeous blue skies and clear weather every day of our trip down Route 66. We only had a few hours to spend before we would have to drive non-stop to get back to northwest Georgia. The National Route 66 National Museum in Elk City originally started as the Old Town Museum but has now expanded to include four more museums, including the Route 66 Museum. Pull a five-dollar bill out of your pocket and you have gained admission to all five museums. That’s right, folks, it only costs $5 per person – what a value for your money! TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM We started out in the Transportation Museum where we cuddled up together in a pink 1959 Cadillac. Monty pushed the accelerator and the movie in front of us took us down an old section of Route 66! There also was another vintage red automobile parked at a drive-in theater with speakers hanging on the doors. What a blast from the past! A vintage airplane suspended from the ceiling and shiny vintage motorcycles were among the vehicles in the museum. Next to the 1917 Rio fire truck was a loft area where you could climb up and slide down the fireman’s pole. Nope, I didn’t try that! There is a short film in the theater on the history of transportation and the building of Route 66. The film short runs every 15 minutes and you definitely should see it. ROUTE 66 MUSEUM This was a cool museum that follows the road from Chicago to California. Take your time as you walk through all eight states and view wall murals, antiques, and vehicles. As we strolled along, we stopped to listen to recordings of personal accounts of people who actually lived and drove down the historic Route 66. There was a scene from the 1930s movie, Grapes of Wrath” with a vintage pickup truck. It was filled with all the belongings an Okie could pile on in order to make their way west out of the Dust Bowl to what they hoped would be a better life in California. In the photo below the back of the chair that the mannequin is sitting in has John Ford’s name on back, the director of Grapes of Wrath. Across the way there was also a very fine looking white corvette with a car hop tray sitting on the partially raised window. If you look closely, you can see the ‘vette in the photo, too. While we were there a very nice lady, Wanda Queenan, was working that day along with several other volunteers. She and her husband, Reese, were the owners of the Queenan Trading Post in Elk City, a business they opened in 1948 and ran until recent years. For several years after the post was opened, her parents ran a Cider Stand next door. Inside the museum was an exhibit of many of the items that were once displayed at their trading post. OLD TOWN MUSEUM This museum was a replica of an actual town, with wooden sidewalks, representative pioneer businesses, and a grassy town square with a fish-filled pond. Although most were replica buildings, some were original buildings that had been moved to the museum grounds. There was a one-room school house, a hospital, and an actual caboose sitting on train tracks near the depot. FARM AND RANCH MUSEUM The Farm & Ranch Museum was of special interest us since we live on a working farm. Monty was constantly pointing out some antique farm implement or machine that was currently residing on our farm or that they had once had. He was excited to see a vintage thresher that he had ridden on often as a child. As he explained to me how it worked, it was obvious that the childhood memory had not faded. There were vintage tractors, trucks, cars, wagons, farm equipment and implements, an old wooden phone booth, and so many other interesting things than I can’t possibly mention them all. There was a piece of plywood with vintage hand drills hanging on it. I accepted the invitation to drill my own hole and encouraged Monty to do the same. I’m sure the wood was quite soft as it was much easier to drill than I thought it would be. I have seen Model T cars, but this was the first time I had seen a 1924 Model T pickup truck! There was also a collection on the wall of different styles of iron tractor seats. Monty grew up on a farm and even he was amazed that there were that many different ones. I couldn’t get the entire wall so took a photo of only a few of the seats that covered the entire wall. Outside was an extensive collection of 12 different styles of windmills. Inside was a couple more, one dating back to 1898 and the other was an enormous 14’ wheel. BLACKSMITH MUSEUM This museum was full of all things related to the time-honored profession of blacksmithing. There were two long shelves that displayed rows of anvils. Monty remarked, “I thought an anvil was an anvil.” To our surprise, it appears that there are lots of different brands and styles. If you are ever near Elk City, Oklahoma either on I-40 or Route 66, please don’t miss an opportunity to see this museum. We spent several hours there and it was a truly fun afternoon. In the brochure, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the many “photo opportunities” so don’t forget your camera!
We were blessed this past week to be able to take a road trip to the past on the great Mother Road, Route 66. We had a safe trip, beauti…
We were blessed this past week to be able to take a road trip to the past on the great Mother Road, Route 66. We had a safe trip, beautiful weather, laughter, fun, and terrific memories. About dusk on our last traveling day we were about an hour from our home when in the skies ahead we caught sight of a beautiful rainbow on the horizon. In Genesis God established a covenant between Him and all life on earth. “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Gen. 9:16-17 May the Lord shower blessings down upon each and everyone who has taken the time to read our travel journal. It was fun to go on our trip, but it lovely to be home again. Patricia / The Jawja Farm Girl God is love. –1 John 4:8
*_Custom Calendars made upon request. If we don’t have one you want of our work, let’s us know. We’ll make it from your choice of Camera…
Custom Calendars made upon request. If we don’t have one you want of our work, let’s us know. We’ll make it from your choice of CameraView’s collection. Dragonfly and Damselfly / Lightning / Hummingbirds of Rock Hollow Lodge 1 / Hummingbirds of Rock Hollow Lodge 2 / Hummingbirds of Rock Hollow Lodge #3 / On the Road with CameraView / CameraView of Yosemite National Park / A Yellowstone calendar is in the works
My sunset in convict lake image wa…
My sunset in convict lake image was chosen to be featured in the sierra Nevada group Thanks for the group hosts and for the recognition. I truly appreciate it. :-) Eyal
Hungry Horse and the Jewel Basin
Hungry Horse and the Jewel Basin
Just came back from a long day away from home to learn that I won another challenge, Oh So Calming!...
Just came back from a long day away from home to learn that I won another challenge, Oh So Calming! hosted by the All About Water group for my image Sunset in Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, California Wow.. I’m so excited.. / Thank you for all the members who placed their vote with me. I truly appreciate it and very thankful to you!! This site rocks!
The gods of photography are shining their light on me and brought me another challenge win, with the same image that won another challeng…
The gods of photography are shining their light on me and brought me another challenge win, with the same image that won another challenge. I’m just speechless. / The challenge Sense of Place hosted by the All About Your Best Work group had some amazing images, but my image Sunset in Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, California got to first place again, and it’s all due to your votes and support. / So to all RB community: THANK YOU! Here is the link to my previous journal regarding the same image in a previous challenge
Early Morning Sun on K2, Concordia, Karakoram featured in Mountains and Mountain light. Thanks to the Mountains and Mountain light gr…
Early Morning Sun on K2, Concordia, Karakoram featured in Mountains and Mountain light. Thanks to the Mountains and Mountain light group for featuring me. Please visit my site to see more of my work.
I am very honored and appreciate each and every one for their votes. / You really give me hope as a photographer and make me want to conti…
I am very honored and appreciate each and every one for their votes. / You really give me hope as a photographer and make me want to continue to improve each and every time. / Thank you One and All
This was my fist trip to Pamir and it was wonderful. Below is sort of overview of what I was able to observe. The people there are …
This was my fist trip to Pamir and it was wonderful. Below is sort of overview of what I was able to observe. The people there are very friendly and hospitable. They are also really simple and in far villages not really educated. So the knowledge that “There is Afghanistan” and showing in direction across the river is most popular there :) On the question – how old is your village (Langar) – “I don’t know, but when I was born, was small it is already been here” or why this place is “holy”? – “It was holy before and people gave honor, so we also respect to this place” :) So if you really want to know something about place that you are going to, it is better to Google and read about it before. The most funny thing was when we were told about Bibi-Fatima hot spring, but I wouldn’t tell you this, it is better if you’d sometime hear it yourself. Community aspect: after talking with people who are working in this region and do community projects the feedback about community is that the self-organization is on high level and once the duties are assigned among members no reminders are needed for the people to implement them (to the contrast of the people we met in our project districts of Varzob and Yavan). The micro-credit projects run very effectively. Return of loans is 100%. The water sources there are abundant: mineral water sources, hot springs, and simple clean water springs and streams. The lasts are available in every village, but no piped systems (I’ve visited villages in Ishkashim district: Ymchun, Yamg, Vrang, Langar). And of course, still women and girls are taking care about water carrying to their houses, even when men have nothing to do during non field work seasons. Construction material: The good stones (of flat form) are available everywhere, so putted one on another even without glue (cement or dust) creates stable construction. This material is used since time of Silk road functioning, which is proven by saved fortresses on its way. And what is interesting: the parts connected with dust (like with cement) are saved worse rather then not connected. Employment: The main occupation of people (basically men) in villages is teachers in schools or drivers and per one for each village seller in shop :) As I can conclude during field seasons all are involved in field works (cultivating, yielding), the rest time they just stay on the main street and talk to each other about big politics :) And another type of activity is keeping guest houses and providing guiding to local sightseeing. But this source of income is good only during summer time. The standard cost for 1 night is $10/person without food… but they would offer you food anyway due to the tradition of meeting guests :-) Children’s activity: all are attending school, starting 2nd year they study English, so they all are relatively good in conversational English (even better then with Russian). And during non-school hours they help with livestock and wood collection. Students: Students from non-Khorog area are mostly going to Dushanbe as no dormitory available in Khorog, and this is main obstacle for applicants if they don’t have relatives in Khorog to live with. The scientific activity is very “modern” among students so many are going abroad to Moscow or States, or Canada for continuing their study and getting higher degrees. Some are coming back and continue working at the University. Private/Public sector enterprises: Public enterprises are still often on Pamir, and this creates problems with development of the organizations: like there are good opportunities for fruits and milk processing, but dues to “old” system of management these opportunities are not used and additional income is lost. While private sector develops rapidly: transport inside city, shops, cafes, handicraft workshops, etc. Nature: I didn’t have an interest in the famous “chemical” issue of Pamir, and looked on mountains just as on “beauty” :-) Besides the Botanical garden of Khorog is unique. They were able to collect many of various sorts of plants, and keep on taking care about them, while not planting anything new. The most attractive is collection of “eatable” part: apples, pears, berries (like barberry, hedge roses, and many others the names of which I don’t know). Health aspect: Due to high altitude (Khorog – 2.1-2.5km, Langar Petroglifs – about 3.5km) the blood pressure is getting higher so it is recommended to drink lot of water (and once a day in morning little salt and 0.5l of water) otherwise the headache is secured. Also it is really hard to go up with little of oxygen in air, so don’t behave arrogant and don’t try to make up 7km up to Bibi-Fatima hot spring without car :-). The good thing if you have holidays there – as there was no electricity in villages we went to sleep at 7-8pm and sleep till 6am… seems like too much, but that is true, may be it is also because of lower level of oxygen. Weather: The weather was much better then in Dushanbe, when we left (mid of Nov) – sunny and warm, and only the last day, Saturday – everything was covered with sudden snow around Khorog, the rest part of the way was again with only little rain till Kalai-khumb. Road: condition of road is relatively good (much better then to the north from Dushanbe), and it is continued to be repaired/built, so there was no dangerous parts, the only problem is that it is really long – about 20 hours (also depend on number of stops and wishes to eat – very popular for local people traveling, and driver). But still don’t try to save money on the car and choose good driver and some kind of jeep as the road is still mountainous. Hope you would have a chance to walk on the roof of the world in Russian Pamir sounds like walk through the the world :-)
Jacob and I are in this YouTube video! We were at the MACC, The Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului here on Maui where Jacob was d…
Jacob and I are in this YouTube video! We were at the MACC, The Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului here on Maui where Jacob was displaying his beautiful tropical flowers of Hawai’i photographs for sale along with many other talented local Maui artists and musicians. You may see us here at the 3rd Annual Maui Ukulele Festival 2008 Aloha kakou, I created a video with some of my favourite photographs. It includes a beautiful mele. Keali’i Reichel sings Malama E Ala ‘E You may view it if you like on my YouTube site / Ourjrny YouTube E Ala ‘E Please rate it, comment if you like and let me know what you think of it. / For your enjoyment, I am in the midst of creating another video with my photographs of tropical flowers featuring the beautiful mele by other talented Kanaka, Hawaiian musicians and songwriters as well. Mahalo nui for your gifts of Aloha. Every purchase of my images mean more to me than you could possibly imagine, and help sustain us on this very beautiful and unbelievably expensive island :) Mahalo nui loa, thank you so much for your wonderful comments, encouragement and support. From my Na’au to yours, I wish you Love and many blessings. Aloha e Malama pono, Sharon
Wow! I’m still amazed at the honour..I can only say THANK YOU to the hosts of Point and Shooters and COUNTRY ROADS / around the World for…
Wow! I’m still amazed at the honour..I can only say THANK YOU to the hosts of Point and Shooters and COUNTRY ROADS / around the World for featuring my works, and another big THANKS to those who voted for my “That Wintry Feeling” and gave me the winning entry in the Country Roads Challenge. You have certainly made my day! “Shoot and Get Drenched”..featured in Point and Shooters / “Fireball Descending” ..featured in Point and Shooters / “Around The Bend” was featured in COUNTRY ROADS / around the World / “Over Hill and Dale” was featured in COUNTRY ROADS / around the World / “Touchdown!” was featured in COUNTRY ROADS / around the World / “That Wintry Feeling”, Winning Entry – COUNTRY ROADS CHALLENGE- “LET’S GO TO THE MOUNTAINS” /
I have just put together two new calendars: Faces of Cambodia-...
I have just put together two new calendars: Faces of Cambodia / and Nepal I hope you like them, it’s difficult choosing 13 images!
Such a lovely surprise!! Sold a Laminated print of She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore...
Such a lovely surprise!! Sold a Laminated print of She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore I feel honoured that Pink Tulips was featured on the Home Page View to Cradle Mountain featured in the new Group Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia An Alternative Route from Bodalla to Cooma featured in Australian Travel Photography and Writing To read click HERE Romancing the Icicle featured in The Compact Group Which Way to Fall featured in Rural NSW Saw Leaf Banksia featured in Protaceae Family Train Mailbox featured in Snail Mail Redback Spider Mailbox featured in Snail Mail For some more quirky letterboxes – check out my Mailboxes with Character Calendar Thank You to all for all your encouragement and wonderful comments. I’m feeling much better lately and now that I have my camera back, I hope to start snapping away again real soon! :o)
Here is a selection of my favourite work in my folio, and would all make great Christmas gifts, and look great hanging on any wall! A…
Here is a selection of my favourite work in my folio, and would all make great Christmas gifts, and look great hanging on any wall! All my work is available in different styles and formats available through redbubble, and here is a preview: Farm Windmill Mosman Bay Boatshed At Dusk Jetty At Dusk Water Under The Bridge Cygnets Mobile Home Crawley Edge Boatshed Swan River Jetty At Sunset Thunderstorm At Dusk Bathed In Light Bathed In Gold Moody Morning Crepuscular Rays Sunshine After the Storm Kwinana Grain Jetty At Dusk Crawley Edge Boatshed Panorama Pink Cherry Blossom Flowers Standing out in a crowd Lake Clifton Thrombolites Lake Clifton Thrombolites Lily flower Reflections Mammatus clouds Honey Bee Lancelin Sand Dune Dusk At The Dunes Lancelin Sand Dune Three Of A Kind Path Of Shadows Sand dune / / Decoy At Sunrise Peaking through the window Kalbarri Beach / / Kalbarri Beach / / Kalbarri Beach Pinnacles / / Boat on the beach DNA Tower at Sunset Perth City Dusk Kings Park Lights Kings Park Lights Peak Hour Traffic Noble Falls Panorama Collie Dam Bird on a branch / / Black Swans Farm Trees At Sunset Chinese Meal Chinese Noodles Chinese Noodles
RedBubble is a great place to find art, design, photos and writing from over 80,000 talented people.
On stunning greeting cards, awesome t-shirts or beautiful prints to hang on your walls.
It’s really simple. If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, we’ll fix it.
Since February 2007 we’ve shipped over 309,900 items to more than 70 countries around the world.
Sign up for your free account, upload your work, join some groups and share your creative genius with the world.