12-29-12 Modern Ruin

About a mile down the coast from the resort we stayed at recently in Mexico was a ruined resort once known as the Robinson Club. The story is that it was hit with two hurricanes. Apparently, it also had ecological issues and the resort was ultimately closed.To our family, the Robinson Club isn't just a ruined resort - it was the first resort we stayed at 15 years ago. And all of us have fond memories of the place. The resort was beautiful, the beach was perfect and the mostly German and generally zany staff made people feel like old friends.Scott, my brother-in-law, my nephew Matt and I ventured on to the property one afternoon and explored and reminisced. Our explorations were cut short by two young men wielding machetes. Though they didn't speak English, they made it clear that we weren't welcome and so we made a quick exit. (Though I did go back early a couple mornings later.)Here are all of the photos I took of this sad, ruined place.The last several photos are of the sauna area, which also turned out to be the "clothing optional" compound. The Germans staying at the resort the week we were there liked their freedom!

12-27-12 Mexican Stand-Off

I have nothing to say about this photo, though I can tell you that no animals were harmed in the making of this photo

12-26-12 Taking Flight

I should know what kind of bird this is. But I don't. I'm not really equipped for bird photography but this guy was pretty close to me when he/she took flight.Added 2-2-12: Jim Klinger tells me this bird is a Great Blue Heron. Since he took the time to identify my bird, you should take some time and check out Jim's excellent photo blog.Canon 5DIII 1/640s f/10.0 ISO200 102mm

12-25-12 Ocean View

It occurs to me that I should be posting something a little more seasonal, given that is is Christmas Day. But instead I give you young love, as seen from the inside of an abandoned building.It also occurs to me that the photographer can be a bit of a voyeur at times and that the camera is a willing accomplice.

12-24-12 He Runs; I Don't (II)

I suppose I shouldn't bask in the glory of a relatively sedentary existence here on the sun-drenched beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula, should I? But I've done it before.Merry Christmas!

12-20-12 Inside the Blue Mosque (Reprise)

I am taking a bit of a break from my blog and so I thought I'd post a few of my favorites.

12-15-12 Tokyo Street Scene (Reprise)

I am taking a bit of a break from my blog and so I thought I'd post a few of my favorites.

12-14-12 Belgian Delicacies (Reprise)

I am taking a bit of a break from my blog and so I thought I'd post a few of my favorites.

12-06-12 Kinkankuji

I'll have to admit that I like this photo, which isn't something I'm inclined to say about my work. A photo should speak for itself, I guess.But I like this one because it's green, and South Dakota is anything but green right now. I also like it because I rescued it from the virtual dumpster. Finally, I like it because it helps me see the value of software processes in a photographer's work flow. I don't want to get technical in today's post but I will say that I started with this image (click), and ended up with the "adjusted" version in the blog. They say you can't fool Mother Nature. But she can be enhanced. :-)Kinkankuji is otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion, which is near/in Kyoto, Japan. Here's a satellite view (click) of the location. I wish I could tell you exactly where I was standing when I took this, but I wasn't in to GPS fixes in 2004, when we visited Japan

10-03-12 A Few Explorers

I am posting this to break the endless monotony of colorful fall photos. And today I am taking you to the Monument To the Discoveries in Lisbon, Portugal. I think that's Prince Henry the Navigator taking the lead. Vasco da Gama is third in line. And, if you want to know more, check this out.

09-26-12 One Particular Harbor

My friend Scott P. and I spent a couple nights in an apartment in this little village on the island of Hvar (Croatia). English wasn't spoken by the people we dealt with, though we were able to communicate, in part because the the lady who owned the apartment spoke some German and so did Scott. Like photos I sometimes take, we weren't actively seeking this place: we turned a corner and there it was.

09-20-12 Totem

I wasn't looking for photos to post when I found this one. There is nothing too complicated (or perhaps even interesting) in this picture, though it is an action shot and the photographer understood something about "the decisive moment": the picture was snapped at the precise instant the guide gestured upwards toward the totem pole.