The blog has bogged recently. The extended series on the intersections between alpine racing and race photography took longer to produce than expected. And some travel, minimal given COVID restrictions, resulted in a wealth of potentially promising image files that will require some serious thought and selection. Plus, trying to treat blog topics chronologically, in the order they arose, has not helped, since our first return to Maui since 2019 produced far too many choices to review and process quickly.

So, to buy a little breathing room for de-bogging the blog, here is a visual preview of the next three series addressing recent travel to Maui, Denali, and Halibut Cove.  

First, Maui. Of course, Maui is synonymous with vibrant color and postcard scenery. But just to be different, these three images feature a darker emotional palette. 

Waves turn ghostly, as swells surge against the lava shore. A slow shutter speed (a two-second exposure) contributes to the drama of the ocean's relentless contest with the shore.  131A2702-2

Animated by gusting winds, clacking palm fronds overlap and sweep, their ranges of constant motion emphasized by (once again) a slow shutter speed (three/tenths of a second).  131A1854-2

Fronds stark against the sky, this palm seems more fauna than flora when shot from below.

  131A2927-Edit-2

Second, Denali. Visits, especially short visits, to Denali come with no guarantees, and visitors may not see The Mountain (or any mountains) or any of the principal beasts (bears, caribou, moose, wolves). But sometimes things work out. For now: The Mountain, briefly reveals its peak, too high above the clouds to seem real, and a grizzly, intent on digging up roots and tubers, paces the pavement with claws raised before resuming its search.

EF4A7945-4 EF4A8158-3

Third, Halibut Cove. As always, the Cove is an image generator, but this time eagles were the dominant subjects. Gear down and locked, a mature bald eagle drops in on some fish carcasses.

untitled-5235

Thank you for your patience.