In late September early October 2017, there were several days of heavy rainfall that caused extensive flooding in Eastern and South Eastern Iceland. Driving back from Egilstaðir to Saeberg, I passed by the Jökuldalur River. While making images of the river,they did not really give justice to the angry flood waters, so I captured some video clips. Recently, I completed this short video.
In late September 2017, I was traveling to Eastern Iceland. During this trip, there were several days of heavy rainfall that caused extensive flooding. Passing through Egilstaðir, I drove past the airport, which is located close to a river. Flood waters caused the river to rise almost up to the level of the airport runway. I made this image of a bench partially submerged beside the road. In the distance are the airport buildings.
Flooding At Egilsstadir, Airport
Flooding had caused damage to the Circle Highway and one of the bridges in South East Iceland. As a result, the highway was closed to traffic, so I had to turn back. A few days later, I made a return trip, passing the Jokuldalur River, where I made this image of the flood waters.
Jokuldalur River, Angry River, 2017
In 2015, I passed by the Jokuldalur River. In this image, the river was relatively calm — a stark contrast to the angry flood waters.
Jokuldalur River, 2015
These images do not give justice to the angry flood waters, so I shot several video clips of the angry river. Keep tuned for more.
This Sunday was a warm spring-like day in Denver. People downtown were enjoying the sunny day before a snow forecast for tomorrow. Close to Union Station is this sign, with a message “Being a Coloradan Means… 300 Days of Sunshine”.
Sunny, 300 Days Of Sunshine
Heading down to the Platte River, looking down from the bridge, a couple had just finished taking selfies by the water.
Couple By The Platte River
After meandering through the Commons area, I returned to the Platte River, where these two bridge pillars were catching the late afternoon sunlight. A few minutes later, this lady was walking her dog. Perfect, just waiting till she was framed by the pillars…
Walking The Dog Along The Platte River
Sitting by the riverside, another lady was watching the river flow past. I found a spot, where the buildings were reflected in the water, for this image.
Sitting Along The Riverside
On the other bank, reflections from the sunlit tower block was broken up by ripples on the river.
Reflections And Ripples In The River
Later, while heading back towards the station, there are rod sculptures, reaching for the sky. I setup the camera among the rods, aiming up the rods for this image.
Reaching For The Sky
This corner of the apartment building had one room looking out over the station. This was in striking contrast to the deep blue sky.
Room At The Top
While crossing the bridge, I stopped near the fence to make an image of the fence posts. Just then, beyond my focus point, two boys moved into the frame to take a peek through the fence. I was lucky to make this image before they ran off.
Looking Through The Fence
The area around Union Station is under extensive construction, with cranes visible on the skyline. In the following two images, I was drawn to reflections of a red crane that contrasted against the blue sky reflected in the buildings windows.
Reflections In Red
Here is another viewpoint of the same red crane.
Red Crane Reflection
Let’s see what tomorrow’s snow forecast looks like…
Yesterday was First Friday Artwalk, so this saw me on Santa Fe. Visiting one gallery, I noticed reflections of a pair of oil paintings on the windows. Waiting for art lovers to walk past, I made one image that captured a boy’s shadow.
Artwork Reflections And Shadow
Santa Fe Blvd still has holiday lights hanging in the trees. In this image, I defocused the lens to get nice big lights in the image. I made several images that included passers-by on the far side of the street.
Street Lighting On Santa Fe Blvd
In one of the galleries, a lady had a large selection of pastels laid out in her studio. In this image, a defocussed image shows an abstract pattern of the colored pastels.
Pastel Abstracted
Down in the basement, there were pottery studios and exhibits. I found a “bowling alley” in one of the studios.
Bowling Alley?
And, along one of the walls, was a line of broken hearts.
Broken Hearts
Back upstairs, was a collection of glazed hearts hanging from a frame…
Black Heart And…
In another gallery, there was a sign posted outside the studio that read “Please Do Not Enter – In Session”. I wonder what was behind the veil that covered the studio entrance.
What’s Behind The Veil
While having a coffee, I was drawn to the lines cast by the shadows of a fence along the street. In this image, I tried to capture the color contrast between the green and orange lighting that lit the scene.
Fence, Shadows And Light
I enjoy visiting the galleries, seeing the art work and meeting some of the artists. I am always inspired to make images of my visit.
We had a snow storm last week with freezing temperatures at the start of the week. The fountains near Araphoe Station were pumping warmer water. With the cold air, this created mist around the fountains of water.
Arapahoe Fountains At Dawn
The nearby office building reflected light back into the fountains, highlighting the mist.
Misty Fountains, Arapahoe Station
A couple of days later, I noticed the shadows cast on the marble-clad building where I work.
Shadows On Building No 1, Greenwood Village
I made this image to include a tree with it’s shadow on an adjacent building.
Shadows On Building No 2, Greenwood Village
Regards.
Bosque del Apache is a winter migration destination for thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and many other species. In early December, I headed down to Socorro, New Mexico, so that I could attempt to make some images of the birds. I visited this pond each morning to make some still images of the cranes and geese. On the final morning, I only captured videos of these birds.
Both species spend the nights in the ponds to evade predators. After dawn, cranes and geese fly out to feed in nearby fields. Sandhill Cranes typically depart from the ponds in family groups of two to four birds. Snow Geese typically depart as one huge flock. When the geese take out, they sound like a jet plane at takeoff.
This video was the first project that I made using Final Cut Pro. The original video clips were recorded at 4k with a Fuji X-T2. This video took 6 to 8 hours to make while I was learning Final Cut, with lots of mistakes!
During the first week of 2018, I made several images. So let’s kick of the year in style! For the last 15 months or so, a new office building has been under construction near Arapahoe Station. The building is nearing completion and this week construction workers continued to perform work on the windows.
Construction Worker, Greenwood Village
There are three new buildings at this location. The one in the foreground is the oldest, having been completed several years ago. The new building stands behind. The third building that was completed two years ago is out of the frame.
Reflections In Office Buildings
Friday was the First Friday of the month, so I headed to the art galleries on Santa Fe Blvd. In one gallery, the exhibiting artist was busy painting on a canvas.
Artist At Work, Santa Fe Blvd
This afternoon, saw me downtown next to the South Platte River. While taking a break, shadows of passing pedestrians were cast on the concrete wall in from of me. This image, of a lady with smartphone, was the best image. Within a copule of minutes, the wall was in total shade.
Shadow, Girl With Phone
Across the Platte River, the railings along the trail created interesting reflections in the calm river waters.
Reflections In Platte River, Downtown Denver
Best wishes for the New Year. Have a Merry New Year!
Continuing with my trip to Bosque Del Apache. On the third morning, I managed to capture a pair of Snow Geese after they had taken flight for the feeding grounds.
Snow Geese In Flight, Bosque Del Apache
Later in the day, I found a Great Blue Heron, waiting to capture a meal along the bank of the irrigation channel.
Great Blue Heron, Bosque Del Apache
The American Kestrel is the smallest of our raptors, about nine inches in length. I found this little falcon perched on a bush while hunting for his next meal.
American Kestrel, Bosque Del Apache
Leaving the refuge, I stopped by the ponds near the entrance. After the sun set behind the mountains, the golden light of sky was reflected in the water. I waited for this Sandhill Crane to walk through the golden light, creating a silhouette.
Sandhill Crane Sunset Silhouette, Bosque Del Apache
During the few days around Socorro, I saw three Greater Roadrunners crossing the roads. On the third and final morning, I was heading towards the exit of the refuge. Noticing a hump at the roadside, I slowed down and reached for the camera. After rolling down the window, I stopped to take a look through the camera. Yessss. A roadrunner. This was the best of the half dozen images that I made before this fun bird ran into the bushes.
Greater Roadrunner, Bosque Del Apache
This image made my day! After packing away my gear, I headed back for the return trip to Denver.