Waterfalls- Silver Falls State Park

I stayed a night in Salem, Oregon. My plan was to visit the Silver Falls State Park and the numerous beautiful waterfalls around. I drove 20 miles south-east very early in the morning so I could get beautiful morning light to shoot those amazingly gorgeous waterfalls. I looked around as I drove on the deserted road towards Silverton ... it was green all around ... it was beautiful and dreamy for a person from Bangalore or say California. My friends from Oregon complain about the grey sky though :)

Random Thoughts- A safe world for our daughters!

Swami Vivekananda once said long long ago ... A country becomes developed only when its citizens start respecting women. I wonder where India stands in this regard. 

The government has to provide security to all its citizens- women, children and men. But, as parents we should teach our sons to respect women and teach our daughters to be tough enough to protect themselves. Harsh punishment for molestation is a must, but then in my opinion- bringing out gentlemen from our young boys is much more effective. When father disrespects mother, son thinks he is powerful and daughter thinks she is born to be a victim. When parents and grandparents discriminate between sons and daughters, son thinks he is privileged and the daughter sulks.  And some such sons grow up to be devils ...

Let us protest and also help the woman protest against an eve teaser when we see it happening around us. Lets have a safe world for our sisters and daughters. 

Colorful Skies- The popular Point Reyes Boat

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the gems of California. The whole peninsula area is beautiful and a popular tourist destination. Whole area is surrounded by Pacific ocean and one can hear the thunderous waves all the time. The small place called Inverness is on the banks of Tomales Bay. And there is this abandoned boat behind the grocery stores. On one of the trips I saw this beautiful sky in the evening. And this was the pic :)

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Birds- A Bird and the Sky

Herons are very graceful birds. The way they stand, walk, look ... everything is so very beautiful. I visited Biscayne National Park in Florida. It is an underwater national park! Shallow turquoise blue waters perfect for snorkeling. Also, it is aquatic bird haven ... This Little blue heron was patiently waiting for its prey ...

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Nature's Wonder- Horseshoe Bend

Arizona is a land of natural wonders. Here is one of them- Horseshoe Bend. The mighty Colorado River takes an unusual bend in the shape of horseshoe. I have visited this place a couple of times but, still it fascinates me. A 3/4 mile walk to the view point is something ... under the relentlessly punishing sun, hot red sand and the wind make the distance much more than just 3/4 mile :) Carefully looking down the steep cliff gives this awesome view and experience ...

Colorful Skies- Volcano?

I was returning from work and I was stuck in a traffic jam. I was frustrated and then saw this explosion in the sky. It looked like a volcano eruption! But, definitely it wasn't :) It was really interesting. Luckily the traffic cleared faster than ever that day. I rushed to a place from where I could get a good shot. Not sure what causes such cloud formations!? Dramatic huh?
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Birds- Beautiful Hoopoe

Bilikal Reserved Forest near very popular Hampi is the best place to watch birds. I had posted a report earlier on Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary which is a part of the Bilikal Reserve. This hoopoe was playing around. I waited and waited for it to open up its crest, but all in vain. The bird was just hopping over rocks but no show of little feathers on its head. Still it is beautiful!

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Call of the Wild- Pench National Park

Madhya Pradesh has great number of national parks and tiger reserves popular being- Kanha and Bandhavgarh. One of the lesser known national parks is Pench. After my Amarkantak trip I took a break for few days only to return back t Nagpur. From Nagpur I was looking for a bus to Khawasa, nearest village few KM away from the park. In the beginning I asked for the bus to Pench national park. Nobody seemed to know. I wondered!! Then a person advised me to ask for Khawasa and not to say national park but say Abhayaranya (which means protected forest which in turn means national park). It worked!

Colorful Skies- Pigeon Point Lighthouse illuminated

I had posted a picture of Pigeon Point Lighthouse earlier ... Here is one more ... The old lens is illuminated once a year- first Sunday of November just for 10 minutes and a big crowd of photographers line up to shoot the light. I too was there, but wasn't aware that the place I was standing wasn't right for perfect shot. You see missing streaks of light?! Well, November cold on the shores of Pacific ocean with pitch dark sky ... and the lighthouse ... choices were ... both or nothing!

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Birds- A portrait

Today is 12-12-12 ... lifetime event ... many theories ... many speculations ... end of the world ... end of a calendar ... beginning of new story ... I wish all this is true ... I wish we humans undergo some kind of transformation ... that this corruption and violence come to an end ... let there be a new beginning ...

Wildlife- Baby Elephant Seals

Elephant Seal ... yes! I saw them by hiking 3 miles on California coast. Ano Nuevo State Park in Pescadero is a place where the habitat for migrating Elephant seals is protected. Lesser known place indeed! Until I reached the place I wasn't sure what was there for me! And I was so happy like a child when I saw these pups just a few feet away on the other side of the fence! Aren't they adorable?

Colorful skies- Sunset at Black Sand Beach, Maui

This picture looks like a painting to me. A beach with a tree and the tree is not a coconut tree! Too much color difference between the sky and some clouds, tree and grass are too green. Like some screen-setting for Eastman Color movie :) Well, this is a real beach photograph which I took on Lahaina black sand beach, Maui.
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National Parks- The popular Yosemite

This is my 100th post on this blog! I started this new blog with a beautiful template (recently changed it anyway!). I started it on May 24th, a little over 6 months ago. It has grown well with over 27K hits. I thank all of you who like to read my articles and encouraged by expressing beautiful thoughts in comments. On this occasion I would like to present an article on Yosemite National Park- one of my all time favorite place!

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular, most beautiful, most visited, most hiked and most photographed national parks of USA. I have visited this place n-number of times, in spring for wildflowers and waterfalls, in summer for hiking, in fall for fall colors and in winter for snow-shoeing. To visit this place one doesn't need a reason or occasion just the name is enough! Very easily accessible waterfalls and viewpoints are crowd pullers.

Heritage- Hampi, The ruins of Vijayanagara Empire

My host state -the incredible Karnataka! It is a blessing to see its beauty, lush green forests infested with amazing density of wildlife, spectacular waterfalls, ancient art and abundant history. I can go on and on ... But for now, I will post on one of the World Heritage Sites in Karnataka ... Hampi.

Modern Architecture- Cloud Gate

After NYC and LA, Chicago is the busiest city in United States. In 2012 Chicago is listed seventh in Global City Index (info from Wiki). Why not? It is one of the most beautiful metro areas I have seen. The Millennium Park is an icon. AT&T plaza in the park has an unusual and beautiful public sculpture.

Waterfalls- Burney Falls, A never ending flow

Burney is a small town in northern California. It is popular for the McArther-Burney memorial state park. The centerpiece of the park is an ever flowing waterfalls. This 129ft waterfalls is fed by underground springs and has water even in dry summers. (Info from Wiki) The waterfalls was called eighth wonder of the world by then President of United States Theodore Roosevelt. It is declared as National Natural Landmark.

Around Bangalore- Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple in Nandi

Well, Nandi Hills is a very popular day-long excursion from Bangalore. But, have you heard of a village Nandi at the foothills of Nandi Hills, home for a 9th century Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple? I hadn't until I joined Bangalore Ascenders (BASC) for a day-long photography tour. BASC is a non-profit organization interested in outdoor activities and adventures organized by its-own volunteering members. If you are in Bangalore, want to get out but, don't know where? then just go ahead- read their website! You will definitely meet enthusiastic and friendly people of all ages :)

Oceanscapes- Ocean waves at Natural Bridges

Well, there is not much of sky in this picture, but have full reflection of the sky and its colors! I was at one of the beaches in Santa Cruz and the sunset seemed dull. I thought of taking a walk along the beach and then I saw this particular wave pattern on the wet sand. The waves arrived at the shore but strangely moved sideways before returning to ocean! I stopped and waited if that pattern repeats ... yes! It did repeat! And here is the picture I took.

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Cities- Las Vegas, misadventures and a broken camera

Whatever happens in Vegas remains in Vegas! Well, I didn't do anything like you might be thinking right now! :) Its just a popular line ... I definitely had some driving misadventures and freaked out my family! Huh!

National Parks- Death Valley, The land of extremes!

Death Valley National Park, the land of extremes ... rightly claimed by US National Park authorities ... The name itself says everything! When I visited the park in mid September temperature recorded was 120 Deg F. Every time I got out of the car to see the interesting points I drank half-litre of water. Still I felt I was getting heat stroke! Well, Death Valley National Park is a desert national park in California. One of the fine examples of barren harsh yet extremely beautiful nature. The very interesting feature about this park is that the second lowest point in Western Hemisphere and the lowest point in USA (282ft bsl) exists in this park. And the highest point in lower 48, Mt Whitney stands high nearby!