4th of July - Destin Florida

This year we took a break from the traditional trip to Fairport, NY for the 4th of July and spent a week at our favorite beach, Destin, FL.  More on the trip to Fairport in the next post. This year we headed north a little later to help move my parents to Tampa. 

Here are some pictures of my first attempt to take pictures of Fireworks and stars on a dark beach. Much to my surprise when I got back in front of a monitor the photos of the stars picked up the Milky Way. The Milky Way was not visible to the human eye due to the light pollution but leaving the shutter open for a minute or so let enough light in to capture it. 

The view from Dewey Destin Seafood Restaurant.
Our favorite restaurant on earth

 

The glow on the horizon is Seaside

 I love how a camera can capture all this color in complete darkness.
It was after 10pm and total darkness when I took this. 

Fireworks from Sandestin Resort

More fireworks from Sandestin

I like how you can see the earth's rotation in the star trails 

The Pagel Family -

This weekend I had the opportunity to take some family photos of our neighbors here in Alpharetta. They are a great family and have some wonderful kids. Even though the weather was not the best we made the best of it and were able to get a good set of photos for them to enjoy.

Thank You Brian and Shannon for the opportunity...

-till next time.

FALL IN THE NORTH GEORIGA MOUNTAINS

Last weekend Kari and I took a quick trip to the North Georgia Mountains. The main purpose was for the wedding of two former students of hers, but since we were there just prior to the peak of the fall colors, we had to make a couple detours to take some pictures.

I have been wanting to get to the top of Brasstown Bald which is the highest point in Georgia at 4,784feet above sea level. Unfortunately, when we finally made the drive and short steep hike, the top was in the clouds. We were able to sneak in a few shots in the breaks. This weekend should be the peak of color but missed it by one week, maybe next year.

As you can see, there were plenty of clouds around the top. These made for some neat photos and an ever changing look of the surrounding mountains.

The blue cast on the mountain range helped by the sun trying to break through the clouds.

The fall colors trying to fight off the clouds. You can see the winding road that leads to the top. This portion of road is only used by the park rangers to shuttle guests to the top.

 

 

After patiently waiting for the clouds to break, we finally gave up and made our way back down the 6/10 mile path to the parking areas. I had to stop a few times to take in the cool canopy of trees and the great scenery around the area.

 

 

   

There was a natural covered canopy for most of the hike.

 

  

This one red leaf caught my eye. I loved how it was stuck in the fence.

After we left Brasstown Bald, we started the 2 hour drive home. During the drive the road seemed to follow a large creek for miles. I finally stopped and jumped out to try and get a couple pictures of some small rapids and the fall colors. Little did I realize at the time, but I was taking pictures of the Chattahoochee River at its starting point when it is just a small creek in the mountains.

Hard to believe this creek that is about 20 feet wide and maybe 6" deep is the start of such a large river further south in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

That one little red leaf..something about red in fall that I just love.


Well, the fall colors are now past their peak. Until next year.

Just a quick post with a few shots from our yearly trip to Rochester, NY to visit my Family for Christmas. Every year we are hopeful to have a white Christmas and this year it did not disappoint. 

View of the High Falls in Rochester from the Genesee Brewery



Irondequoit Creek in Powder Mills Park



Douglass - Anthony Bridge in Rochester
Named after Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony



Kodak Office

 A few of the Winter Wonderland called Fairport, NY

 

Happy 6th Birthday to Drew. What a blessing the past years have been.

 This summer we took a vacation to Destin, Florida. This is the first time I have been back to Destin since we moved back to Atlanta from here in 2008. It was great to be back, even if for only a week. I have been wanting to get up and catch the sunrise at the Harbor and the East Pass for few years now and one restless night on the trip found me getting out of bed and heading to the car. Sure glad I did not roll over in bed this morning.

2012 Masters

After 11 years I was fortunate to be asked to go back to Augusta for the Masters.

These are just a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed attending and taking them.

The Calm Of Morning

What Was He Looking At? A Green Jacket?

Always A Fan Favorite

No Caption Needed

View Of The Closing  Hole