Dutch Photos in CNPA Magazine

I was excited to open up the latest issue of the Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association (CNPA) magazine and find this piece on page 1!

I had submitted my Amsterdam article and photos several months ago. A few issues of the magazine came out during that time without my story included, so I had pretty much given up on it running. 

So it was truly a "Dutch delight" to see it in this issue. I emailed the editor and effusively thanked her.  Cindy Landrum did a fine job condensing the text, selecting and laying out the piece. 

More of my photos and stories from last winter's visit to Amsterdam can be seen here.  Also produced a slide show using the fun Kizoa platform. 

Genieten! 

Back With More Backyard Birds!

Yesterday while doing some errands outside I heard the distinctive cackle of a bird I know well: the Belted Kingfisher.

Grabbing my camera and monopod, I went into the backyard, which is close to a small pond.  I soon spotted the Kingfisher and lucky me it landed nearby on my neighbor's Purple Martin house.

Harvest Moon in Full Glory

I was excited in early October (Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.) to take these photos from my driveway of this gorgeous Harvest Moon.  I shot with my Canon PowerShot SX 50 HS "superzoom" camera. 

I was thrilled with the detail achieved when I zoomed in all the way

After all, the moon is 238,900 miles from the Earth! 

Still stunning to think that man has walked on the Moon!  

Magnolia Cemetery Welcomes CofC Students

Class photo at the unique Parker excedra site

On the eve of All Hallows' Eve (aka Halloween) my College of Charleston students and I took a field trip to Magnolia Cemetery. 

October 30 was a cool, clear and very pleasant evening to visit the grand necropolis on the outskirts of Charleston. 

By Green Taxis (some students drove themselves or carpooled) we arrived just after 5:15 p.m. Time was of the essence, as sunset, this final week before Daylight Savings Time, would come at approximately 6:45. 

Students explore the beautiful Gibbes mausoleum

I really enjoyed showing my students around the large rural Victorian cemetery that opened in 1850. Today, some 33,000 people are buried among the 150 acres. 

I showed the students many of my favorite Magnolia Cemetery monuments and memorials-there are so many!  But I also gave the students time to explore on their own.  For their blog posts on the visit, I asked them to photograph and write about three of their favorite grave sites.

Looking forward to reading their posts!