Operation Eagle II

I call this Operation Eagle II because it is the second time I dedicated myself to photographing Bald Eagles exclusively. The first was back in January of 2011 and I would call it a moderate success. Most of the eagles were far away, and there was too much cloud cover. I promised myself to try again someday.

On November of this year, I kept my promised and returned to once again capture the grace and beauty of America's national bird. Waiting for hours in the cold was certainly worth it for me. These are the results of the trip.

Summer Sunset Nostalgia

It has been a quiet lately only because I am now busy working full time. But I still keep my photography up whenever I can. I have now found time to post some of my photography that I have done in 2014, first with my favorite shot of the summer, and the Jersey shore. Here is a sunset taken at Long Beach Island in New Jersey.

Life is short and precious, I am blessed with photography to capture the beauty of life for the benefit of myself and others. This includes enjoying the visual benefit that each season provides.  

Stray Dogs of Taiwan

The culture of dog ownership various around the world, and I found another example of that during my visit to Taiwan. Like owning a firearm, dog ownership has its uses and benefits that date back centuries. Such ownership however requires responsibility; responsibility that not everyone is up for. There are many dog owners in Taiwan just like in America, but at the same time, there are those who cannot take responsibility for their dogs, which leads to a problem of stray dogs. While walking through the streets of Taipei, I photographed various stray dogs. You can tell they are stray since they roam around with no human supervision. Some are approachable and others are not. Generally they should be left alone. Some people do leave food out for them.

This one had a collar, but was left unattended at a parking lot.

These two are seen dashing into traffic, causing problems for motorists.

Visit to Taiwan

At the beginning of this year, I paid a visit to the place my parents came from and where the other half of my family tree lives. An island full of history, natural beauty, and people. It is the island located just south east of China, and south of Japan. It has been ruled by various regimes including the Dutch, a couple of Chinese Dynasties, the Japanese, and now the Republic of China. Known formerly as Formosa, the island is now known as Taiwan and is home to over 20 million people. Most of the population consisting primarily of Chinese Descent live in cities along the western side of the island. Along the central and eastern mountains live Aboriginal Peoples who have been living on the island long before the first reliable recording of history was made on the island in the 1600s. It was a great experience visiting an island nation located in the heart of Asia.

Some photographs around Taipei.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial. Like any leader, he is subject to controversy. But he is still considered, the father of the Republic of China and is honored as such. 

Some areas outside of Taipei.

The mountainous region means that you can find yourself above the clouds in certain areas.

 The Formosan Rock Macaque, the only primate living in Taiwan.

A retreat area known as "The One", a prefect place to get away and relax. You take in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the scenery while sitting in old fashion Asian architecture.

A large Koi. Although found abundantly throughout the world due to the aquarium trade, it should not be forgotten that these fish are native of Asia.

Christina Von Eerie

I love taking portraits and have done so for people looking to build their portfolios as well as professionals looking into more photographs. During one of my professional jobs, I had the honor of photographing not a professional model, but a professional athlete. This athlete is Christina Von Eerie, a professional wrestler. Her real name is Christina Marie Kardooni, but is known by her ring name, Christina Von Eerie. I had the honor of working with her for a client who wanted photographs of her in a calendar. I got to spend some time with her for casual photographs. My goal was to capture her character. She gave me her signature ring greetings and battle cry.

Visit Christina Von Eerie's website.

Updates and Happy Holidays

I have been busy with the last few months dealing with school, and professional work. But by next month (or in this case year), I will finally have some free time for more photographs. I am looking forward to an equipment upgrade in the near future, which may certainly help with providing photographs. However during the times of professional work, I have gotten some photographs worth while of posting. I shall provide my next photo update no later than New Years Day. I wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Tilt-Shift Lens Trials

I had the opportunity to experience with a Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 II lens in the two major cities that surrounded me. This is a member of Canon’s Tilt-Shift lens series. First, I took the lens with me to the Grand Central Station in New York City. I always saw this station as an impressive example to old fashion architecture, and setting. Not to mention, perfect lighting for photography, allowing great ambient lighting as long as the photographer can keep the camera steady! There used to be another station like this New York, Penn Station. Unfortunately modern design turned it into non photogenic. 

Next I went to Philadelphia and photographed two icons located and the “X” intersection of 9th and Passyunk Avenue. This is the birthplace of the famed Chesesteak, a Philadelphia dish and icon. This intersection is dominated by two Chesesteak giants; Pat’s King of Steaks which started it all, and Gino’s Steaks, which claimed to have perfected the recipe. 

This interesting lens offers a new perspective. It gives a unique depth of field, making objects appear distorted and look like toys. It is a fun lens to use, but not recommended for the beginner. It is manual focus only, and requires a good eye. Finally, it is not something to overuse, or else something supposedly exciting would quickly become boring. In addition, the distortion cannot be corrected if one desires to reverse it. Overall it is one of the specialty lenses that would be used only on very rare occasions. 

Happy July 4th!

Finally got back from the Jersey Shore (How New Jerseyites call the beach) celebrating Independence Day. Here is my best shot of the fireworks display there. Happy birthday to the United States of America! My home sweet home!

Barn Swallow

It took me a while to identify this bird. I did not want to guess it to be an Eastern Bluebird with a black mask. I'm glad I finally found the sources to help me do so. I highly recommend these sites.

http://www.whatbird.com/

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189

Well I think I should take a break on birds. But it has become instinctive lately; birds are such magnificent creatures. As for the American Robin family under my balcony, the chicks have grown and the nest has been abandoned. Although I will miss them, now I can finally cut my grass in peace; not that I like to cut my grass in the first place. In fact, I HATE CUTTING MY GRASS!

Robin's Nest Below my Balcony (Update)

So I decided to do a follow up or "behind the scenes" of the recently discovered nest under my balcony including the exact setup.

This shows the location of the nest bellow my balcony. Note that there is little head room; just enough for a bird to fly and maneuver in.

Here is the "peep hole" for us humans to get a look at the nest.

I decided to get involved an help out. I took a nightcrawler from our worm keeper (we are outdoors people and therefore go fishing), and tossed it under the balcony. The mother took notice and "accepted" my gift.

Gummy worms anyone?

It is often reported that parenting birds can and will attack suspected intruders including people who come too close. So far I have been spared of any attacks, but they have yet to get used to my presence when I do my yard work duties and get too close. They flee when I come near or start the lawnmower. 

Robin's Nest Below my Balcony

I noticed a robin or two flying out from bellow my balcony every time I mowed by lawn lately. I looked up and noticed a nest. The nest was positioned on top of one of my air conditioning pipe making little head room from above. This makes excellent defense against birds of prey (I once witnessed a Red Tailed Hawk eat chicks right out of two nests that were made the open. I did not have my camera at the time). Viewing the nest is impossible without its removal; something I did not want to do even though the nest was only seven feet above the ground. However on top of the balcony, the nest was viewable through one of the segments on the deck. You have to peek through with one eye, but you are just mere inches away from the miracle of life in the bird's world. Photographing is of coarse also difficult, but I got my macro lens, placed it as close to the opening as possible, then manually focused. This is what I got, though perhaps the next time, I will photograph the nest overall, though UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL I EVER TOUCH THE NEST. Stay tuned......

Picking up the camera again....

Finally for the first time in 2012, I am posting something. I have been busy with work and shooting on demand, that I have had no time shooting on a leisure basis. But finally on a day in May, I had my 100mm macro lens and ring flash attached while hunting for butterflies or dragon flies. Frustrated, I began to look down upon the flowers and stumbled upon this creature. I instinctively photographed it since there was nothing else to capture. If there is one thing this find did, it motivated me to look forward to 2012, a year of great photographs to take and memorably objects that deserve preservation. Hunting season has started for me and my weapon of choice; the camera!

Happy 2012!!!

Happy New Year everyone! What a spectacular firework show here in Philadelphia! I surely hope 2012 will be a promising year and that we all accomplish our resolutions. For this year, I must travel extensively and take more photos. That's my resolution to fulfill. I was glad to open the new year shooting my camera.

Passaic Falls

I consider this place as New Jersey's Niagara Falls. It is known as the Great Passaic Falls of the Passaic River located in Paterson, New Jersey. This area is generally out of the way for me, but since its recent designation as Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park in November of this year, my fascination has grown. It is a 77 ft (23m) high waterfall that has also lead to the growth of the City of Paterson through industry. It has always been an iconic New Jersey landmark and one of the best places to see in the northern section of the state. Lately it has not been as popular as it deserves to be. Few visitors frequent the area and benches nearby are usually empty. But hopefully the involvement of National Park Service will change that. The water was low when I came over, so it was more exciting to photograph the top of the falls as opposed to the base of it. I plan to hopefully come more often as it is about a hour or less away from the Delaware Water Gap, one of my all time favorite places.

Valley Forge National Historic Park

As you perhaps know I am a fan of National Parks due to their majestic natural beauty and the serenity of the great outdoors. But some are preserved due to their historic value and thus are set aside from development due to their significance in playing a key role in the nation’s historic, natural, and cultural values. A sense of national pride lies within these places that have become embraced and protected by the people; leading to legislative action to designate them as public parks. Such parks can be found in both rural and urban areas including Philadelphia, a city with so much historic value, that signs of National Park Service can be found in the heart and in the outskirts of the city. The main historic tourist attraction of the city, Independence Hall, is easily accessible by public transportation and arguably one of the most visited sites in the area. One other place located in the outskirts of the city however has so much history that it is also managed by National Park Service. Out of all the Winter encampments of American General George Washington and his army, the Valley Forge Encampment of 1777-1778 received the most fame since it resulted in more casualties, and more significant changes to the American Army. What led to this event to play a significant chapter in the American Revolutionary War?

After the American Colonies declared Independence on July 4, 1776, the newly founded nation began its long struggle to achieve and maintain the status of being an independent country. While the British gained significant progress such as in New York, the Colonists scored victories in New Jersey, which promised both sides a long war ahead. Hoping to break the stalemate of the war, British Generals proposed a campaign to invade Philadelphia, the site where independence was declared. Under the leadership of General William Howe, Philadelphia was to be invaded and Washington’s army eliminated as a threat to British efforts. In the aftermath of the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Philadelphia fell into British Hands. It was a severe loss to the revolutionary cause and decisive symbolic victory for the British. One of the Colonists’ major cities and the cradle for independence was now at British hands and Washington was now at retreat. With the threat of winter settling along, Washington had to find a strategic location to camp as both sides sit out the cruel winter. The wet wintry weather would cause muddy terrain, heavy rain/snow and conditions not fit for fighting. Neither the British, nor the Americans preferred to fight in such poor weather and preferred to sit out the season before initiating another major campaign. While the British held Philadelphia, Washington’s Army sought refuge in a rural countryside named Valley Forge due to a nearby iron forge. It was about twenty miles northwest or about a day’s march from the city. After a final skirmish at White Marsh, Washington’s ill equipped troops marched toward the location, arriving there on December 19, 1777. Inadequately clothed, troops were forced to construct cabins themselves.  Short food supply, bad weather, and threat of disease made life miserable for the troops. The area was nevertheless easily defensible with high ground and the Schuylkill River as a barrier.


During this season of hibernation, as many as two thousand may have perished in the cruel winter. But few deserted and the army held together. Many great figures of the Revolution came about at Valley forge such as Nathaniel Greene due to his efforts to provide soldiers with basic necessities and Baron Friedrich von Steuben for priceless training and drill instructions that molded the undisciplined army into an effective fighting force. On June 18, 1778, the army left Valley Forge in pursuit of the British who fled north. Washington and his men left behind memories of suffering, but emerged otherwise determined to fight on.


The war would continue for another five years, and Washington and his troops would endure even more winter encampments such as the brutal winter at Morristown 1779-1780, but the experiences at Valley Forge remained with the soldiers as a valuable lesson that helped propel them to eventual victory. In spite of the tragedies, and lack of any decisive or strategic military accomplishments during the Valley Forge Encampment of 1777-1778, many argue that it gave birth to the American Army. Many historians agree, that out of the suffering, the army was united even more. Emboldened by perseverance, effective leadership, and unity, Washington’s Army left Valley Forge highly motivated and more willing to fight than ever before.


Well known parks intended with recreation in mind include Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. These areas managed by National Park Service are important due to their natural beauty and environmental benefits. Such sites quite naturally invite recreational usage and National Park Service accommodates such activities respectfully, although reasonable rules still apply to avoid any possible damage. Other sites on the other hand may forbid or restrict recreation such as Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Oklahoma City National Memorial, World Trade Center Site, and African Burial Ground National Monument. This is due to a solemn theme, lack of natural space or resources, location conflict, or other reasons. A site with more historic value and yet contains enough landscape such as Gettysburg National Military Park, Yorktown Battlefield, and Valley Forge National Historic Park, must carefully consider recreational usage with caution since their intended purpose is for history, yet their vast space allows such recreational opportunities to exist. These must be permitted in compliance with National Park Service’s dedication to the enjoyment of the people while protecting the natural and historic resources. Valley Forge’s scenic landscape and natural resources can be perceived as a blessing, for those who want the site to be more consistent with national parks that serve for the enjoyment of the people. In the meantime, it can also be seen as a curse for those who would stress the only value of such a site is for historical and education al purposes and that recreational usage would be either distracting or destructive. National Park Service was faced with a task to utilize Valley Forge’s resources to benefit all parties within reason and in the meantime, stay true to their word to protect and preserve for the benefit of the people.

Visitors stroll by replicated cabin's. A place meant for historic preservation has become a place for basic recreation due to the natural landscape that many parks are known for.

A replicated canon stands by ready to fend off any intrusion. Unlike its predecessors more than two hundred years ago, this canon is pointed at the highly developed Philadelphia suburban area, which has threatened the site's existence in the past.