Photography – Page 3

David Crook shoots New England 2016

October 25, 2016 By Administrator

David Crook is my brother, friend, mentor, protector, and a superb nature photographer. He is also a retired (sort of) pastor, and in mid-October he and his daughter, Cheryl Crook Burton, flew from their respective homes in Arizona and Washington State to participate in the wedding of family friend Megan Eyraud in Connecticut.

From there, he and Cheryl headed north to cover as much of New England as possible, also stopping at some of the communities where he pastored (this may not be an actual approved word, but it works) in earlier years. Now we get to benefit from his views of the changing colors of New England in 2016. There will be other posts with his photos.

Return to Waikiki

October 24, 2016 By Administrator

What a privilege to visit Hawaii recently and connect with the place where my kids and I roamed many years ago. Back when we were all younger, Waikiki was THE place to be for sunshine, the ocean, cooing Rock Doves/Domestic Pigeons, the everywhere scents of sun tan lotion and plumeria, the soothing “feel” of warm white sand, and a sparkling blue-green ocean dotted with surfers, swimmers, and boats.

On this visit we drove into a busy Waikiki where I later hunkered down on the 19th floor of an amazing hotel. I loved my time on the patio watching the ever-hopeful surfers and surf paddlers waiting (from dawn to dusk) for the next wave . . . the sweet sound of traffic carrying people to work and to play and to sightsee . . . sunrises and sunsets rich with streaming colors . . . the rich fragrance of plumeria . . . and the ever-present trade winds.

I spent a good part of my visit adventuring around Oahu with my amazing friend and relative, Mary Anne Vorfeld. And other times I was off on mini-adventures, like riding the Waikiki Trolley. What fun feeling the warm wind in my hair and having a savvy driver who maneuvered the trolley through traffic and near curbs like a pro. She narrated the entire time so people could feel history come alive. Refreshing. Fun!

Not so many photos, as I was busy absorbing sights and sounds and experiences. I did manage to get a few shots, including fish & chips from a restaurant in my hotel. The fish was the catch of the day, and the presentation, servers, and the food itself were breathtaking. I’m sure I didn’t gain an ounce!

One evening during the middle of my trip, I had just returned to my room when I heard (and saw) fireworks. Oh, right: this was the night Hawaii 50 was premiering for 2016, and the cast/crew/honored guests were celebrating on the beach near the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Thrilling fireworks for what seemed like a half hour, but who knows?

Some people say, “Well, I never go to Waikiki because they say it’s not like it used to be.” True. But I spent a lot of time wandering around Waikiki, and loved every minute of it. Many people from different countries, different cultures, enjoying themselves. Weddings everywhere! Long white limos everywhere with VIPs and wedding parties. Hotel employees were magnificent. Busy, busy traffic, but not frantic. Courteous drivers. From people wandering around wearing swimsuits to people in formal wedding parties: there was no one “uniform.” Everyone fits in – in Waikiki. Sure, it’s busy, and not the place to visit if one is looking for long periods of serenity. But it’s simply in a class by itself.

He photographed sinking of carrier Yorktown

March 21, 2015 By Administrator

If WWII interests you, you will enjoy this comprehensive blog post featuring a U.S. Navy photographer, Bill Roy. He captured some remarkable photos of the carrier Yorktown and other events surrounding the Battle of Midway.

http://donmooreswartales.com/2010/06/09/william-roy/

Mt Baker

August 4, 2013 By Administrator

The week of June 18, 2001, my husband, Jack, and I visited my hometown of Bellingham, Washington. At that time, my brother, David Crook and sister-in-law Janet Crook lived in Bellingham. David and I grabbed our cameras and went tor a drive. The following is from my blog dated June 18, 2001.

Judy with curious cattle As we drove through Nooksack, Everson, Sumas, and other hamlets, we found a few other pastoral scenes that included cows, but generally they were in a distant field. We decided to stop at a farm with a huge barn full of girl cows, and shoot some photos.

Not a bad idea, until we got out of the car. We were overwhelmed with the aroma of ammonia. I’d forgotten that cattle in barns do not have private lavatories. Deciding that this adventure would help clear my sinuses, we approached the barn, and David got a few good pictures. Not quite the same as seeing them grazing in a field, (see below but it was easier to see the beautiful markings.

Photo of Mt Baker from Mt Baker Vista area June 2001 Back on the road, we spent more time looking for bald eagles, and decided to head for Mt. Baker, one of the loveliest mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Our destination: Mt Baker Vista area, a nine-mile road just after the Glacier Ranger Station.

The winding two-lane road roams over numerous cheerful creeks, and sports a stopping point for hikers. Serious hikers. David and I continued up, stopping to shoot photos as clouds threatened to cover our view. We reached the top, and shot until the clouds kept their promise. Camp robbers (fluffy birds with no sense of fear or courtesy) live at the end of the road, and enjoyed entertaining us. They’re officially called Gray Jays. One even hopped inside David’s car. No food. Out it went.

The road to Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan snakes to the north of the two mountains. photo of Mt Shuksan, about 1950, by Cal Crook These two stately, yet very different, mountains are spectacular. You can’t see Mt Shuksan until you are quite a bit east. It’s snuggled in its own little niche near Mt Baker. In 1950 or so, our dad, Cal Crook, took the photo you see in this paragraph. Good photos of this area are difficult to come by, because you often can’t determine whether or not clouds will cover the mountains until you are relatively close. It’s a drive I recommend to anyone vacationing in the Bellingham area. Even if you don’t see the mountains, you will luxuriate in rich, towering trees full of unusual birds, and a landscape dotted with the Nooksack River and many other waterways. Clean, fresh country. Especially nice in the summer.