Tulip Mania Part 2 - Up Close

Here are some of the fantastic closeups of different varieties of Tulips grown in the Skagit Valley in WA state. Each flower is unique and absolutely stunning. Every year growers come up with new and unique colors, designs, size, shapes, ...... very innovative. Plus they ship Tulips all year round. These are all clicked inside Rosengarten area of Skagit Valley. Since 1984 each year Skagit Valley celebrates the Tulip Festival. These are from Tulip Festival 2015.

Here is Tulip Festival 2015, Enjoy!!!
      

Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon 100-400mm

Tulip Mania Part 1 - Landscapes and Picture Frames!!!

Beautiful Landscapes!

There are acres of tulips all over the place that create amazing colorful landscapes. Some of the early Dutch settlers found gold in Skagit valley with Tulips. The weather, soil, rain, temperatures, ...... everything was in favor. And the Tulip land was born. Each year there are tons of people who visit Tulips in Skagit Valley in WA state. Each year they have new eye-catching varieties.

Here are some more colorful Landscapes for you!

Colorful Picture Frames!

In addition to the colorful landscapes I like these colorful bunch of flowers against the dark blue skies. They look absolutely amazing. They create some unique picture frames.

 Here are some more colorful Picture Frames for you!
(Best viewed in Full Screen) 

Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon 18-55mm, Canon 100-400mm

Serenity !!!

Mt. Rainier - Iconic image of the Great Pacific Northwest. This is one of the few things that come to mind when you think about Pacific Northwest. Mt. Rainier is visible from almost every place in Puget Sound area. All year round this snow covered mountain looks absolutely majestic. All the vista points in the Mt Rainier National Park provide you with amazing views of the mountain. But when you come to the reflection lakes it leaves you speechless and in awe. 

Usually these lakes always have waves due to the wind blowing across. Let me tell you a little secret - if you can make it there in fall on a cold sunny afternoon when there is a thin layer of ice formed on the lake surface, then ........... that is how you get a perfect reflection. At the right place at the right time !!!

Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: 18-55mm

Bald Eagle Portrait.

Bald Eagles! One of my most favorites. I can't remember how many pictures I have taken of this majestic hunter. Trust me I'll keep clicking each time we cross ways. Seeing these in the wild is the best. Incredible wingspan, smooth flight, always look in total control and the commanding look says it all. You should see them in action while hunting or fishing and you will realize what I'm talking about.


Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Sigma 150-500mm

Mesmerizing Sight!!!

One of my most favorite activity is to watch the moon on any given night at any place with clear skies ...... it is something that simply captures my mind completely and I lock my eyes on it like a hypnotized person ... Each corner of the world gives you a completely different view or perspective of the same Moon from respective angles. This full moon is from India.

 

In my experience Full Moon is always an amazing sight for the naked eyes but if you want to capture it then the shaded Moon is the best. Full Moon is almost naked .... too exposed ...... where as shaded displays great contours with great clarity. Moon is one of those specimen for me which I will keep clicking each time I see it. This one I clicked from the Great Pacific Northwest just couple of days after the first quarter half moon..

Last week I clicked one more on my way back home from birding and sky was still a bit dark blue, moon was shaded and rest you can see in the photo. If you compare this one with the one above and you can see striking similarities. This photo was clicked just couple of days ahead of first quarter half moon. This one too is from the Great Pacific Northwest.









Equipment: 
Camera: Canon EOS Kiss Digital X (Photo 1), Canon 7D (Photo 2 & 3)
Lens: Sigma 170-500mm (Photo 1), Sigma 150-500mm (Photo 2), Canon 100-400mm (Photo 3)

It takes two to Tango!

My hobby is to capture the moment at its best. Let that be people, nature, landscapes, birds, wildlife, ...... you name it ..... anything. I love to capture it in my own way. Where as some people like to be part of that moment, in that moment and simply enjoy it to the fullest extent by absorbing that moment. Neither is wrong. But when it comes to doing both ..... then its ultimate fun. My partner in crime loves to enjoy the moment being in that moment.

My better half alerts me, brings me into the moment so that I can enjoy it by capturing that moment. Whenever we go birding my buddy is my spotting scope and has this amazing ability to spot a bird at a distance with just eyes and ears. It does not stop at just spotting, I also get the details about which bird it is by looking at and/or hearing it from a distance, evaluating its calls, size, posture, flight, attitude, behavior, movement, color, design, ...... many different parameters. This makes my life a lot easier to simply point my lens to the object, Aim it and Frame it. Quality of the pictures does not come easy. Its always a great team work. 

That's why - It Always Takes Two to Tango!

Enjoy the  beautiful pair of "Spoon Bills".

Equipment: 
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Sigma 150-500mm