2013, Day 31 - Morning mist

On our last day of travel with Brian and Nicole we had yet another early morning so that we could photograph the sunrise from a hot air balloon.  Mr. Mony collected our groggy group and when we arrived at the balloon we were told that there were a lot of clouds and that it wouldn't be a good sunrise.  All three of us felt that because we were already there we should go up anyway and this is what we saw; the Cambodian countryside shrouded is fog.  Tall sugar palms breaking though in silhouette and the muted greens and yellows of the rice fields.  It was quite beautiful but at time passed the fog thinned and then quickly became impenetrable.  Still, it was worth it and a lot of fun!

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
70mm, f2.8, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 30 - Breaking through

This is Preah Khan, the temple of the holy sword, it was more than a temple, it was a thriving city in its day and it reputedly housed thousands of teachers, students, dancers, and of course royalty and their retainers.  Today it is one of many jungle temples, much has crumbled in nature's grip.  It is an impressive network of corridors connecting all the major structures yet one need only imagine what it might have looked like when it was new and this wonderful site because even more awe inspiring.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f8, merged layers of 1/15, 1/8, and 1/2 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 29 - Mob of saffron

During one of our early mornings at Angkor Wat saw saffron colored ghosts moving in the dim light of the early.  The temples at Angkor Wat draw monks from all over the country and it is a prestigious place to receive your training.  These boys came from northern Cambodia near the Thai border.  It is early soon they would be going to pray but for the moment they were hanging out under a tree waiting for the older nuns to answer the call to prayer.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f2.8, 1/250 sec @ 500 ISO

2013, Day 28 - Parting look

This was the last shot I took at Angkor Thom on our first day in Siem Reap.  We arrived in town in the early afternoon and Mr. Mony picked us up after we settled in to buy our pass to the temples and get our first real taste of the majesty of Angkor.

Brian and Nicole arrived before us so they waited in the van while Araceli and I jumped out to get our passes.  Once that was completed to set off for Angkor Thom.  We had a couple hours there as at the end the sun was sinking low in the sky and we made our way back to the van.  As we left I stopped to take a few more shots and this was the last one, the sun had already fallen below the horizon and the temple was bathed in the cool light of evening.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, merged layers of 4 and 15 sec @ 500 ISO

2013, Day 27 - Ghosts of Satsop

The problem with long exposures is that while you stand there nonchalantly waiting for the exposure to be completed people may accidentally walk into the frame.  It isn't always a bad thing and in this case I like the ghost of our guide.  He is well into the foreground and I like that he happens to be looking up towards the cavernous domed ceiling above, his presence was a welcome surprise.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, 10 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 26 - Honey

Last week when I was gripped by plague and my kitchen was torn apart in a remodel I bought an electric kettle.  That coupled with tea, lemon, and honey really helped soothe my scratchy throat.  Thank you little bees for your industrious nature and the golden nectar it yields!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/250 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 25 - Memories of sun

Winter has returned to Portland with clouds and rain; the city is in hibernation.  I walk the dogs on streets almost devoid of life.  Rarely do I pass anyone else on foot, most people bustle to and from their cars seeking the warmth and protection they afford.  The trees are bare, the leaves long since gone but signs of life are returning.  Some brave bulbs are showing little blades of green as they slice through the cold wet earth.  I cannot wait for the return of the flowers and the insects they attract.  In a few months the world will be alive and there will be times when I feel overwhelmed.  I must remember to enjoy the peace and solitude while it lasts.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/800 sec @ 320 ISO