Blue Moon

It's a blue moon, literally! Taken under 3200 Kelvin settings, 1/125 exposure, F22. The stars, I only put those up as it was a cloudy night at that time. Now, make a wish.. =D

White Christmas

It was a perfect timing that just before sundown, I decided to get some groceries and found this lovely weather in front of me. It was -13 with mild windchill, however, that didn't stop me to appreciate the captivating hoar frost. Such a sight to behold in this land of snow. Merry White Christmas everyone!!!

Cloudscape

One sunny winter afternoon, the clouds brought themselves to my attention.

Christmas Three

Merry Christmas from this side of the world. =))

This is the best shot I could make for the holidays out of this overwhelmingly cold weather. Three evergreen trees taken in the middle of the night. There is some hoar frost present but because of the lack of natural light, it is not so obvious. Taken with 30 seconds exposure, f9, with a kelvin temp 3200. Outside temperature -16C.

What You Slept Through (Umbra)

As most of the people snugged into bed in the predawn of December 21st, the full moon escapes earth's shadow, as if emerging from a mist-blanketed lake. And unlike any other total lunar eclipse in 372 years, last night's lunar eclipse coincided with the winter solstice.

This is the beginning of the partial eclipse, the earth's umbra touches the outer limb of the moon. The pace quickens and the change is dramatic. The umbra is much darker than the penumbra and fairly sharp-edged.

Bohol City Landscape (Chocolate Hills)

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Philippines is Nature's expression of beauty, mystery and romance. Chocolate Hils is one of Philippines natural monument. Bohol Philippines' Chocolate Hills is also considered as one of the eight wonder of the world and it has been declared as the country's 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Chocolate Hills are consistent in their cone shape and size and estimates show that the number of hills reaches at least 1,260 but may be as many as 1,776. The Chocolate Hills encompasse a 20 square mile (50 sq km) area creating a sea or rolling terrain of these haycock hills.

The height of the hills varies from 98 to 160 feet (30 to 50 m) with the largest hill reaching a peak of 390 feet (120 m). The Chocolate Hills are actually grass covered limestone, but during the dry season the grass dries up turning brown which is where the name is derived from. The dried up brown hills look like a sea of "chocolate kisses."

What You Slept Through (Penumbra)

At 12 midnight last night, my friend and I got crazy and drove 5km north, pulled over to an empty space to watch the Lunar Eclipse. Despite the -16 temperature and the cloudy state, it never stopped us from staying in and out of the car for few hours.

Today is the winter solstice and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It's all due to Earth's tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21. 

During the winter solstice the sun hugs closer to the horizon than at any other time during the year, yielding the least amount of daylight annually. On the bright side, the day after the winter solstice marks the beginning of lengthening days leading up to the summer solstice.

Coinciding with the winter solstice for the first time since 1638, the December 21, 2010, lunar eclipse was anything but ordinary.

Around 0030 (Central Standard Time), the moon began going slightly shady, marking the arrival of Earth's faint outer shadow, or penumbra.

The penumbra (from the Latin paene "almost, nearly" and umbra "shadow") is the region in which only a portion of the light source is obscured by the occluding body. An observer in the penumbra experiences a partial eclipse.

The Black and White of Hoar Frost

The first time I saw hoar frost was when we were driving down to Esterhazy. It was magical and always had been. Winter is such a beautiful season, but hoar frost is enchanting. =)

Hoar frost refers to the white ice crystals, loosely deposited on the ground or exposed objects, that form on cold clear nights when heat losses into the open skies cause objects to become colder than the surrounding air. 

Such beauty don't come everyday, thus, this shot was taken under a difficult circumstances. Temperature -16, taken at around 12:30am, F8, 30 seconds exposure time.

Pink Sunset

Offering you pink sunset for a change. =)

It was unintentional, but when I post-processed it, it came out this way. A scenery of such beautiful horizon.

Photography 2010 - Philippines

A collection of my Photography Images taken in the Philippines for this year 2010. I am so missing home.. Enjoy! =)

Magellan's Cross

Close to 500 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a huge Christian cross in Sugbu (now Cebu) to celebrate the baptism into the Roman Catholic religion of island chief Rajah Humabon, his wife, and some 500 of their followers on April 21, 1521.

The 485-year-old cross, called Magellan’s Cross, now stands at a small chapel located across Cebu City Hall and along Magallanes Street. The street is named after Magellan, Magallanes being the Spanish translation of the Portuguese explorer’s name.

A sign below the cross says the original Magellan’s Cross is encased in the tindalo wood cross displayed in the center of the chapel. This is to protect it from people who chipped away parts of the cross believing it has miraculous powers or as souvenirs. Some, however, say that the original cross planted by Magellan was destroyed or lost and what stands there now is a replacement planted by Spaniards who came after the Portuguese explorer.

Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521 in what is now known as the Battle of Mactan. The Portuguese explorer died when his men fought Mactan natives led by the island’s chieftain, Lapu-Lapu.

Disaster turned Paradise

As you behold the crater of Mt. Pinatubo, after a two-hour walk, you will be filled with awe. It will be - and this is not an exaggeration - sensory overload, for who would imagine seeing glacier-like barren brown peaks with white smoke effusing up, in the background of a crater lake that was in itself enchanting? It was truly an awesome sight to behold.

That epiphany will just be the culmination of wonders, in an action-packed expedition to world-famous volcano, whose eruption brought forth a desolate landscape that can aptly be described as 'out of this world'. The 45-minute 4x4 drive to the foot of the mountain from Capas, Tarlac, is exhilirating; you will feel as if you were on a Disneyland ride in real life, as the 4x4 jeep crosses varicolored streams and an endless plain of volcanic sand. The two-hour trek that will ensue will take you to more volcanic formations; streams varied in color, depending on the minerals: there was ferrous red, sulfuric yellow, and algal green; there are cliffs of lahar that precariously stand tall against the remnants of a once tall (1,700+ MASL) mountain. The destructive force of the eruption is manifest wherever you would look. And finally, after arriving at the crater, after beholding the incredible sight, you could swim across the crater, and treat your way in the murky, reddish, mildly sulfuric water.

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK TO THE CRATER LAKE.

White Stuff

It's famous in Canada =)

Yellow Mums

Some flower shots taken from Parkland Greenhouse in Yorkton last May. =)

Ukrainian Park

One of the settlers in Canada were the people of Ukraine, thus, the Ukrainian Park was created. Taken one block away from home. =)

Snowbank

A pristine snow marred by time.

Falling Winter

Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climate between autumn and spring. This year, it is not officially winter until December 21, 2010. Believe it or not. =)

Though it was -32 at this time, with a bunch of snow, the touch of fall is still visible. So a better name to call this time of the year is, falling winter. =)

Winter 2010

Marking the start of my winter shooting escapade. Good luck to that. =)

Pros: It's cold and you wouldn't smell like "sunshine" regardless of the time you spent outdoor.

Cons: It's too cold I'm finding it hard to wake up, get ready, and walk out the door. Nonetheless, click the shutter.

There's not much to shoot, everything's white and you have to be more creative.

Subject: A tree that was standing beside the driveway. =)

Sailing

A typical view in every small provinces in the Philippines, after a whole day of sailing, fishermen are now ready to succumb to ending the day with their family. A simple and yet complete life. I miss this!!! =)

Daylight

A promise of tomorrow.

Subconscious

Ten long years have passed and yet you never left my subconscious mind. 

In deep sleep, you came and hold my hand again. 

Far away, I hear you calling my name.. 

My heart never seemed to forget you, 

      though I tried to bury your memory down the lane.

I might still be searching for forever, because deep within

      it's still you, and you again.

This could be all but just a dream.

Maybe we are to dream..

Or maybe we're meant to be.

One in a Million

There is always that one in a million, who will stand out amongst the rest. And then you'll forget about everything else. =)

A Day of Fairy Tale

A castle-like view of the famous city of Banff from the top of the Sulphur Mountain. A day of Fairy Tale. =D

A Butterfly's Feast

Look at the birds (butterfly). They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

Matthew 6:26

Solitary Reverie

Where each one of us would like to be once in a while.. in a secluded place. A solitary reverie.

Day of Judgement

The end is near..

Falling

Love is unending.. As these leaves. When do you expect to Fall?

Surreal

Have you ever been on a phantasmagorical scenery where everything seems so perfect and tranquil?! In where you felt like it's a dream.. I did. =)

Silhouette

To emphasize a scene, a silhouette could be in the background, an outline.. a featureless interior. 

This is celebrating sunrise in a small town in Saskatchewan. Captured around 6am on a Fall season.

Paraiso (Paradise)

My definition of Paraiso in the Philippines, located in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc Bohol. The calmness of the sea and the beautiful skyline adds up to its placidity that is most wanted by many people. The weather was perfect at that time and I don't mind a sun kissed skin if it is to capture a magnificent view as this. =)

Fearful Solace (Mt. Pinatubo Crater)

Almost 2 decades ago, the second largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century took place in the island of Luzon in the Philippines killing almost 800 people and leaving 100,000 people homeless. 

After the massive eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, it left this huge crater that is now filled with water. The haven for hardy trekkers and mountaineers. A pristine sight that will leave you in awe.

It'll always be beyond our imagination how this amazing creation had wreak havoc in 1991: villages wiped out and buried under lava, countless dead, thousands of folks displaced, and landscapes changed forever.

The quiet crater lake, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.

Autumn in Saltcoats

Saltcoats is a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, about 500 in human population. This is where I first started my nursing career here in Canada. Being a small town, it offers a family-like relationship which I will always be thankful for wherever I go. =)

A shot of Saltcoats, Saskatchewan during FALL season.

Saskatchewan Skyline

When God created the world, He just didn't form it, instead He painted it with beautiful colors and details. Oftentimes, we get so used to it, but every once in a while it pays off to appreciate it, then we realized we are fearfully and wonderfully made as well. =D

A sunset taken in York Lake, Saskatchewan Canada.

Lake Louise (Banff, Canada)

When you see this picture, it is amazing. When you see the place for yourself, it's magical. :)

Another shot of the stunning Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta Canada.

Bow Lake (Banff, Alberta)

It took me awhile to retrieve this photo from my memory card because this is one of the few photos I took before my Canon EOS 7D went down the lake, and of course, the memory card went with it. And so I was ecstatic to know that my memory card is still working after all. =)

And this lake is probably gonna be one of those many lakes I have seen that I will remember for a long time, simply because this was the lake that took my Canon EOS 7D, which luckily after 3 weeks, got repaired. Oooweee!!! 

Unfortunately, with what happened on that day, I was not able to take as much picture as I want to. Hopefully, by next year I'll get to go back and make the most of what I had missed. 

Taken in Bow Lake in the beautiful Banff, Alberta Canada. 

Trees

I think that I shall never see 

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear 

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, 

But only God can make a tree.

Great Valley (The Land Before Time)

Remember when we were a child and we used to watch a cartoon movie where Little Foot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike were looking for a place called Great Valley??? Well, I found it!!! Lol

Here's my version of the Great Valley from The Land Before Time, view taken from the top of the Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Alberta Canada. =)

Heaven on Earth

Have you ever been to heaven and back? Here's to having a glimpse of it. =D

Taken somewhere in Alberta, Canada. Around 50km away from Lake Louise. Wish I know the name of the place... Sadly, I don't. But then again, memories are enough, having to capture it is even better. And for sure I'll be back again in this place next year to feast my photography passion some more. =)

FALL Foliage

Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the normally green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs by which they take on, during a few weeks in the autumn season, one or many colors that range from red to yellow. The phenomenon is commonly called fall colors and autumn colors, while the expression fall foliage usually connotes the viewing of a tree or forest whose leaves have undergone the change. In some areas of Canada and the United States, "leaf peeping" tourism between the beginning of color changes and the onset of leaf fall, or scheduled in hope of coinciding with that period, is a major contribution to economic activity.

FALL Photography

Fall only comes once a year, not in every country, and in Canada especially Saskatchewan, you'd be lucky to experience autumn longer than two months. So once it's there, take advantage of it. =)

Few things I love about autumn besides the just perfect breeze of cold air, is the beauty that comes with it. It is filled with love and artistry. The colors are full of emotions, no matter the silence. And having Fall as my favorite season, I couldn't help and be fascinated by it, thus putting it in still. :)

What I love about Fall Photography is that you need not do much post-process. The bright colors are already in your RAW photo initially, you just have to enhance it. There is also not much noise because the exposure is shorter because you are using natural light. I also made good used of my CPL filter upon doing my Fall shots.

And lastly, the best thing about Fall Photography for me, is that it speaks of certain emotions that I find hard to put into words. It is good as saying listen to the photos, as I am speaking silently. :)))

Felicity and Beyond

Capturing one of God's beautiful creation, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta Canada. The lake at that point was so serene, you are expected to do nothing but be in awe.. Such an easy task for a marvelous sight. =D

Taken with 25 seconds exposure, with an ND400 filter.

Moving Light in Still

Another shot of light in motion in town of Jasper, Alberta. I just loved moving light in still. Ironic! =)

New York City Nightscape

A shot of New York City from July 2010's travel (found this in my HD while looking at old pictures), this was taken from New Jersey side around 8 or 9 in the evening. The temperature was great around +10. I still have to go back there anyways to get more shots. For now, enjoy New York city at night. :)

Celebrate Life

Out of the numerous landscape photos I took since I started shooting, this is one of my favorite. A shot of the very enchanting Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Not because it is the most beautifully captured, but because no matter how many times I try to put it in still, it just wouldn't beat the emotion of actually being there to seize the moment. This image speaks of God's existence and the celebration of life, and to be given the chance to capture even just the smallest portion of its exquisiteness and charm has become the best part of this travel. :)

Untold Tale

This is another shot of my "Lost Paradise" landscape. This photo for me, speaks a lot of stories that's waiting to be heard. The unhurried flowing river, the gentle moving trees, the quiet clear blue sky, and the proud Canadian rockies. All constitutes this one display of God's masterpiece. :)

Blue Hour (Jasper Downtown)

It is the blue hour in downtown Jasper, Canada. Taken around 0600 with 8 seconds exposure time, believe it of not, the sun rises here not earlier than 0800. Makes you wanna sleep in. Cool huh! =)

Hidden Bliss

A shot of Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta Canada. Taken with 25 seconds exposure with an ND 400 and a Circular Polarizing filter. It's definitely a must see. Named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The province of Alberta is also named for Princess Louise. It a hidden bliss waiting to be conquered.

Downtown Banff

Banff is the largest town in Banff National Park, in Alberta's Rockies, Canada. At 1,463 m (4,800 ft), it is the town with the second highest elevation in Canada, the highest being Lake Louise. It is surrounded by mountains, notably Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain, and is situated above Bow Falls near the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is located 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary and 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Banff is a resort town and one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations, known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs. It is a major destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing areas within the region. Three ski resorts are located in close proximity: Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay and Lake Louise Mountain Resort.