Category Archives: Photography

Sunrise On The River

Sunrise on the Mississippi River approaching New Orleans

Our approach to New Orleans was really interesting, because it involved an 8-hour transit up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico starting around midnight. Sunrise occurred about an hour from our arrival, and I was up early to catch the morning light. This is an easy edit of one of my photos from that morning, although I have many more to go through once we get home. Needless to say, a quiet sail up the river in the early morning was quite special.

This Morning’s Gift

Sunrise at Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Sunrises have gotten sort of cliche for me lately, but the chance for a sunrise at the beach still manages to get my attention. We spent last night at Fort Walton Beach, FL and I got myself up this morning to see what I was presented with. I gladly accepted this gift of a beautiful sunrise. The crescent moon, Venus and stars were an unexpected bonus!

Sunrise at Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Postcard From Space Center Houston

The Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas

Houston, We had no problem. 😉

Kathy & I visited the Space Center Houston Complex, including a tour of the Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, which was the Mission Control made famous with the saying, but also for the center used in all of the Apollo missions and many Shuttle missions. The center has been completely restored, down to the butts in the ashtrays on the consoles. The idea was to make the center look like the workers just got up and went home for the day.

The presentation included snippets from the Apollo 11 mission which landed on the moon. For a long-time space buff it was truly a memorable visit!

This photo also looks pretty good (possibly better) in B&W:

The Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas

Turning The Page

No Matter What. Sorobon Beach, Bonaire

I hesitated to jump on the “23 for 2023” bandwagon, but I didn’t want to let the old year slip away without somehow acknowledging its passing. For those of us with way more “Before Times” than “Future Times,” I think it is generally better to keep our eyes forward with just the occasional glance in the mirror. But it is kind of fun to look back on the prior year before diving into the new one.

Just to be different, I skimmed through my Lightroom catalog and chose one photo from each month (except April – I took no photos in April, strangely. So I chose two from March). Not necessarily the best or most memorable photos, just one that would represent where I was and what I was doing.

Ben aka Benjamin David Seybert

In January, we welcomed Ben to the world. He was born in December 2022 but Kathy & I didn’t get to meet him until January. Ben is my grand nephew, my brother’s grandson and son of my brother’s daughter. Here’s Ben today:

Ben today. Photo from his Mom.

We spent the month of February on cruise ships. It didn’t matter what photo I chose, but I like this one.

Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts

In March we visited Stanton, Virginia with friends. I made this photograph as well as the one below it which represents April.

Shadows. Staunton, Virginia
Triangular. Abandoned train trestle supports in Staunton, Virginia

This colorful character was maintaining contact with the outside world instead of enjoying the Conservatory at the Biltmore Estate.

The Conservatory. In the gardens of the Biltmore Estate.

We visited a lot of distilleries in 2023, including Bardstown Bourbon Company in June. I even made a few photographs. 😉

Rick house at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of the loveliest smells in the world!

In July we made our first-ever visit to the U.P. of Michigan. I just had to stumble out our friend Jeff’s front door to make this photograph. Thank goodness for articulating LCD screens!

Shoreline of Lake Superior from near Eagle Harbor, Michigan

In August, we were visited by the world’s second heaviest gross weight production cargo airplane and heaviest operating cargo aircraft, the Antonov AN-124. It occasionally makes a stop in Charlotte to deliver aircraft parts, and I was fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse from the Airport Overlook at Charlotte Douglas.

Antonov AN-124 cargo plane departing from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

September found us back in Bourbon Country again. I managed to make a few more photographs before a tour. We could almost give the tours, but they are always fun.

Reception area at Makers Mark Distillery near Loretto, Kentucky

In October we ventured back to Europe for the first time in 5 years. I actually stink at candid photography but every once in a while even the blind squirrel finds a nut. I found this one during dinner at an outdoor restaurant in Prague.

Night time in Prague, Czechia

November found us back on a cruise ship. This scene was a photograph waiting to happen. It was not our ship. 🙂

No Matter What. Sorobon Beach, Bonaire

After our November cruise, we stopped by to visit some friends near Orlando. One evening we visited Disney Springs, and this scene was from the restaurant where we had dinner. A photograph was required.

Hot air balloon at Disney Springs, Florida

We have lots of travel already planned for 2024, and I have a few more posts to make from our 2023 travels which I hope to have finished in the next week or so. For now, Kathy & I hope everyone has a joyful and enjoyable year in 2024. Thanks for sticking with us!