David's Images of the Day Photoblog
An Old Shipwreck Off New Island, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/6.2, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 8, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC.
Johnny Rook. Juvenile (tagged) Striated Caracara waiting for food on Carcass Island – Western Falkland Islands. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC.
I’ve now been retired from Merck for six years. I worked at Merck sites in Rahway, New Jersey; Boulder, Colorado; and West Point, Pennsylvania for over 27 years. Since I retired I have visited 40 different countries (several more than once) and 44 states. I have been at sea for over 7 months (two Semester at Sea — Enrichment Voyages; three Semester at Sea — Semester Voyages (Spring, Summer, and Fall); and two Hurtigruten voyages (one in Norway, and one to Antarctica)). I returned to Argentina and Chile for a photography trip with Thom Hogan, and did two Iceland photography safari’s (one summer, one winter) with Mike Hagen. I also visited Cuba and Japan for street photography workshops with Steve Simon. During these travels I have taken over 1.5 MM images. Not all of the images have made it into my photoblog posts yet… While in New Jersey, I have been renovating my house, adding solar power and replacing the oil furnace and old air conditioner with a geothermal heating and cooling system. Doing my small part to become carbon neutral.
On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00).
The ship crossed the Arctic Circle at 07:20, while it was still dark out. Champagne was served for those up early enough. Baptism for those that were crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time would be celebrated later in the afternoon. At this time of the year, and this far north dawn lasts a long time. The panorama view at dawn shows the unique pink color of the Belt of Venus and blue Earth Shadow below. Conditions have to be right to see these colors.
While in Bodø I took the bus tour — the city and out to the Saltstraumen. When conditions are right this has one of the worlds strongest tidal currents causing whirlpools or maelstroms. We weren’t there at the right time, and the weather was deteriorating. The bus driver wanted to make sure we got back to the ship before it left. Watch the time-lapse video, a scary ride in a snowstorm.
Later in the evening, we stopped in Svolvær and went to the world-famous Magic Ice bar. We entered what looked like a warehouse and were provided with warm coats. Inside the building were ice sculptures reflecting the life of the region and fishermen. Before leaving we were provided a drink in a shot glass made of ice.
On the sixth and final day of the southbound Hurtigruten voyage the ship stopped at: Ålesund (00:30 – 01:00); Torvik (02:15 – 02:30); Måloy (05:15 – 05:45); Florø (07:45 – 08:15); and Bergen (14:30). It was a foggy day. At one point the Captain sounded the fog horn to warn a lone fisherman in a small boat. Other than that time to pack up for the trip home.
