Mt. Rushmore National Monument

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This is Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota lit at night, captured handheld at 1/4sec

captured at night

Mt. Moran, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

coke supermoon

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this is my take of the super moon last May 5, 2012. taken in du quoin, IL

this one is from another area in Du Quoin, IL

apo island rock

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A very prominent feature as you approach Apo Island. January 2012

apo island {marine reserve} beach

this is one of the views along the trail hiking up the Habitat Eco Trail towards the Rockpoint Viewdeck in Apo Island, Philippines. The beach below is primarily part of the marine reserve, but was closed at that time due to the damage caused by a typhoon that hit the island 2 weeks before we got there. According to the locals, the rehabilitation of the reserve could take over a year.

Photo taken January 2012.

apo island beach

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after patiently waiting to be transported to the island, this is the view that greeted us. the trip took about 30 minutes or so from the Beach in Malatapay, Dauin to Apo Island. this is only one of the beaches that surround the island.

and this is one of the two boatmen that operate and steer the boat, during the trip.

Caution: your camera could get wet during the trip because the waves could be splashing all around you, be sure to waterproof your camera or bring a waterproof camera if you plan to take pictures during the boat ride. I risked carrying my Canon Rebel XS during the boat ride, and ended up hiding it behind me, under my shirt, desperately trying to keep it dry. Got wet a little bit, and survived, but on the way back, had to store it away in a storage inside the boat. the boat has a compartment to keep your gear dry but you have to store them before the boat departs.

click the link for more information about Apo Island.

apo island view from dauin beach

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This is the view of Apo Island at sunrise from the beach in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. January 2012.

We rode the Ceres bus from Sta Catalina at 3am and arrived at Malatapay in Dauin at around 4:30am, while it was really dark. We were hoping to be able to ride a bangka (a small boat) to go the island and catch sunrise at the island. to our disappointment, the first trip off to the island won’t start until 7am. So we were stuck in frustration at dauin beach until the first boat leaves.

lesson: if you want to be in the island at sunrise, either be there the day before and stay there for the night or arrange for an early transport at your desired time of departure, which we neither did, and which we should have.

Anyway, we had to make the best of what we have at the moment, and these are the few of my favorite from the trip. Hope you enjoy it, too.