May 31, 2013

Waterfalls- Alamere Falls


Alamere Falls Point Reyes National Seashore

Alamere waterfalls ... one of the popular waterfalls in the San Francisco Bay area. After falling in three cascades the Alamere Creek flows into the ocean. After hiking 4.5 miles on an almost flat terrain, to see this last cascade one has to scramble down a very steep cliff. Being a popular picnic spot this waterfalls attracts bigger crowds on weekends. 

May 29, 2013

Birds- Green Heron from Florida

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is relatively small herons in north and central America. The color of these birds gets so camouflaged with the surroundings and they go unnoticed. Initially I thought it was just a log of wood and then saw the bird moving. These herons are smart, they use insects as bait to lure fish it seems!

May 27, 2013

National Parks- Zion, A peaceful Sanctuary



Zion National Park in South-west Utah is a peaceful sanctuary. Earlier it was known as Mukuntuweap National Monument and then was upgraded to National Park in 1919. Mukuntuweap meaning straight Canyon and Zion means a peaceful or perfect place for refuge! High standing cliffs, peaks, the river, slot canyons, mesas, color of the rocks, wildlife and the clear blue sky are so very welcoming that I visited this wonderful place thrice! The high rising towers of red sandstone and the incredible canyons of Kolob region are awe inspiring. Like any other National Park in USA Zion has an entrance fee of $20.

May 24, 2013

Colorful Skies- Another Urban Sunset


Vadodara Urban Sunset

I was talking about watching sunsets from my terrace in my post earlier. Here is another one! Sun is looking pretty behind the high voltage towers and lines. The sky was extremely orange which made me run up to the terrace and initially I wasn't happy with those electricity lines. But, thats what I see now-a-days.

May 23, 2013

Giveaway- Firmoo Sunglasses for summer!

This event is closed.
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May 20, 2013

National Parks- Bryce Canyon, Giant natural amphitheaters


Utah Bryce Canyon National Park Amphitheater

Bryce Canyon National Park is a land of natural giant amphitheaters of hoodoos. As the name suggests bryce canyon is not a canyon. The hoodoos are structures in the form of pinnacles formed due to frost weathering. These exposed delicate pinnacles are red, pink and white in color and about 200ft high. The whole set of amphitheater area is about 20 miles long north-to-south. The rim of the amphitheater varies from 8,000ft to 9,000 and hence has a cooler weather. Being remotely located in south-western Utah clear sky and colored rocks make a beautiful contrast, and the clear air helps produce good photographs. Like any other national park in USA, Bryce Canyon NP has an entrance fee of $20 per car.

May 18, 2013

Travel Talk- Saving money for full time travel?



Well, hardest part in full-time travel is to survive without a job. Spending wisely and saving every rupee means a lot. I took a couple of years after I quit my job and started traveling, to realize how saving little by little makes a big difference. I observed my savings were evaporating faster than I thought! There are many articles floating around on internet with general tips. But, saving money is very personal. What works for one may not work for another. Saving can be very effective when there is a strong desire and determination to fund your travel dream. Saving money is not an easy thing. It takes a lot of effort, creativity and sacrificing many of the lifestyle addictions. We may not succeed as we have planned but best thing to do is ... keep trying ... to make our dreams come true! 

May 17, 2013

Colorful Skies- Sunrise seen from Mather Point, Grand Canyon



Many times I consider Grand Canyon as The Canyon as if there is no other canyon in this big world! That could be because of the beauty of the rocks or may be I haven't seen anything better than it yet! I have visited this park more than once and every time I did spend more than 3 days here. I watched sunrise and sunset everyday. And every time from a different viewpoint. This is one of the closeups I captured in my camera from Mather Point. Lovely memories!

May 13, 2013

National Parks- Grand Canyon National Park


Arizona Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is very popular and visited by many- guess why? It is a magnificent work of art by Mother Nature, on the rocks by the river and with time. The Grand Canyon- a gorge of the Colorado River, a massive, imposing landscape is a World Heritage Site and also considered to be one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. The grandeur, the beauty and the majesticity of this canyon is unparalleled. The beauty is increased by the layers of exposed colored rocks and the vastness. The park contains several types of ecosystems, different life zones and three types of desert systems. It is one of the places to view the rarest bird in the world- California Condor. Like all other national parks in USA, there is an entry fee of $20.

May 10, 2013

Colorful Skies- Sunrise and Thor's Hammer, Bryce Canyon


Utah Bryce Canyon National Park Sunrise Thors Hammer

Bryce Canyon National park in south-western Utah is a land of beauty! Amphitheaters filled with hoodoos of different shapes and sizes and colors, it is one of the mesmerizing landscapes. Thor's Hammer is one of the special hoodoos and I happened to be there at sunrise. It was an unforgettable scene!

May 8, 2013

Random Thoughts- The passion called Travel!



I happened to have a chat with an acquaintance who lives in the same apartment complex as me. And obviously the conversation turned to travel. During the conversation she kept on repeating one line ... Oh! I have a job, I have a family. If I were 'like you' I would also travel. When saying 'like you' she sounded like she is alleging me of something! By the end of that conversation I was thinking ... Anybody 'who wants to' can travel ... but then, what is it to be 'like you'?

May 6, 2013

Hawaii- More from Big Island!


Hawaii Big Island attractions

Big Island of Hawaii is popular for its most active volcano Kilauea. But, there are many other places one could enjoy this island's volcanic beauty. As any other island it has numerous beaches on the western coast and waterfalls on the wind and rain swept eastern coast. If you take a drive along the perimeter of the island numerous viewpoints await you.

May 3, 2013

Colorful Skies- Moonset for a change!


San Francisco Suthro Baths Moonset

When we think about beautiful colorful skies always sunrises or sunsets come into mind. For a change I am posting a picture of a moonset on a full-moon night! One October night a couple of years ago I attended a photography meetup at Suthro Baths in San Fancisco. Suthro Baths are ruins of a large 19th century swimming pool which were abandoned almost several decades ago.