Tag Archives: cliffs

Ridges Into the Sea

Pololu Valley Lookout (2020)
The Big Island, Hawai’i

The last time I was here I hiked down to the base of these cliffs and looked up the Palolu Valley to the south. Waipi’o Valley is in the distance. This trip I did not make the trek down to the bottom.

On previous trips, my interest focused on the bay directly below and closer. The above ridges were in the distant background. This time the ridges caught my eye. I zoomed out to 400m to isolate them.

For reference, the photo below represents my previous focus.

Pololu Valley Lookout (2017)

As seen, this is quite a different perspective. It pays to return to special places and keep an open mind to see new things.

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Capitol Reef: Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, Purple, Grey

Skyline Point Near Capitol Reef, Utah

I recently completed a workshop with John Barclay and Mitch Dobrowner at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.  This view is from a plateau cliff overlooking a valley 400-500 feet below.  My knees were shaky as I got near the edge.  My tripod saved me.  First, it was a nice brace to have between me and the edge.  And second, there was no way I could have hand-held a shot with my wobbly knees.

My focus for this workshop was to work on my black and white skills with Mitch Dobrowner.  However, when I saw this variety of color, I could not pass the opportunity to share this experience in color.

The view from Skyline Point was breathtaking.  It is a 270 degree panorama of a colorful unearthly landscape.  The point is a sheer cliff falling down to the valley down below..  Approaching the point, one has no idea that the plateau stops abruptly to this scene.   

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Beauty of Moloka’i 8

Moloka’i High Cliffs from Mo’omomi

Waves peacefully swirl
Against protruding cliffs,
Inspire wonder inside me.

This is a long exposure perspective of Molokai’s high cliffs shown in my previous post.  My workshop associates were all around me.  I was totally engulfed in the moment and scene in front of me.  I felt completely alone with Mother Molokai’s  wonderful gift.  I long to go back.

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Beauty of Moloka’i 7

Moloka’i North Side Cliffs from Mo’omomi

Guardians strongly protrude above
Thundering waves crash below
The spirit of Mother Moloka’i conducts the score

These cliffs protruding from the north shore of Moloka’i are the tallest in the Pacific.  I spent several minutes just gazing in amazement at this magnificent gift of nature before I first pushed down the shutter. 

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