Author Archives: Bri Duncan

Image of a Tree in the Sun

Posted on June 30th, 2016 by

Skeletal Tree

I almost missed the Washington D.C. Mall sculpture garden of the National Gallery of Art. I happened along it after visiting the National Archives and was headed at near the end of the day to the Metro station that pops out in the Mall. As I walked by I was immediately drawn in wondering how on Earth I had always missed this fantastic stroll! This tree sculpture is called “Graft” and it is by the artist Roxy Paine. It’s always interesting to see artists other works when they are this iconic. I noticed on my first visit, another of Paine’s sculptures adorns the entry to Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas. This D.C. trip I found the skeletal tree at just the right time of evening for a fun shot, playing off the sunset.

Image of a Tree in the Sun
Image of a Tree in the Sun

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/1250s
  • Title: Image of a Tree in the Sun

Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Posted on June 27th, 2016 by

Zen Rock Gardens

I have come to realize something about myself in this life. I deeply appreciate and love gardens. I love nature in general, and find a peaceful place where I can still my mind as I wander the natural world. I also realized I deeply dislike the actual art of gardening (and I strongly believe this is an art form). This is something I gave year after year of effort too when Pamela and I purchased our home, but the older I become, the more I realize you need to spend more time doing the things you love, and less time doing the things you do not love. That seems like common sense, but for so many of us, such a difficult thing to master. I know I was deeply moved by the gardens at Tenryu-ji, but raking this zen garden is not the same as communing with it.

Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji
Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 14 November, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1000
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Red Japanese Maple Leaf at Tenryu-ji

Posted on June 23rd, 2016 by

Falling Maple Leafs in the Rain

I sat on a small bench, the rain that had been falling my entire trip out of Kyoto to Tenryu-ji had mostly stopped, but a humid sheen cast odd colored light glares all over. I sat taking in the Kyoto fall scene. I was a bit too early for the truest expression of color the city is capable of, but the beauty of Tenryu-ji’s gardens were not lost. Suddenly and in near slow motion, this near perfect maple leaf fell from a nearby tree. It floated gracefully to rest next to me on my wet bench. I took this as a sign and snapped this photo. I often try to find meaning in the small occurrences like this that happen on my travels, but perhaps this time, I will leave this leaf’s message for you to decipher.

Red Japanese Maple Leaf at Tenryu-ji
Red Japanese Maple Leaf at Tenryu-ji

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 14 November, 2015
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 800
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Red Japanese Maple Leaf at Tenryu-ji

The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Posted on June 20th, 2016 by

Space Flight

The impressive Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the incomparable collection of the Smithsonian, has this beast as one of its central attractions. The are bigger planes, more historically significant flying machines, few hold the mystique of the space shuttle. This is the back end of Discovery, who’s history is chronicled through the display. Seeing a shuttle that close, seeing what are the scars of it battle on re-entry, is a truly a huge bit of awe that I hope anyone interested in flight gets to witness.

The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery
The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 29 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/100s
  • Title: The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Stonework in Machu Picchu Peru

Posted on June 16th, 2016 by

Master Builders

A quick detail for today of the masterful stonework that makes up the amazing structure that is Machu Picchu. The huge stones were brought into the site and worked together in a mortarless system. Though often a knife blade cant be inserted between the blocks, sometimes plants are unstoppable.

Stonework in Machu Picchu Peru
Stonework in Machu Picchu Peru

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 4 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 250
  • Shutter speed: 1/250s
  • Title: Stonework in Machu Picchu Peru

The Greatest Sunrise on Earth

Posted on June 13th, 2016 by

The Greatest

I have been a good number of places and seen a LOT of sunrises and sunsets. I admit a preference to the latter of these as they aren’t placed so darn early in the morning. The benefit to the former, is most people don’t bother to get up early enough to see them so they tend to not be as well attended as the sunsets. I also have to admit a preference in sunrise and the greatest sunrise on Earth is in Maui, Hawaii atop Haleakalā. With the right weather, the light and color move in a dance that can rarely be fully witnessed. From the top the volcano you can fully experience the symphony of nature playing it’s beauty. It’s a spectacle like none other and one I hope everyone gets to see.

The Greatest Sunrise on Earth
The Greatest Sunrise on Earth

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 22 July, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1.3s
  • Title: The Greatest Sunrise on Earth

Tea Leaves for Inspection in Shanghai, China

Posted on June 9th, 2016 by

Smelling Tea

The thing I have learned though Pamela’s love (some might say obsession) with tea is the joy of tea is much the same as the joy of wine. The terrior, the growing season, how the tea is harvested, the method to refine the tea for drinking, even the sampling methods are reminiscent of wine. How do the flavors hit the palate, what flavors are apparent and perhaps a surprise because of some of the above mentioned conditions. It is honestly quite fascinating. This bowl of (I belive) oolong was set out at one of the very first places in Tea City, where Pamela and I stopped to sample tea. I think I have never seen her so overwhelmed with joy, shyness and perhaps an equal part reverence that that first visit to Tea City.

Tea Leaves for Inspection in Shanghai, China
Tea Leaves for Inspection in Shanghai, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 30 June, 2015
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 3200
  • Shutter speed: 1/125s
  • Title: Tea Leaves for Inspection in Shanghai, China

Riverside Eucalyptus Trees in Peru

Posted on June 6th, 2016 by

Fragrant Trees

When we arrived at our rather palatial hotel in Urubamba, Peru we felt a bit guilty. The place is ultra modern and designed for a extremely low carbon footprint. We decided to try and take it easy on ourselves because of the altitude and because we had an extremely early start, boarding a train to Machu Picchu. When we got to the rear perimeter of the properly we heard the babbling of the Urubamba River and smelled the most wonderful fragrance. We soon found the source, these towering Eucalyptus trees gently bathed the trail around the hotel campus in yet another bit of natural luxurious aromatherapy.

Riverside Eucalyptus Trees in Peru
Riverside Eucalyptus Trees in Peru

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 3 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 500
  • Shutter speed: 1/640s
  • Title: Riverside Eucalyptus Trees in Peru

Cactus Flower Oahu, Hawaii

Posted on June 2nd, 2016 by

Visiting Bee

As I hiked up Lanikai Mountain in Oahu I came across this lonely cactus. It had been abused by unkind passers by, stepped on, trampled and cut. I noticed however a lovely flower. Regardless of its pain and abuse by the world, it produced something beautiful. While I was noticing this, a bee seemed very happy to visit the lonely and discarded wretch on that dry hill. I took this as a divine lesson, and try to keep it in my heart.

Cactus Flower Oahu, Hawaii
Cactus Flower Oahu, Hawaii

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 27 May, 2015
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/2000s
  • Title: Cactus Flower Oahu, Hawaii

Remember…The Enola Gay

Posted on May 30th, 2016 by

Remember

Today we recognize Memorial Day and those who died serving the armed forces and also, hopefully the costs of war. My visit to Air and Space in D.C. was a highlight of visit. The most impact came from this shiny Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It’s big, but size is common in this hanger. It’s shiny, but there are a number of unpainted highly polished planes around. It’s impact comes from the simple lettering of her name…Enola Gay. The plane helped end the War and saved untold numbers of American lives all while killing 140,000 Japanese. Today, remember and be thankful for our service men and women who lost their lives defending our Nation. Remember too the horrible cost of war for all and say thank you the Veterans in your life…for they carry an intimate knowledge of these costs, that we will never understand.

Remember…The Enola Gay
Remember…The Enola Gay

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 29 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 25mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Remember...The Enola Gay