Tag Archives: park

Sakura Blossoms in Ueno Park

Posted on May 12th, 2016 by

Sakura

I get why the Japanese have a word specifically for cherry blossoms and another for the viewing of these wonderful flowers. My visit to Japan this last April was toward the end of the blossoming season, just at the start of the fall. There is an otherworldly beauty, not unlike snow, but different all the same, as the still cool breeze blows and petals fall, gently invade all your senses. I think for me Hanami is a perfect explosion of color after the desolateness of Winter. Wrapped, surviving in the cold, then one day the beautiful promise of Spring.

Sakura Blossoms in Ueno Park
Sakura Blossoms in Ueno Park

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4.5
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 9 April, 2016
  • Focal length: 31mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/800s
  • Title: Sakura Blossoms in Ueno Park

Lanterns on Display for Sakura

Posted on April 18th, 2016 by

Cherry Trees!

I have wanted to visit Japan in late March or early April some time for the Sakura. There are numerous places in the world that have flowering trees. Our own state is gorgeous with dogwood, redbud and apricot trees, but getting to experience Hanami (flower viewing) in person is something a bit otherworldly. This location is in Ueno Park, a part of Tokyo I had not yet visited. Lanterns had been strung to keep the viewing going even after dark and there are hundreds of people and groups having a picnic under the falling petals.

Lanterns on Display for Sakura
Lanterns on Display for Sakura

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 9 April, 2016
  • Focal length: 23mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Lanterns on Display for Sakura

Covered Bridge Vermont 1875, Kokomo, Indiana

Posted on June 18th, 2015 by

Interesting Sights

When I visit small towns for work, I generally check the internet and ask the locals about the “interesting” parts of their towns. Many places have something they can call their own…like Gaffney, South Carolina’s Peachoid (I SO want to visit this)!

When visiting a few small towns in Indiana, I was directed to a Kokomo’s Highland Park to the Vermont covered bridge. I wasn’t able to go until after dark (during work trips you have to work), but it lent an almost Sleepy Hollow feel to the whole scene!

Covered Bridge Vermont 1875, Kokomo, Indiana
Covered Bridge Vermont 1875, Kokomo, Indiana

Photo Technical Info

Old Universal

Posted on January 9th, 2014 by

Bumming Around the Old City

I had an opportunity last year to spend an evening at Universal Studios in Florida. It was interesting because there was a whole section of the park that was reserved just for our party…it was a big party The great thing is despite attending with 20,000+ geeks the parts of the park we occupied were relatively empty, at least compared how these parks usually are. While meandering around with my camera, I found this section of 20’s New York. The streets were completely deserted that night.

Old Universal
Old Universal by W. Brian Duncan

Mission Space

Posted on July 8th, 2013 by

Confessions of a Space Cadet

I didn’t ride Mission Space at Disney’s EPCOT Center. I made it to the ride VERY early in the day. It was my second stop after Sorin’. When you enter they ask if you want a green or orange card (less intense or more intense…in that order). I chose orange and anyone my age would. I got into line and started wondering what sort of ride this was. I am not a scared sort of amusement park rider, but I can sometimes get sick. There are pretty much two things that are out; inversion and spinning. While I was waiting in the line I looked on my phone to see what I had signed up for. The first review was of a person much like me who rode early and was queasy the rest of the day. I turned around and left. I tried to come back and ride the green card later in the day, the wait time was 100 minutes. No thanks! Has anyone rode this? Is it fun?

HDR Photography
Mission Space by W. Brian Duncan

Belvedere Castle Central Park

Posted on November 5th, 2012 by

Weather Stations

While in New York, Pamela and I needed to cross the park. We were on the Upper West side and we needed to get to The Metropolitan Museum of art (Upper East side). We thought a walk across Central Park would be an wonderful way to take in some of the best sights in NYC. Honestly we just picked a path that cut straight through and left it to chance what we would find on our walk. We walked straight into a castle! Central Park NYC absolutely has a bit of whimsey! Apparently this is on of the best views in the park and it serves as a meteorological station taking temperate, wind speed, direction, etc. If you are on a random walk through Central Park, hope you hit this site. It’s quite a bit of fun!

HDR Photography
Belvedere Castle Central Park by W. Brian Duncan