Rise & Shine

Walk Atop Cadillac

To Scale

I’m talking about how massive this rock formation is. I tend to not want individuals in most of my photos -- unless of course I am specifically taking portraiture images. Sometimes in a case like this I will snap an extra shot of a person meandering around the base for personal reference later. Then I wait for the sightseers to move on so I can avoid any visual distractions from making an appearance in my photograph.

Sky Mirrors Earth

This is what I saw when I reached Bar Island. Observe how the clouds in the sky mirror the land below. A large cloud takes the shape and height in its space with relation to the tree below. The next set of clouds is lower like that of the wild grasses, and finally a low bank of small broken clouds like the rock covered ground itself. This feels very open, soothing, peaceful.

Shore Path - The Birch Tree

This is where many a morning's photographic journeys began. Sometimes following an early morning breakfast just up the street at Jordan's in Bar Harbor: a hot cup of coffee, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and blueberry pancakes. I feel energized and ready for a day of exploration and discovery. The white birch is striking against the sky's backdrop of blue hues. A sense of exhilaration and anticipation washes over me every time I approach the tree, wondering what natural treasures I might see and enjoy this time. I start down the Shore Path, looking for shells and rocks, color and texture, pattern and points of interest. Whether due to the season, time of day, or cloud cover, the quality of light is never a constant: either adding to or washing away shadows. And like the ebb and flow of the tide, can either reveal or hide sea life and other wonders. When I look at this image I see opportunity and a day filled with endless possibilities.

Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain - Maine

5:44 AM, August 17, 2006. I stand atop Cadillac Mountain located in Acadia National Park, Maine. It is just past pitch black as the sky starts to lighten to a deep blue/purple. The air is frigid. All around me everyone else either stays in their vehicles with the motors running or sits atop boulders and folding chairs draped in layers of blankets and winter wear. What we have in common is we are all waiting for the sunrise. A rainbow of colors appear on the horizon, letting me know the event is fast approaching. Camera in hand, I am on the move. There is more to observe and appreciate than the first glimpse of the sun's ascent, and I did my best to embrace and photograph as much as I could. I never felt the cold -- too engrossed in the experience. I stood here two years ago for the very same reason and I can tell you both sunrises were unique. Among the sights I had the privilege to enjoy: silhouettes of the surrounding islands, deep rich colors in the day's infancy, a group of Moose swimming out to one of the islands, and the experience of a spectacular sunrise in all its stages that I would not trade for anything.