Photography: When Winter Unleash its Wrath On Nature The Outcome Is A Beautiful Death

It's halfway through March and Winter seemingly have left for good since the onset of February. The unusually warm weather gave way to a premature Spring. Trees have bloomed. Some sprouted new leaf. Some still budding. My allergies started acting. Achoo!  It's undeniably Spring! We were beyond happy to imbibe ourselves with the comfort of warmer weather and embrace the beauty, including the unpleasant effects of Spring. But then Winter decided it's not done and made a striking comeback! So unexpected and unforgiving but for all its oddity, the white specks that enveloped the trees, its blooms, and flower-filled grounds, which speaks of death, painted a scene - a scene of a very beautiful death...

Travel Photography: The Many Faces of Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom in Disney World

Nothing can instantly take your breath away just by the mere sight of it more than how Cinderella's castle would. This iconic, most-photographed monolith that sits in the center of Disney World's Magic Kingdom is a huge reminder, as you enter the park, that yes! You have arrived at the happiest place in the world! I have the privilege to capture the beauty of the castle as it changes into dramatic images and colors during the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular show. Come and relive the magic with me through these spectacular display of digital ingenuity during the show.

Much Ado about the Moon: Photographic Journal of the Multi-Faceted Moon

Before we delve into my photographic fascination of the moon let me first regale you with the astounding, sometimes dumbfounding example of the Moon's "Lunar Lunacy Effect" that though not scientifically true, it about holds truer than true for me today.

Like an unexplained horror mystery, I was at countless times were either cut-off for no good reason, or I've witnessed erratic, shake-my-head, recklessly-stupid-kind-of-actions, from uncomfortably, a few many drivers on the road today. Where one almost resulted to a catastrophic accident involving a school bus and two cars. So many close calls that makes you question why there are so many lunatic douchebags-es who clearly have no business being out, are out there today - all at the same time! Then en route to home this afternoon, I happened to glance at the blue -  calm before the storm - sky,  and there, up on the horizon, the almost full moon was glaring at me like it was saying. "Yep. I'm the reason for all these lunatics on the road!" 

Strange but true. Here's that culprit today. It was the Day moon!

The Day Moon on Waxing Gibbous three days before total Full Moon on Sunday, January 24, 2016. 

Hello Moon, Goodnight Moon: How to Photograph the Moon

We got home relatively late Sunday night but what a sweet treat to see the clear, dark sky filled with stars which were glittering like diamonds! The North sky is so clear that you can make out several visible constellations! I never thought of the moon which was nowhere in sight and quickly dismissed the possibility of seeing it. Then I walked into my home office and this bright glow out through my window caught my eyes...

It was the moon! Half of the moon anyway. Just when I thought it was not visible that night.  It was peeking through the dark sky like it was Adele telling me, "Hello, it's me!" . Yes, I went there. It can't be helped. It was a lovely sight!  According to Moon Giant, the moon is on its first quarter phase. And due to the angle and rotation of the earth, the moon looked like it is upside down. However, it looks the opposite during the day when the moon, also called "Day moon" is visible during the day time - a scientific phenomenon that comes about due to the moon's Lunar cycle.

The Colorful Road to the Mountain Top

This photo was featured on TV on October 30, 2015 @ WCNC 36

12 Years. That's how long it took for me to finally experience, witness, admire and [forever] capture the beauty of Fall up in the mountains. A wait worth the wait. In one full day, nature revealed its grandeur and amazing wonders all but unexpectedly - yet wholeheartedly accepted. It made me walk in the clouds, yes, walk in the clouds and marveled on its panoramic views around me and below me.  

A Walk In The Clouds: Grandfather Mountain - Amazing Photos

Just when we thought our visit to Grandfather Mountain was a bust because of the weather, it instead gave us the experience of a lifetime!

Photography: Wishing Upon A Perseid Meteor

Stars glowing in different colors / Photo +Maricris G 

"The Perseid meteor shower is one of the testament of how amazing the sky can be. To experience its beauty, all you need to do is look up."

I've never witnessed any type of meteor shower before. I wasn't even sure I would see one. But pure luck would have it, this night was my lucky night. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the testament of how amazing the sky can be. To experience it, all you need to do is look up.

Photography: Howling at the Blue Moon That was Never Blue

The once-in-a-Blue-Moon Moon 2015 / Photo +Maricris G 

This year was the year for the "once-in-a-blue-moon" moon to yet again make its rare appearance. Everyone who saw it will agree that it was spectacular seeing how big and bright it was. But, of course contrary to popular belief, it wasn't blue! Instead, it was bright yellow as it should be! It was also pretty close to the horizon, it almost seem like anyone can reach it.

Photography: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Photos

Waterfall inside the Orchid Conservatory at +Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden / Photo: +Maricris G 

I recently visited the DSBGarden and here is an inside look covering several areas of the garden. I'm in love with my photography (of course I am!) which is why it's best to let the photos speak for themselves and tell you their story - or you know it, I'll be bias! Not that, that's a bad thing IMO. Now, do you know what is so great about staring at these pictures and getting lost in them? If you can't guess, I'll tell you anyway. Well, you most certainly won't be able to smell the foul scent of the stinky flower. Lucky duck! So... Ooh-gle on! 

Photography: She Started taking Photos And then did the Unexpected

Photo by MaricrisG

It was Memorial day weekend and we found ourselves at Latta Plantation Park unwinding on the covered swing taking in the glorious view of the lake. Not a moment after we settled in, a couple walked towards one of the big trees near the water and started posing. Not too far from where they were, a lady photographer were shouting instructions of their next poses at a distance. Clearly, a photo shoot was in progress. Nothing unusual about that especially at this location. It's a photographers' favorite spot for photo shoots. Things went on as normal as any photo shoot would up until the photographer told the couple to walk towards the water. Then the unexpected happened.

It's not in the fact that it is prohibited to swim or wade in the water and the couple went right in ignoring the warning... Rather, what the photographer did next literally made us fall off the swing...

Travel Photography Shot at 65MPH: California Series

On the Poppy Fields on top of a hill in Lancaster, California also known as the Antelope Valley

Most of my out-of-town travels involves riding in a car as a passenger. Either sitting in the front or at the back. I love being a passenger because I get to sight-see. The only funny thing about it is that, there are tremendous amounts of panoramic views and photography-worthy landscapes that I wish I could capture vividly with my camera. Be it with my camera phone or dslr. It is a tricky undertaking of which I'm slowly learning to conquer.

Photography: How to Clean Your DSLR

I just got my nifty fifty (50mm) and immediately put it to work. I love its quality and clarity. It takes stunning pictures just like the one pictured above. I love this one but there's one bit of a problem. If you look close enough and have photographer-trained-eyes, you will immediately see some dark spots on this unedited picture. Do you see them?

Photography: Yellow and White Daffodils

Flower Power. Nothing does a better job proclaiming the arrival of Spring than the glorious beauty of flowers such as these Daffodils which started popping out all over my front and backyard and blooming instantaneously the next day!

Shot with Macro lens 55mm / F5.0 / ISO800

Photography: The Gift of Spring

Trees and plants are all starting to bloom. My allergies entirely don't agree but there's no denying the beauty that comes with the arrival of the season of new life - Spring. As the flowers bloom, birds make their way back as well and perhaps we'll see offsprings hatching from nearby nests in no time soon.

Photo of the Day: Sunset Delights

It is a treat to watch the Sunset during this season. Dramatic colors vividly paint the sky with vibrant reds, orange, yellow and sometimes purple. It's almost unreal but it's breathtaking to witness sunsets like the one I captured yesterday.

More to look at:
The Fascinating Day Moon
Photography: Wishing Upon A Star

Photography: Wishing Upon A Star

Saturday night was the first time I've seen the sky filled with stars. Though there was too much light pollution from the city lights below, and the sky not totally clear, there was enough clearing for an attempt to capture the rich display of huge stars for the taking.

Look closer. What you see is not a blurry vision of the stars but rather of stationary stars starting to create a "trail" or "light stream". This is due from the earth rotating and shooting in very low shutter speed and wide aperture. Like a movie in slow motion, each movement is captured. If you look on the right side of this photo, you'll see the flaming red streak across the sky. Can you guess what made that trail? (Answer at the bottom of this post)

The Fascinating Day Moon

I never thought in a million years that the moon would be visible during the day. I'm sure you didn't think that either. But as it appears, the moon does appear during the day and have become one of my favorite Astrophotography subjects. Like this day moon which I photographed yesterday above the blue skies and on a very sunny day! Day Moon occurs when the moon orbits closest around the sun. It is so close that it's reflecting more light from the sun making itself highly visible even during the day. Truly a magnificent sight to behold. Don't you agree?

Photo of the Day: One Foggy Night in Charlotte

I love taking photos that defies commonality, out of the ordinary and one that is challenging. I love pushing beyond the limits. At the same time conveying stories of what I see the way I saw them. Images such as of this particular night where thick fog rolled in and blanketed the horizon with an eerie mist while lights on the ground bounces off the haze and creating a subtle glow across the sky. Photos were taken with Canon EOS Rebel T3 on AV with ISO 200, Aperture F8 and Al Servo using 18-55mm lens.

If night photography is your expertise, which settings do you use?

This Arctic Blast Got Us Into The Monster Side

Monster Coats are the newest trend in Kid's Fashion. They're unique and Monstrously fun! To get into your Monster side - without the help of Arctic Blast or Polar Vortex - check the collection at MonsterCoats.com and show off your wild side while staying warm during this Winter season!

Check us goofing out on Instagram and featured at Monster Coats.


+ Monster Coats provided the matching coat and hat for us to try this new product and experience the fun and uniqueness of it.  

Photo of the Day: Angry Birds in Charlotte

I was roused from my sleep by a very excitable husband who apparently can't wait for me to see and photograph these flock of cute birds feasting and creating a raucous right outside my office window! Now I should tell you that if I didn't have an affinity for photographing wild birds, I probably would have been the embodiment of Angry birds that morning! But you'll see that these birds were beyond cute, so I went to work right away. What I caught in my lens was priceless!

Classic Angry Bird look! Don't you think it's giving me the "back off" stare?