Focal Pointers

Life is better in The Bahamas! We are spending the week sailing along the Abacos, and we stopped for the day at lovely Green Turtle Cay. I think I could lounge on this chair and survey the turquoise waters all day long.

We’re in West Virginia this week — simultaneously chasing waterfalls and fall colors! We were pleased to find a location that provided both.

Old mills like this one remind us of times gone by. As we gaze at them, we are grateful that they’ve been cherished and preserved. Their weathered wood and streamside locations are a classic sight, full of character and charm. Modern strip malls and skyscrapers just can’t compete.

Who wants to come watch the sunset at Lake Winnipesaukee? It’s such a lovely place!

Spring break in The Bahamas! We’re taking three family members on a sailing trip along the Exuma island chain. Each day we will sail from one lovely little cove to the next… with plenty of time to snorkel, swim, and hike. We’re also taking our cameras and we hope to get some great sunrise and sunset shots. Ahoy!

This is the time of year when photographers tend to go a bit crazy. You will find us wandering the countryside, cameras in hand, searching for the perfect fall photograph. Today we're remembering this time last fall, when we spent several days trying to capture Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's Steam Engine 1309 against the vibrant fall colors of the Maryland countryside. Each day we'd have only one chance to get the shot, because the Frostburg Flyer makes only one trip per day. Imagine our excitement as we heard the whistle and hum of the approaching train. This shot shows the engine emerging from Brush Tunnel near Helmstetter's Curve.

Just a beautiful girl in the glow of sunset on the beach.

This tree has so much character that it makes you wonder what stories it would tell. It lives along a creek in the beautiful forest in . Thanks to , , and for bringing us here. Photo by Mark.

Mark Cohen and I have been in Charleston, SC, taking photos of plantations and flowers with Kevin Finn McNeal and Action Photo Tours. I purchased a special macro lens for this trip so that I could get up close and personal with the flowers. Here are a couple of the resulting flower photos. Which do you like better, and why? 1) solid pink camellia; or 2) striped camellia?

I spent some more time in the tack room yesterday. Which one of these photos do you like best: 1) hats, ponchos, and boots; 2) bridle bit and chaps; 3) well-worn hat; or 4) spurs? Mark Cohen Action Photo Tours The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch

My hands can’t be exposed to bitter temperatures, and this morning it was too cold for me to go on the photo shoot with the rest of the group (-18 degrees F). So I shot Western still lifes in the heated tack room. Which of these do you like best: spurs, hat, cuffs, or chaps? Thanks to Action Photo Tours and the Hideout Ranch for bringing us here.

This is Rascal, one of the wild horses who live along the Salt River in Arizona. He's a beautiful stallion with one blue eye and one brown eye. Getting the chance to see these horses was a high point of our recent trip to Arizona. Thanks to our friend Jenny for taking us there!