Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata), near the Rio Frio, Costa Rica, 2012

Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata), near the Rio Frio, Costa Rica, 2012

We took a boat tour of the Rio Frio (as close as we could get to Caño Negro in one day from La Fortuna) and saw a number of different birds, including a large number of what I believe to be Ringed Kingfishers (our guide said they were green kingfishers, but all the identification photos I can find of those show them as having a much greener colour). This one was perched and possessed of a large lunch for such a small bird.

Sunset from Sankaber Camp, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, 2007

Sunset from Sankaber Camp, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, 2007

Sunset illuminates the misty ranges of Simien Mountains National park, from the hill above Sankaber camp.

I recommend viewing this photo larger on Black.

Sunrise on the Trail from Buyit Ras to Sankaber, Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, 2007

Sunrise on the Trail from Buyit Ras to Sankaber, Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, 2007

Sunrise illuminates the trees on the cliff and reveals the shapes of ridges receding into the distance at the beginning of the second day of hiking in the Simien Mountains.

I sat on this for several years, not sure that I could bring out the light in the way that I wanted to. I have definitely improved my processing skills over that time, though the specific quality to the light that I want is just a little further out of my reach. In any case, I thought I would share it with you, and stop hiding it in my Lightroom file.

Better viewed larger.

In the Window, Schwartz’ Deli, Montréal, Quebec, 2011

In the Window, Schwartz' Deli, Montréal, Quebec, 2011

Meat sits on display in the window of Schwartz’ Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen, on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, in Montréal. I have tried to give this a more filmic quality in processing, by adding grain, reducing saturation, increasing vibrancy, and toning it to increase blues in shadows and yellows in highlights. A different direction for me, but I am mostly pleased with the results.

Woman in Street #1, Harar, Ethiopia, 2009

Woman in Street #1, Harar, Ethiopia, 2009

A woman carrying firewood in a blue scarf nicely complements the painted doorway to a multi-family compound.
—–
I was consciously trying to capture scenes of women traveling through the walled streets of Harar. There are few vehicles in the Jubol (the old city), and all kinds of errands are carried out by hand and foot.

Sorry for the less-than-inspired title.

Cat #5, Harar, Ethiopia, July 2009

Cat #5a, Harar, Ethiopia, July 2009

Cat #5b, Harar, Ethiopia, July 2009

I was really interested in the second version of this image, with the cat looking into the laundry, when I was shooting it. On reflection, I think the a version is stronger, but I couldn’t resist sharing both.

That’s all the cat photos for this week–next week, dogs (more cat photos in the future!).

Update (17 April 2011): Apparently this photo has been turned into a mixed-media painting elsewhere on the internet:

[deviantART]