New York, 9/11 Memorial

http://www.artcnow.com/blog/2014/11/03/photo-challenge-2014-911-memorial-in-nyc/

New Zealand

September 19, 2013

The first part of the journey has ended, but not without leaving me with memories of some of the nicest people I have ever met in my travels. The people in New Zealand were down to earth, kind and grateful to help you to the extent of taking you to your destination if you wanted or needed them to. They live simply and most are farmers of cattle or sheep, own a café’, a holiday park, an artist trying to make a living or have a job that they are grateful to have. They serve you with a smile and will take the time to sit and chat a while with you about anything. New Zealand is clean and the water is the prettiest blue/green color I’ve ever seen and clear.

We flew into Auckland, spent the night in a hotel there to regroup from the long flight and collected our campervan the next morning which would become our home for the next 23 days. Small, but it was big enough for the 2 of us. We had a sink, stove, microwave, a small fridge and a bed. We also opted for the additional heater/fan, and we’re glad we did! The weather was rainy a lot in the beginning to the point I wondered if that was all it ever did there in New Zealand. It was also cold as the seasons are opposite of ours. The heater kept us alive at night!

We traveled the north island first to the top at Cape Reigna. There was a lighthouse there and it’s where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Oceans meet. We arrived late at night to the carpark and were unable to do the hike down to the lighthouse that evening, but the view of the stars in the carpark was amazing! We camped down the road in another carpark , awoke early and went back there to photograph the sunrise and hike down to the lighthouse that morning.

The road was winding most of the way up there and on the way back down the island, we went to check out 90 mile beach. The sand was so packed hard that we decided to drive down the beach a bit….we passed every exit till we couldn’t drive any further! It took us a lot less time than it did on the way up the island. I was really glad about that as while out visiting Russell on the way up island, I threw my back out carrying all my equipment. That was the beginning of a really rough week for me. I had to lay in the back of the camper for an entire week. I hated it, but had no other choice. I also had a major flare up with my arthritis. I had brought a heating pad and a power inverter which got me through that week as well. I still got out to photograph every opportunity. (!) The heating pad was awesome till it caught fire one night. I had with draws after it was gone, but I survived. Another thing that got me through that week was geothermal mineral pools in Taupo. We stayed there 2 nights to help me get back on my feet. During the days while there we visited a place called Craters of the moon thermal activity area, Aratiatia Rapids, The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station and a bee and honey place.  You’ll have to come to the show to see the images of these very interesting places!

We drove to Wellington to ferry over the Cook Straight to Picton. We stayed in Wellington for the night in a Holiday park that was the back carpark for a motorlodge. Not one of the better camps we stayed in, but we were in the middle of a bad storm and could no longer drive. Let alone, we had a booking for the ferry the next morning. The campervan shook all night and morning. We later found out we also had a 5.2 earthquake that morning. We thought we had felt something, but figured it to be the storm!

The ferry ride was rough. There were 10 foot swells, maybe larger. There were people getting sick all around me. I just laid there, unable to lift my head. At least I never got as sick as the passengers all around me.

We arrived in Picton, spent the night at a camp, then headed to the top of the south island, the Farewell Spit. Another winding road, up & down & around the mountains, all the while me still laying in the back of the campervan. But, it was beautiful. We traveled through little towns, far and few in between. The coolest little town had to be by far for me was Collingwood. It was a little hippy town that I could fit right into! We had lunch, shopped & bought goodies from the bakery there. Eventually we made to Farewell Spit.

We arrived late and missed the sunset so we decided to shoot for sunrise. We left in the dark to hike down to the beach that was supposed to be a 20 minute hike. Lesson learned. Always take a light and more water than you think you’ll need. We hiked through sheep pastures in the mountains till sunrise for an hour and 45 minutes till we stopped. We turned around and hiked back a bit till we found another trail. Getting lost turned out to be a beautiful thing as I never would have seen what I did had I just done the 20 minute hike! It turned out to be one of the best hikes of the trip! The beach had huge rocks, arched rocks, caves and we even found a seal pup!

That was just the beginning of the South Island! There were fur seals all along the coast, a waterfall that the seal pups traveled up to and played in the pools at the bottom all day while their parents fished for food, 3 different species of penguins, Moeraki  Boulders on the beach, snow capped mountains and then there was Doubful Sound. We have seen some spectacular sights in a place that started out as just an after thought for me in the beginning of the planning stages. I never would have thought this to be a place that I would have fallen in love with the way I have.

I can honestly tell you one thing, it was mostly because of the locals I met along the way. They sent us to some of the best places on these 2 islands.  These aren’t even half the stories! New Zealand was truly an amazing adventure, one of the cleanest places I’ve ever been to, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering it as a travel to option!

We arrived in Australia yesterday morning. New Zealander’s…you were right(!), it sure is different here!

I’ll write again soon! It’S busy here trying to take it all in and keep up with it all. As I always say…It’s not easy being me! Living the life and loving the life I live…till next time my friends…take care of yourselves and each other.

I’m off to see some friends in Australia!

Much Peace, Love & Happiness, Holly

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER CRISTA JOY! You truly have been the Joy of my life! I’m so proud to be your Mom! Thank you for all you’ve been doing for me! Love you BUNCHES! XOXOX

Passage of Time...

I have had several days of extremes. I have lived, I have loved & I have laughed....& I have cried. For whatever part you may have had in it, I thank you. It was all worth it. You are all so special to me in so many ways.
Today has been a roller coaster kinda day, it had it's up & downs from early morning till the present moment.
Tonight I had dinner with a friend from long ago. I walked into the restaurant to find her in the back room sitting at a table with a very large gift on the tables beside her. I was told I needed a drink before I was allowed to open the package. (& I think this is the part where we got really funny!) It may have been several drinks later when I began my quest. The box had 3 holes on the top. She gave me a note pad & said "This is your life". You have to write everything you find in this box on this piece of paper, then we'll go over it.
The 1st thing I wrote was a puppy, but I knew it couldn't be one in there because the box never moved while we were drinking beside it. (I watched) I later crossed it off.
So I had to put my hands in the box & feel around. Here is the 1st paper she read to me when she began, my list & the one she went over afterwards...
Holly,
So it's your birthday....Here's what we are going to do...
You see I am pretending to be an artist
(just like you)
I have made you a sculpture of sorts
Symbolizing your 50 years!
You make a list of what is in the box...
and then I will elaborate
And perhaps bring you to tears...
I wrote on the top of the paper "This is my life". I have to tell you I was a little afraid of putting my hand into the box.
My list:
hat
something furry / wildlife
belt (this could go in many directions)
wine glass
flip flop (beach)
seeds
photo album
cd
shovel
seashells
piece of tire
bolt from my halo
picture frame
cassette tape
hiking boot
plant
halloween mask, very old(!)
bottle - beer
Here's what she said to me....
Straw hat...shielding the many hours outside walking and picking in the warm sun
wine glass...need I say more
cd...for the music that has recently rocked your soul
hiking boots...need I say more
a dog collar...for all your faithful friends that have accompanied you
a plant...that was grown by your own hands
flip flops...need I say more
a bolt...that was once screwed into your head
cassette...for back in the day when we rocked and danced the nights away
seashells...need I say more
beer bottle...for the old days before wine
soft fur...for THE ONE who has walked & pet lions!
hiking boots...need I say more
photo book...for those lives you have magically captured
tire tread...for the many miles "On the road again"
seeds...for the start of many new seasons
cork...need I say more
a picture frame...for that amazing Holly image
a trough...that you have dug so often into the earth
a sticky wash cloth...that has gently washed your next generation
Happy Birthday my friend...it's hard to find one object for friendship so...
my symbolism of friend ship is in this box!
For only very...very...good friends know so much about one another...
This is who I am, (and so much more!!!).
I will cherish this the rest of my life.

Brigantine ~ Hurricane Sandy

What an spectacular day! I spent the afternoon in Brigantine. I began at the historical society, which was closed for the winter, but spoke to a couple of people at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center about the ruins that have surfaced on the north end beach. I keep getting the same answers about the ruins, but, not the specific answer I'm looking for. So far, I know it's one of these four things...Coast Guard Station, Life Saving Station, (no, not one in the same,) train station or a hotel with a boardwalk. The good news is, I am making progress and found the person I need to speak to. I'll call him this week and will let you all know who are as curious as I am.
From there, I went to a friends house on the north end and helped empty her shed that had flooded during the storm. This was not her only damage. I feel this is such a small contribution in the large scheme of things, I wish I could do more. And, if nothing else, sharing some of what's out there with all of you through my vision and imagery I hope has made some difference in your world. This is our history and I am a recorder of moments in time. My hope is to bring to you what I see through the eye of my lens. There is alot out there that I can't photograph, the yards and streets are lined with people's lives and people are cleaning up everywhere. I can't do all of it all of the time. It's different information than I am used to sharing. I've had conversations with people on the sensitivity of this issue. Not every image out there is every photographers shot.
Everyone is weathering one storm or another in their lives No one knows how deep your water is. Just remember that we're all in this same boat together. If you feel yourself going down, reach out for one of us, we'll throw you a line. We all need one at some point and time or another. 

There has been a major increase with work these days. Not just in our homes and yards, but in our neighborhoods, our communities and our shorelines. People have been helpful and kind and alot of credit goes out to the lineman, telephone, cable companies and the men and woman whom worked tireless hours for aiding everyone in their journey to being put back on the grid. You know we all have stories!
There are many hard working people in our area and with doing some homework, you should be able to find someone that will fit your needs. Keep in mind, some are licensed and insured, some are not. Bottom line, have some sort of agreements before any work is done spelling everything out. Keeping it local will stimulate your local economy and citizens and should be given much thought to. I know alot of good hearted, honest, talented tradesman that would love the opportunity to work for you.

These past couple of storms, Hurricane Sandy, then a nor'easter with anywhere from a couple of inches to a foot of snow in some places along with a minor earthquake in northern Jersey, have made us stronger than we were going in. It was a crazy record breaking week.
Mother Nature is very unsettled lately. We know climate changes exist, but we have accelerated this to a place in time that was predicted to happen in the future and it's happening now. I've had opportunities to speak to many of you about being prepared for future natural disasters. I've been preaching the speech for a long time and environmental changes are happening, there is no denying we all need to get on board. Just prepare!

I met a young woman, Allison Anholt, whom works with The Division of Fish and Game and is involved with New Jersey's Conservation on the beach today. I hiked down to the end with her as she explained her research on the Great American Oyster Catchers and other migratory birds. We shared alot between us and I hope our paths shall cross again. She reminded me alot of myself in younger years! She's a free spirited soul.

I found a couple of old bottles up on what used to be the dune area, one still had the cork in it. I'll post images in an album on facebook when I finish editing from today's shooting. This past Monday I found an old railroad spike between the ruins and the shipwreck, and today I found what looks to me to be an old anchor.

I had then met up with another photographer / Library II owner, that I had met some time ago, but I haven't seen for awhile, Bruce Claypool, http://www.bruceclaypool.com/  He's so full of life and it was an interesting, although short, time spent with him. Check out his site if you get the chance, his work is beautiful.

I have posted several albums on facebook recently regarding Hurricane Sandy. In the past week, I had received several emails from friends with a link to a slideshow of images on another photographers website. Many of these images were mine and the only place the images could have come from was facebook. Although she did state on her site that she didn't take any of the photographs. She also had a statement regarding copyright laws referencing the use or purchase of her work.
I know many of you "share" my images on your posts, these are the times we live in. I don't mind sharing, but I do ask you include my "Copyright Holly Horner Photography" credit line on any of the images you share. It's only fair for this is what I do. I know I'm in a virtual cyber world now, but give the credit where the credit is due. This isn't just for me, it's for all artists and craftsman out there. We value our creations and want our names on them. We never know where our next lead is!

I hope and pray this post finds you all well and you are enduring any and all storms in you life.

Much Love, Peace and Happiness, and take time to hear the music..."Dance like no one is watching"
Holly

Latest Adventure & Schedule

This past weekend we celebrated my grandson Mason's 11th birthday. Although his birthday was February 20th, I didn't book it till, well, this past weekend.
His birthday adventure was to Landcaster to stay at The Red Caboose Motel http://www.redcaboosemotel.com. Mason has been a huge train fan since I think the day he was born! I've always promised him a night at this place. There were 46 sleeping cars, a restaurant, gift shop, a silo with spiral stairs inside to the top, & miniature horses, amongst other attractions on or around the property within walking distance. The train also passes right along the properties edge.
We stayed in car 24. Very cool space to spend the night, although, I would seriously consider booking maybe 2 or more nights as there is so much to see & do there within only a short distance away.
There are a few images here & the rest are in an album on my Holly Horner or Holly Horner Photography facebook page.
As usual, I have serious editing issues, but did as best I could! As most all of you know, we shoot a lot with digital. Okay, maybe that's just me! But I did limit it to just this selection.
During the Wings & Water Festival at The Wetlands Institute, I had recieved 2nd Place in the Coastal Scenic division for my image on canvas of "Ghost Ship" taken on the skeleton coast of Namibia in Africa...I'm grateful for the honor of receiving this award!

This week:

Celebrating 50 Years Ocean City Arts Center's

BOARDWALK ART SHOW

8th-13th Streets
Fri Aug 3, 10am-8pm
Sat. Aug 4, 10am-8pm
Sun. Aug 5, 10am-6pm

http://oceancityartscenter.org

I'm in space #182, between 9th & 10th This is one of the best local art shows around with a variety of awesome artists.

August 18th ~ Beachfest II ~ Long Beach Island, Beach Haven

November 3 & 4th ~ Noyes Museum, Oceanville, New Jersey

My note cards are currently available at the Noyes Museum

Please check back for any schedule updates.

As usual, much Peace Love & Happiness my friends :)

Come out & see me if you get a chance! I love catching up with those of you that I may only see once, if that, a year when we get a chance!

Hope to see you soon in my travels!

Schedule this week

Wings & Water Wildlife Arts Festival ~Wetlands Institute (see below for location details)
Thursday, July 12, 2012 & Friday, July 13, 2012
Time:10am till 4pm ~ both days
Location : Avalon Community Hall
30th Street at the beach, Avalon, NJ  (exit 13, Garden State Parkway)

Beachfest I Arts & Crafts Festival
Saturday, July 14^th, 2012 
Location: Bicentennial Park
Engleside Ave, Beach Haven , LBI, NJ
Time: 9:00AM to 4:00PM

On another note...Ashley is now going to have her own collection of notecards! She had been added last year to my notecard collection & has been selling really well! So, I've decided we would do more of her. A suggestion has been made to have her even do a signing (!) I kinda thought it would be a great idea! I'll have a ink pad, put her paw in it & then stamp her cards!!! (lol!)...We'll see!

This week it's going to cool down a bit & people will be getting out & about! Be sure to stop by & say hello in your travels!

As always, be safe, be happy & stay well!

Peace 





4th of July

Happy 4th of July folks! Although it doesn't seem like the 4th today with all that has been going on around us, I've decided I'm going to make the best of it. I'm digging out all my red, whites & blues around the house, hanging flags everywhere & will make it as festive as if I'm having a party. I will go to shoprite, pick up a few things, make salads, pies & frozen drinks & party like it really is…. the 4th of July!

I'll have 5 grandchildren for a sleepover by 4:30.....I'll make firefly cages out of plastic mayo jars, take them out on the boat to our island to watch fireworks from 8 different locations, let them swim under a full moon & float on tubes. We'll let off wish / sky lanterns & what we have left of some old fireworks.

The mess will STILL be here tomorrow. I'll work on it more then. Today, it's time to celebrate being an AMERICAN! To celebrate our FREEDOM, FREEDOM of CHOICE to come & go as we please & the FREEDOM to make our own DESICIONS. I have been to many countries that we may never see in this lifetime ever come to know any of this.

AMERICA

FREEDOM

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

INDEPENDENCE

Don't ever take for granted any of these things. As rough as it can be now a days, we still have it better than most countries. Visit a 3rd world country sometime & you will come back with an entirely new perspective. Oh, & make sure you take your children for they know no better than for what they only know. They think the world owes them. Let them get the visual of what it's really like out there.

Happy 4th of July my friends!

Celebrate Your / Our Independence!!

PEACE, LOVE & HAPPINESS!!!!

June 30, 2012 Storm and Schedule Updates

Time flies between blogs! It’s not that there isn’t much to write about, I guess it’s more of a lack of time & energy.

Here it is 4^th of July, “Independence Day”, which means more to some of us than others these days. Never thought I’d be writing about this as I too used to be one of those people. 4^th of July was just another holiday, a day of summer barbeques, going to the beach, the boardwalk & a day off from work.

Another spin on this day are thoughts of a popular movie, “Independence Day”.  We’ve been through something this weekend & as bad as it is, it could have always been worse. It has been a rude awakening for a lot of people that we need to be more prepared for these challenges when they do come along.

I was not here to witness the nonstop lightening, rain, winds, sound of trees snapping all around & in some cases falling on houses & cars. The horrific stories don’t end. And still, as bad as it has been, it could always be worse.

This storm called a “Derecho”, hit without warning. They are extremely rare & we may never experience another in our lifetime. It took down the tallest & oldest trees all around us, straight from the root system. It never seems to amaze me how shallow a root base these tall, old trees have.

I was down in Ocean City, Maryland, drinking & dancing at a famous place called “Seacrets”, celebrating a special friend’s birthday for the weekend. We never heard a thing. We left there around 4:30-5am, it was raining, but, very little. It had obviously rained quite a bit while we were in there. My neighbor called at 7:30am to tell me he just wanted to let me know my house was ok. OK?....there was a pause….then he went on to say what had happened & that our neighborhood had been destroyed. There were trees on at least 3 houses in our 17 house neighborhood, 2 cars, & many, many more trees were down all around the rest of the neighborhood. Mind you, I’m still drunk & trying to process all the information my neighbor is giving me. We got up, gathered our belongings that we had just lugged up there late the night before & started back home. We had to wait 3 hours for a ferry, but, what were we in a hurry to get to at this point anyway?

We are hard core survivors here. We spent 2 months in Africa, higher temperatures, in the bush with much, much less & did way, way more. These last few days, we had the luxury of a generator so we at least had the fridge & freezer running & also a fan. We’re also fortunate to have city water, (never thought I’d say that!) sewerage & gas. We looked in on neighbors throughout the day & made sure everyone had all they needed to get by. We have 2 neighbors whom are suffering with Alzheimer’s; one is on hospice & the other not far behind. There is a neighbor whom just gave birth recently to their 5^th child, but they opted out for the conveniences of electricity, rightfully so. There is also a couple recently married & are spending their honeymoon in Europe. No sense coming home from there! We are a tight neighborhood & it is times like this that make us even closer.

The images posted here are all taken within a 5 mile radius of my home on Saturday evening through Monday. (Most are only within 1 mile) I find it difficult to visualize even in my photographs the extent of the damage in our area. I stand in one spot & turn in circles. It’s everywhere I look. I will be only posting 5 images here & then I'll post the album on my facebook page.

Our power was restored late last night. We had the best night sleep we’ve had in days! Thank you so much to all the workers whom made this happen. To all the people who still don’t have power…hang in there. It’ll make you appreciate it all the more when you do get it back. Don’t you remember growing up? We all made it to this point! We never had air conditioning.

To the people who are complaining about not having the services they usually do…” where are all the people to come & help us”…..are you kidding me?? SUCK IT UP! You could live in Colorado & not have a house at all to come back too. People are helping people all around us. Be one of them.

One quick story to give you something to think about…………. I called my grand children’s mother to check on all of them & she told me they were camping down around Ocean County when the storm hit. When the first lightening strike hit, she took the children out of their tent, put them in the truck & took them home, against the wishes of her friends she was camping with. The next morning, they returned to the campground to gather their things & there was a tree, 3 foot in diameter, laid across the tent the children were sleeping in. They would have been killed. Sunday we awoke to news that 2 children sleeping in a tent were killed by a tree falling on their tent.

For all of those who came out of this unharmed, this is what you have to be grateful for. Food, houses, cars, can all be replaced.

I am grateful for my awesome family, friends & neighbors. I have a lot of people out there that make my life that much better because they are part of it! Thank you for your help & offers of convenience to make my life easier during these last few days! We really are all in this together.

Today….back to work.

Schedule:

July 14^th, 2012 Saturday Beachfest I Arts & Crafts Festival
Place: Bicentennial Park * Engleside Ave, Beach Haven * LBI, NJ
Time: 9:00AM to 4:00PM *

August 3, 4, 5, 2012 Friday thru Sunday Ocean City Boardwalk Art Show                                                                                                             Place: Ocean City, New Jersey, Boardwalk                                                                                                                                                            Time: Friday, 9am till 6pm Saturday, 9am till 8pm, Sunday, 9am till 4pm

November 3 & 4, 2012 NOYES MUSEUM of ART CRAFTS MARKETPLACE 2012
Place: The Noyes Museum of Art
733 Lily Lake Rd., Oceanville, NJ 08231
Time: Saturday, November 3: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 4: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

On another note...I won’t be going to Rwanda to trek silver back gorillas this year as planned. The trip has been postponed till the end of next June.

I will be going on some sort of other adventure sometime in the very near future, just not sure where or when yet, but, I’ll keep you posted!

Stay well & be happy my friends! Life is too short & remember this is NOT a rehearsal!...MAKE IT ALL COUNT!!!

Peace!

Thank You!

I want to thank all of you for coming out to my presentation on "The Magic of Churchill" & the polar bears at the Noyes Museum. If anyone has any additional questions on the polar bears or their environment, please don't hesitate to send me an email. If I don't know the answer, I will certainly find out for you! I hope I have accomplished my goal in taking you to the north with me and sharing in my passion of the wildlife that exists there.

Food for thought...If we all would lower our thermostats by just 2 degrees, we would lessen our carbon footprint on our earth and help to save the polar bears by doing so.

Thanks again!

Much Peace, Love & Happiness!

Polar Bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada~Noyes Museum

Photographs from the North Pole by Holly Horner Event begins at 6:00 pm Polar bears at The Noyes Museum? Nature, wildlife, and travel photographer, Holly Horner, recognizing the seriousness of planet changes, recently traveled to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada to photograph the endangered polar bears and their environment. Churchill is not only about the polar bears. History, researchers and many more fascinating animals also share the tundra. This presentation is about the adventures encountered in getting there and being there. Join us on March 15th in exploring the magic of Churchill, polar bear capitol of the world. http://www.noyesmuseum.org There is a $5 admission to the museum. (correction from previous post of $10 admission fee) The presentation will be from 6:00pm till 7:30pm. Arrive earlier and enjoy the Noyes Museum! Here are a few more events worth looking into for Photographers; 4 April 7 - 9 pm Presentation by Celebrity Photographer John Russo Campus Center The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Galloway John Russo is among Hollywood’s most sought-after photographers. He has trained his lens on giants such as Jeff Bridges, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Will Smith, Sophia Loren and many others. His images are often seen on the covers of top magazines. He has two books of portraits, About Face and 100 Making a Difference. John’s presentation will be a combination of fascinating stories and amazing photos as well as advice on starting and growing a photography business, even in a tough economic climate. Cost: Free w/Ticket To view John's work: John Russo Photography 5 April 9 am - 12 noon and 1 - 4 pm Workshops by Celebrity Photographer John Russo Campus Center The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Galloway This three hour workshop will be a demonstration of John’s very successful lighting and posing techniques using models provided by Philadelphia’s Reinhard Model and Talent Agency. John will discuss and illustrate his approach to creative photos of people from conception to completion. John will also reveal some of his Photoshop techniques for enhancing people photos and adding interest and depth. These workshops are limited to twenty-five participants each and participants are encouraged to bring a camera. Cost: $125 (discounts for students and ASMP members) Register online or call the Noyes Museum at 609.652.8848 To view John's work: John Russo Photography 5 April 5 – 7:30 pm Seeing Color: Creating Dynamic and Saleable Images Presentation by Stock Photographer Seth Resnick Campus Center The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Galloway Creativity is fueled by experiences, sights, sounds and smells. Sitting still won't bring new ideas in; experimenting and trying new things will jog your creativity. Practice, practice, practice. Creativity is like a muscle that you need to flex regularly. In much the same way that our bodies get out of shape without using our muscles, as a photographer our cognitive and visual capabilities decrease if we try new things and if we don't shoot images almost every day. As a professional photographer Seth has the luxury of being able to carry a camera every day and thus always tweaking his skills but many folks don't have this luxury and if they haven't shot pictures in a while they feel visually about the same as not exercising. Becoming a better photographer is really about training yourself to make your minds eye more creative. It's about how to look for, see, and create better images. While some of this is intuitive other parts of this take training. Rather than just taking pictures this seminar will help refine your creative vision and help you create more effective and compelling images bringing your creativity to a new level. Cost: Free w/Ticket To view Seth's Work: Seth Resnick Photography

Schedule Updates

Jeffer's Landing clean up is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:30, but if this snow keeps up, (& I'm NOT complaining!) we may have to reschedule. It'll be hard finding all the trash under the snow. I'll keep you posted as it may melt before our scheduled meeting time. I'm excited about this endeavor & I'd like to make this an annual clean up event. I hope to see the people that I know enjoy spending time there as I do.

This Wednesday, February 15, 2012, I will be giving a presentation at The Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association's River Council Meeting on the book I have been working on, "Life on Patcong Creek".

The meeting will be held at The Nature Center in Estell Manor Park & begins at 7pm. My goal is to have the book finished by May. I'll keep you posted on that as well!

On March 15, 2012, I'll be giving a presentation on my adventure to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada with the polar bears at The Noyes Museum in Oceanville, NJ. Start time is 6pm & there is a $10 entrance fee. The program should last approximately 1 1/2 hours with refreshments being served after the program. http://www.noyesmuseum.org

 

There is another event that I would like to share with you coming to Stockton College that is going to be an awesome presentation in the photography world, http://www.artcnow.com featuring Seth Resnick & John Russo. Google them, I think you'll be impressed as they are both great artists.

There will updates on art shows for the season next week.

Much Peace, Love & Happiness & thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you sometime in my travels!

National Baltimore Aquarium

I've decided instead of giving gifts of "things" anymore, I'd much rather give the gift of time. There aren't too many people I know that really need more things in their houses, lives or minds. Besides, isn't life all about our adventures?For my Grandson Mark's 8th birthday present, I had decided to give him a trip to the National Baltimore Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. He has expressed interest in being a marine biologist for several years now & I love encouraging something so positive in his life. And really, marine biologist, how cool is that?! I did some research on the aquariums website & came across sleeping with the sharks. http://www.aqua.org/immersiontours_sharksleepovers.html  To make the deal even sweeter, the sharks are Mark's favorite. So, on this past Friday, we were to be at the aquarium at 6pm to begin our sleeping with the sharks immersion tour. I feel the need to share all of this with you because of how impressed I was with the entire experience. This was such an amazing tour, that I highly recommend you trying it.
From the moment we arrived, we were treated like VIP's. The staff at the aquarium is so well organized, everything ran smoothly from beginning to end. After taking our gear to the classroom where it was safely kept till we gathered it later that night, we were escorted to dinner that awaited us in the New Harbor Market Kitchen Cafe. It consisted of a vegi lasagna, seasoned flat bread, salad, cookies or brownies, & lemonade. You did not leave hungry & the food was actually good. The price paid, $95 per person, included dinner, VIP front row seating at the dolphin show, 4D theater show, "Planet Earth", after the 4D theater, we were brought down to the stage area & were educated on things that sharks eat. We were then divided into two groups. There were a group of 10 girls scouts & then a group totalling 8 in our group. Gotta love intimate small group sizes! They actually take a total of 50 people on these tours. Then we set off for our personal tour of the aquarium. There wasn't anyone else there besides the night crew. We had seen everything. We were taken to the area were the sharks food was prepared, where the sharks were fed, we walked on the catwalk over the shark tanks, all behind the scenes where sharks were being taken care of, checked out one of the education packed classrooms, went through the rain forest & then at 11pm, we gathered our things & went down to the bottom floor where we bedded down by the rays, sharks & hugh turtle tank. I was the last one awake, awake during the night & the first one awake in the early morning hours before the lights came back on at 6:45am. I watched & learned so much about our water living friends, it was incredible. Just thinking about all that I was immersed into was a surreal feeling. Watching the excitement on my grandsons face was even better. The next morning after gathering & storing our belongings again, we went to breakfast, watched the dolphins through the glass in the underground tanks, toured the jellies, did a craft & played a game. Wow! At 9am, it was over.
They even gave us a an aquarium water bottle, ( not dishwasher safe!) shark tattoos & a discount coupon for our parking!
Before we left, they stamped our hands so we could return after 10am when they opened to the public.
We came back to see the sloths & the sharks once more. There were so many people there. Too many people for me! There was also alot of other activities going on around every corner. We eventually ended at the bottom floor where we had slept the night before, watching divers feed the rays.
I watched them for a moment, turned to check on Mark, & he was gone. We separated & searched everywhere. After a few minutes passed, I notified an employee to call security. When a child is missing, every minute that passes is a minute too long. He may have been gone for a total of 25 minutes & in those 25 minutes, an incredible amount of events run through your mind. Anyone who has had a child wander off knows exactly what I mean. Mark ended up on the 4th floor. When he realized he was lost, or we were, (?) he did the right thing & went to an aquarium employee. I tell you everyone in the aquarium seemed to be looking for him, staff of all trades, radioing to one another, taking me through back stairwells to other floors to look for him, till the moment he was found. We then held each other for a good 10 minutes, standing in the middle of what seemed to be 1,000 people, & cried. I couldn't let him go. Eventually, my son, Steven, came back & took his son with him, sat on the floor with him near the bubble tanks & had to regroup himself. I felt as if I had had a small heart attack, was sick to my stomach & couldn't help but to think if it hadn't been in the way the aquarium staff had handled this, I don't know what we would have done.
The National Baltimore Aquarium is a perfect example of what a National Aquarium & entertainment facility should be. The place is well kept, clean, healthy animals, & staff that every business should have. I do alot of traveling, & The National Baltimore Aquarium has to be on the top of my list for best ran establishments. This is a trip for all ages so don't feel like you're too old to enjoy an experience like this!
Thanks for listening & as always, much Peace, Love & Happiness!
Holly

New Work, Holy Spirit High School Christmas Craft Show This Weekend!

Christmas shopping? Come on out to Holy Spirit High School this weekend for their Christmas Craft Show! Sunday, December 4th, 2011, 10am to 4pm

Do you have someone special on your list to buy for? Think about giving a gift of art!
I'll have new note cards & canvas prints from Churchill, Manitoba, Canada for purchase.

Back in the states...

I've come to find I've learned more about Churchill than I ever thought I would. Although, I believe I can never learn enough.
Churchill is an incredible place. Alot of controversy was heard about what is happening there. As I had mentioned in previous posts, I had taken the VIA Canada train to Churchill as there aren't any roads that lead there. There is flight service, but weighing out the cost between the flight & the train, well, obviously, the train was the way to go for me. As many of you know, I get to the places I do because of the way I travel. I don't always have all the luxuries many other people do when they travel, but, for me, it's all about the experiences I have along the way. Besides that, I have no problem roughing it!
I met many fascinating people on the 2 day train ride to Churchill. There was a group called "The Great Bear Foundation", there were biologist, documentary film makers, naturalists, people whom embarked on a journey to the Churchill Research Center, photographers, a forester, people who have made it their lives ambition to see as much of the world as possible, the young, the old & all ages in between. ( this is only some of the people I met!)
The train does not travel at very fast speeds because of permafrost doing damage to the tracks. They are in constant need of maintenance. I got to bare witness to this as we passed a train wreck along the way.
We traveled through the Boreal Forest being made up of Birch, Popular, White & Black Spruce trees. It was beautiful!

On the day I rented my old Ford pick up truck, I traveled to the end of the road to The Research Center. (after I was chased by a bear down the road in reverse) It wasn't what I though it would be, but, an amazing place just the same. This image is of a missile launch that remains there from when the military did their research there.

 Global warming is very real. The North is one of the places that will give you much insight as to what is happening globally. The Hudson Bay has not froze yet, there hasn't been much snow, it's been warmer than usual & the polar bears are starving. There are predictions that the polar bears may be extinct within 4 to 5 years if things continue the way they are going.

The bears need the ice to freeze so as to get to their main food staple, the ringed seals.
There is an area called the dump where grain has been dumped & buried & alot of the bears go there for this grain. The grain ferments, the bears dig it up, eat it & then become drunk from ingesting it. It is not healthy for them.

As cute as these bears look, they are extremely dangerous. They can run 35 mph, humans can not. They can turn over a vehicle, destroy a wall to get into a house & after they are dropped off by helicopter between 200 to 500 miles away, can find their way back within 5 days. They are smart animals. (Although, most all animals are smarter than most humans give them credit for) Never underestimate them.

My last day there, I woke up to about 6 to 8 inches of snow & I had another opportunity to go dog sledding, only on a real sled this time. It was amazing! We went on trails through the Boreal Forest, it was so quiet except for the sound of the sled & the paws of the dogs mushing along. It was beautiful!

I'm thankful to be home again, safely, in my bed & to have all the luxuries of home!
Thank you for your comments & following my blog! I will keep you posted as to when there will be a viewing of the images from this incredible adventure!