Chinese Fishing Net (ചീനവല)

The only place where the Chinese fishing nets are used outside china might be in the coastal state of Kerala in India. They make a good subject for evening photography due to the backwaters where they are normally installed & the interesting structure.

Some additional details from Wiki on Chinese Fishing Nets:-
The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) of Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) in the City of Kochi (Cochin), in the Indian State of Kerala, are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen.

The system of counterweights is the most ingenious. Rocks, each 30 cm or so in diameter are suspended from ropes of different lengths. As the net is raised, some of the rocks one-by-one come to rest on a platform thereby keeping everything in balance.

This photo was taken using a Nikon Coolpix point and shoot camera during our vacation to Kerala (which happens to be my home land)

Gen. Pulaski Skyway

The General Pulaski Skyway is a series of cantilever truss bridges in the northeast part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is known as a "skyway" because it travels high above the meadows to avoid drawbridges across the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, bridging each at a height of 135 feet (41.1 m). It also crosses over the New Jersey Turnpike, many local roads, and several rail lines. The skyway is named for General Kazimierz Pułaski, the Polish military leader who assisted in training and commanding Continental Army troops in the American Revolutionary War.

Interestingly, The speed limit on the skyway is 45 miles per hour (72 km/h),but is not generally followed because there is nowhere for police to pull over speeders.

This photo was taken by Leena using my Nikon D50 while we were returning back to Morristown from Long Island, NY after visiting Jobin's & the Jones Beach during the last weekend. I especially liked the symmetry of the iron truss where the cantilevers meet - in this photo.

Camera Mode: Auto

Data Source: Wikipedia

Chill-out Zone!

This photo was taken in June 2008 at the Kumbalangi Model Village in Kochi, Kerala, India. We were on a 2 week long vacation in Kerala meeting our family & did not forget to spend some time for ourselves. Kumbalangi is one of the Islands that make the Corporation of Kochi & the status of 'Model Village' has been conferred upon this village for its efforts & focus on tourism in the way of Home Stay suites. The houses there double up to welcome tourists to stay with them in extensions of their own house - homely food, good environment & the chill-out - all in one package.

This photo is the relaxation area that the Home Stay where we visited had built - And that extends into the back waters... A place to chill out with a drink & snacks, make your own catch for the dinner in terms of fish or even crabs... Overall, a wonderful experience.

Taken using a Nikon Coolpix S51 digital camera using the manual mode.
Aperture: f/6.6
Shutter: 1/400 th of a second
No flash

Spin Wheel - A Nostalgia!

I made this traditional spin wheel which turns with a ticking sound using a machchinga (A coconut that is not mature) & sticks taken out of the coconut-palm leaves. These used to be the typical toys that we had, as children, during my childhood days.

And it was my turn to make one for my kiddo when we went home for a vacation during June 2008. She was amazed by the spin wheel & played with it until it gave away by itself. Photo taken on 15th June 8PM, using Sandeep's Nikon D40x, a whopping 30 sec exposure and an f-stop of f/5.3

* - Text in italics is malayalam

Sharks!

This photo was taken in the Baltimore Aquarium. There were a lot of mid-sized sharks in the Shark tank and they kept on moving. I was trying to get a hold of a good shot of one of them with the contraint of low (read as no) light & the constantly moving sharks. I was patient enough to wait for almost 15-20 mins with my camera focussed on this area where the lighting was appropriate while this one came right under the light, stood still for a couple of seconds staring at me & then moved on!

I did not think twice of the opportunity, clicked a couple of snaps & this is the best among them.
Clicked on 24th May 2008 using my Nikon D50
Aperture: f/5.3
Shutter: 1/13 sec

Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns, originally called Luray Cave, is a large, celebrated commercial cave discovered in 1878. The underground cavern system is generously adorned with speleothems (columns, mud flows, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, mirrored pools, etc). The caverns are noted for the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a lithophone made from solenoid fired strikers that tap stalactites of various sizes to produce tones similar to those of xylophones, tuning forks, or bells.

The Caverns are situated in the Shenandoah Valley just to the east of the Allegheny Range of the Appalachian Mountains in Luray, Virginia. The temperature inside the caverns is uniformly 54 °F (12 °C) through out the year!

We along with Jeffrey's family drove down to Virginia during the last long weekend on account of the Veterans Day. I was all geared up with my tripod because I knew that I would be clicking away inside the cave & really hated to click such beauties with flash. Apart from the natural beauty, they had been well mantained & strategically lighted to enhance the viewers experience & to make the trip a memorable one.

Taken using a Nikon D50 mounted on a tripod
Aperture: f/4.2
Shutter: 1/8th of a sec

Information Source: Wikipedia