Category: Uncategorized

Photo of the Day: Yosemite Valley

Michael Rappa2 Comments

This was taken during my hike through Yosemite Valley last year. I think I was on the Cook’s Meadow loop (at least that’s the trail I had been looking for when I started, though I had trouble finding it and just sort of made my way toward the open area). It was a beautiful October day and I had the trail mostly to myself for large stretches.

One thing I like about this photo is how the tiny people in the distance provide a sense of scale to the enormity of the tall tree and surrounding mountains.

Date: 10/18/2014
Camera: Nikon D5100
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

Photo of the Day: Machu Picchu in the Morning

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As today is the 104th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu by archeologist Hiram Bingham, I thought it appropriate to share a photo of the fabled Lost City of the Incas. This was taken on our way down from the Sun Gate in the early morning after completing the Inca Trail.

Date: 8/27/2012
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ40
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

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Photo of the Day: Livin’ on the Edge

Michael Rappa1 Comment

This is where we stayed on our final night on the Inca Trail. Our tents were so close to the edge of the cliff, in fact, that at one point, as I was walking behind someone who was getting something out of his tent, had he decided to back out of his tent at that moment, he would have sent me flying over the edge.

It was an amazing way to end three days of arduous hiking before beginning the final leg to Machu Picchu in the morning. Sleeping on the edge of that mountain is an experience I’ll never forget, and I’m eternally grateful to our guides and porters for staking out this prime real estate for our group.

Date: 8/26/2012
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ40
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

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Photo of the Day: Under the Eiffel Tower

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This shot features one of the Eiffel Tower’s massive legs. It’s a color photo, but the contrast of the tower silhouetted against the overcast sky makes it look almost black and white.

Date: 7/1/2014
Camera: Nikon D5100
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

Photo of the Day: Bees on Flower

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I shot this photo of two bees pollinating a flower during my hike of the Delaware & Raritan Canal in Princeton. Not quite a macro since it was taken from further away with a zoom lens, but my Sigma does a pretty good job of approximating macro photos. However, the bees and the flower ignored my request to sit still for the photo. 🙂

Date: August 17, 2013
Camera: Nikon D5100
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

Photo of the Day: Grazing Along the Inca Trail

Michael Rappa4 Comments

Here’s a photo of some donkeys grazing up high in the mountains, shot during the first day of my Inca Trail hike. Every time I look back on these photos I’m thankful that I decided to do the hike–there’s so much beauty along the Inca Trail that I would have missed had I chosen to take the train straight to Machu Picchu.

Date: 8/24/2012
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ40
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

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Photo of the Day: Atlantic City Skyline

Michael RappaLeave a comment

While the Jersey beaches are now flooded with Independence Day revelers, here’s a photo from my walk on the Ocean City boardwalk earlier this week, a few days ahead of the madness, gazing across the water at the Atlantic City skyline.

Date: June 30th, 2015
Location: Ocean City, New Jersey
Camera: NIKON D5100
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

Photo of the Day: A Tree Grows in Machu Picchu

Michael RappaLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I shared a Machu Picchu photo, but I was inspired by my cousin’s current trip to the fabled Lost City of the Incas. In fact, he may be standing on its hallowed grounds as I write this. Hopefully he is enjoying a sunnier day than I did, as my photos from that day are mostly gloomy, though no photo could ever do justice to the sensation of walking through Machu Picchu up high in the clouds anyway. Nevertheless, I always liked this photo of a lone tree standing among the ruins.

Date: 8/27/2012
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ40
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

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Photo of the Day: Yosemite Mule Deer

Michael RappaLeave a comment

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a photo of the day, so in honor of Endangered Species Day, here is a mule deer I encountered in Yosemite National Park this past fall along the Yosemite Falls trail, grazing peacefully, completely unafraid of humans. Yes, I realize that the mule deer is not an endangered animal, but since I don’t have any photos of endangered animals, this beautiful specimen of unendangered North American wildlife will have to suffice. 🙂

Date: 10/18/2014
Camera: Nikon D5100
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Here’s hoping for a day when all the world’s creatures will be as unthreatened as this deer.

You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.

Photo of the Day: Lounging Sea Lions

Michael RappaLeave a comment

One of the most popular San Francisco Bay tourist attractions is the sea lion gathering at Pier 39. These gregarious beasts lounge on the docks here day and night, and you can hear their barks from far away.

To me, the best part about the Pier 39 sea lions is knowing that you’re gazing upon wild animals behaving naturally rather than captive animals on display in a zoo enclosure. They may not smell so good, but they are beautiful creatures.

Date: 10/15/2014
Camera: Nikon D5100
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You can view more featured photos at my Photo of the Day Collection.