Best of Maui – Part III

Here’s my last grouping of favorite images from Jeff and my trip to Maui.  The differences between all these images reflects the diversity of this island in the Pacific.  Aloha!

Sea Spray

There is such beauty in the ocean.  And such life and spirit as well.  This image reminds me of the power of the sea, and helps me understand the attraction it held for sailors, both past and present.

Soft Clouds on Haleakala

There is something magical about a Haleakala sunrise.  Part of that is the way the clouds look at dawn – I think they look almost liquid, as you can see in this image.  The foreground of the image is the actual crater, and the background is the light of the sunrise.  And, in the middle, are the clouds that look so liquid, soft and peaceful.

Spray

There’s nothing quite as fun-spirited as waves gently crashing against the shore, and sending up a spray to give you an unexpected shower!  It brings back thoughts of childhood, playing under the sprinkler as the lawn got watered. 

Waikani Falls

This waterfall is also known as Three Bears Falls.  I’m not certain why the name “bears” is included, but it certainly is a lovely waterfall along the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii.  When the waters from the mountains are full, this series of three falls becomes one very large waterfall.  However, I really like it this way.  It seems much more relaxed and gentle, and fits in with the spirit of aloha.

Windblown

It’s almost impossible to look at a sunflower and not smile.  They are such happy and cheerful looking flowers.  This image is of a field of them in Hawaii.  All their petals are quite windblown, but still they manage to look perfect – certainly better than I did after being out in this breeze!

Enjoy!

Note: This images are available in a variety of sizes and finishes at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Best of Maui – Part II

This is the second grouping of images that make up my favorites from our recent trip to Maui.  Sit back, put up your feet, and take a look……

Grace

A waterfall in slow motion is truly the definition of the word “grace”.  Although there is power behind the flow, it feels as if it’s just gentle falling, kissing the rocks it passes over.  Its power is hidden behind a mask of grace.

Hana Highway Bridge

There are many bridges along the road to Hana, on the island of Maui, Hawaii.  Many of them have such character, as does this one.  The combination of rain, humidity, and warm temperatures are excellent conditions for creating a lovely rusty patina on the pillars of these bridges.  Add to that the vibrant green of the moss that then grows on them, and you have a sort of tropical Christmas reminder!

Hana Town Coast

The town of Hana is truly only the halfway point on the Road to Hana.  After all, one must get back to the beginning point of travel!  But, it’s nice to take a few moments to just sit and enjoy the rocky coastline of Hana, with gentle waters caressing the tree lined shore.  Another view of paradise.

Hawaiian Gold

As my husband and I drove around the island of Maui, Hawaii, we came across a field of sunflowers.  There was a gentle breeze, enough so that all of their sunny faces were turned in the same direction, as if they were all interested in what was going on in the next field over.  Combined with the mountain and blue sky in the background, it made for a picture-perfect setting.

Looking out to Sea

Walking along a beach in Hawaii, I came across this uprooted tree with its branches pointing out to sea.  It almost seemed to be watching for some lonely sailor to return home.  The gnarled roots of the tree are in contrast to relatively calm sea, and gentle clouds in the sky.

Old Sentry

There’s something about a large piece of driftwood that intrigues me.  Where did it come from, how did it get to this section of vegetation deserted shoreline?  And, more basically, what type of tree was it?  Whatever the answer to those questions may be, it seemed to be acting as a sentry, watching for any incoming travelers, and very content with its new role!

Peaceful

The sound of water as it gently flows over river rocks creates such a wonderful sense of peace.  If one just sits, listens and watches the flow of the water, all troubles seem to fade away.  Meditation with nature at its best.

Enjoy!

Note:  These images are available in a variety of sizes and finishes on www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Best of Maui – Part I

Here is the first part of some of my favorite images from our recent trip to Maui, Hawaii.  Each of these images resonates with me for different reasons…

Afterglow

Sometimes, we make the mistake of thinking that once the sun has set behind the horizon, the “show” is over.  This image begs to differ with that conventional wisdom.  The afterglow show is just beginning, and the vibrancy of the colors as day gives way to night playing across the clouds that lie just below the summit of the Haleakala Volcano is worth hanging around for.

Almost Gone

One of the most striking moments of a sunset on the Haleakala volcanic crater in Maui, Hawaii, is just as the last of the sun can be seen before disappearing behind what looks to be a mountain range in the distance, but is actually another bank of clouds.  The last of the sun’s rays lights up the sky, while evening is claiming the clouds at my feet.

Ancient Forest

Where was this image taken – in the Pacific Northwest of the United States?  It’s understandable if you think so, but actually, it is on the island of Maui, in Hawaii.  There is a very small forest of redwood trees, and on the morning my husband and I visited, the mist was hanging low.  This scene looks ancient, mysterious, and gloomy.  It creates a very different impression of Hawaii than the tour books leave you with.

Crater Detail

While viewing the sunrise on Haleakala, in Maui, Hawaii, part of what makes it surreal is the contrast in tones – the dark detail of the crater can really be seen in this image.  It is a definite contrast with what looks like it may be water, but is actually the clouds, and the contrast between the clouds and the sunrise beginning in the sky, is also very remarkable and beautiful.

Early Evening Rays

A lesser known sight to see on Maui is the sunset on the volcanic mountain called Haleakala.  It is truly a surreal sight to be standing on the ground and have the clouds at your feet.  I loved the play of light and shadows in this image, and felt it was best seen if I converted it to a black and white image.  It seems like one could wade thru the clouds, but I think the first step would be quite the drop!

Flow

This is one of many waterfalls you can see along the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii.  For this image, I used a very soft focus, just slightly out of focus, to emphasize the feeling of the soft flow of the waterfall.  It also gives you a true sense of the movement of the falls.

Golden Kiss

Usually, when I look out the window of a plane, I see sky, maybe some clouds, but nothing that looks like this.  This was early morning flying over the Pacific Ocean.  The golden color of the sunrise, wispy clouds, the ocean and the horizon, all came together to create this abstract of a morning sunrise over the ocean

Enjoy!

Note:  Each of these images is available in a variety of sizes and finishes on www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.