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2012-12-26 21:17:28 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 42 +1s)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
to all our friends and followers.

I hope to be able to give an update soon why I have not been active here for some time. Unfortunately there are several issues in our way right now.

We are still doing major upgrades to our website - please come and visit once a while, even when I'm not active here right now.

Thank you for all your support in 2012.

2012-04-12 22:03:14 (32 comments, 12 reshares, 151 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

I finally had time to get one more photo ready for you.
It is the always fascinating silhouette of Monument Valley during sunrise.

I was looking for something different of Monument Valley. Most of the time photos featuring single buttes or looking down into the valley but hardly ever someone gets the "feeling" how the landscape looks in total.

So I decided to get further away to photograph the silhouette at sunrise. I'm always most fascinated by view when getting closer to the Valley, if you had a chance to visit Monument Valley you will know what I mean.

Anyway, I photographed this panorama with my Fuji 617 on Fuji Velvia film and now scanned it with the Hasselblad X5 (Imacon) scanner.

This image looks amazing as a large print, it always sucks me right in when I look at it. Hope you like it!

I forgot... more »

2012-04-09 05:39:22 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

Happy Easter to everybody.
As you can see, I'm still not able to post much at this stage. Maybe I'm able to post a new picture tomorrow for #NatureMonday .

I want to introduce you to +Jen Baptist, Jen will help me curating #NatureMonday in the future. I'm very happy to have her onboard, especially right now when I can't be as involved as I would like to be. Jen will also do the G-Page.

Please submit your best Nature photos to #NatureMonday , what we would like to see are beautiful, relaxing quality nature images to give people on G+ a good relaxing start for the new week.

I hope you all enjoying great holidays. I hope I will be back soon.

2012-04-04 22:43:15 (27 comments, 22 reshares, 160 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Today I want to introduce you to one of my favorite photos of Mount McKinley with alpenglow. It is a 6x12 panorama photo originally captures with a large format 5x7 Sinar camera with a pano film holder, Fuji Velvia 220 and now scanned with the high res Hasselblad (Imacon) X5 scanner.

I photographed in fall on a warm'ish morning above Wonder Lake. It was magically being here all by myself sharing the wilderness with moose, caribou, bears and wolves - it was simply amazing.

As always, please find a larger version as well as my blog write up about this image on my website, and more panorama photos here:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/panorama-pictures.htm

Sorry for not being active on G+ right now - our house is sick now for over 8 weeks, the latest extension to our "sick list" was the strep throat virus. I guess we had more... more »

2012-04-04 22:48:24 (31 comments, 52 reshares, 204 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Northern lights dancing above mountains in the Brooks Range, Alaska.

This is another medium format scan, original format 4.5x6cm, Fuji Provia, Hasselblad X5.
I won't be very active again this week as it looks like right now - we spend Sunday in hospital and our son got another virus, a nasty one. We still hope he gets right fast but our hope is fading after being sick almost all the time for over 8 weeks - very frustrating but I guess nothing really we can change right now.

If you interested in more of my northern light pictures please have a look at my website:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/northern-lights-pictures.htm

Anyway, I want to contribute this image to several photo themes again:
#NatureMonday by +Rolf Hicker
#MountainMonday by +Michael Russell
#MinistractMonday by +Tom McLaughlan
#MoodyMonday... more »

2012-04-04 22:43:48 (17 comments, 27 reshares, 99 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

I want to wish you all a great weekend - Thanks for checking out my photos!!

Had time to do another scan. This photo is originally photographed in the format 6x7cm with a Mamiya RZ67 (Fuji Provia, Hasselblad X5 scanner). It was featured on one of my high quality poster series back in Europe. it is up to date one of my favorite bear photograph - simply because the quality and details is unbelievable.

Right now it seems like being one of those times when I have to work 4x as much as normal to get 1/4 of income of normal - I really don't like those times, especially not when the kids getting teeth at the same time.

Because I'm not sure how much I will be able to show you next week I want to contribute this photo to more photo themes, even the ones which are coming up next week.

#FlowingWaterFriday by +Kate Church and myself... more »

2012-04-04 22:44:58 (7 comments, 16 reshares, 73 +1s)

#ThirstyThursdayPics

A picture with many elements - fitting to some different photo themes today.

Sunset behind the silhouette of Destruction Island Lighthouse with heavy wave action in the foreground and a huge sun fireball in the background.

I photographed this on a trip down the West Coast and started here on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. I may said it a few times already but the Olympic Peninsula and the National Park is one of my favorite travel locations in the Pacific Northwest.

I was working a bit on my new free wallpapers and computer backgrounds in the last few days and "stumbled" over this image which I overlooked for some time.

If you using wallpapers on your computer please have a look at my collection I just put together for the topic "sunset backgrounds". All my high resolution computer backgrounds are... more »

2012-03-14 17:24:39 (12 comments, 9 reshares, 101 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

I got no idea how I ever catch up with work, it is getting more and more to deal with. Sorry for not being able to be more active right now here on G+.

I at least want to contribute to my own theme today: #TravelPanoWednesday

It is a panorama photo of the Quirpon Island Lighthouse. I would guess that most of you never heard about it. It is located on the Great Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland, overlooking the Strait of Belle Isle and the Labrador Sea. it is an amazing place but can be bitter cold in the winter.

I wrote a little story about my experience when I was out here for you if someone wants to know a bit more about the experience. You also can find more of my panorama photos here:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/panorama-pictures.htm

I also want to contribute the image to:
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin... more »

2012-03-13 17:43:48 (10 comments, 7 reshares, 57 +1s)

#MyTownTuesday

Sometimes I feel a little bit home sick for the city of Freising which I was born and raised. Freising is a little city with about 48000 people, located 35Km north of Munich. it is a beautiful city and got a lot of attention through a visit from Pope Benedict XVI a few years back.

The Pope was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977.

Freising is not far away from the Munich Airport, in fact the airport is much closer to Freising then it is to Munich. if you make it to there make sure you have at least one day to check out Freising, there is lots to see. No wonder, the history goes back to 996 when Freising was given the right to be a city.

I want to contribute this photo today to #MyTownTuesday by +Melanie Kintz and +Eric Leslie.

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-03-12 18:25:37 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 58 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Storm clouds over the Tuscany countryside.

I hope you all had a great weekend. I'm starting my week with this contribution to #NatureMonday which I curate myself (right now I'm not finding lots of time for it - sorry).

I think it also fits well to #MoodyMonday by +Philip Daly and to #MinimalMonday by +Olivier Du Tré.

I was doing some processing work on some of my background pictures (wallpapers) and this one can be found in the sub category for "sky backgrounds".
If you interested in more of my free high resolution computer backgrounds for your screen please check out my collection here:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/background-pictures.htm

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-03-09 17:35:59 (14 comments, 11 reshares, 83 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

photo of vertical flowing water lit up by a sun rays in Parque Nacional De Ordesa Y Monte Perdido, Aragon, Spain.

I thought this would be a nice contribution today for #FlowingWaterFriday which is curated by myself and +Kate Church (when we both half way fit), I also think it fits well to #FourSeasonsFriday by +Karin Nelson and +Stephonie Ogden.

I'm still very busy catching up after being sick for weeks, it is quite scary to see how far one gets behind if he can only work 50% of normal, it takes weeks to catch up.

I wish you all a great weekend and hope everybody is well. We are still waiting for spring here and for the rain to stop, hopefully this will happen soon, it has been a long and very wet winter here.

If you interested in more of my water pictures, please have a look at my website:... more »

2012-03-19 23:02:59 (4 comments, 11 reshares, 79 +1s)

Another free high resolution computer background (wallpaper).

A dramatic sunsets with beautiful clouds and sun rays over the pacific Ocean, Cormorant Island and Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

When we are out photographing whales we often come home fairly late but we often see incredible sunsets on the way home. I must say that the sunsets I have seen here on northern Vancouver Island have blown me away many times. NO, there are no filters used on this shot, not even a neutral grad was needed, it was just a "perfect" sunset after a long day out on the water.

I just started a new page on my website with free high resolution pictures which you can use (private use only) as a computer background wallpaper...I think I got a good start so far...much more to come:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/sunset-backgrounds.htm

Hope you like... more »

2012-03-07 18:08:39 (13 comments, 4 reshares, 55 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

My contribution for #TravelPanoWednesday come from New Zealand today.

It is a panorama of a swing bridge over the Hollyford River which cuts through pure nature and a very beautiful rainforest in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.

I captured this photo while it was raining, my preferred time to photograph rivers and rainforest because the colors are most of the time totally different and more beautiful then they are when it is overcast or sunny.

I photographed this picture with my Fuji 617 on Fuji Velvia film, then scanned it with the Hasselblad X5 (Imacon) high res scanner.

If you interested in more of my panorama photos, please have a look at my website:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/panorama-pictures.htm

Here are some more photo themes I would like to contribute the photo to:
#WhateverWednesday by... more »

2012-03-06 19:24:31 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

Had to do some processing work to do on clouds for a publication...I thought I share some with you.

if you like wallpapers...this one is available as a high resolution wallpaper on my website.

We finally doing better with our health but I'm soooo far behind work that I don't know if I ever catch up again.

I think this image may fits to #TextureLibraryTuesday by +Joerg Jung.

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-03-05 17:14:43 (10 comments, 15 reshares, 65 +1s)

#NatureMonday

First of all today I want to welcome all my new friends here - thanks for following!
I wasn't able to be very active, we had another baby end of October and in the last 4 weeks we have been all pretty sick. Now I sure hope that "things go back to normal again.

I was able to do a scan last night, so I want to contribute this picture today #NatureMonday which I curate myself. It is a Canadian icon, Moraine Lake near lake Louise in Banff National Park in the canadian Rockies in Alberta.

I photographed this beautiful lake a few years back with my 4x5" camera on Fuji Velvia film, now I scanned it on the Hasselblad X5 (Imacon) scanner.

It is difficult to show you how many details are in this picture but let me tell you it is incredible when you see the original. I honestly miss the times when I was shooting more 4x5's. I had this... more »

2012-03-02 19:02:10 (3 comments, 4 reshares, 40 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

We are slowly getting sick of being sick, getting a bit better but still ways from being well - hope to be able to catch up next week with you.

My submission today to #FlowingWaterFriday by +Kate Church and myself is the bottom part of a small waterfall, another noname waterfall from the Great Baer Rainforest along the British Columbia coast.

The other theme I want to contribute that picture to is #FourSeasonsFriday by +Karin Nelson and +Stephonie Ogden that waterfall will be only there in spring when we have lots of rain.

I wish you all a great weekend - sorry I can't be more active right now.

#PlusPhotoExtract
#water

2012-02-29 17:50:50 (13 comments, 11 reshares, 78 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

Still having a sick house - not sure when we return to normal. I must say this is sure a challenge with two sick kids at the same time, it also does not help when parents sick too.

So I will contribute a picture today which fits to some more themes.
Panorama photo of a small waterfall inside a rainforest on the Haida Gwaii Islands in British Columbia, Canada.

I photographed this panorama with my Fuji 617 in the format 6x17cm on Fuji Velvia and now I scanned it with the Hasselblad X5 (Imacon) Scanner.

The "soft flowing" water was created with a very long exposure time, because the flowing part of the water is fairly small in the full picture I wanted to make the water very soft with a very long exposure time - I lost details in the water itself because of it but as said, I liked the super soft better then details in the... more »

2012-02-27 17:56:46 (27 comments, 36 reshares, 169 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Need to do a fast contribution to photo themes today.
We had a nightmare weekend with both babies sick and a hospital visit. Seems to settle down now but will take a few days to return to normal.

My contribution today to #NatureMonday which I curate myself ( maybe not today, will see later tonight) is a beautiful lake in southern British Columbia, Duffy Lake.

I think the photo also fits for other great themes which you should check out:
#MountainMonday by +Michael Russell and
#MirrorMonday by +Gemma Costa +Elizabeth Edwards , +Jonny Scholes

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-02-24 22:07:30 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

I'm reading so much about "what is fine art" right now that I can't even find the time to read it all. There is a great discussion started from +Charles Lupica here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103236949470535942612/posts/MqF8KHr5HCW
and I can see clearly that there are many opinions out there.

What I would like to start is a online discussion putting photos side by side and let people describe why or why not they would call this "fine art" or not.

If someone is interested in it please leave a comment here indicating that you want to take part in it. If we get enough people together I will start a weekly or monthly "thingy" were we will compare images.

Do you like the idea??

2012-02-24 21:48:12 (7 comments, 13 reshares, 66 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

Frozen ice and flowing water is a great combination to photograph. This is my contribution today for #FlowingWaterFriday curated by +Kate Church and myself.

I photographed this scenic waterfall in Austria in the Salzburger Land, the waterfall is called Leitenkammerklamm and is quite tricky to get to in winter.

A couple of our good friends from Germany took us here to share this beautiful location with us. I wanted to make sure that the flowing water under the ice will come out, with the long exposure it shows up nicely right where the ice hits the pool under the the frozen waterfall.

Because it involves travel I also see this as a getaway destination, so I also want to contribute this photo to #FridayGetaway curated by +Gary Crabbe.

I'm not sure how much I will be able to curate my theme today, our boy got a nasty stomach... more »

2012-02-23 22:19:20 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

Your Recommendations Circle

I have been putting this circle together from people that you recommend and I said that when it hit 500 I would share it again, its not all photography based and each member at the time of being added had less than 30,000 followers.

Admissions to the circle are now closed but I hope you enjoy the mix of people that are here, thank you to all that recommended and there are a few that I have included as well.

2012-02-29 11:19:17 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 43 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

gosh, what a frustrating day. I did not have any internet here till the afternoon - very frustrating.
Anyway, late but not too late is my contribution to #TravelPanoWednesday curated by myself. That picture shows the best what I need - holidays!

I think I can say it is a classic holiday location shot, palm trees with a scenic sunset, I photographed it in the Dominican Republic. I used my Fuji 617 with format 6x17cm, used Fuji Velvia film and then scanned the photo with my Hasselblad (Imacon) X5 scanner.

Other themes I want to contribute the photo too are:
#WideWednesdayPanorama by +Lucille Galleli +Ken McMahon , +Andrew Marston
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin Laing
#WowWednesday by +Jan Paul Anthony Zabala
#TreeTuesday: by +Christina Lawrie
#SunsetSaturday by +TJ Kelly
#TravelThursday by +Laura Mitchum ... more »

2012-02-22 06:10:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Reminder: Tomorrow is #TravelPanoWednesday curated by myself. Show some of your best travel panoramas.

Other great themes on Wednesday:
#WaterfallWednesday by +Eric Leslie
#WildlifeWednesday by +Mike Spinak
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin Laing
#WowWednesday by +Jan Paul Anthony Zabala
#WideWednesdayPanorama by +Lucille Galleli +Ken McMahon , +Andrew Marston
and many more.

You can find other google plus photo themes here:
http://www.rolfhickerphotography.com/blogs/all-google-plus-photo-themes.htm

2012-02-20 19:37:00 (3 comments, 5 reshares, 42 +1s)

#NatureMonday

My contribution today for #NatureMonday which I curate myself comes from the badlands in southern Saskatchewan in Canada.

It is a hdr photo of Castle Butte, a major landmark in an area which is mostly flat. I would consider Castle Butte as one of the highlights from that area and it is a must see when you somewhere close.

The Big Muddy Badlands are an very interesting area with some amazing places to photograph, like Castle Butte.

I thought this would be a great image today for NatureMonday and I hope it will give you all a great start into the new week. many of you are probably off work today - enjoy your day and I hope you all have a great week.

This picture of Castle Butte is also available as a free hd wallpaper / computer background on my website.

I have a category there which is called "beautiful pictures" and... more »

2012-02-17 18:14:30 (14 comments, 16 reshares, 84 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

Getting ready for the weekend with my contribution for #FlowingWaterFriday curated by +Kate Church and myself.

Red fall leaves beside a small stream with flowing water.
In the larger version you can see that the rock is covered with ice and the upper fall leave has some frost on it.

I photographed this photo on a very cold winter day and it was actually a big challenge to get to this spot because all the rocks around were super slippery.

I framed the photo fairly tight to counter balance the flowing water with the leaves, I actually like that the leaves are kind of framing the shot too. The light green moss on the top leave added a bit more color - it is one of my favorite color combinations - red and green.

I used obviously a long exposure to "soften" the water and to give it a bit of extra "flowing".... more »

2012-02-16 17:40:46 (17 comments, 20 reshares, 108 +1s)

#ThirstyThursdayPics

Something abstract today for #ThirstyThursdayPics by +Giuseppe Basile.

Champagne Pool, volcanic hot springs at the Wai-o-tapu scenic reserve in Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand.

Wai-o-tapu is without doubt one of the most visited areas in New Zealand but also one of the most interesting places to watch volcanic activity. There is lots of interesting stuff to photograph but champagne pool is a absolute must. The different colors and forms are fascinating.

I think this image also fits today to #LongExposureThursday by +Le Quoc and +Francesco Gola and of course to #TravelThursday by +Laura Mitchum.
Some other themes it will fit:
#FlowingWaterFriday by +Kate Church and myself

If you interested in more of my New Zealand pictures, please have a look at my website - many of those pictures are now also available as... more »

2012-02-16 06:03:05 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

My new circle: Photographers on Pinterest

It's really hard to find photographers on Pinterest, so I've decided to create and share a Google+ circle for this. Are you into photography? Do you want to be included in the circle? Do this:

1) Share the link to YOUR Pinterst profile in the comments below the original post:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/111873853137122484021/posts/agRa7siUYz4

2) Share the original post publicly with your G+ audience.

I'll add all the users who fulfill both conditions into my Photographers on Pinterst circle and I'll share the circle publicly on February 21.

Feel free to follow my Pinterest profile http://pinterest.com/jarek/ or my TOP Google+ Photos pinboard http://pinterest.com/jarek/top-photos-google/ . You aren't obligated to do this to be included in... more »

2012-02-16 04:22:24 (1 comments, 6 reshares, 39 +1s)

2012-02-16 04:21:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Another great landscape and travel photographer just started out with G+ - he got some very amazing work from around the world. As you know, I normally don't do too many shout outs but this one is a photographer you don't want to miss.

Welcome +Kah Kit Yoong to G+, check out his profile and pictures, you will not regret - I promise.

#SelflessSunday by +Jeffrey Sullivan

2012-02-15 19:37:18 (9 comments, 9 reshares, 68 +1s)

#WildlifeWednesday

Cute alarm. My contribution today to #WildlifeWednesday which is curated by +Mike Spinak is a cute female coastal grizzly bear, photographed along the British Columbia coast, Canada.

We were out on one of my custom photo tours and saw this sow with two cubs coming down from the forest to the beach. They started rolling around rocks looking for crabs and other small animals they could eat but probably because the tide was not out enough mom grizzly decided to have a rest first.

It was majorly cute when she put her feet on the rock to have a rest. The two cubs were playing in the meantime. Later they started foraging again, rolling around big boulders.

Cute cute cute.

I'm just starting to update my bear pictures on my website, if you interested please have a look at them:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/bear-pictures.htm... more »

2012-02-15 17:32:31 (19 comments, 19 reshares, 93 +1s)

#travelpanowednesday

I scanned one of my 6x17cm panos for you last night to contribute to #travelpanowednesday which is curated by myself.

A single tree standing in a large field of red poppies in Apulia, Southern Italy. It really shows a typical landscape for down there in spring, just before the big heat comes and everything gets very very dry.

What caught my eye the most was of course the single tree and the poppies but I also liked the color contrast with the lush green hillside in the background.

Photographed with a Fuji 617 in format 6x7cm on Fuji Velvia film, then scanned with the Hasselblad X5 (Imacon) scanner. Had to do a bit of dust cleaning but beside there was not a lot I had to do with processing - just the regular stuff.

Other themes I want to contribute this picture to are:
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin Laing ... more »

2012-02-15 05:50:16 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Reminder: Tomorrow is #TravelPanoWednesday, curated by myself.

Other great themes for Wednesday are:

#WaterfallWednesday by +Eric Leslie
#WildlifeWednesday by +Mike Spinak
#WomenWednesday by +Niki Aguirre
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin Laing
#WideWednesdayPanorama by +Charles Lupica and +Jason Dell
#VividWednesday by +Ajay Hatti
I just updated my list with new themes:
#TurquoiseThursday by +Tatiana Parmeeva
#BookloverFriday by +Cora Triton

and here you can find more google plus photo themes, sorted by days:
http://www.rolfhickerphotography.com/blogs/all-google-plus-photo-themes.htm

2012-02-14 06:03:47 (12 comments, 7 reshares, 52 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Today for #NatureMonday which I cured myself another shot from New Zealand.

It is a aerial photo of the summit of Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori) in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. I photographed many glaciers from the air but this one was very impressive. Massive ice breaks and flows, hard to imagine the size of those "ice cubes" in the picture unless you were on the flight.

It seems to take forever to fly over those cracks in the ice - a very impressive experience.

I also want to contribute this image to #MountainMonday curated by +Michael Russell.

If you interested in more of my pictures from the South Island of New Zealand please have a look at my website:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/new-zealand-south-island.htm

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-02-13 04:33:53 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Reminder: tomorrow is #NatureMonday

Other great themes tomorrow:
#MountainMonday by +Michael Russell
#MacroMonday by +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim
#MonochromeMonday by +Siddharth Pandit
#MultipleExposureMonday by +Karen Tate
#MistyMonday by +Martin Rak
and many more.

I just updated my list with 2 new themes:
#FisheyeFriday by +Randy Scherkenbach and +Ivan Yudhi
#LensbabyThursday by +Gloria Roldan and +AJ Schroetlin

for more themes listed by days please check out my list of google plus photo themes:
http://www.rolfhickerphotography.com/blogs/all-google-plus-photo-themes.htm

2012-02-14 06:03:35 (13 comments, 8 reshares, 86 +1s)

#PhotoStorySaturday

Today I want to show you one of my favorite pictures of a humpback whale fluke during a golden sunset in the Strait of Belle Isle off the Newfoundland Labrador coast.

I want to contribute it to a few themes but first of all to #PhotoStorySaturday by +Dave Beckerman.

The story behind this pictures is worth mentioning, I for sure will never forget this adventure. I actually was in Newfoundland to photograph two things, icebergs and whales and of course in the combi. I was based on the Northern Peninsula, which is away from the big city lights. Actually it is the place where you still get the real Newfy feeling, everybody is relaxed and time seems to stand still. Well, also because of this it is not that easy just to go out, rent a boat and go. With a good friend of mine, the owner of Tuckamore Lodge, I was able to get a old friend of her to take me... more »

2012-02-14 06:04:19 (12 comments, 16 reshares, 63 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

Gosh, is it Friday again?? Seems like that time goes twice as fast after you have been sick for a while, I have not even caught up with everything yet.

My contribution today to #FlowingWaterFriday which is curated by +Kate Church and myself. The pimage is a ripple wave photo at sunset from the Pacific Ocean. I normally don't do too much abstract photos but when we out photographing whales late in the day I often go crazy with water, ripples and waves. The reflections are always unique and because we very often have many clouds there are always many different shades of color and shadows too.

The colors on this photo are typical for very late summer and fall for the northern part of Vancouver Island in british Columbia, Canada. So I think this picture also fits #FourSeasonsFriday which is curated by +Karin Nelson and +Stephonie Ogden.

If you... more »

2012-02-10 06:44:43 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Reminder: Friday is #FlowingWaterFriday curated by +Kate Church and myself.

Other interesting photo themes are:
#FourSeasonsFriday by +Karin Nelson and +Stephonie Ogden
#FloralFriday by +Tamara Pruessner
#FungusFriday by +Chris Sullivan
#FilmFriday by +Richard Call
#FireworksFriday by +Jörg Seidel
#StormyFriday by +Reinhard Latzke
#ForestFriday by +Rudolf Vlček

and many many others.
You can find a list of photo themes on G+ here:
http://www.rolfhickerphotography.com/blogs/all-google-plus-photo-themes.htm

2012-02-10 04:50:17 (0 comments, 4 reshares, 7 +1s)

Selected Nature & Landscape Photographers (update v6)

Here's an update of the Nature & Landscape Photographers circle. I have reviewed 350 new requests and re-checked the existing 450 and selected the 400 photographers I liked best.

Want to get in? Leave a comment or contact me directly, if you feel you meet the criteria: an on-line portfolio with good images + posting nature and landscape work regularly on G+. Feel free to re-share!

Related lists: http://gpc.fm/l/nlpg and http://www.group.as/nature+and+landscape+photographers/

2012-02-09 19:00:56 (19 comments, 18 reshares, 103 +1s)

#ThirstyThursdayPics

Another photo from New Zealand today which I think fits many photo themes.

It is a long exposure of the incoming tide along the kaikoura Peninsula in New Zealand at sunset. I found the rock formations especially attractive because of the layers they showed.

I needed a neutral grad to bring down the sky a bit and to make sure I got enough details in the rocks. I know many like to have super contrasty pictures, I prefer to show more of the details in the "normally" kept dark places of a image.

This region around Kaikoura on the South Island of New Zealand is one of my favorite places to photograph. It is one of the best spots world wide to watch sperm whales which come fairly close to shore here. This coastline goes very fast very deep.

I want to contribute this photo today to #ThirstyThursdayPics by +Giuseppe Basile,... more »

2012-02-09 05:03:12 (11 comments, 2 reshares, 9 +1s)

Yeah, after being sick for over two weeks I finally was able to update my list of google photo themes. Please welcome those new themes by contributing pictures to them - give them a good start:

#BridgesoverTuesday by +Steve Boyko
#WatchWednesday by +Jiri Papakiriakos
#TimeTuesday by +Ajay Hatti
#SquirrelSaturday by +SE Blackwell
#iPhoneographyFriday by +Christianna Pierce and +Jose Vazquez
#VeloThursday by +James Thomas
#DoorSunday by +André Roßbach
#FromTheAirFriday by +Andrew Vaughan Smith
#DawnOnSunday by +Ray Bilcliff
#BridgesAroundTheWorld by +Carra Riley
#SnapseedSaturday by +Stephen Godfrey
#PurpleCircle by +Sinead Sam McKeown +Craig Szymanski , +lynn langmade , +Alexis Coram

You can find other themes sorted by day on my page of G+ photo themes:more »

2012-02-08 20:05:18 (7 comments, 7 reshares, 46 +1s)

#WaterfallWednesday

and another one today, this one goes out to #WaterfallWednesday curated by +Eric Leslie.

It is a photograph of the Marokopa Falls in the region of Waikato on the North Island of New Zealand.

Some say they are the most scenic waterfalls in New Zealand. I have never been a friend of calling waterfalls "the nicest,most here or most there", I saw and photographed so many waterfalls in my life that most of them are very nice when taken into perspective. BUT, this here is definitely a very beautiful waterfall, surrounded by tree ferns which adds to the tropical feeling.

If you make it to New Zealand make sure to see them, they are worth it. The add on for this picture was the rainbow which was only here for a minute or so, so I was happy that I have taken my "safety shot" before I was looking for different compositions and... more »

2012-02-08 17:40:28 (6 comments, 4 reshares, 42 +1s)

#WildlifeWednesday

and this is my contribution to one of my favorite themes, #WildlifeWednesday by +Mike Spinak.

I think most of you know by know that I love New Zealand (well...I have to, my wife is a Kiwi - lol) and I do love Penguins, especially the yellow eyed penguin.
There are several places on the South Island where one can watch the penguins and if you down there it is actually a "must do".

It is a lot of fun watching them when they come back on land in the evening, looking around first if there are any predators hanging around before they make their way into the bush. it is quiet a journey for them everyday with sometimes danger waiting.

This here is one of my favorite pictures of a penguin, nice late soft and yellow light and the high grass shows it the very best where they live when on land.

To me it is a bit of a wow effect,... more »

2012-02-10 04:39:01 (17 comments, 7 reshares, 63 +1s)

#TravelPanoWednesday

Slowly (very slowly) catching up with my work.
Today I want to contribute my picture to #TravelPanoWednesday which is curated by myself.

It is a "typical" prairie photo. The full moon is rising just after sunset over a wheat field in Saskatchewan, Central Canada. As "boring" as many think the prairies are, they got much more to offer. The trick is to spend time, nothing stands out like the Grand Canyon but there are still many things to photograph.

This panorama photo shows also the separation between the wheat fields, a row of trees. If I understand it right the trees are also used to build some wind shelter to keep the soil in place and to protect the fields.

What I found most interesting was the light in the prairies, it is very unique and often soft, created by the dust in the air.

I want to... more »

2012-02-08 04:26:12 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Reminder: Tomorrow on Wednesday (I know I know I know Aussies...today) is #TravelPanoWednesday curated by myself.

Other great themes tomorrow are:
#WaterfallWednesday by +Eric Leslie
#WildlifeWednesday by +Mike Spinak
#WhateverWednesday by +Cicely Robin Laing
#WowWednesday by +Jan Paul Anthony Zabala
#WindowWednesday by +Simon Kitcher +Jules Hunter +Jason Kowing
#WideWednesdayPanorama by +Charles Lupica and +Jason Dell / Panorama
#VibrantWednesday by +Ajay Hatti

and many more.
You can find a list of more google photo themes on my website (which will be updated later tonight or tomorrow):
http://www.rolfhickerphotography.com/blogs/all-google-plus-photo-themes.htm

2012-02-07 16:55:57 (14 comments, 15 reshares, 69 +1s)

#treetuesday

My contribution today goes out to #treetuesday curated by +Christina Lawrie.

It is the trunk of a old ficus tree in the city of Cadiz in Spain. Some of the oldest ficus trees can be found there, even in the middle of the city.

Hope you like it.

#PlusPhotoExtract

2012-02-08 04:29:48 (8 comments, 15 reshares, 64 +1s)

#NatureMonday

Seems like we finally getting better, it is about time too. So I slowly start the engines again with my first contribution for a while to #NatureMonday which is curated by myself.

I photographed this arch/cave on a production we had on the south island of New Zealand. We were out at the Tasman National Park on a kayak tour and photographed many beautiful beaches and locations.

This arch or cave, what ever way you want to see it attracted my eye simply because of the soft shape, you really can see how the sea washed out the rock and created this beautiful rock formation. The colorful sea in the background and the dark blue sky added a little bit of the needed color (one day I will post a B&W too).

If you make it to New Zealand...make sure to go kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, it was a great experience and brought us to many places we... more »

2012-02-03 19:18:47 (12 comments, 5 reshares, 71 +1s)

#FlowingWaterFriday

Powerful Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls) at sunset in spring, Ontario, Canada.

My contribution today to FlowingWaterFriday curated by myself and +Kate Church and to #FourSeasonsFriday by +Karin Nelson and +Stephonie Ogden .

I got a hate / love relationship with the Niagara Falls. I absolutely love them to photograph and to enjoy...out of season! I hate them on a in season weekend, been there once, never again. Simply too many people, so many that it is not possible to enjoy these amazing waterfalls.

The Niagara Falls are probably the best known tourist attraction in Canada, I'm normally not a big fan of major tourist attractions but when they are as beautiful as the Niagara area then man just need to plan well, stay out of high season and come during the week.

Especially spring is amazing during the snow melt, there is sooooo... more »

2012-01-31 19:34:51 (14 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

#Treetuesday

We only had a very short recovery - today we are all back in bed with high fever.

I still want to post at least something and I need to use a joker and post a photo from my website and contribute it to #TreeTuesday curated by +Christina Lawrie.

I photographed this picture in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. The large field of lupins was such a eye catcher that I had to take several photos.

I needed to include landscape and beautiful scenery in the shot too, so only a nice lupin photo would not have cut it. So I decided to use the 3 trees as the main focus, the lupins gave me a great foreground and the mountains a great backdrop.

Hope you like it! it is available as a free HD wallpaper on my site - just follow the link underneath the picture
... more »

2012-01-30 17:28:57 (8 comments, 21 reshares, 64 +1s)

#NatureMonday

So, lets see if I get a half normal week of working in. Starting the week with my own theme #NatureMonday. First of all I want to wish you all a great week - hope everybody is doing well!

This photograph from new Zealand shows Lake Pukaki, the southern Alps and the highest Mountain in NZ - Mount Cook.

I can imagine that I will get some comments about over-saturating the lake in the foreground with some strange color - be assured, it is the real color of Lake Pukaki. Especially the color makes the lake so unique and it is also simply explained why it is like that - it is a glacier feed lake and the sediments creating this beautiful color.

I also want to contribute this image to #MountainMonday which is curated by +Michael Russell and it also should fit to #MonochromeMonday by +Siddharth Pandit although I'm not sure if only B&W is allowed -... more »

2012-01-30 05:20:10 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

I finally after days feel a bit better and hope to go back to "normal" soon again.

I think we are finally recovering a bit - still by far not 100% but slowly feeling better.

Big welcome to all the new people here which circled me in the last few days - thanks a lot for checking out my work.

I will not be able in the near future to be super active socializing here on G+, simply because I'm a full time photographer, just had our second baby and I need to concentrate on survival first. I'm fairly new to North America and I have to make sure to get my images to some publishers over here to.

But I hope to be able to do some socializing and to show you some of my new work - lots new stuff coming but I need to find the time to prepare the pictures, not a easy task with so much going on right now.

I also just switched my website onto a new... more »