Beautiful Moments, Part TwoLast week I saw a helium balloon cross the road at the lights on a perfectly timed gust of wind. Today I saw four people trying to get into a GWiz electric car. They failed.
What's the best thing you've seen recently?
(
chthonic, Thu 5 Aug 2010, 21:49)
« Go Back
WhalesWorking in the Antarctic, one evening we were out in for a recreational trip in a small boat. The sea was clear and still, with late-summer ice bergs and 'bergy bits' scattered through it.
We saw a pod of Minke whales, and started to follow them, weaving in & out of the bergs. They came over to check us out, and I got some great close-up shots of them surfacing. All pretty exciting so far, but then one came up right next to the boat. All restraint and objectivity went over the side, as I could only point at it and make "Aah! Uhh!" noises...
Didn't get a pic, as it was too close to focus on. And I realised the value of experiencing something like that unfiltered, without trying to capture or analyse it, just reacting in the most basic way. A truly numinous experience.
(, Fri 6 Aug 2010, 9:26, 5 replies)
That is incredible. Photos can't do justice to the experience of seeing whales up close. Makes you feel special and responsible for their well-being. Lucky you!
(, Fri 6 Aug 2010, 9:38, closed)
Wait... What?"Working in the Antarctic, one evening we were out in for a recreational trip"
Were you out, or were you in? Make up your mind, man/woman/thing!
(, Fri 6 Aug 2010, 13:27, closed)
the art of travelalain de botton makes a beautiful case for the lost art of seeing in the age of ubiquitous photography. Well worth a read, I think, based on your post
(, Sat 7 Aug 2010, 1:17, closed)
Sounds greatI really, really want to see whales. I've only read about them or seen on TV/pictures. Your story reassures me that that's not the same and it would be amazing.
(, Sat 7 Aug 2010, 1:37, closed)
I couldn't agree moreSome things and some places just have to be experienced, and you can't do that through a lens. On my first safari I took over 5000 photos in about a week. Since then I've learned to calm down and look at the things. I still get photos, but I try not to get carried away. I get a lot more out of safaris now.
(, Tue 10 Aug 2010, 12:39, closed)
« Go Back