Free

Looking
35mm @ f/1.8, 1/500, ISO 400. LR5 Post, desaturation.

I feel I am constantly running one day behind, trying to catch back up. Perhaps if I was not such a "night owl," I would actually post my Photo of the Day on the day it belongs to.

No judgments!

Today was spent in the company of lovely friends, both at home and out on the Makiki Valley Loop Trail(s), where the above picture was captured. I love the light falling through the canopy of the forest in the background, with the last, undamaged bloom fighting for its view.

The evening was spent catching up with an old friend, making roast beef, talking about life, and just enjoying life for what it is.

I may have been having a slight bit too much fun with my photos, though in some respects, that does indicate a successful attempt at enjoying life.

Tomorr—er, later today, I must review and finalize some important school work.

Even over the break, the student's duty never ceases.

After this little bout of schoolwork hanging around, I'll be 100% freed to enjoy the rest of my break without anything hanging over my head, as it were.

That's about as much as one can wish for these days: not have anything hanging over one's head.

Light. Free. 

Happy.

Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail

View of Rabbit Island from Summit - Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
11mm @ f/22, ISO 2000

The Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail is no "walk in the park" when you've been rather sedentary in the year following breaking your tibial plateau, let me tell you. Major props to my trailmates today, who kept me from feeling like a lamer every time I had to stop because of my knee. Thanks guys!

The views are worth it. Worth every last stair. Every. One. (See all photos here.)

It was a pretty clear day for us, so we could see out to Maui, and clearly see Rabbit Island, Koko Head, and the back of Diamond Head from just below and on the summit. We've been getting a bit of rain the past couple months, so all of the mentioned mountains and craters were covered in lush greenery, a treat for this time of year.

Moss - Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
16mm @ f/2.8, ISO 2000

This is my favorite shot of the day, despite the wicked island views. It reminds me how nature is a constant creator and destroyer, and that endless scenes of beauty are always on display at every stage of this cycle.

We are all stuck in the endless cycle of creation and destruction. How can we choose to make it beautiful?

Tomorrow will be spent with family, going out to see my grandmother and mother. Fun!

Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail

Unknown Structure off the Trail. 11mm @ f/7.1, 1/200 sec, ISO 200. Nikon D7000 & Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

Today was a good day spent with good friends, good views, and good food. Went up the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail in the morning under beautiful scattered clouds and with pleasant breezes. Perfect conditions for what would otherwise be a grueling, scorching, hot mess. See more of the trail here.

The evening ended with a lovely dinner party, with delicious beef stew, red wine, a clown-decorated ice cream cake, and of course, excellent company.

Tomorrow will be spent in an all day hike on the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, one I've been on before many years ago, when I was in a much better state of physical fitness. We'll see how I fare on the many switchbacks ascending the 2,000 foot climb.

At least I'll be able to take a few camera shooting breaks here and there.

I've really been enjoying the captures this Tokina 11–16mm f/2.8 has been getting, but I am tempted to take my trusty Nikkor 35mm 1.8G for tomorrow's adventures. I don't want to carry anything that I won't use, but I feel that I might want some of those ultra-wide views up at the top.

Decisions, decisions.