Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A bit of India in North Carolina

These are some photos are from a visit to a Sikh temple (gurdwara) last weekend.  Anyone, Sikh or non-Sikh, is welcome to visit and the people are very friendly.



The golden domes are very common for gurdwara's everywhere.





 The Sikh emblem, a Khanda, on the front gates.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Astronomy Pics: Rosetta Nebula

My husband has been working on his newest endeavor: astrophotography.  He has quite a nice setup to play with consisting of a RC 12.5" telescope, with an Apogee U16M camera (16 megapixel, full frame sensor), and a Paramount ME for tracking.  The weather has been really clear lately so we've finally had a good chance to test it out.  He just got his first 20 minute exposure with decent tracking.  It's part of the Rosetta Nebula, shot with a Hydrogen Alpha filter. No retouching has been done yet, so it's exciting to see this!


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Travel photos: India

Some pics from our trip last year to India.  My sister-in-law is doing a project on international travel, so I thought I'd make a post showing more of the life and people there. Most of these are simple snap shots, some taken by me, some by others traveling with us, but interesting nonetheless.

There is always a lot of commotion everywhere you look, this was a rural city we stopped in for snacks.



In New Delhi, lots of wires run every which way and locals sells fruit and veggies from their carts.  Cows, dogs and monkeys roam free as well, no one really minds or bothers them as there is no real animal control.  There was even one stray female that regularly wandered inside the home searching for scraps.



Taken while waiting in the insane traffic coming back from Bajpur.  Even dump trucks are colorful and decorated!



In New Delhi, rickshaw drivers take you around for a few rupees.  Unless you're a tourist, then the price is way more, negotiate! 



Beautiful lake in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains the city of Nainital.


Local market shoppers in Nainital.


Bos cow getting busy working on the sugar cane farm.


Farm workers weeding crops by hand.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Hiking in Raven Rock State Park, NC

We trekked out for a nice, chilly hike again this weekend to see a bit of the Cape Fear River in Raven Rock State Park.  It was a very cloudy, dark day so my shots feel a bit bleak this time.  I'll have to try out some different types of places or new activities next time. Leaves and streams are getting a bit boring, but practice is practice.

Cape Fear River, from the overlook on the Raven Rock Loop trail.


Fish Traps trail.




Fish Traps. Lots of exposed rocks with sunken areas for fish to get trapped in when the river levels change.