Galerie De l'Image De Couey

Fall 2011 - Round 2

2011-10-16T22:13:00.002-04:00

Fall colors were supposed to be at peak this weekend, but 6 straight days of rain capped by two days of 30-40 mph winds pretty much ended this year's leaf season.
But there were still a few interesting shots to be had.

Yet Another Dog Picture...

2011-10-08T20:11:00.002-04:00

Yeah, yeah, it's not art. But it is cute!

Reflections

2011-10-08T19:43:00.001-04:00

Not an original idea, I know. But just foolin' around with a mirror-faced building in Johnstown.

Fall 2011 - Round 1

2011-10-08T19:38:00.000-04:00

Some images from the Ohiopyle River area of southwest Pennsylvania

A Walk in the Forest

2011-09-28T20:32:00.002-04:00

Flight 93 National Memorial

2011-09-17T13:04:00.004-04:00

President Bush spoke of faith and country.

President Clinton spoke of the courage of choice.

Vice President Biden also spoke with power and eloquence,

but none of his pictures came out.

The family members of the 40 crew and passengers

leave memorials at the crash site.

Two family members visit the memorial to their loved one.

Prayer.

Random Shots

2011-08-11T22:15:00.000-04:00

I've not been very dependable at updating this particular blog, even though I have taken some pictures in the last few months. So here is some catch-up shots.

I don't know what you call them, but I call them beautiful.

A dreary day ends with sunset on the shores of Lake Erie.

A farm at the end of a summer's day.

(Sorry about the powerlines.)

Windfarm at sunset.

The Mason-Dixon Highway nears Meyersdale, PA

One of the many trails through the Laurel Highlands.

(My camera is supposed to have image stabilization. Doesn't seem to be working well.)

The Flight 93 National Memorial

2011-08-11T21:41:00.000-04:00

Members of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial were given a preview of the permanent memorial prior to its dedication ceremony on September 10, and the 10-year commemoration of the terror attacks on September 11. As we toured the memorial, we were told about the design and a lot of its intracacies. Every structure, every surface, everything you see or touch has meaning. It is a place of indescribable beauty...and peace.

Visitors will enter through this plaza, effectively separating the sanctuary of the memorial from the outside world. You can see how the plaza so effectively frames the memorial.

All along the walkway are these black stone benches. If you stand on one and look at the others, it becomes apparent that their shape suggests the wings of an airplane.

Up ahead, is the wall and the 40 panels, each one containing the names of the passengers and crew who fought back that day, and gave their lives in that effort. We were kept distant from this feature. NPS (National Park Service) explained that the first people to see the panels up close would be the family members.

One of the things that has been preserved is the openness of the site. One of the Docents from the New York 9/11 site marveled at "how big the sky seems from here." And of course, a vast array of colorful wildflowers, some of which will be in bloom during the spring, summer, and fall.

This grove of Hemlock trees marks the edge of the crash site.

The Hemlocks have a powerful presence throughout the design. Most obvious is in the surfaces of all the cast concrete structures. The concrete was cast in hand-hewn hemlock molds, the patterns of which have been preserved in the surfaces. This is one wall of the entry plaza. The depth of the pattern is slightly exaggerated by the rays of the setting sun.

This is the other side of the entrance plaza, where rows of benches have been set up for visitors to listen to the presentations given by the volunteer Flight 93 Ambassadors. You can see to the side a wider shot of the patterns in the concrete.

Behind Old Glory, the moon rises.

Spring!!!

2011-05-26T19:27:00.000-04:00

Honoring the Past

2011-02-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

Every year in early September, Somerset, PA hosts the Mountain Arts Craft Festival. It's a celebration of craft skills that are quaint now, but were a matter of survival 200 years ago. Most of the exhibits line a winding path through the woods, which really lends a authentic feel to what you experience.

A sweeping success?

The path.

The woods

Curiosity

Pickles. The old-fashioned way.

A little music.

In the fervent hope that Phil was right...

2011-02-04T22:26:00.002-05:00

A few reminders that winter does end. Eventually.

Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, MD

2011-02-04T22:15:00.000-05:00

The Beauty and Solitude of the Desert

2010-10-20T21:40:00.001-04:00

Early Fall in Pennsylvania

2010-09-29T19:43:00.000-04:00

Autumn is Here!

2010-09-21T20:28:00.000-04:00

Sunrise in the Highlands

Flying in a perfect sky.

I was shooting this patch of sky through a gap in the trees.

What that artifact is in the image center I couldn't tell you.

All in the Eyes

2010-09-14T22:05:00.000-04:00

There's something so incredibly expressive about the eyes of a horse.

Upside Down

2010-09-14T21:58:00.002-04:00

One of the rides at the Somerset County Fair

Running From the Storm

2010-09-14T21:54:00.002-04:00

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Grandma Moment

2010-09-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

Renaissance

2010-09-14T21:45:00.000-04:00

The U Street neighborhood in Washington DC has undergone a remarkable rebirth.

More Forest Pictures

2010-09-14T21:38:00.000-04:00

These from Laurel Hill State Park

Forest Walk at Dusk

2010-08-30T21:07:00.001-04:00

The Laurel Highlands of Southwest Pennsylvania is a wondrous land of mountains and forests that are a delight to the eye and solace to the soul.

(We made a wrong turn and got to this place just a few minutes too late for the right lighting, but I rolled the dice and shot a few anyway.)

Gamers

2010-08-20T19:04:00.000-04:00

Competitiveness runs deep in our DNA

(Grandma was losing)

Birthday Girl

2010-08-20T18:59:00.002-04:00

Fourth of July in Our Nation's Capital

2010-08-20T18:55:00.000-04:00

Along with a million or so of our closest friends.

Staple Bend Tunnel Trail, Mineral Point, PA

2010-08-20T18:51:00.000-04:00

Staple Bend Tunnel was the first railroad tunnel in America, part of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, it was built to haul cargo over the mountains, connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The cargo and passengers was loaded on canal boats and lifted over the mountains by a series of railways and canals.

From the parking lot, the trail in is about 2 miles. It is a lovely walk along a crushed gravel path roofed over with trees. Along the way, you see close-up part of these magnificent Pennsylvania forests.

This is the eastern entrance...

the tunnel itself, which is 900 feet long...

and the western entrance.

Our daughter Crystal was visiting from Colorado. While trying to climb over the top of the western entrance, she happened upon a copper head snake skin between a pair of rocks. That pretty much stopped her explorations. Don't let that facial expression fool you for one minute. She's no girly-girl.

Walking through the tunnel, it almost feels like everything you've ever read about a near-death experience.

Daughter, dog, Mom on the trail.

The Dream Becomes Real

2010-08-20T18:18:00.000-04:00

Earth is finally being moved and the Flight 93 Permanent Memorial is taking shape.

The former temporary site had to be moved and has been relocated to what is called the "Western Overlook," which was the headquarters for all the on-site responders and investigators working the crash site. The same old galvanized metal building is being used again to house the exhibits. The personal memorials left by the hundreds of thousands of visitors have been carefully stored at NPS Headquarters in Somerset.

But along the new fence, new memorials are already being left.

Once again, a flag borne of courage and sacrifice flies over ground made sacred by courage and sacrifice.

Samish Island, Washington State

2010-07-07T11:27:00.001-04:00

The town of La Connor

Now that's what I'M talkin' about!

Bugs just don't get it.

Deception Point, Washington State

2010-07-07T10:51:00.000-04:00

2010-05-19T21:22:00.000-04:00

Grand Concourse Restaurant in the Station Square Center, formerly the Pittsburgh Train Depot.

2010-05-19T21:13:00.000-04:00

Two milestones

2010-05-19T21:05:00.000-04:00

California Adventure, Disneyland

2010-05-19T21:00:00.000-04:00

Sunset on Laguna Beach, California

The Blizzard of '10

2010-02-07T17:59:00.002-05:00

Some images from the Big Blow...

The official snowfall total for Somerset, PA was 26 inches. I measured between 29 and 30.

Those are flakes, not orbs from the cemetary across the street.

Apologies to Jason and Grant.

The deck

What it usually looks like.

"Where do I pee???

The fence is almost covered.

Instant canyon.

No church today.

Stonewall Manor

Taking a walk.

Can you dig it? We sure did.

"Nice coat. Ralph Lauren?"

"Nah. Armani."

Murphy and Tweeter exchange a few words.

Well, at least it doesn't need mowing.

And there's three more storms on the way.

Tweeter-tin-tin

2010-01-03T22:04:00.000-05:00

...in an heroic pose.

(Mt. Davis again)

The Roof of Pennsylvania

2010-01-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

The view from Mt. Davis, at 3,215 feet, the highest point in the Keystone State

Autumn Lane

2009-11-26T15:37:00.000-05:00

Even on a gloomy day, nature's fall glory provides it's own luminescence.

Jacksonville Waterfront

2009-11-26T15:31:00.002-05:00

Mojave Desert Mountain

2009-11-26T15:27:00.002-05:00

Angel

2009-07-14T20:15:00.000-04:00

Manhattan Dusk

2009-07-14T20:13:00.000-04:00

Times Square

2009-07-14T20:10:00.000-04:00

2009-05-02T21:34:00.001-04:00

There's never been a sailor born who doesn't pause at sunset, gaze towards the setting star, and dream of those he's left behind.

Pondering

2009-05-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

"In the murmur of the sea will we find our answers."

Magnolia Street

2009-05-02T21:27:00.000-04:00

Sun Clock

2009-05-02T21:24:00.000-04:00

Sundial in St. Augustine

Gametime!

2008-12-04T23:09:00.001-05:00

To the lights and sound, to the thrill and passion

were we drawn as supplicants to a temple...

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA

Evening

2008-12-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

"Oh God, thy sea is so large;

And my boat is so small."

Battlefield Sunset

2008-12-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

The day ends at Gettysburg.

The Pyramid of Kukulcan

2008-11-08T14:57:00.001-05:00

Mayan Dusk

2008-11-08T13:16:00.001-05:00

The ancient observatory at Chichén Itzá.

Autumn Glory

2008-11-08T12:52:00.012-05:00

This has been a spectacular autumn here in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Here's just a few examples...

Nah, nobody wants to come here.

2008-08-06T12:40:00.000-04:00

Inbound lanes at the San Ysidro border crossing.

2008-08-06T12:37:00.001-04:00

Autumn Skyscapes.

2008-08-06T12:35:00.000-04:00

"Take me home on a country road..."

2008-08-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

A Pennsylvania farm on an autumn day.

Can there be no more peaceful a time than to walk a garden path on a carpet of fallen Cherry Blossoms?

2008-07-12T12:49:00.003-04:00

In LIne Abreast

2008-07-12T12:35:00.002-04:00

USS Brewton (FF-1083), USS McClusky (FFG-41), USS John Young (DDG-973), and the legendary USS Long Beach (CGN-9) in the Western Pacific. Scanned from a Photograph.

Berbera, Somalia

2008-07-12T12:33:00.001-04:00

It is a sad truth that Americans who complain about being poor

have no clue what real poverty is.

The Canyons of Gotham

2008-05-18T19:51:00.002-04:00

New York City...and a touch of Paris.

"I want to wake up in a City that never sleeps..."

2008-05-18T19:45:00.000-04:00

Manhatten after dark.

Sacred Ground: The Impact Site of Flight 93

2008-05-18T19:31:00.004-04:00

"Heroism is latent in every human soul, however humble or unknown.
In great deeds, something abides.
In great fields, something stays.
Spirits linger to consecrate the ground.
And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not,
shall come to this field to ponder and to dream.
And the power of the vision will pass into their souls."

--Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

The Tree of Shame at Deal's Gap

2008-05-18T19:20:00.004-04:00

Deal's Gap, a section of US Highway 129 along the southwest border of Smokey Mountains National Park, is considered one of the penultimate tests of a motorcyclist's skill. The tightly twisted road, known as "The Dragon," boasts 318 sharp curves in it's 11-mile length. The "Tree of Shame," an otherwise unassuming Sycamore, carries the symbolic remains of those who failed to complete the course, having been "bit by the Dragon."

"Have a seat and tell me your troubles."

2008-05-18T19:03:00.001-04:00

Tweeter, the quintessential listener.

"That from these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion."

2008-05-18T18:56:00.003-04:00

Arlington National Cemetary, looking towards the former home of Robert E. Lee.
“Perform, then, this one act of commemoration before this Day passes:
Remember.”

Alpha and Omega

2008-05-16T21:10:00.002-04:00

USS MISSOURI and USS ARIZONA, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

"All wars have two places in common: Where the blood first flowed, and where the killing ended."

Everything that happened that day was personal.

2008-05-16T21:02:00.002-04:00

One of the thousands of personal commemorations left anonymously at the Flight 93 Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Paris, France...Nevada

2008-03-11T22:40:00.000-04:00

Lost In Translation

2008-03-11T22:36:00.002-04:00

Out of order sign laboriously translated from Korean to English.

War Memorial, Seoul, Republic of Korea

2008-03-11T22:31:00.000-04:00

Autumn in the Conemaugh Valley

2008-03-11T21:19:00.000-04:00

Morning in the Great Smokies

2008-03-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

There is no finer accompaniment to deep thought than the quiet murmurs of a small stream.

2008-03-11T21:12:00.001-04:00

Housatonic River, Connecticut

2008-03-11T21:05:00.000-04:00

"C'mon...Let's Go Play!"

2008-03-11T21:02:00.000-04:00

Water Street, Vancouver, BC

2008-03-11T21:00:00.000-04:00

"You are the flank!"

2008-03-11T20:53:00.001-04:00

Position of the 20th Maine Regiment, Little Round Top, Gettysburg, PA

Where you go to find the wild beasties...

2008-03-10T22:34:00.000-04:00

Floating Over Johnstown

2008-03-10T22:22:00.000-04:00

New York City...Nevada

2008-03-10T22:14:00.000-04:00

Scraping the Sky

2008-03-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

Sunset Flight

2008-03-10T22:07:00.000-04:00

San Diego Bay

Moonlit Ligonier, PA

2008-03-10T21:49:00.000-04:00

The Queen's Staircase

2008-03-10T21:44:00.000-04:00

Nassau, Grand Bahamas

The Wonder of Human Expression

2008-03-10T21:40:00.000-04:00

The Guggenheim, New York City

Companion

2008-03-10T21:37:00.000-04:00

The Goddess of Gettysburg

2008-03-10T21:34:00.000-04:00

Angelic Reflections

2008-03-10T21:30:00.001-04:00

Cochise Head Mountain, in the Dos Cabezas Mountains, SE Arizona

2007-11-21T22:54:00.002-05:00

The west has given me perspective, a perfect backdrop upon which the musings of a man's mind could range as far as the stars and nebulae that populate the night sky, with thoughts as intimate and personal as the inside of a sleeping bag.

Almost-Dry Lake, near Gunnison, Colorado

2007-11-21T22:52:00.000-05:00

Courthouse, Buena Vista, CO

2007-11-21T22:51:00.000-05:00

Sunrise, Virginia Beach, VA

2007-11-21T22:50:00.000-05:00

Virginia Virga

2007-11-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

Sunset in Vancouver, BC

2007-11-21T22:47:00.000-05:00

Charleston Church at dusk

2007-11-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

2007-11-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

Lobby Garden at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

2007-11-21T22:33:00.000-05:00

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire

2007-11-21T22:31:00.000-05:00

Bar Harbor, Maine

2007-11-21T22:29:00.002-05:00

When a wave crashes against a rock,

it seems to have lost the battle.
But years hence, the rock will wear away;

and the sea will have won the war.

Martha's Vinyard

2007-11-21T19:30:00.001-05:00

They call them "cottages."

Yeah. Right.