Clowning Around

Clowning Around, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
72mm, 1/500 sec @ f5.5, ISO 100, -0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I was walking around seeing the bubbles coming from somewhere, so I figured there must be one of those machines somewhere shooting out soap bubbles.  Well, in a way I guess there was.  Only this one was wearing a clown suit and using two giant fly swatters.  Pretty clever.

This was in the finish area of the 2012 Honolulu Marathon.  Everyone was hot, sweaty, thirsty, and tired, but this guy managed to bring a smile to people's faces.  Who doesn't love a clown?

So the next time you or someone else you know needs a little cheering up, break out that rubber nose and start clowning around.  Laughter really is the best medicine and pick-me-up.

Stud Muffin

Stud Muffin, Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
105mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.3, ISO 560, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Perhaps not the photo you were expecting from the title?

Trust me, this old man (I think he's 15 years old or something) truly is a stud muffin.  As in $500 stud fees.  I'm not kidding.  We spoke with the owner when we were visiting our daughter in Hawaii.

So what do they say -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder?  Apparently so.  Beauty, and some earning potential ;-)

Catch It ...

Catch It, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/1600 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Catch it ... and then let it go.  You must if you wish to ride it.

I love this shot, with the wind so clearly whipping the waves in the back of the frame.

This was a red-flag day, and you had better know what you were doing to be out in the water.

But if you have the skill, and the guts, you might just have some fun.

Don't cling.  Roll with it.  Go with the flow.  You know what works.  And what doesn't.

Pink Flamingos

Pink Flamingos, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 
18-200mm VR lens, 63mm, 1/60 sec @ f5, ISO 1600, EV -0, with flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Yes, I am aware of the 1972 John Walters movie by the same title, and must confess to having even seen it in a theater (back at Johns Hopkins University).  And for a bonus, we had the director himself stop by for a Q&A session (he lived from Baltimore, MD).   Quite a treat in a very bizzarre way.

Changing topics, I must also note that on our recent home leave visit to Hawaii, the flamingos were missing in action.  I certainly hope they return soon.  They are quite a treat to see.

Welcome Grasshopper

Welcome Grasshopper, Valley of the Temples, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm
 VR lens, 44mm, 1/15 sec @ f4.2, ISO 1600, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Perhaps I should say, "Welcome Back, Grasshopper".

I've got a new approach for this site this year.

At least one picture per day, for 365 days.  Let's see how it goes.

I hope to hear from you along the journey.