Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Return of the Lion King!

Located in Madison, Wisconsin is the Henry Vilas Zoo which is free to the public.

To my amazement this small, neighborhood zoo has an impressive collection of animals. From their Amur tiger to the grizzly bears to their African lions. As a former longtime member of the world famous San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park, I know what a first-rate zoo looks like.

My camera lens has always been attracted to the lions, I guess since they are the top predator of the animal world and thus on the top of the food chain. I could also say I like photographing them because they are the “King of the Jungle,” but that technically wouldn’t be right since they inhabit the savanna grasslands of Africa and not the jungle!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

So What’s For Lunch?

I wish I could say I took this in the wild but it was taken in the friendly confines of the Milwaukee County Zoo. I decided to take a trip there since locals highly recommended it to me as a photography day trip.

The zoo’s felines are housed in a building called the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country. The exhibit has both an indoor and outdoor area. I would assume the cats spend most of their time inside to escape the cold Wisconsin weather.

This jaguar proved to be the perfect model as it remained still while posing for me and then it gave me the look, “I’m done and now I’m going to eat you for lunch!”

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Having a “Rip-roaring” Time at the Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, Wisconsin

Some of the best things in life are free!

For example, taking the Staten Island Ferry in New York City where you have magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and of the Statue of Liberty. There’s also the free light and water show at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago. Here in Madison, Wisconsin there is the Henry Vilas Zoo which is free to the public.

To my amazement this small, neighborhood zoo has an impressive collection of animals. From their Amur tiger to the grizzly bears to their African lions. As a former longtime member of the world famous San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park, I know what a first-rate zoo looks like.

My camera lens has always been attracted to the lions, I guess since they are the top predator of the animal world and thus on the top of the food chain. I could also say I like photographing them because they are the “King of the Jungle,” but that technically wouldn’t be right since they inhabit the savanna grasslands of Africa!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Milwaukee Art Museum "Flying" at Dusk

Moving from California to Wisconsin I knew I would be encountering small towns over big cities. As a native of San Diego (the eighth largest city in the United States), I grew up accustomed to large cities. Since moving to the Midwest I have become familiar with small size cities, towns and villages.

Naturally I was attracted to the city of Milwaukee which is Wisconsin’s largest city (population over 600,000). Milwaukee’s blue-collar imagery of “Laverne and Shirley” and breweries has evolved over the years to what is now a modern sprawling metropolis.

What really put Milwaukee on the traveler’s map a couple of years ago was the postmodern addition designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM).

The highlight of the museum architecture is the Burke Brise Soleil, a moveable wing-like sunscreen that sits on top of the museum. It acts as a sun shade throughout the day. The “wings” open in the morning, close/reopen at noon and close when the museum closes at 5:00 p.m.

I took this at dusk knowing the “wings” would be closing thus making for a dramatic slow shutter speed photograph. If it looks like the museum building is flying it maybe because the Burke Brise Soleil has a wingspan comparable to that of a Boeing 747-400.

MAM now serves as the iconic landmark for Milwaukee and a delight for photographers.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Apple iPhone Photography: Guimaras Island - Philippines

The Guimaras Island is only a 15 minute pump boat ride from Iloilo City but a world apart from big city life. Relaxing beach resorts always put me at ease and offer great photo opportunities.

I took this photo with my Apple iPhone! Chase Jarvis said it best when he stated, "The best camera is the one that's with you."

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Ford Seasons! Carhenge, Nebraska

Carhenge - Alliance, Nebraska

Built in 1987 as a part of a family reunion, it is a giant size replica of the famous Druid ruin, Stonehenge.

Some other enterprising artists have added their automotive works of art nearby such as this creative work of art: The Ford Seasons!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Monday, November 8, 2010

Come Fly With Me...The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

This photo always brings a smile to my face. The Darth Vader balloon brings back memories of my youth when I would stand in a mile long line just to get into a single screen theater to watch Star Wars!

In the evening the special shape balloons put on a show called the glowdeo. The static display of the special shape balloons light up the night landscape when all the pilots turn their burners on to create a magical moment.

Canon EOS 5D,Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD IF

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A little history....

Every October the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico hosts a balloon fiesta that attracts people from all over the world. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta features over 700 balloon making it the largest ballooning event in the world. As a photographer I found this event a delight because of the bright, colorful balloons contrasted against the big blue New Mexico sky made for great photographs!

The Balloon Fiesta Park is spread out over a 78-acre launch field (that's 54 football fields put together)! This event is huge and in fact they claim that this is the most photographed event in the world. What I like the best was that there are no viewing stands - you are part of the action and can walk right up to the balloons. The crews are very friendly and accommodating to photographers.

My photo does not do justice of portraying the awestruck sight of hundreds of balloons in mass ascension or bringing a smile to your face as you see for the first time the special shape balloons, but hopefully it will inspire you to book a flight to Albuquerque next year so you may witness this incredible event for yourself.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Crown Fountain - Chicago, Illinois

"A fountain is the memory of nature, this marvelous sound of a little river in the mountains translated to the city. For me, a fountain doesn't mean a big jet of water. It means humidity, the origin of life."
-Jaume Plensa

Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa and starring the people of Chicago, Crown Fountain in Millennium Park is a great place to take out of state visitors and to watch locals 'splish splash' in the water.

The fountain consists of two 50-foot glass towers that project images of 1,000 local Chicagoans. On a regular interval, water flows through a water outlet in the screen to give the illusion of water spouting from their mouths.

My friends from California, Jason and Kathryn, were in town to visit me over the weekend. I played tour guide over the next couple of days as I took them to the Midwestern hotspots of Milwaukee and Chicago. In Chicago, Millennium Park is a 'must see' stop for any tour guide's route. Of course, being a great tour guide my timing was impeccable as we arrived at Crown Fountain at dusk and while locals were enjoying a cool moment in the water.

This little girl happen to run into the frame as I pressed my shutter button of my Canon G9 camera. I think it added another dimension to the blue sky and reflection in the pool. My kind of photograph from the Windy City.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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