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Instagram post 1812029817057417796_17983668 #HierveElAgua, near #Oaxaca, #Mexico. This is a really cool place outside of Oaxaca City. The structures are formed by minerals deposited from the naturally flowing spring water. ⠀ Lots of tourists were there, and it was a really gloomy day, but if you're patient enough, the tourists will leave and the sun might come out like it did for us. ⠀ Getting there, we were really running low on gas, but we picked up a hitch hiker on the way, and his family was able to get us enough gas to get back. That kind of thing happens to us a lot for some reason. 😉 ⠀ #landscapeoftheday #OaxacaMexico #HierveElAguaOaxaca #travelMexico #Mexicolindo #igMexico #vivaMexico #vivaMéxico #visitaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild #dreamscapes #splendidEarth
Instagram post 1806256241863803599_17983668 #UnderwaterWednesday Look at this beautiful animal. These guys live around #Akumal, #Mexico and take way too much abuse from tourists to the point that they area is getting more and more protected. Tourists, right? I can't even believe I am one. 😉 ⠀ They're challenging to photograph because they couldn't be bothered by you. They just slowly swim away from you and your awkward underwater photon recording device. Around sunset, when the tourists are all gone, I suspect the locals feed them so they stick around. In this case, two of them were fighting over a fish carcass, and this one seemed to have lost the battle. It then came after me because my fins looked similar to the fish they were fighting over. About a second later, it bounced, cruising through the water effortlessly, disappearing in murky water faster than a blink of an eye. I didn't know they could swim so fast. ⠀ #turtle #tortuga #AkumalBeach #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterworld #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild #dreamscapes ⠀
Instagram post 1801198437700210858_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ #underwaterwednesday I have been wanting to take underwater photography more seriously for years, but was always turned off by the price of a decent UW case + dome port that would eventually get bricked once you upgrade your gear. But I finally found an incredibly good deal from a Chinese manufacturer and had some good times with it in #Bacalar, #Mexico. ⠀ #swimming #turquoise #colors #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterworld #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild #dreamscapes ⠀
Instagram post 1710592148964644165_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ “Doing the work the güeros wouldn’t do” is a line from a #Springsteen song that opens up a deep-seated look into #Mexican labour practices. While the song differs in the way of cooking methamphetamines, most of the food we eat in North America has been, at one point, held in the hands of a Hispanic person. I have nothing but respect for the hard work and little pay these people earn. On the other hand, I’ve heard they can do quite well during the high seasons when skilled labour is at a shortage and farmers need to harvest crops as soon as possible to prevent waste. ⠀ #cacao #cocoa #cocoapods #chocolate #finca #hacienda #Comalcalco #Tabasco #Mexico #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild ⠀
Instagram post 1705508795525733990_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ #cacao pods are usually out of the farmer’s reach so they use this tool attached to a long wooden pole. We were told it’s called a #luco, although I couldn’t find anything online about it. The most common English name I found was a cocoa knife (how clever), or a pike pole. The hooked blade is simply steel that gets ground down to keep it wickedly sharp so the cacao pods can be removed with relative ease. When not being used, it’s rested on the ground because if it’s left leaning on a tree, the wind can knock it down and injure someone. ⠀ #cocoa #cocoapods #chocolate #finca #hacienda #Comalcalco #Tabasco #Mexico #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild ⠀
Instagram post 1688741723408149106_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ I want to be where the #magic is. ⠀ We were planning a trip to Ecuador to shoot #cacao / cocoa production, but we met a guy that suggested (to put it lightly) that we go to his home town in #Tabasco, #Mexico. That was a good idea. ⠀ We know Mexico well and it’s very easy to get around. Unlike in Ecuador where flights seem really cost prohibitive and taking long bus rides through the winding mountain roads gets old fast. While each region will have its unique attractions, something about the Mayan Civilization being the birthplace of chocolate was also very intriguing. ⠀ ⠀ #cocoa #chocolate #finca #hacienda #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild ⠀
Instagram post 1664917858819221797_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ 7:00am at a plantation in #Tabasco, #Mexico, awaiting the mysteries contained within. ⠀ #cacao #finca #hacienda #travelMexico #igMexico #vivaMexico #exploreMexico #hechoenMexico #goexplore #exploretocreate #adventuretravel #mothernature #justgoshoot #getoutdoors #getoutstayout #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelmore #trav3lr #traveldiary #wild #staywild #dreamscapes ⠀
Instagram post 1638835489603527152_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ #ToketeeHotsprings, #Oregon. ⠀ I previously asked, what's your holy grail? Personally, I'd love to own land with naturally occurring hotsprings. ⠀ We go through great lengths to get to these sites because we've witnessed that, even in a few short years, they change dramatically. They get popular. People leave trash and that attracts bears, or they get developed and they make pools out of concrete and tiles and start charging an entrance fee. ⠀ While it may be difficult to acquire land, a more realistic end goal would be to have some form of self sufficient mobile dwelling outfitted to live near the hotsprings for a long while. One place in particular would be the Liard River Hotsprings in the winter. I heard it's beautiful, but temps can reach -30°C. ⠀ It's tough to survive in that kind of wilderness setting and anything could go wrong with a little bad weather. But having an RV, van, or trailer with good insulation and a wood burning stove can make it quite manageable and cozy too. Wood burning stoves are great because, unlike propane furnaces, they cut down humidity. ⠀ Well, that's the dream anyway, I'll bore you with further details later... ⠀
Instagram post 1598967194238975167_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ "Some men are searching for the Holy Grail But there ain't nothin' sweeter than riding the rails" ⠀ Being free on the road often leads to surprises. We heard about Toketee Hotpsprings in Oregon after talking to some locals. The nearby waterfall is worth checking out as well. Traveling east on highway 138 we were stopped at a road closure. After suffering from mild disappointment (it was a bit of a drive), we were told that we could proceed only up to the hotsprings but had to be prepared for evacuation. The wildfire smoke is thick and ugly, but I can't decide whether it makes for better photos or not. ⠀ Smoke, pollution, and a world on fire aside, what's your Holy Grail? I have a pretty good idea myself. ⠀
Instagram post 1578642009833194727_17983668 ⠀ ⠀ "I sleep like a baby with the snakes and the bugs." #TomWaits #JoffreLakes #BC ⠀ It's the time of the year when we are reminded how a natural environment makes us feel happier and healthier. Any ideas on how to live in the bush and earn enough income to live off the land and cover expenses? Anyone else planning to live in a van down by the river? ⠀
Instagram post 1553316329591633453_17983668 "I woke up this morning with the cold water." I think Tom is on to something. #JoffreLakes #BC
Instagram post 1549317758391205353_17983668 #Eh? #Sorry. What's going on today? National holiday or something?
Instagram post 1527201211374538550_17983668 My apologies for temporarily blinding you, sir. ⠀ I didn't catch his name, but this gent had just come down from his perch, deep in one of #CerroRico's many narrow, twisting passages. There wasn't much room to breathe in there. The air felt thick and wet, full of fine silica particles. The worst working conditions I have ever seen. ⠀ ...Continued from my last post: ⠀ You would then crawl into a humid, oxygen depleted and very tightly enclosed, phobia inducing pocket to access a silver vein and start chipping away at it with a hammer and chisel, being careful not to upset "El Tio" (English: "the uncle"), more on that later... You'll be chewing coca leaves throughout the day because the stimulant makes the job more bearable, and it also suppresses your appetite so you can get more work done. Food is overrated and cheap sugary drinks provide you with enough sustenance throughout the day. Your expected life span would be about 40 years, and you're likely to succumb to silicosis, a disease caused by years of inhaling silica dust. If you survive, you'll probably have breathing issues that are exacerbated by the fact that you live in the highest city in the world, literally more than four kilometers above sea level. ⠀ The mine could collapse at any moment and may not be around much longer. That doesn't bode well for the safety of the workers, the economy of Potosí, or the curious folks that want to visit. However, El Tio, the god of the mining underworld offers protection. The grotesque, naked and fully erect shrines are adorned with offerings of bagged coca leaves, bottles of 192 proof alcohol, and usually a lit cigarette in his mouth that slowly burns down before being replaced by another.
Instagram post 1451948943578863071_17983668 I'm filing #CerroRico de Potosí very high on the #mustsee list. It's a 500 year old silver mine with what seems like 500 year old mining practices. To be a mine worker, you would enter the mine, duck your head and swiftly run through the mineshafts before retreating - video game like - into a small recess while other miners run heavy carts of silver ore past you. Once they pass you continue running until having to dodge a few more carts. A cool breeze and the roar of a freight train echoing throughout the tunnels make you very aware of the potential danger of each passing cart. You would then walk along some narrow, 100 ft high cliffs and climb over some wooden planks that allow you to traverse deep, dark holes in the ground. There is no order to the mine. No real safety measures in place. No fences, no ropes, and not much light. Just empty carts going in, and silver ore going out. To be continued...
Instagram post 1446822862505548207_17983668 I judge places by the way the dogs behave. In the case of #Uyuni, Bolivia, it isn't pretty. We were walking down the road to a pizza shop that literally saved my life (that's another story) and on the way we passed this little dog. Three blocks down the road, that same dog, after quietly following me, bit my ankle! Funny enough, in the nearby town of Potosi, where dogs are really friendly (and super mangy), one dog had to chase and bite the mud flaps of every passing car or truck. Sometimes when you're bored, lonely, or suffering from a bit of culture shock, a quick friend could be had in a homeless pup... except in Uyuni, they're jerks there. In this pic, I saw the dogs running and turned to photograph them just when the lightning struck behind them. It's kind of a useless image, but I still hope you enjoy. ☺
Instagram post 1441728962614839977_17983668 "Coca. Cocaína. Frutas. Verduras." A #Bolivian migracion official belted out a somewhat authoritative warning to make such declarations before crossing the border towards Chile. If it wasn't for the building, a bus, and a few signs it would have felt like the middle of nowhere. We were supposed to be in South America right now, and after spending a good amount of time there, I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to spend the rest of their lives exploring these incredible lands. I try not to overuse a word like 'incredible,' but when I was a kid, working on renovating rooming houses and painting around the sprinklers, my boss told me to be careful because the high pressure sprinkler system would "knock my eyeballs out." That's probably a good way to describe running around South America. Just looking back on images captured, without exaggerating, they're taking my breath away. For now, our family needs care, and as much as I'd sacrifice anything to travel and explore, one thing I obviously couldn't give up on is my family. In the meantime, I'll try to take you across the borders, virtually. Translating the border guy, he was asking about lawfully cultivated coca leaves, commonly chewed on as a mild stimulant, also being the base of a more potent and processed cocaine, and the usual declaration of fruits and vegetables.
Instagram post 1431596281055111381_17983668 #LasColoradas, #México. The answer to my previous challenge is crocodiles and flamingos. This pink lagoon is near Rio Lagartos, Mexico, and that translates to Crocodile River in english. I think that had something to do with Spanish settlers thinking the lagoon was actually a river and the crocs may have been less than forgiving at the time. The estuary attracts a certain type of pink coloured algae which is consumed by brine shrimp. Those shrimp are then eaten by flamingos and that gives them their pink colour, otherwise, their feathers would be white. To get there, rent a car in Cancun and drive north west for about 3 hours. Watch out for unscrupulous police (literally always drive under the speed limit and feel free to video record all of your police interactions). Stay in Rio Lagartos because there are a lot more rooms there, and then drive 20 minutes east to Las Coloradas whenever you get a chance. With a rental car, you can easily drive around the lagoons and see a lot of flamingos at certain times of the year. That cost us $150 for four days. I <3 Mexico!
Instagram post 1428517270724554545_17983668 #instacontest! We're giving away another of our super rad, hand painted sugar skull fridge magnets that everyone seems to love. Check our feed to see what we're talking about. Here's the challenge: name two animals that are usually associated with this area. To see if you got it, or if you can't figure it out, check back soon... Rules: Must have a shipping address in the US or Canada, and must tag a friend (not your dog or your kid's feed!).
Instagram post 1420686915745506327_17983668 #underwaterwednesday "Yo no soy marinero, yo no soy marinero... soy capitan, soy capitan, soy capitan..." On New Year's Eve my girl was saluting me with a big smile on her face while dancing to La Bamba #haha My first post for 2017 involves giving up some control on technical quality (a never ending challenge) so I can produce more and worry less. Posting this makes my brain hurt because underwater photography is challenging enough, especially when you try to avoid buying a $5000 UW camera housing, instead using a camera with a 1" sensor and you can't avoid backscatter in murky water. On the other hand, shooting underwater is very peaceful and I can blast through 100 Gb of shooting in a day. It's more or less an enjoyable and technically challenging hobby.
Instagram post 1411314517476787162_17983668 Can anyone guess what time of day this photo was captured at?
Instagram post 1394648859828889170_17983668 #instacontest! #win one of these very cool #sugarskull fridge magnets. Leave a comment below with five places in this world that you would love to visit. Also, you must live within Canada or continental USA, must be following my account, and must tag a friend. That's it! Come back in a few days to see if you won 🤔
Instagram post 1383567242449157691_17983668 #instacontest! Read below for details... Imagine you and a loved one could leave the cold and wet November weather and take a quick trip to what I believe is one the most beautiful fresh water lakes in the world. Imagine you could roll up an inflatable standup paddleboard and bring it on the plane as checked baggage so that once you're here, you can cross the lake in about 15 minutes. Also imagine that you could grab a cheap cooler and fill it with ice and drinks for the ultimate chill sess. once you arrive. The first person to guess where this is will win a free and very cool looking sugar skull fridge magnet. You must live within Canada or continental USA and you must tag a friend. Fun, right?
Instagram post 1376395190336281272_17983668 Just some kids running with a wheelbarrow in Mexico. High fives were exchanged. #obviously
Instagram post 1356198433111470000_17983668 Nature abounds near #Kitimat, BC. If I was a spawning male pink salmon, fighting for my territory, I would also bodycheck my adversaries into a log. Is it hockey season yet?
Instagram post 1355442500982823322_17983668 Allison Lake, #BC. Repost because IG didn't have a vertical option at the time. Also, the leaves are changing and it really is gorgeous out there.
Instagram post 1344508744159186756_17983668 It's difficult to photograph blobs of orange #butterflies clinging to dull green and brown fir trees in a dark, backlit forest from so far away. I'm sure all of you photographers and visual artists will understand. We're thinking of jumping through the hoops to obtain a park permit that will get us closer. It is one of the most amazing places on the planet, so the efforts should be worth it.
Instagram post 1344470198127946115_17983668 After a short 45 minute hike in the Monarch #Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, the forest of El Rosario opens up to a warm meadow and a sky filled with butterflies. This is in Michoacán, Mexico, where up to a billion butterflies call home during the winter months.
Instagram post 1320257021403991752_17983668 Searching for lost #treasure, way down south of the Rio Grande... we came across literally millions of these little beasts that cross the Bravo's muddy waters every winter as well. They all seem to congregate in a very small forested area about 2 hours west of Mexico City. The swarms are so concentrated that even at such a small size they can break tree branches. Here in the blurred background, you can see just how orange the otherwise green fir trees appear. Those are all butterflies. It's truly a magical place, and I recommend going in February to see them light up the sky. We were there in late December as well, and the cold weather keeps them mostly confined to the trees.
Instagram post 1294518250670972557_17983668 #MoraineLake, Alberta. The last of my 'gentlemen in canoes' series, with this guy being the least gentlemanly of the bunch (#manspreading). There's not a better feeling than gliding effortlessly though calm water on a gorgeous lake. Your paddle works like a paintbrush, and every stroke brings you closer to a masterpiece. I'd say it's similar to skiing on fresh powder. You really kill it.
Instagram post 1275678163442685572_17983668 About to launch on #MoraineLake in Alberta. It's not a very deep lake, no more than 14m at the deepest point. On a good, calm day, you can usually see right through to the bottom.
Instagram post 1273877451486353257_17983668 Early October at #MoraineLake, Alberta. These were some of my last shots with the #17mmTSE. It's a powerful beast of a lens that I really enjoyed playing around with and getting unusual effects like in the clouds here. You can, sort of, get a similar effect with lens blur filters, but I prefer the old fashioned way, and I can easily tell the difference. The tilt-shift lens is nice, but I really like a smaller, lighter, wider, more versatile lens with AF and IS. Any idea what lens that is?
Instagram post 1268472507396609171_17983668 LakeLouise, Alberta. Part of my 'gentlemen in canoes' series and also part of my 'how to be Canadian' series: #flannelshirt ✅ #canoe ✅ epic #stache ✅
Instagram post 1263410707445666959_17983668 A calm tributary of the unforgiving #SquamishRiver in beautiful #BC. Part of my 'gentlemen in canoes' series. This gent is kind enough to lend you a canoe to drive it half way across the country.
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