Venice, Italy

This month’s featured photograph comes from photographer  Michael Wiggins. You can see more of Michael’s gorgeous imagery at www.wmwiggins.com

OMG, I am the kid in the candy store. “They are everywhere, they are everywhere”. I want to “capture this one with my camera…..I NEED to capture that one”.

As I complete my 360 degree turn in Venice’s Piazza San Marco, I realize like the lagoon waves, they just keep on coming.

THEY being the costumed model participants of the annually “Carnival” of Venice.

Starting at mid morning and running until late into the evening, colors of every  hue and saturation excites my eyes. Venues galore, my challenge is to pick ONLY one place to be at a time.

Geeeeeeez…..this is just not fair!

My daylight gives way to the night light.

Now, a completely  different view of the ever changing ubiquitous models.

Some night colors simply pop. “Lady of the Night”, this “Lady in Red ” is one of my favorite shots. I do not know if this model was a member of a troupe from Paris, Berlin, London, or wherever. All were so equally gracious and accommodating to the photographer.

Eye candy? You betcha’, and lots of it.

Ciao,

Michael Wiggins

Michael Wiggins is a recently retired airline pilot. Having flown for Delta Air Lines for almost 30 years, he developed a love of photography while flying to international destinations and continue to travel to the world capturing images to share with others. He currently reside in Texas with my wife, Gail, and three dogs.

La Paz, Baja, Mexico

© Ellen Barone. CostaBaja Resort. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

I’m a sucker for Mexican design and CostaBaja had me hooked at hello. What a gorgeous new addition to the accommodation options in La Paz. Totally yummy! Better yet, the staff was every bit as warm and welcoming as the surroundings. Learn more about this resort community at www.CostaBajaResort.com.

 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.

New Mexico Storm Clouds

© Ellen Barone. Storm clouds at sunset

Sure, it may be cliché to extol the beauty and drama of the New Mexico sky. But, it’s cliché for a reason - the skies are magical!

When I’m home, my favorite evening ritual is to sit outside on our back patio and watch the drama of the night sky unfold. Each night is a new performance. I never tire of it.

A summer storm was brewing the evening I captured this image. Thunder rumbled while the hypnotic sky transformed minute-by-minute in color and form, as if someone was turning the dial on a virtual kaleidoscope. The photo doesn’t do it justice, but it felt like I’d been dropped down the Rabbit Hole in Alice in Wonderland.

If you haven’t traveled to New Mexico, you should. But be forewarned: “if you ever go to New Mexico, it’ll itch you for the rest of your life.” - Georgia O’Keeffe

Like this photo? You can buy it!

To purchase fine art prints and photo gifts of this image, or any of our most popular images, please visit our online photo store.

 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.

CasaBlanca, Morocco

©Ellen Barone. King Hassan II mosque.

The Hassan II mosque is about exotic as Casablanca gets. The vast mosque, built to commemorate the former King Hassan II’s 60th birthday, can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and is one of the few Islamic religious buildings open to non-Muslims. Featuring the work of more than 6000 Moroccan artisans, I loved photographing the phenomenal building. But if you want inside be prepared to take a guided tour, be ‘respectfully’ dressed and, once inside, remove your shoes.

Like this photo? You can buy it!

To purchase fine art prints and photo gifts of this image, or any of our most popular images, pleasevisit our online photo store.

Or better yet, go make your own. Join visual artist Lisl Dennis on a Morocco photo tour. While Lisl is a professional photographer and will be available throughout the tour to offer personal photo assistance, conduct on-location demonstrations, and lead group photography discussions, the tour also attracts videographers, writers, poets and the culturally curious. Learn more

 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.

La Cañada, Mexico

La casa de Doña Hermina. © Ute Hagen. texture by Insan Stock.

This month’s photograph comes from a new ‘Countryside along the Sabino River’ series of images by Mexico-based artist Ute Hagen. For the past decade, I have been blessed by Ute’s friendship, vision and passion and am honored by the opportunity to feature her work here.

Here’s Ute’s description of the experience behind the creation of the photograph:

…she [Doña Hermina] lives here alone. i saw her standing by the stone wall watching her village’s life go by. there was a can of water by her side which she threatened to throw at me if would take her picture (((((; we chatted and laughed for a while and whenever i lifted my camera she lifted her water can…….. hmm, i never got to find out if she really meant it (((;


See more of Ute’s photography and art at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uteart/

Backcountry New Mexico

© Ellen Barone. Pronghorn antelope near Carrizozo, NM

I love little more than a New Mexico road trip.  I’ll take any excuse to hop behind the wheel and cruise the state’s scenic back roads. And you can bet there’ll be a camera on the seat beside me!

I spotted this group of antelope off Hwy 54 just north of Carrizozo on one such trip. The drama of a stormy gray sky and the spotlight ray of sunshine lend the shot, and memory, a tinge of New Mexico magic. It’s just this kind of natural beauty that makes me glad that 12 years ago I came to New Mexico for a week, and decided to stay for a lifetime!

I have my New Mexico; now you can share yours for a chance to win Fodor’s guides and a subscription to New Mexico Magazine. Enter the “Show Us Your New Mexico” contest at Fodors.com  Entry deadline May 15, 2009.

Click here for details. 

San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico

© Ellen Barone. Low Tide at San Felipe beach.

Through the good fortune of travel and the generosity of friends made on the road, my husband, Hank, and I find ourselves enjoyng a quiet three weeks housesitting in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Who knew when I met Bob & Lyn Sheedy (http://www.planetbob.com) on a flight to Barbados in 2003 that five years later they’d find my business card tucked into a suitcase and reconnect. Who knew that they’d end up spending three months in our casita in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, or that we’d end up keeping their cat, Meow-Meow, and bird, Bud, company in their desert home in Baja.

For those of us who travel, chance encounters that transform into lifelong friendships, are never a surprise, and in fact, one of the nicest perks. Not to mention, a trip to the beach!

Have a similar story? Share it here! I’d love to hear it.

Life is good,

Ellen

Old Mesilla, New Mexico

©Ellen Barone. Patio view at Josefina’s Old Gate Café and Inn, Mesilla, New Mexico.When I’m cravin’ an Old Mexico fix in New Mexico, I head straight for the lively little village of Old Mesilla near Las Cruces. Dating from 1849, the village of about 2,000 boasts one of the Southwest’s most charming historic plazas. First stop is usually Josefina’s Old Gate Cafe, a homey little cafe where I load up on homemade quiche and fresh-baked croissants. Next, it’s off to The Potteries to see what new and irresitable ceramics potters Janice Cook, Bill Cook, and Jeanne Rundell have on the shelves to tempt me. And finally, there’s people watching, a green chile cheeseburger and a margarita (or 3) to be had at the Double Eagle.