Trümmelbach Falls

Trümmelbach Falls : Trümmelbach, CH

On our last day in Lauterbrunnen, we drove back up toward Stechelberg. About halfway there, we stopped at Trümmelbach Falls. The falls are the glacier defile for the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The falls are inside the mountain and accessible by elevator and stairs. They produce nearly 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters) of water per second. The falls are incredibly impressive and worth the 11 Swiss francs for admission.

The Corkscrew : Trümmelbach Falls : Trümmelbach, CH

The river at the end of the falls... : Trümmelbach, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Chartreuse

Chartreuse : Geneva, CH

Walking to the bus on the way home, I looked up and this was my view. Out came the Apple iPod Touch and viola--another Hipstamatic print.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/11

Pink Champagne...

No, this is not a photo of a glass of champagne, obviously. But the colors in this photo made me think of the line from the Deborah Kerr-Cary Grant version of An Affair to Remember where she orders a glass of "pink champagne". Roses. Champagne. Roses. Champagne. Yeah, it makes no sense to me either, but there you have it! Cheers!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/11

Lone Tree. Or, Good Light...

 Good Light on a Lone Tree : Nyon, CH

I couldn't decide on a title for this tree. It was out near the jetty all by its lonesome. It was also in some fabulous evening light with stormy clouds behind it.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/10

Queen Anne's Lace

Posterior Queen Anne's Lace : Bossy, CH

Saw some Queen Anne's Lace while out walking the other evening. Most people photograph it from the front, but I like the view on the back. Hope you do, too.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/10

Sunshiney Face

Full-blown, summer sunshine in a bloom! : Bossy, CH

The sunflowers in finally in full bloom in fields across Switzerland and France. Today's walk goes right past a field of these summer beauties.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Stormy Weather?

 Stormy weather? : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

The weather can't seem to decide today. First, it was sunny and bright. Then, it turned cloudy and breezy. Currently, it's partly cloud and somewhat sunny. Will it rain? Who knows what it will do, but it makes for dramatic skies. (And by the way--when the weatherperson says "partly cloudy, mostly sunny" or "partly sunny, mostly cloudy", what does that mean? What percentage of cloud cover or sun exposure determines their choice? I'm sure it's a more/less than 50% thing, but honestly, why can't they just say "mostly sunny" or "partly sunny" and leave the rest out? Yes, this is how my mind spins.)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Blé

Wheat fields straddling France and Switzerland : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Between us and Switzerland lies a field of wheat. I'm not sure how the farmer who ploughs and plants this field manages that. Does he have to pay duties and tariffs to the other country? Is the Swiss side of his wheat better than the French? When he ploughs and plants, does he have to show a passport? Things like this keep me awake at night. Well, not really, but I do wonder.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Fiery

Rhododendrons : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/10

For Mom

 Bleeding Hearts on the 8th Floor : Geneva, CH

On the eighth floor of the main building at work, there's a terrace with great views of Geneva and the surrounding areas. Along one side of the terrace, there are planter boxes. The other day, I was up there for my lunch and noticed these bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis, also known as Dutchman's Trousers.) My mom has several bleeding hearts planted in her yard in Virginia and these made me think of her and miss her.

Love you, Mom!

Bleeding Hearts, also called Dutchman's Trousers : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/10

Flower Power!

Flower Power! : Geneva, CH

Just a sampling of the beautiful flowers seen around work. See the slideshow below or my Picasa Web Album.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/10

Jura Hike

Last vestiges of winter : Jura Mountains : Gex, FR

A couple of Sundays ago, we went for a little hike in the Jura Mountains, just west of Geneva. The forest is shedding the last vestiges of winter and making way for spring. In the last few days, the temperatures have risen and the days are getting longer. I'll start posting the obligatory flower shots over the next few weeks, of course, because who doesn't love a little springtime flora? In the meantime, farewell, winter!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/10

I See the Moon...

 Full Moon : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Sunday night, we had a spectacular full moon that rose above the remnants of the evening's storm clouds. I got out my new camera with the 18-200mm lens and my tripod. Fiddling with the aperture and shutter settings, I captured two very different photos. I've got a ways to go toward figuring out how to shoot the moon, so to speak. For my first attempt, though, I'm pretty pleased.

Full moon over Ferney : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Looking at the moon always makes me think of one of my favorite songs by a little-known Virginia-based band. Formerly called Soy Hero, these folks now occasionally perform under the name Rodeo Clown. One of the guys in the band, William Perritt, is a former colleague of mine from back in the day when I worked in pulp and paper. This track is titled "I See the Moon."

I see the moon, the moon sees me
Up in the top of the old oak tree
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Over the mountains, over the sea
There’s where my heart is longing to be
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/10
Lyrics copyright: Soy Hero/Rodeo Clown and William Perritt, 1995.

Sure Sign of Spring?

Crocuses: A sure sign of spring? : Geneva, CH

(Click on image for better color.)

For the last couple of days, I've noticed a patch of crocuses (or is that crocii?) outside the cafeteria at work. Today, I brought my camera and macro lens with me. Some of the best advice I had last year came from Bob Crowe of St. Louis Daily Photo. We met for dinner in Washington, D.C., and he said, "When you buy a camera, don't worry about spending a lot on the body. Put your money in good glass." That's what I did. I bought a Nikkor 18-200 mm and a Tamron macro. It was the latter I used today and I have to say, I am very, very pleased with the results. Looking forward to spring and using this lens even more!

Crocuses in orange-yellow : Geneva, CH

(Click on image for better color.)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/10

Evensong

Evensong : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Out for a walk in Ferney the other evening. The days are getting longer again, thank goodness, and the temperatures, while still a bit brisk, are comfortable with a jacket. I snapped this picture while the light was still good and the birds were still singing.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 2/10

Flitty Things of Fall

Halloween Finery : Geneva, CH

Despite the cold temperatures, there are still some insects and flying, flitty things out and about. Case in point: this moth and some bees.

Laying Up Stores : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/09

Source of the Fall

Fallen Leaf : Geneva, CH

The falling leaves, drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold...

The Source : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/09

Dwarfed

Dwarf Among Giants : Geneva, CH

Just another shot from around campus. This red maple over the crest of the hill caught my eye and begged to be photographed.

Copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/09

Fall Fireworks

Fiery! : Geneva, CH

It's November 1. Let's try this again and see if I can get it going and stick with it. Just a couple of pictures of the fall colors around the place where I work.

Fall Fireworks : Geneva, CH

I'm still on a quest for a new camera. I think I've narrowed it down to the Nikon D5000. The biggest selling point? Pivoting LCD screen. That's one of my secrets to many of my photos: the ability to get down low without lying on the ground and still being able to see what I'm shooting. Any thoughts out there about my potential equipment choice?

Christmas in October : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M. Kincaid, 10/09

Two Things Challenge: Yellow/Brick

Yellow : Aarberg, CH

This week's Two Things Challenge was Yellow / Brick. Nothing too exciting, but here you go: a macro of a yellow flower in Aarberg, Switzerland, and brick on the School of Art and Architecture in Paris near the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Brick : Paris, FR

Next week's challenge is Star / Appeal. Want to see how other's interpreted this week's challenge or participate next week? Check out Two Things Challenge.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 07/09