Posts tagged ‘photography’

Nov 27

5 Reasons to Fall for Maine

It’s easy to see why Maine is dubbed the ‘Vacation State’.

It offers breathtaking scenery, outdoor activities and quaint architecture that transposes you into a world of relaxation.

Its culinary delights are definitely worth mentioning, evident from the flourishing farmer’s markets, famed seafood industry, and increasing number of culinary extraordinaires.

Lest I wax lyrical for hours, let me keep it concise. Here are my top five quintessentially Maine experiences!

1. Spectacular Fall Foliage

Maine is marketed as an all-season destination, but in my opinion it’s in fall that it really dazzles.

Nature is a flamboyant exhibitionist during fall in the otherwise low-key New England state.

There’s something wonderful about the crisp air and brilliantly-coloured maples against the backdrop of jagged coastlines and pristine highlands.

The vivid colours of scarlet, orange and yellow appear as early as mid-September in the north, and as late as end-October in the south. This year, the peak of fall was at least a week late when we visited but the hues were still a breathtaking sight!

Some hotels charge a fall surcharge of more than $10. But the canopy of colours form a sight that may be worth paying for.

And you know it’s practically a commodity when there are foliage websites and hotlines for visitors to track the changing hues.

2. Romantic Lighthouses along Coast

Over 60 historical lighthouses dot the rocky coast of Maine.

These lighthouses were built since 1974 as beacons of light for ships to navigate complicated peninsulas of the Maine coast.

With the advent of GPS technology, lighthouses don’t carry the same burden today.

Nonetheless, they still embody the nostalgia and mission of yesteryears.

If you are driving north from Portland towards Bar Harbor, be sure to stop by some lighthouses along the way, such as the above-pictured Portland Head Lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth.

3. First to Witness Sunrise in USA

Go to Cadillac Mountain before the break of dawn in fall and winter, and declare yourself as first in the USA to view sunrise that day.

Cadillac Mountain is situated within Acadia National Park – a must-see in Maine – and hosts the highest point of the North Atlantic Seaboard.

Or if you’re dorky like us, go at sunset too and take some awesome silhouette pictures.

Fellow travellers saw what we were doing and asked for help to capture their silhouette moments too, as pictured here!

4. Lobsters Feasts

There’s more to fall than foliage – it’s also prime season for lobsters.

This is significant for a state that accounts for 80 percent of the nation’s lobster haul.

The best places to eat them are at lobster shacks, or casual outdoor pounds that boil lobsters on the spot. Diners eat alfresco by the coast, breathing in the sea-salted air and enjoying views of the horizon.

Take no prisoners when indulging in lobsters. Wear your plastic bibs and follow the instructions on your tray on how to ravage the crustacean – flesh, tomalley (lobster liver) and all. Dip the flesh in warm melted butter if desired.

In three days, we had eaten nine whole lobsters between us… and by then knew the anatomy of the lobster very intimately!

We also devoured awesome lobster rolls – mounts of cold, sweet flesh served on hot, crisp rolls. They were especially impressive at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, a favourite of George and Barbara Bush according to this New York Times article.

Note that lobster pounds start to close for the season by the second week of October. We really wanted to try the lobster rolls at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, for example, but they had closed just a few days before our trip. Perhaps the first week of October is a good time to catch both lobster shacks and peak of fall foliage – if fall arrives on time.

5. Wild Blueberry pies & Popovers

Get me started on food and I can’t stop.

The last item in this list was a toss-up between outdoor activities – hiking, kayaking etc, all of which I’m a fan of – or more food.

I decided that the utility I got from the latter far beat the outdoor activities on this trip, partly because it was getting a little cold for the outdoors (and my body needed more blubber for the cold weather, as I rationalised). But yes, do the outdoor activities, which would then give you more reasons to binge on Maine courses.

Well, how good can blueberry pies be, I thought.

Apparently, really good. Many of the pies I’ve previously eaten taste ‘preserved’, but the wild blueberry pies I ate in Maine were bursting with fresh, plump and tasty goodness without the artificiality of added preservatives. I can’t rave enough about the freshness – and blueberries are pumped with anti-oxidants!

It shouldn’t be that surprising, as Maine produces 98 percent of the US’ wild blueberries and is the largest producer in the world.

We also sampled popovers for the first time at Jordan’s Pondhouse in Acadia National Park.

Light, fluffy, warm, buttery, almost creamy on the inside, these popovers really lived up to the hype.

So there, you’ve got my top-5 list. If it inspires a visit, or if you’ve got your own top-fives, be sure to share!

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Oct 3

184 Comments

Yellowstone/Grand Teton: 5 Top Photo Spots

People tend to underestimate the magnitude of these parks, a friend said. And I was forewarned.

With just two-and-a-half days to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, I was determined to shoot a good mix of wildlife and landscapes. After some research, I drew up a game-plan on how to photograph key attractions.

It was sure rewarding. Check out my top five favourite spots if you’re planning a visit!

1. Aerial View: Grand Prismatic Springs, Yellowstone

Where? Off Fairy Falls Trail, 400 feet (120m) up a steep, unmaintained mud-trail.

What? Visitors usually view Grand Prismatic Springs only from the main boardwalk, but up-close you do not enjoy a complete view of the huge spring. On a cold day, the entire area gets steamy, further obstructing the view and magnificent colours.

To get the best shot, make a trip to the Fairy Falls trail about a mile south. Hike for about half a mile and turn left onto a nondescript mud-trail on the side of a steep hill.

It takes wit, stamina and scrambling on fours over fallen logs to climb that hill, but do it and you will be rewarded by a resplendent aerial view of the entire spring.

When you are done breathing in the awesome view, zoom in to capture some abstract shots of the vibrant rims.

We sat there, mouths agape – okay, partly due to panting for me – at the breathtaking sight.

This was perhaps the best tip for our trip!

When to go? Go on a hot and sunny day. Chances are, it’s less steamy and the colours, most brilliant.

2. Wildlife Galore, Yellowstone

Where? Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley.

What? Not to be upstaged in Yellowstone is its animal kingdom. Although wildlife can be found roaming everywhere in Yellowstone, the best places to spot animals are Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.

Known as the Serengeti of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley near the northeast entrance is a breathtakingly open landscape that is as attractive to wildlife as it is to visitors. Here, you may see herds of bisons and their calves, coyotes and pronghorns. Depending on the season, you may be lucky enough to spot bears.

Hayden Valley, somewhere along the east-central, is another great place to spot wildlife. We were thrilled to have spotted an elusive wolf pack using the scopes of canine enthusiasts, but the wolves were too far away to be photographed with my 300mm lens.

When to go? Go in the early mornings or late evenings, when it’s cooler and wildlife are out feeding.

3. Rutting Elk, Yellowstone

Where? Mammoth Hot Springs.

What? A large herd of elk congregate at the Mammoth Hot Springs area almost year-round. Watch out for them against the backdrop of the beautiful Lower Terrace area, or simply hang around the lawns of the lodges. Rangers told us the elk seemed to prefer the fresh green grass of manicured lawns, and they knew no fear of people.

September is prime rutting season for elk, with their antlers fully grown. Listen for bulls bugling and herding their harems in the most territorial fashion. The males are extremely aggressive this season, and you may even spot bull-fights.

When to go? Fall is a spectacular time for watching wildlife here. Early mornings and late evenings are best, but elk are typically spotted throughout the day.

4. Mirror Images of Grand Tetons

Where? Schwabacher Landing & Oxbow Bend

What? Other mountains may be higher and larger, but there’s an unparalleled beauty to the ruggedness of Grand Tetons. The Grand Teton range rises steeply from the valley floor, and as if it needed more drama, the towering pinnacles have their images reflected on still waters in the foreground.

About five miles from Moose Junction along Hwy 26/89/191, we discovered a little gravel road called the Schwabacher landing. It’s not paved and your ride will be far from smooth, but drive slowly and you’ll come to part of the Snake River that proudly displays a reflection of the Cathedral group of mountains. A real prime photo opportunity!

Less off-the-beaten-path is the famous Oxbow bend, which shows off a mirror image of Mt Moran and its surrounding peaks.

When to go? Sunrise or sunset. The warm colours of the sun over the horizon simply does magic for photography.

5. Mormon Barns, Grand Tetons

Where? Off Antelope Flats Road, about 1 mile east of Hwy 26/89/191

What? The Mormon Row is one of the most picturesque, postcard-worthy area of Grand Teton National Park.

How much more rustic can the scene get with old wooden homesteads amidst open fields, set against a dazzling backdrop of the Tetons?

The farmland here was first homesteaded by Mormon settlers in the early 1900s. The buildings were left to decay till 1990s, when the cultural value was finally recognised and steps were taken for preservation. Thankfully!

When to go? Sunrise is best, as the sun’s rays illuminate the side of the barns and fall on the mountains in the background.

Have fun with these tips… Hopefully, they can yield you a stunning portfolio of abstract geothermal, wildlife and landscape shots!

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Sep 26

17 Comments

Bacteria, what a Beauty

Extremophiles.

I had the opportunity to witness these microscopic things in action when I visited Yellowstone National Park last week.

They are a form of thermophilic bacteria that thrive in very high temperatures of mineral-rich waters.

Often these organisms are coloured, due to photosynthetic pigments. Different species thrive in various temperature ranges, causing the brilliant colour gradations in the hot springs of Yellowstone.

Grand Prismatic Spring, as pictured above, is perhaps Nature’s magnum opus.

Now, who says bacteria can’t be beautiful?

(That said, I’m trying to shake off the annoying variety that is causing a drippy nose.)

I’ll be back on the radar with more updates soon!

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Sep 9

14 Comments

Soy Ahoy!

I pull my disheveled and grumpy self out of bed. Ambling out, I catch a delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen.

Oh yes, I perk up, it’s Saturday morning! The day when freshly-bought packets of local food and soy milk await my stirring.

Spread across the dining table would be permutations of congee, fried carrot cake and fishball noodles. Or steamed rice cakes with radish and roti prata.

And there would be a weekly constant – an accompanying cup of warm soy milk, just the way I liked it.

Such acts of love were the devices of my early-riser dad who loved wandering to nearby food centres at dawn, and returning with truckloads of goodies.

As a kid, I’d liked to think of this routine as a Saturday surprise (because you never knew what food he’d come home with).

Last week, I had a strong craving for warm soy milk. Being thousands of miles away from home, I decided it’d be a good challenge to make the drink from scratch.

So armed with a bagful of soy beans and tips from a Taiwanese couple here, I adapted a recipe from Madam Choy’s Cantonese Recipes.

Homemade Soy Milk

Ingredients
500 grams soy beans, washed and soaked overnight
8 cups water
4 pandan leaves, tied into knots
3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste

Method
1. Drain the beans after having soaked them overnight.
2. Add water. Blend finely. I like to use a hand blender for its sheer convenience, but you can transfer to a jug blender as well.
3. Transfer blended mixture by portions into a large muslin bag (or cheese cloth). Wring the milk into a pot. Knead the bean pulp in the muslin bag and ensure the liquid has been drained into the pot.
4. Add pandan leaves into pot. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Do not let it boil, or the milk will curdle.
5. Add sugar to taste.

Makes 5 glasses.

Soy milk was surprisingly easy to make, and tasted really authentic. This is definitely going to feature more regularly in my breakfast menus!

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Sep 4

12 Comments

The Plain People

As we approached, a horse-drawn buggy appeared on the opposite side of the road, helmed by a bearded man in plain clothing and suspenders.

The air seemed to turn crisper those few miles, and the surroundings, more serene.

We were stepping back in time.

It was our maiden trip to Jamesport, Missouri, which houses the largest Amish community west of the Mississippi River.

Known for their simple living, plain dressing and eschewal of modern technology, the Old Order Amish are direct descendants of Swiss Mennonite Anabaptists who emigrated to America seeking religious freedom and good farmland.

Today, the Amish still drive horses and buggies. They avoid the use of electricity and cars, to evade temptation into ‘the ways of the world’.

We were touring with Jim Smith who grew up and went to school with the Amish, offering us plenty of ‘insider’ knowledge and even rare access into one of the Amish homes.

I asked Jim if we could take pictures.

He explained that the Amish cannot pose for photographs, forbidden by their literal interpretation of creating a “graven image” in the Bible. However, we could snap general pictures in which they were not recognisable, which explains all the back- or side-view shots.

We visited the home of an Amish family with eight children. Yes, eight. A typical Amish family has an average of seven to ten children.

The home was very simply furnished. Without electricity, they used propane gas to power their refrigerator, lights and heating facility.

There was no air-conditioner – a must-have today for many Missourians, given the summers of over 100 degrees Farenheit (40 degrees Celcius).

The elderly Amish cheerily explained that they would go to the basement or the porch where it was cooler. (Come to think of it, just 100 years ago, there weren’t air-conditioners either, and our ancestors survived well in those times, yes?)

Wow, no telephones at home, my friend remarked, and asked in jest with obvious reference to my chatty persona, Would you be able to survive that?

I laughed, Don’t mention telephones; I’m not sure I can survive without wifi for a day!

To be clear, a handful of telephone booths are scattered among the fields, a rare break between tradition and technology. Five families share a telephone booth which the elders have allowed to facilitate business with the outside world.

Jim explained that the young and old work side by side in the farms, and aim to specialise in a trade such as woodwork and furniture. Working for a family goal, they pass on skills from generation to generation.

Furniture, quilts, baskets, jams and other foods that we saw at the various country shops displayed impeccable craftsmanship and quality. Having attempted to make a quilt myself this year, my eyes gravitated to the collection of quilts on sale. They were very pretty.

Amish women spend their days working in a kitchen and caring for young children and domestic affairs.

Children are educated up to the eighth grade, beyond which education is considered more harmful than helpful. Classes are taught by an unmarried girl, in a tiny one-room school.

At around age 16, teenagers go through a phase called rumspringa, when they are allowed to engage in activities of the ‘English’ (what Amish people call non-Amish) for around two to four years.

This helps them make an informed decision on whether to officially join the Amish community.

During this period, they take their buggies out to town and experience what other American teenagers do.

One is never born an Amish, Jim explained, he or she is only born a child of an Amish. To his knowledge, most teenagers still eventually choose to devote their lives to the ways of the Amish.

He also made it clear that the Amish do not evangelise and seek to add outsiders to their church. They are happy with leading their lives quietly, and never expect people to join them.

Most people visit Amish communities to see what they may be missing out, with just an eight-grade education and lack of technology.

But looking at their simplicity of lifestyle, you leave with images of content smiles plastered in your mind.

You cannot help but leave wondering if we would appreciate life far more, without the distractions of modern technology.

Or if families would be more tightly-knit, without the noise from television, internet games and incessant emails on our Blackberries.

Hmmm. I ponder.

Now please excuse me for a moment while I use high-speed wireless internet to publish this post.

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Aug 22

8 Comments

Call to the Wild

If magnificent glaciers, spectacular wildlife and grand mountain vistas sound like your ideal setting for a getaway, you’ll need to etch a trip to Alaska on your travel bucket list now.

With scenes straight out of the Discovery Channel, Alaska is a sanctuary of untamed splendour for those who want to get away from the daily grind of city life.

Armed with layers of clothing, trusty binoculars and telephoto lenses, we made the trip to Alaska early this summer.

And it was quite the trip of a lifetime.

To see a multitude of natural land and seascapes, we visited the Interior, South-central and Inside Passage of Alaska, which together offered a perfect land-and-sea vacation.

First up was Denali National Park, the crown jewel of America’s national park system and highlight of Alaska’s Interior region.

Discovering Denali

As the United States’ first wildlife sanctuary established in 1917, Denali National Park was set aside to protect the abundant wildlife species residing in the park.

In the early days, visitors travelled from afar to experience a touch of unspoiled wildlife and majestic scenery.

90 years on, nothing has changed.

From the moment we approached the reserve in our car along George Parks Highway, we felt tiny in the grand arena of snow-capped mountain peaks (in summer, no less), massive expanse of forests, thawing tundra and blossoming wildflowers.

In the distance stood the honored Mt McKinley, a mountaineer’s dream and the highest peak in North America, one that reaches a staggering 20,320 feet.

As if it were not enigmatic enough, the mountain is only fully visible one out of three days and shrouded in a mystical veil of clouds the rest of the time.

For us, Mt McKinley was partially obscured by significant cloud cover during the days we were in Denali. This did nothing to dampen our mood but added to the aura and beauty of the place.

In fact, the cloudy skies were a boon to our wildlife spotting attempts, as the animals proved to be more active in cooler weather.

To explore the reserve, you journey on park-run buses along the Denali Park Road, which parallels the Alaskan mountain ranges. Driving is disallowed.

The shuttle buses allows you to disembark and re-board anywhere along the road, which means you can experience the wildlife sanctuary on your own terms.

And so the fun starts.

Aboard the shuttle bus, passengers act as extra eyes of the driver.

On our trip, the eagle-eyed Sherlocks among us would frequently shout “Stop!” whenever wildlife was spotted, rendering the full-day road-trip deep into the wild extremely eventful.

You need not wait long before animals appear.

Within fifteen minutes of the journey, our bus came to a complete stop.

Majestically trotting across the road right ahead of us were two wild moose, as if to stop us to remind that this park was, indeed, theirs.

Minutes later, a teenager yelped and our eyes rested on a community of grizzly bears. Several meters away from a massive grizzly that was fast asleep was an adorable cub, learning to forage for its own food.

A symphony of cameras shutters went off – those ranging from cute point-and-shoots to heavy duty ones mounted with professional white lenses – often the only sounds in the stillness of the park.

In all, we spotted four of the iconic “big five”– moose, bears, dall sheep and wolves. Outstanding was the caribou, otherwise known as the reindeer, popularised by the Santa Claus legend.

But we knew it was not a zoo; it was a treasure trove of wilderness waiting to be slowly uncovered, and wildlife sightings were never guaranteed. Go with this mindset, and you will be amazed.

The Eielsen Visitor Center, located 106km into the park, is an excellent place to learn about the natural resources of the area. Rangers take groups on guided walks that focused on the flora in the area.

Denali National Park is an absolute hiker’s paradise, unfettered by well-established trails and bush aids commonly found in many destinations.

As rangers explained, it is the park’s philosophy that the most complete experience would be created through unstructured exploring.

To be sure, there are several short trails that act as handy stepping-stones for those less accustomed to hiking, such as the Savage River trail.

If you are game for more adventure, create your own route and explore the splendid tundra forests or forge the banks of bubbling rivers. If you dare, you can even attempt to make it to the top of glaciers.

There is literally no limit to where you can hike.

Park rangers issue tips on how to manage bear sightings during hikes. Always make your presence known, they say, hike in groups and make noise to prevent shocking a bear into provocation.

We didn’t encounter grizzlies up-close on our hikes – till now I can’t quite decide that was our fortune or not – although we saw many of park’s smaller but no less fascinating creatures.

Friendly marmots literally posed for the cameras, and gulls vainly fluffed their feathers akin models in a couture fashion show. The ptarmigan – the Alaskan state bird – displayed key lessons on camouflage, as its feathers turn from brown to white in the winter.

Back at the Denali’s Visitor Centre, sled-dog demonstrations were available, and the Alaskan huskies stole the hearts of many dog-lovers.

These are the same resilient sled-dogs that traverse the backcountry in the heart of winter, when roads are blanketed with impenetrable layers of snow.

Denali National Park was really a great start to the Alaska trip. It’s definitely a must-see destination within Alaska!

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Aug 22

16 Comments

Numero Uno

Hello! I’m Nise.

I love photography, drawing, travelling, cooking, writing and reading. I like to play the guitar – maybe to the ire of my neighbours – and pretend to watch intelligent TV programmes when, really, Project Runway is playing.

Currently, I’m very blessed to be in the US on a gap year away from work.

Theoretically, this gives me plenty of time to do many things. Like hone those fledgling photography skills. Traverse the Americas. Learn a foreign language. Cook and bake a lot more. Revive a blog. And maybe even sew an entire quilt (although, in my defence I can’t quite continue if I can’t find that thimble, right?).

Ah… so much to do. All this, while trying to downplay the ‘husband works, I play’ bit.

What’s the blog about?

Nise en Scène is a play on the word ‘mise en scène’, which loosely refers to the artistic elements of a scene in theatre or film.

Nise en Scène the blog is all about capturing the beauty of travel, photography, food, art, and life.

And when merrymaking ends, it will uncover a way to find joy amidst the humdrum of life.

For a start, check out my new posts on Denali National Park and Sailing the Inside Passage of Alaska.

For readers of my old, now-defunct blog, you’ll find some of the previous posts familiar. All posts prior to this one – yes, and some really old – are given a new lease of life here.

I’m also still experimenting with the design of this blog, so you may see slight changes along the way.

Stick around, and watch Nise en Scène evolve!

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Aug 20

2 Comments

A Light Breakfast

Guess what I had for breakfast this morning?

‘A Light Breakfast’

… Not!

Isn’t this picture clever? Saw this pic a while ago and made a mental note to feature it sometime.

Photographer David Sykes had commissioned a model maker to make a giant plate to attach to the wall, sourced some amazing balloons, then composed the shot. And this was the result!

Posts tagged ‘photography’

5 Reasons to Fall for Maine

Yellowstone/Grand Teton: 5 Top Photo Spots

Bacteria, what a Beauty

Soy Ahoy!

The Plain People

Call to the Wild

Numero Uno

A Light Breakfast

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