We had an amazing time in Playa del Carmen and I’m ready to go back right now. Here is a short video from our time there.
The GOAT
I’ve never posted on my blog twice on the same day and I’ve been operating the blog for almost a decade. But today after my post, the greatest NFL football player of all time announced his retirement. I’ve been a fan going back to his time at Michigan (in spite of my wife’s wishes). I’ve had a few wonderful opportunities to photograph him over the years. It was an honor to experience that and do my best to capture him in the best possible way. Tom Brady is the best ever!!
Here are a few photos I’ve taken of the GOAT.
Let The Sun Shine Through
I took this drone photo during the pandemic, but honestly, I don’t remember when. It seems like the last two years have been a blur. So, the context of dates during that time is just off in my head. Maybe that’s stress from work during this time, maybe it is just old age…. Regardless, it wasn’t taken last week.
This is downtown Pittsburgh right after sunrise.
Clemente Mural
Before we got snow in Pittsburgh this winter, Blair and I spent a little time in the Lawerenceville area photographing graffiti. This one takes up the entire side of a building honoring the great Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente.
Click the photos below to see larger (complete) versions.
Goðafoss
This wonderful waterfall is on the north side of Iceland. In Icelandic, the name means waterfall of the god. Of course, when the waterfall was named, the gods the people worshipped were pagan. This spot has good parking on both sides of the falls with numerous easy to access paths. When traveling around Iceland, this is a must stop and see spot.
Steeler Gifs
Here are a couple gifs from the 2021 Steelers vs. Seahawks game.
I captured T.J. Watt throwing a couple of punches
I only stopped taking photos here so I could run out of the way.
Sunrise Yoga
During our last trip to Mexico, the resort held a yoga session on the beach at sunrise each morning. I didn’t participate, but the yoga group helped provide an area of interest in this high angle drone photos so that it was an empty beach.
Up Palm
Here is a photo from a recent trip to Playa del Carmen….
FIA W Series
During our weekend photographing the 2021 FIA Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix, we also got a chance to cover the FIA Formula 4 and FIA W Series. The W Series is a race league setup only for women drivers. I enjoyed watching and photographing them and the Formula 4 activities. Here are a few of my photos of the W Series….very talented drivers in this league. It’s only a matter of time before some of them show up in Formula 1.
Emeril's Bistro
I didn’t try any of the food or drinks at this spot, but the restaurant looks cool. This is located on the Carnival Mardi Gras.
Mexican Cenotes
I’ve had the chance to scuba dive in several great locations across the globe. That includes doing a bunch of Cenotes (cavern) diving in eastern Mexico. Here are a few photos from my recent Cenote dives.
me…..taken with my camera by my dive buddy
Our dive guide on this day - Shawn
Playa Sunrise
I hope you’re having a great weekend. This is one of the many great sunrises we had in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
Elements Pool
Here is a drone photo of the pool inside The Elements condo complex in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Pittsburgh was Mr. Rogers hometown and they have this statute of him along the river. It’s a nice tribute to him and his approach towards life. The city looks pretty good in the background as well.
Homer
The morning of New Year’s Eve, Blair and I walked around Lawrenceville taking photos of graffiti/murals. We found this painting on the side of a building. Homer’s hand is reaching for the donuts which if you look closely is a shipping container. It wasn’t the best mural we found that day, but I loved the Homer.
Heinz Field Postcard
I don’t think I’ve ever posted a photo of the stadium from the outside; despite the fact I’ve probably posted hundreds from inside. If I have, I don’t remember and I’m too lazy to go back and double check.
Regardless, I took this photo last July on a day with wonderful clouds. Frankly, when I look at this photo, my eye goes to the clouds, and I don’t really see the stadium as the area of focus. What about you?
Mardi Gras Conference Room
Why don’t I have a conference like this at work? Probably because I don’t work on a cruise ship…. But I liked this set up and the interior designer has my respect. This room is used as a universal space outside the main dining room on the Carnival Mardi Gras
Ben's Farewell
Tonight, is expected to be Ben Roethlisberger’s last home game with the Pittsburgh Steelers before he retires. I’m not a Ben fan, but I can respect his talent and accomplishments. After this season, the Steelers will be looking for their next quarterback, who they hope will be the next superstar. There was almost 20 years between Terry Bradshaw and Ben. For Steelers’ fans, let’s hope it doesn’t take another 20 years to find another Pro Bowl QB.
Missing F1
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready for the 2022 Formula 1 season to start…even though the 2021 season just finished a couple weeks ago. Here are a few photos I took last October at the FIA Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin Texas.
Sebastian Vettel - Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team
Valtteri Bottas - Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Sergio Perez - Red Bull Racing Honda
CCL Mardi Gras
Here is another photo from our time on the Carnival Mardi Gras. As you can tell, I captured this at sunrise. Just me and a lone swimmer.
