Paradise 101: The Virgin Islands (Part Three)

I have run out of things to say about the US Virgin Islands. After this post, I've pretty much run out of photos of the subject, too. So, until fate once again smiles on me and sends me back to the islands, here's a last look. With the exception of the seaplane taking off in the 1989 shot above, all of these photographs are from my New Year's/Inauguration visit in 1994-1995.

Trunk bay greenery, St. John.

Sailboat as seen through the balcony wall, Bluebeard's Castle, St. Thomas. I see pictures absolutely everywhere.

Charlotte Amalie's waterfront, St. Thomas. There's an inaugural parade down there somewhere.

Cruz Bay, St. John. This is my "one particular harbor."

Two frames of the scene looking away from the setting sun at Sapphire Bay, St. Thomas.

My final (for now) St. Thomas sunset, captured over Water Island from Bluebeard's Castle.

Never can say goodbye. When leaving St. Thomas, always get a window seat on the starboard side of the plane. This view occurs seconds after takeoff and doesn't last long, but it is so very much worth the effort.

Thanks for stopping by!

My poor laptop is just back from the HP hospital, so I'm way behind on my scanning and we still have years to go before I get to the digital stuff. Please bear with me. Lots more to come!

Paradise 101: The Virgin Islands (Part Two)

I returned to the Virgin Islands for a few days as 1994 turned to 1995, to witness the inauguration of my friend's dad as Governor of the USVI. You won't find any photos of the actual event here, because photographing people is really not my thing - plus, I don't have releases from anyone in any of those shots. We had limited time for shooting, but I was getting a little better at it by the end of '94. The banner above was taken as our plane departed St. Thomas, but you don't know that, so let's say it's a shot of our approach to paradise.

Morningstar Beach, St. Thomas. (drool...)

Two shots from Bluebeard's Castle, St. Thomas. Pirate cannons and naked statues - does a hilltop tropical hotel need more? I submit that it does NOT!

Trunk Bay, St. John. Perfection...

Trunk Bay, St. John. Five minutes later. Another 15 minutes and the rain would be gone.

Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas. How will I choose?

Sunset from Bluebeard's. Can't have a tropical post without a sunset photo. It's the law. Federal law, I think.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

One more set of Virgin Islands pics should pretty much wrap up that subject for a while. BUT FIRST - I hear some more trains coming...

Paradise 101 - The Virgin Islands (Part One)

I can think of no better introduction to the tropics than a visit to "America's Paradise" - The U.S. Virgin Islands. I was privileged to have several opportunities to explore and photograph the USVI from 1985 to 1995 and each trip was an amazing experience with my best friends. I amassed hundreds of photos, mainly of St. Thomas and St. John, but was startled to go through them and see how many were - well, bad. Luckily, we kept going long enough for me to get some good shots, and I've included a few here. Crank up the reggae and enjoy. The photo above is the obligatory shot of Trunk Bay, St. John (all tourists are required by law to shoot this scene).

Above, we have the view to which my exceedingly gracious host awoke every morning. The waterfront on the far shore is Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. (1986)

I have eleventy shots of Magen's Bay, but none of them do this gorgeous beach justice. This photo taken in 1989 from high above comes close.

I learned to celebrate sunsets long before I ever set foot upon Key West. The 1987 shot above was taken looking west-southwest over Charlotte Amalie and Water Island.

One lesson I learned in the Virgin Islands was to turn around and check out the sky opposite the setting sun. This second shot from 1987 shows why that's always a good idea.

I'm not sure which St. John beach is shown in this 1985 photo, but the fact that it is so unspoiled by development is a testament to the genius of making three-quarters of the island a U.S. National Park.

Okay, this 1989 picture is not particularly good, but it's my first halfway-decent shot of what would become one of my favorite tropical subjects - the pelican. I also like that this one is sitting on a roof. I haven't seen that since.

Again with the setting sun more or less behind me and just below the horizon, I captured Charlotte Amalie and its harbor still aglow in March, 1989. I'm not sure if the crowd of boats was there for a regatta or a blue marlin tournament, but something was definitely afoot.

I told you it was possible to take a bad photograph in paradise, so here it is. I love the colors in this 1985 shot of St. Thomas at dusk, but I had no tripod, as evidenced by the blurry lights and edges. In my 16x20 print of this frame, the lights show exactly how the camera was moved during the quarter-second exposure - they look like little cobras, poised to strike.

THANKS EVERYONE, for the comments and kind words of encouragement!

COMING SOON: Once Around Key West, and later... Trains!!