June 12, 2023
Welcome to the first issue of the Tripod Traveler, my Fine Art Photography Images Blog! In each Blog post, I share of one my travel, nature or wildlife images that tells a compelling story sprinkled with facts and humor. My friends Jaime and Paloma were making fun of me on a photo trip in Norway because I always had my Tripod with me, hence the name: the Tripod Traveler. If you enjoy a post, please repost it - Thanks.
This image was taken about 2 years ago when Mylène and I were temporarily living in Playa Pedregalejo, near Málaga, España. I went out on my bike to shoot a full moon rising in combination with a sunset. The shots didn't turn out as expected but I had a really magical moment sitting in my portable chair at the top of a rocky outcrop enjoying the view of the Mediterranean Sea. I oftentimes find myself trying to imagine what the people who lived here 1000 or 2000 years ago thought and felt when they were sitting in the same place as I.
This part of the Mediterranean is also known as the Alborán Sea which covers the area from Gibraltar to Almeria in the province Andalucia. I am told that any words in Spanish that begin with the prefix "Al" are of Arabic origin. After all, the Moors did run the Iberian Peninsula from 711 to 1492 and have blessed Spain with various items such as the orange, lemon, peach, apricot, fig, sugar cane, dates, ginger and pomegranate as well as saffron, sugar cane, cotton, silk and rice. He who wins the war is the one who writes the history books so these contributions did not really come to light until more modern times.
Riding home along the beach is always a special ride, even so at night as I did on this evening. The only element of danger was watching out for a waiter crossing the bike path while serving drinks to thirsty people enjoying life at the beach.