David Seaver Photography

Vermont Landscape Photos - Seasonal Calendar 2012

2011-11-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

I've finally done it! Here are two calendars that would make great holiday gifts or a perfect addition to your home or office wall.

Both are $19.99 from Cafe Press. Just click on one of the photos to order.

First up is full of Vermont landscape photos, 11"x17" when hung on the wall, perfect for those who love the changing seasons.

2012 Vermont Landscape Photo Calendar - Photos for each season.

Next is all flowers, 11"x17" vertical calendar, clean and crisp photos of flowers.

Everyone need a calendar.

Studio Photos of Tao Woodworking Tables

2011-11-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

Moving into a larger studio space has been great. It's allowed me to bring in larger subjects to photograph. The latest were two tables made by Tao Woodworking. They are made from recycled Vermont waste hardwood, 100% local/recycled. I want one!

If you're interested in hiring David Seaver Photography, please contact him here.

Vermont Summer Wedding

2011-11-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

Over the summer I photographed Gwen and Tyler's wedding in Underhill, Vermont. Mt Mansfield reached for the sky behind us on a perfect Vermont summer day. Classic Vermont weddings are a joy to shoot.

A few frogs decided to join us for the photos.

It's nice to have friends who pro florists.

Instructions for the photo booth

Vermont weddings and events aren't complete without cheese and apples.

This was a new one for me. If you wanted to leave the couple a note, you could type it on this fancy typewriter.

If you're interested in hiring David Seaver Photography, please contact him here.

Amazing Wedding Flowers at Simon Pierce in Quechee, VT

2011-11-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

I recently shot a small and intimate wedding celebration at The Loft at Simon Pierce in Quechee, Vermont. This event happened only a week before Tropical Storm Irene hit southern Vermont and did serious damage, including flooding the lower levels of Simon Pierce's glass blowing store and doing serious damage to the covered bridge that can be seen from the dining room. Simon Pierce has since reopened and the bridge will be repaired. The power of nature and the coming of global warming should not be ignored. The other thing that couldn't be ignored were the flowers that Tedd Kapinos of Jasper and Prudence Floral in Weathersfield, Vermont put together. Classy and modern, I've worked with Tedd over the years and he keeps hitting the mark! Check out his website (most of the photos are mine!)

If you're interested in hiring me for any of your photo needs, please visit my main website, www.DavidSeaver.com, or contact me here.

Note: At the request of the couple, only photos of the flowers and setting are available for viewing.

Love cookies!

The view of the Quechee covered bridge from the Loft at Simon Pierce. Water during tropical storm Irene was flowing through the bridge!

An orchid with each name tag.

While enjoying cocktails on the porch, guest were treated to a hot air balloon taking off from the park next to the restaurant.

To hire David Seaver for weddings, events, or any other kind of photography, contact him here.

Halloween Spectacular 2011

2011-10-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Another awesome Halloween spectacular at the studio, here are a few of the characters that passed through.

M&M

Future Man

Cotton Candy

Safari Jane

Lance Armstrong and her Doctor

Scary Murderous Clown

Vampire Cheerleader

Girl Scout

Burka Lady

Food Pyramid

The undead

Happy Halloween!

Senior Portraits in Vermont

2011-09-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

I had the great opportunity to shoot Marissa's senior portraits last week. She's a fast skating forward at the North American Hockey Academy in Jay Peak (formerly Stowe, but that's another story). With the issues from Hurricane Irene and the lack of usable ice, we worked with the location we had, a nice sunset on Lake Champlain.

Here area few of her photos.

If you're interested in hiring David Seaver Photography for portraits or any other photographic work, please contact me here.

Vermont Camping - Knight Island by Boat

2011-08-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

After a few attempts over the years to go boat camping on Lake Champlain, schedules and weather aligned to allow for a great, unplugged, weekend of food, fire and friends.

Knight Island, located in northern Lake Champlain, about 2 miles east of North Hero, VT.

When booking the campsite, a fairly painless process through the VT State Park's website, I had all of two choices for island camping on the one weekend that the four of us could go. The first was for the tent city on Burton Island, which was quickly ruled out (who wants to go camping and be packed in with other people), and Birch Bay on Knight Island. Two lean-tos, a sandy west facing beach, and a 5 minute walk to the nearest campsite. Perfect.

We had to race to beat the impending storm bearing down on Burlington, which made for a slightly wet ride north, but we made it and settled in as the weather started to settle into a humid, hazy, evening. After a perfectly still evening, we were awoken by the edge of the new front pushing over us. The wind whipped through the camp site and lead to a minor re positioning of the boat after it calmed down.

We woke up to clearing sky which lead to a blue sky and blazing sun. A wonderfully relaxing day of hammocking and eating ensued.

Here are a few shots from the weekend.

Hazy sunset over North Hero, VT from Knight Island

Birch Bay, Knight Island

My view for most of the day. There's nothing better than swinging in a hammock, soaking in the sun.

The tools of camping.

These white caterpillars were everywhere, rappelling down their lines from the trees, they had a odd way of rearing up and looking you in the face when approached.

Slugs on a large lichen. This was a challenge as the swarms of huge mosquitoes made it hard to stand still.

So relaxing.

Camping on Knight Island, Vermont at sunset.

The stars came out the second night, but after the storm the first night, we stayed under the lean-to

There was no shortage of food.

Birch Bay, Knight Island, Vermont

Oak Cliffs Overlook, Knight Island, Vermont

Miriam getting her balance on.

Canadian geese grazed most of the afternoon on the high lake weeds off shore.

Returning the Burlington harbor on a beautiful day.

Check out my main website, www.DavidSeaver.com

As always, if you are in need of photos, please contact me. I'm available for all manner of projects and assignments.

Dancing on the lake's edge

2011-05-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph ballet dancer Sarah Steward dancing along the shores of Lake Champlain the other day. After the crazy rain we've been having, the skies cleared and a magnificent sunset gave us just the backdrop we were looking for. The balmy weather quickly changed to strong winds and 38 degree water soaking us, but I think the results are worth the temporary discomfort.

All the photos are available for sale as prints or digital stock here.

More to come.

Fashion Show! Ava Bishop Atelier

2011-04-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from last Friday's fashion show at the Flynndog Gallery. Ava Bishop Atelier showed her collection of custom bridal gowns and dresses. If you're looking for a unique dress for you big day, Ava's the one to call.

The night's line up.

Ava making last minute notes.

Brittany getting her makeup applied by Cynthea of Cynthea's Spa.

Sarah's makeup is touched up.

Amelia looking over her shoulder at her dress. Necklace by Jennifer Kahn.

Kerrin and Brittany waiting for the show to start.

Ava watching over the backstage preparations.

Cynthea and Ava

It was great to be part of the show. I can't wait to see what Ava whips up next!

Vicanti Violins

2011-03-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to photograph some of luthier Jonathan Vacanti's hand made violins. They are beautiful works of art. It's great to see that true craft is still happening out there. Vacanti works at Vermont Violins, Burlington's violin shop on Church St.

If you're interested in how these photographs were made, check out my other blog, How to Take Great Photos.

In the Hotel of Ice and Snow.

2011-02-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Miriam and I headed north to Quebec City and the Ice Hotel. I was last in the Ice Hotel in March of 2008 for a Vermont Vows photo shoot (possibly my favorite of the 100+ shoots I've done with them), but I've never spent any amount of time in Quebec City.

Aside from the incessant wind that brought the already chilly temperatures down to what even I would call 'pretty cold', we had a great time meandering our way through the Old City, stopping every so often for delicious food and the warmth of cafes.

Then it was off to the Ice Hotel. Winter is by far my favorite season and after being wowed by the Ice Hotel a few years ago, I've felt a need to go back. The sheer size of the structure is impressive, 36 rooms to sleep in, a chapel, bar/club, ice slide, gallery, and a cafe. Ceilings in the main hallways were about 20ft tall and temperatures never stray from the mid 20's (regardless of outside temps). The Ice Hotel now has it's own special location, a mere 10 minutes from downtown Quebec City. Each year's incarnation is open from January - March.

They change the design of the rooms each year, asking artists to work their magic.

As always, these (and many more) photos of Quebec City and the Ice Hotel are available for purchase digitally or as framed prints through my stock photostore.

The Old City with the giant Chateau Frontenac towering over it.

One of the many horse drawn carriages.

Le Chateau Frontenac

Miriam enjoying the sun and snow.

Ice skating outside the Palais Montcalm.

The Ice Hotel Chapel's front door

The alter inside the chapel.

Great details on the 'stained ice' windows and columns.

It took some time to push past the tour groups, but they finally thinned out.

Inside the bar/club. There was an under the sea theme throughout.

The door to the main gallery at sunset.

A basic double room

Themed room.

The gas fireplace is just for show. It's insulated so that heat doesn't escape and melt the room.

The chandelier in the main gallery.

Seating and wall.

Seating in the cafe.

The cafe

Inside the roots of a tree.

Gingerbread candy house.

The largest of the suites, this one had it's own hot tub (outside the door)

After the sun set, the lights created a very psychedelic feel in the club.

Deer skins keep you from melting the ice when you sit.

Electrical outlets are throughout the hotel.

Chandelier

An ice shot glass with delicious maple whiskey

Sliding down the ice slide

I can't wait to see what they do next year!

Hot Off the Press

2011-02-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just got my hands on two of the new issues of Well Wed Magazine and Vermont Vows. I landed two of the four covers, for Well Wed in New York and Well Wed in the Hamptons! Editor Krista did a great job on these magazines.

Check the cover of New York's edition (the Hamptons issue hasn't reach us yet) and a few of the many photo spreads that are featured.
Stop by any local store that sells magazines or ask your local wedding vendor for a copy.

If you want to see many, many more photos I've shot for Vermont Vows and Well Wed over the years (I've been shooting with them since the 2nd issue), check out my stock photostore, www.PhotoVT.com.

Very cool old edition of Alice in Wonderland

Top photos of 2010

2011-01-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

Now that 2011 is here, I thought I'd quickly revisit 2010 before getting to the business at hand.

Although at times I would like to forget 2010, there were more than a few highlights. I had some amazing travel opportunities, ridiculous adventures, and some serious photo-making. Here are a few of the shots that stand out from my year. As with my photography, there are lots of locations, people, and subjects. I like to mix it up. Shooting the same thing day in and day out would drive me crazy.

As always, these photos (and many thousands more) are available for sale digitally or as prints for your wall.

After having one of craziest adventures of my life (read about it here) and getting lost in the Cambodian jungle, Alan and I rang in the New Year by taking another motorcycle trip down to Kep on Cambodia's southern coast on the Gulf of Thailand. There's no better place to eat fresh crab in a hammock.

View of Kep from up the hill.

On the way back from Asia, I spent a few uneventful days in sweaty Singapore, but fell in love with their amazing botanical gardens.

Carp swimming in Singapore.

Back in wintery Vermont, mother nature only graced us with a few hits of snow, but we made the most of it.

Miriam getting some air in Stowe.

The hike down from Camel's Hump.

That's me with the camera. Yes, winter is my favorite season. Nothing brings a smile to my face like big flakes silently making their way to the ground.

A quick trip to the Turks and Caicos to shoot a lovely wedding helped to break up the lack of snow.

Rum punch on the beach in Turks and Caicos.

Back in Vermont and more health care photography for CAP Today.

As some of you know, I shoot a lot for Fletcher Allen Health Care, Vermont's premier hospital. Surgery has always been a favorite subject of mine, and I jump at any opportunity to get back into the OR.

Another shoot for Fletcher Allen brought me into the neonatal intensive care unit.

Vermont's famous Bread and Puppet Theatre.

4th of July fireworks over Burlington. Shot from Oakledge Park.

A night I will never forget. Lightning bugs put on a spectacular show for a group of visiting Russians from Burlington's sister city, Yaroslavl.

Within the Vermont wedding scene there is really only one magazine, Vermont Vows. Of the thousands and thousands of photos I shot for them last year, I'll show you three. If you want to see more, pick up a copy at any local store that sells magazines.

Photographer's note: There are two lights on these yummy cupcakes, one from a studio flash with a softbox up front right, the other from a Nikon SB-800 crammed behind the old postal shelf.

A visitor to my studio.

Have I mentioned that I love macro photography.

A kindred spirit was lost this summer. Never have I felt a connection like I did with Rama, we spoke the same language. He is missed.

It was the summer of Candy Kate's amazing marshmallows. Anyone who hasn't tried them, must. They will change your life.

An oil spill to cripple the gulf, check. Read more about my experience of witnessing the BP Oil Spill. A dolphin swims precariously close to large swaths of thick oil. Oil rigs can be seen in the distance.

This slick was shot within minutes of the dolphin above.

I will reiterate that it's time for a change. A change away from oil and all the nasty side-effects that come with it.

Back in VT and it's portrait time!

Everything looks great up close.

There was family time with sister Abigail and nephew Birch.

The Tap Kids came to town to work on their fancy footwork.

While Miriam and I had our own respective adventures this year, (check out her blog on Guatemala, life, and everything else), we had some memorable days.

Contemplating the Ultimate Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything...I think it's 42.

Bread and Puppet's giant head.

Fun with flashes, Red Rocks Beach.

Church St was rocked, and I mean rocked by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals this summer. It's great to see hometown people making it big.

For those of you who may have missed the Halloween party this year, fear not, there are a few photos to provide a reminder of the insanity.

No year would be complete without some ridiculous trip to some far away land. Trans-Siberian Railroad, of course. Why not?! This photo is the inside of Kazakhstan's Baiterek Tower in Astana.

As we roll into 2011, let us not forget the highs of yester-year and push past the lows. It's a new year and there's fresh snow on the ground. Things are looking up.

Stay tuned for updates from 2011.

Lindsey and Tim's Stowe Wedding

2011-01-27T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here are a few favorites from Lindsey and Tim's wedding at Top Notch in Stowe, VT. Flowers by In Full Bloom

Susan and Willy's Vermont Wedding

2011-01-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Susan and Willy's wedding was a great Vermont summer affair at the Brick House on Shelburne Farms. Bridal flowers by In Full Bloom.

Diana & Joe

2010-11-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Diana and Joe's classic Vermont wedding this past August

Ceremony Location - Kew Vasseur Farm, Waitsfield, VT

Reception Location - Lareau Farm, Waitsfield, VT

Marshmallows - Candy Kate's

More weddings!

Shana & Jeffrey in the Carribean

Highlights of 2009

Last gasps of fall...and a new kitten!

2010-11-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

The seasons are changing, the leaves are falling, and it's getting darker earlier and earlier. Stick season, while not my favorite, does produce some dramatic skies and leafless silhouettes.

I keep waiting for that first snow fall to get everyone excited for what's to come! Think snow.

Sunrise over Camel's Hump.

Frosty flower

Frost glistens in the morning sun.

Lake Champlain

Hay bales with frost

Frozen clover

Frost covers a clover leaf

I love the muted pre-dawn colors.

Frosty corn

The last bits of foliage are on islands in Lake Champlain

Introducing Harry, the newest member of the Seaver family

He's quite feisty

Training for his hunting days to come

Lake Champlain from the Charlotte walking trail

Vermont Vows Wedding Affair

2010-11-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

Another great event put on by Vermont Vows. Hosted at the Shelburne Farm's Coach Barn, it was packed with food, flowers, fotos, and brides to be.

Not a bad way to start the day.

Candy Apples

Super creepy auto-fortune teller.

I love the gummies. Any gummy will do.

Randi Noni of Silver Toad Floral Design created this very cool flower covered table.

Vermont Tent had the table of a thousand votives. Nice effect.

Barrie shooting me shooting her. The endless photog cycle continues.

Brides to be waiting to get in.

The mobile Flatbread oven doing it's thing.

Cynthea of Cynthea's Spa getting the make up just right for the fashion show.

Ava Bishop's pin cushion.

And then there was fashion! Racks of dresses wait for the show.

The bridal fashion show. Photographer's note: I'm lighting this with two Nikon SB-800 flashes, one on camera, one camera right. Wireless ttl.

Halloweeeeeeen!

2010-10-31T17:55:00.000-07:00

Another successful Halloween party/costume photo shoot! Hold on to your capes!

Little Red Riding Hood

The heroic Chilean miner.

PamAm Flight attendant back from the grave.

Mixing it up with bag lady.

Lil' Red's arch enemy, The Wolf.

Elvis is in the building.

Please exit the plane in an orderly fashion.

Jolly Green Giant, Ho, Ho, Ho.

One of the best costumes of the night!

Moscow Moscow Moscow

2010-10-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

Oh Moscow...how you've really come into your own as a first rate city. Super nice, super expensive, and super trendy in that early 90's way.

Humming the 'I want to be billionaire' song as we strolled the streets checking out $2,000 mens shoes and overly accessorized Bentley's and Porches, the center of Moscow is as high end as New York.

The infamous Red Square with St. Basils Cathedral and the Kremlin wall.

Fashionably dressed little dog on Arbat St, the main tourist/pedestrian area of town.

Arbat St.

Metro station. The metro is huge. 182 stations averaging almost 7 million daily riders. Some of the old stations are beautiful with arched ceilings and mosaic tile. It is a tad difficult to get around for a non-Russian speaker as the signage (when you can find it) is in Russian.

Side door on the Cathedral of the Archangel, one of the many churches within the Kremlin walls.

Ivan the Great Bell Tower, with Assumption Belfry on the left.

Guards outside the Kremlin near an eternal flame.

Dusk falls over St Basils.

St Basils

Sunset over the Moscow River.

Yes, I was there.

Traffic, traffic, traffic. Not sure why people drive here. Oh right, they have a Bentley and a driver.

Fun with shadows.

The Christ Saviour Church on the Moscow River.

A ridiculously huge statue of Peter the Great. 94 meters tall, it's the 8th tallest statue in the world.

A very neat sculpture garden near Gorky Park. This is where many old Soviet sculptures have been moved to.

Stalin with the old USSR crest.

Bumper cars in Gorky Park. The whole time Gorky Park, I kept expecting to hear the Scorpions 'Winds of Change' play over the speakers.

Ole!

I've never seen so many nice cars. Every street is littered with BMWs, Bentleys, Mercedes, Porches. Completely over the top.

Sunset over the Kremlin wall.

Just a normal parking lot in Moscow.

Night time kiosk.

Oh the airport lounges. Thank you United for not having a lounge at DME and sending us to Austrian Air's. Status does have it's perks.

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

Follow the journey here:

Yaroslavl and Astana - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/trans-siberian-so-far.html

Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/lake-baikal.html

Khabarosvk and Vladivostok - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/khabarovsk-to-vladivostok.html

Moscow - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/moscow-moscow-moscow.html

Khabarovsk to Vladivostok

2010-10-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

We left Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude and hopped on a 52hr train to Khabarovsk, a city of about 590,000 people, only a few miles from the northern border with China. This was the only time we opted for the 'luxurious' first class cabin. Hoping for a small room with a toilet and a chair, we instead got a room like any other, just without the top bunks and potential cabin mates. It was a nice guarantee that we had the place to ourselves though.

The view for the total 170hrs of train time. Great way to travel if you can.

Sunset on the rails leaving Ulan Ude.

Fishing near a small town on the way to Khabarovsk.

Out the window.

The farther east we went, the peak foliage started to wane, leaving only the pine trees with golden color.

Part of a WWII monument.

Eternal flame at the WWII monument.

Orthodox church.

Drying your laundry? Why not hang your fish out to dry as well.

A large pond in the center of Khabarovsk.

New apartment building.

Train pulling an endless supply of wood into Khabarovsk.

The main square of Khabarovsk.

One of the many trams throughout the city.

Many thanks to Olga for somehow showing us all of Khabarovsk in a day.

Then on to Vladivostok

Overnight train last night was pretty good. Finally in a very new, modern train. The trains have by in large been pretty cool. I really like traveling by them, if you don't have to be anywhere in a hurry. We had a first class train on our long 52hr ride to Khabarovsk, which meant a standard cabin, but just the two of us. Most trains have a restaurant car which has pretty good food, and we bought a lot along the way at the various stops. Mostly pirogi type things, or these doughnut things with either potato or cabbage in them. Much better than they sound. Khabarovsk was nice, we were walked ragged by another couch surfing contact that Adam found. A spunky little girl who never stopped talking and kept wanting us to walk faster. Both our legs are totally shot. Thankfully it wasn't as hilly as in Vladivostok. They call it the Russian San Francisco, but the hills are the only similarity. Nice enough town, some trendy cafes and restaurants. Much nicer architecture than the other Soviet styled cities we've been to. We had some pretty good sushi for lunch (which promptly made us both in desperate need for a toilet), but alright in general. We're staying in a nice-ish hotel with a nice view of the water. Vladivostok is set on a few hilly peninsulas, so there's always water around.

Weekend farmer's market in the central square.

Dried foods. In hindsight we probably should have bought more than just some pickles.

Coffee at a trendy cafe.

Most people in Russian cities live in some sort of block housing.

View of Vladivostok. A perfect location in a protected deep water port has made it the major pacific port for Russia.

It wouldn't be a Russian city without large smoke stacks in the distance.

1 minute Funicular railway ride down from the overlook.

Work on a statue under a giant new bridge spanning Zolotoy Rog Bay as part of the massive infrastructure project in preparation for the 2012 APEC summit.

Entering one of the many under passes that pedestrians can take to cross a busy intersection.

Swimming, really? I would guess the air temp was about 50° F/10° C.

Not the only person we saw swimming.

The boardwalk and ferris wheel on Sportivnaya Harbour.

View from our room.

Apartments on the water.

The hotel. Oh my.

They really don't get service here. Or for that matter all the little things that make hotels nice. The lobby is nice, new furniture with a grand view of the water. WiFi is only in the lobby. Beds are tiny, Adam's has huge lump in the center. They just seem to never have experienced a proper room. Or ever ridden in an elevator that holds more than 3 people (without luggage).

This was the conversation at 7:30 am after we walked from the train station, fairly out of it, totally sweating from walking up and down hills:

Dave - "Is there a restaurant here?"

Reception Guy - "Yes, but it's closed."

D - "Is there anywhere to eat?"

RG - "No. But there is a cafe."

D - "Is it open?"

RG - "Well. No. Well, yes, but you can't eat there. Your breakfast voucher is for tomorrow."

D - "Can we pay?"

RG - "Yes. It's 400r."

D - "Great. Thanks."

RG "It's on the first floor"

(This hotel starts at the 7th floor and goes down, 7,6,5,4,3,2,0, no first floor)

We squeeze in the elevator, go to our room on the 'first' (i.e. 4th floor).

Go to cafe, try to pay, host says go back to reception...

Back at reception

D - "Can we pay for the breakfast?"

RG - "Yes, you have to pay here. I told you you had to pay."

Omg. Paid and ate far too much, then slept for a few hours before trekking around the city.

Generations of bureaucracy has made Russia a place where if you don't ask the right question, you won't get the right answer. They very seldom will offer what is obviously what we need.

Quality wiring.

Inside the submarine.

Crazy traffic. Most vehicles are from Japan and are right hand drive. Russia is a left hand drive country. Very strange.

Next on the Moscow!

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

Follow the journey here:

Moscow - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/moscow-moscow-moscow.html

Yaroslavl and Astana - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/trans-siberian-so-far.html

Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/lake-baikal.html

Khabarosvk and Vladivostok - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/khabarovsk-to-vladivostok.html

Lake Baikal

2010-09-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

We made it to Lake Baikal, or as they call it here the 'sea' (or ocean on stormy days). It's huge, but there are reminders of Lake Champlain. The small hills at the southern end, reminded us of Vermont in autumn. We've come at the perfect peak time for foliage, the golden yellow birch trees mixing with the deep green pine.

A small village on our way to Ulan Ude.

One of our train companions was this little dog, catching a cool breeze.

The almost full moon rises outside Irkurtsk.

Sunset from the train.

One of the many stops, this one for 20 or so minutes.

The dining car. A nice change of pace from our little cabin.

The hills turn to mountains as we near Ulan Ude.

Autumn in Siberia.

We totally lucked out with meeting Sergey, a great guy from Ulan Ude who has become a great friend over our time here. He's showing us photos of his wife and son, as well as the many car related projects he's into.

Toliet on the train. Yes, those are treads for those who dare perch on the edge. Rememeber, it feels like a constant 4.0 on the richter scale. Not for the faint of heart. The bathroom did provide for a great shooting spot though, as it had a window that opened onto the side with the better view.

Out our cabin window.

Breathtaking.

Train number.

Our first sighting of Lake Baikal. Shot from out the bathroom window.

Lake Baikal. Huge and deep. It holds about 20% of the world's surface fresh water.

A small river near the lake.

Adam found a nice seat.

The beach near Goryachinsk.

A house in Goryachinsk. Classic rural Russian style.

Ahh the outhouse. Country living at it's best? Dangerously large and deep, the ever present wind really whipped through here at night.

Our little cabin. Thanks to Tatyana and Nicholas.

The central wood fired stove kept us warm helped to dry our clothes

The freezing hand washing station.

Billboard. Note: You do not need a coke to cool down here. It's cold.

Sergey and Vallera taking us up north towards Ust-Barguzan in his 'matte black' Mitsubishi SUV. The roads aren't the worst I've been on (Cambodia definitiely holds that prize), but they're pretty bad.

An excited old woman and Adam share some time in an old boat.

Going up to a Buryatia temple.

Prayer flags covered every surface. Crazy.

A forest of prayer flags.

Cairns built to represent the people in your family.

If you ever wondered where all the offerings go.

The high mountains on the edge of the lake.

And then there was fishing.

Three casts in, Sergey got his pike.

The 'matte black'.

I think they exceeded the 10t limit.

Stalls with vendors selling snacks for the road

On the ferry across a river.

Adam standing by the river

Fall foliage was everywhere.

Russian Lada.

The dumpling house. Yum.

Vallera playing with a local dog.

The dumplings. Both Adam and I could live (and basically have been) on these things. Meaty and delicious.

Many thanks to everyone who made our stay in Ulan Ude and Lake Baikal possible. Elena, Sergey, Tatyiana, Nicholas. You've made us feel at home.

We're about to get back on the train for another 52hr stretch to Khabarovsk. Will try to get something posted again soon. Maybe in Vladivostok.

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

Follow the journey here:

Khabarosvk and Vladivostok - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/khabarovsk-to-vladivostok.html

Moscow - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/moscow-moscow-moscow.html

Yaroslavl and Astana - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/trans-siberian-so-far.html

Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/lake-baikal.html

Trans-Siberian so far

2010-09-19T01:20:00.000-07:00

Here we are in Astana, Kazakhstan. Getting reliable internet throughout the trip has been a challenge, so this post will include all the travel up until this point, starting in Yaroslavl with their 1000 year anniversary (yes, 1000 years) and catching up to us in Astana, Kazakhstan.

I had the opporunity to travel here last summer with my father to iron out the details for this year's 'official trip' of a delegation of Burlington, Vermont officials and residents, including Mayor Bob Kiss. Burlington and Yaroslavl have been sister cities since 1988 and have participated in many exchanges over the years.
Over the last year, Yaroslavl has done a fantastic job at fixing up, building new, and generally sprucing up the whole city in prepartion for the big celebration. I guess you only have one shot (no one wants to wait another 1000 years to have a party). Their hard work and preparation really paid off. The city looks great!

The Assumption Cathedral, originally built in stone in the early 1210s, was rebuilt in its current form in 2010.

A delicious Russian salad.

The new cathedral.

The new millenium park, built on the spit of land that was the original site of the city, founded by Yaroslavl the Great, slayer of the bear. The crest of the city is a bear holding a pole axe.

The mighty Volga river.

Volga river embankment. The best way to see the city is to stroll it's tree lined streets.

One of many (many) old churches in Yaroslavl.

New houses on the other side of the Volga river.

Children play music to begin the ceremony to open the German Friendship house.

The official opening of the German Friendship house.

Most bridges have small locks covering their railings, left there by newly married couples.

The large cathedral and a restaurant/dance club on the Kotorosl River.

A large stain-glassed window portrays Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, the first woman in space and Yaroslavl native.

The new, and almost completed space museum.

Alexei Leonov, the first person to leave the confines of a spaceship and float in space. Check out the ribbons.

A police man waits near the ceremony to open a new stretch of highway.

Burlington, Vermont Mayor Bob Kiss looks out the window during a marathon of opening ceremonies.

Price Yaroslavl the Wise (or Great), holding what locals joke to be a cake.

Media at the laying of flowers ceremony.

Our digs in Yaroslavl. Many thanks to Yuri and Victoria for making us feel right at home.

An old planetarium in downtown Yaroslavl.

The group from Burlington. We would meet up with them occasionally, as their schedule was jam-packed with official business and we happy to just walk the streets.

A concert to commemorate the millenium.

A dancer gets some serious air during the show.

Looking back at Yaroslavl from the far bank of the Volga.

Fireworks over the Volga.

Backyard bbq. We felt right at home.

Boys will be boys. Checking out Aleksander's restored 1967 Russian Jeep.

Grilled pork.

Gathering under the tent. It was great to meet everyone and share some food and drink with them.

Adam and Victoria at the bbq.

And then the first train. Yaroslavl-Yeketerinburg. Only 24hrs...

2nd class berthes. Thankfully no one else was in our compartment. Trains are really a great way to travel long distances. There are no longer distances than in Russia. It's mind boggling how far things are. Oh, it's only 1000km to the next city, not that far.

Sunrise out the window.

Russian countriy side.

We spen the day in Yeketerinbug, a city of about 1.3 million. It's centered around a river that's been dammed to make small lake. It's quite pleasant with a mix of old and new buildings.

I think they sell paper. Funy name though.

A line outside the ubiquitous kiosks.

With all the modern conveniences that have come to Russia, they still haven't figured out how to make an elevator that can easily fit more than two people.

Crappy overpriced room in Yeketerinburg. Not worth the $82. I've had better rooms in dirty Asia.

The trains...not luxurious, but totally fine. We've been in 2nd class (four bunks), but it's only been us...except this last train from Yeketerinburg to Astana where we got on the train, showed the helper guy our tickets, and he walked us to our seat, which seemed to be in 3rd class (open, no doors, loads of people). We made him double check the tickets and he kept saying 'yes, these are your seats', well, pointing and gesturing really. Ok, maybe we were on the 'kupe' train, (i.e. crap train). It was definitely an older train, so we just assumed that's where we were. Kids everywhere, of course drawn to Adam. Cut to 4 hours later when everyone is getting ready for bed, and the mother and daughter who are 'sharing' our little area start to tuck themselves into our seats...hmm...back to the train guy who finally realizes he's put us in the wrong car. A quick jog back a few cars got us back to an empty 2nd class berth for the remaining 20hrs. I must say, traveling by train (when in 1st or 2nd class) is quite pleasant. You can stand, sit, eat, drink, read, sleep, or stare out the window. The one issue comes when you get off the train and you have 'train legs', similar to sea legs.

Back on the train to Astana.

Assuming there would be a restaurant car like our last train (there wasn't) we were ecstatic when an old lady came by with some delicious meats and treats.

Once we crossed the border at 5am into Kazakhstan, the next 12hrs looked like this. Vast is an understatment.

Adam sacked out in our compartment.

The wood/coal fired hot water dispenser.

A policeman with Adam after scolding us for having beer on the train (which we had bought hours earlier on the train).

And then finally we made it to Astana. Astana (emphasis on the last a, Astan-A) is a strange place. After riding the train for 12 hours from the border over totally flat, flat, flat, open fields, we enter this bizarre city that is basically brand new. There is an old (crappy soviet style) part, but the interesting part is the new side, which is basically like Dubai. A planned city of ridiculous buildings and parks, super cool architecture, new streets, etc. All built within the last 10 years. Really crazy. Of course with that comes expensive prices. Basically the same as home or higher. We had one of the guys drive us around yesterday in his Lexus (of course we over paid in the end), but it seems like this is a really nice city, a mix of Russians and Kazakhs living seemingly together without problems. The Kazakhs seem much more easy to smile and slightly more of the chaotic Asian feel that we're used to, as opposed to the straight laced Russians who only smile after a long while (or copious amounts of drinks).

Apartment buidings. I couldn't stop staring at the curves.

The pyramid for religious meetings.

The largest tent in the world. It's a mall, but there's a sandy beach and pool and the top floor that stays 35C all winter. Apparently is super eco friendly and doesn't use much power for heat.

Inside the top of the Bayterek tower. Some think it looks like a champagne glass, and other have said it's an all seeing eye. I prefer the later, as it seems there's an attempt to create some sort of mythology surrounding this city and it's country's president. Combined with a pyramid (masonic temple) and a presidential palace that's based on the White House, it's like someone looked at a dollar and got some brilliant idea. Billions of dollars later and here we are.

Bayterek tower.

A sizzling platter of ram. Delicious. We passed on the horse, this time.

The central mosque in Astana. Most of the Kazakhs are muslim and practice a more modern form, only going to mosque once a week, not 5 times a day. The inside is exquisitly decorated.

A concert hall for young musicians.

The aliens have landed and they're using their ship as a circus.

The largest flag in Kazakhstan. It's big.

A ridiculously large apartment building.

The 'white house' at the end of the new city.

The old part of the city. Basic Soviet style.

A new sky scraper through the window of the mosque.

A the mini Kazakhstan, a wierd replica of the country, here, GI Joe's man an oil rig.

A worker scaling the large tent mall.

View down the new city.

View from the Bayterek tower.

I'll write more soon. Blogger is actually blocked here in Kazakhstan, but we've found away around it.

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

Follow the journey here:
Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/lake-baikal.html
Khabarosvk and Vladivostok - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/khabarovsk-to-vladivostok.html
Moscow - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/moscow-moscow-moscow.html
Yaroslavl and Astana - http://davidseaverphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/trans-siberian-so-far.html

Trans-Siberian Railroad Adventure

2010-09-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well, it's packing time. I leave tomorrow with longtime friend Adam for our Russian train adventure. We'll be on the rails for 30 days, starting in Yaroslavl to celebrate their 1000th anniversary. Check out my post from last year's visit to Yaroslavl. Our plan is to pop into Kazakhstan for a few days, then back on the main line heading east through 7 time zones and approx 5,800 miles.

Check back periodically for photos and stories. If you're interested in photos of the trip, get in touch with me here.

Khmer Rouge Trials

2010-07-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

31 years after the end of the Khmer Rouge, justice is finally being served. Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch was sentenced to 35 years in prison (though he will serve less) for being the head of the notorious Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21) and overseeing the deaths of approximately 16,000 whose were sent there. Duch is one of five former Khmer Rouge being tried for their roles in the deaths of 1.7 million people from 1975-1979.

I've decided to share a few photos from my many trips to Tuol Sleng. It's a haunting place, a former high school turned death machine. 7 people survived. That's it. The site of so many tortures is now a museum and a stop for every tourist who passes through Phnom Penh. Each prisoner was meticulously photographed and cataloged, most knowing their fate. The photos are now on display.

A chain keeps a door closed at Tuol Sleng (S-21), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Once a modern high school, it became the center of horrors.

Walls of condemned.

From my years of traveling in Cambodia and talking to people about their experiences, thoughts, and fears, I personally am glad that some modicum of punishment has been enacted. There are, of course other views. I've heard people say they think the trials, started back in the 90's, are a waste of time and money; that the people responsible for setting back their country decades would receive their penance in the next life; and more than a few saying they would love to get their hands on those in charge.

Chains are still present as tourists view photos at Tuol Sleng.

Written in a guest book at Tuol Sleng.

As with any group that has suffered something so horrible it's hard to comprehend, there are those who don't believe a quarter of the population was killed or died of starvation in a four year period. (not to mention the many thousands that died in the following 14 years of civil war) The mental scars go as deep as the missing limbs. Even though Cambodia has grasped towards the future and gotten hold, their brutal past has a vast impact on what goes on today. With half the population under 22, and a period of time where the government refused to teach about the Khmer Rouge in schools, there is a disconnect between the nightmare of yesterday and the cell phones and motorcycles of today.

Through a window into a torture room.

Sign at Tuol Sleng shows the rules.

As many holocaust survivors are reluctant to talk openly about what they experienced, many older Khmers are happy they have food to feed their families and a roof over their head and would rather look forward than rehash the past.

I understand this. However, with an event this horrible, there needs to be a discussion on a national level, and the trials are a good start to taking a solid step forward and starting the process of healing. While many Khmers I've met are reluctant to attach too much retribution to their feelings and experiences of the Khmer Rouge, this verdict, while not as strict as I would have hoped, is a way for them get some justice.

Tops of skulls fill a shelf in the main tower at the Killing Fields, where most of the prisoners from Tuol Sleng were taken to be killed or disposed of.

An old photo from the excavation of the Killing Fields.

A skull with a clearly visible strike point at the Killing Fields.

Cambodia has it's problems, that's for sure, in some cases they've had to start from square one in their rebuilding process. Most of their problems have been influenced in one way or another by the recent past. As they mature as a peaceful nation I hope they can solve their problems and lift the whole country towards the future. In the end, Cambodia's hope and only choice is to go full bore into the future. They want to get as far away from the 1970-1990's as they can, but without something like the trials, even with their limited scope, they don't have those solid steps from which to go forward.

Skulls at the Killing Fields.

Mass graves and the tower of skulls at the Killing Fields.

Mass grave at the Killing Fields.

A sign warning people not to walk through the mass grave, Killing Fields, Phnom Penh.

Cambodia has a big heart, a beautiful landscape, and a fascinating ancient history. I hope these trials help them deal with how to move forward.

Check out my 8,000 plus images of Cambodia online.

If you're interested in learning more about Cambodia, here are a couple of great movies:

New Year Baby (the background post shot is mine)

Enemies of the People

Miriam's Birthday Weekend!

2010-07-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Miriam's Birthday party was a great success, thanks for everyone who made it fun and delicious! Here are a few photos from the action.

Grilled food for a great summer fest!

Food food everywhere!

Cake time!

Somehow 5 lbs of candy fit in the sweet little pig...more than twice the recommended amount...I guess that's just how we roll.

Miriam and the pig.

Kelly going after the pig.

Darcy redeeming herself after a minor incident a few years back. A safety perimeter had to be established to keep Diana out of harm's way.

Terese going after the candy.

Lars and the pig.

Lars swinging.

Finishing off the pig. The little pink pig held up better than expected. I was picking candy out of the garden the next morning.

Candy candy candy candy...

The aftermath.

Stone clock at Oakledge. Yes, it actually works.

Fun with shadows.

An amazing sunset for an amazing weekend.

Happy birthday Miriam!

The good, the bad and the oily. BP Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico.

2010-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of reflection and a few thousand miles of distance I would like to share some thoughts and more photos of my trip to the Gulf coast to witness what I've now realized was just the beginning of the BP Oil Spill.

Oil scooped from the water.

First let me say I'm glad that people are paying attention.

Grasses covered by oil.

I realize that much of what I saw has since been hit pretty hard by the sloshing oil, reinforcing the idea that we're only at the very begining of this disaster.

A blade of marsh grass oozes oil.

The damage varied widely depending on where the oil had made land fall, and the clean up teams were doing a pretty good job cleaning as much as possible. That said, parts of Louisiana were really bad, but there are plenty of places where oil hadn't reached for one reason or another. (This has since changed to everywhere has been hit) The consensus is that we're only at the very leading edge of the oil and any large storm could absolutely devastate some communities here. As the almost certain succession of hurricanes and tropical storms each take their shot at the gulf coast, people will be holding their breath.

A small island covered in oil.

The sentiment among the locals changes the farther east we went. Everyone we talked to in Louisiana didn't seem all that concerned about the spill, but were livid about the 6 month moratorium on drilling as it would kill thousands of jobs. The farther away from the big oil centers we got, the more people started expressing their worry about never being able to fish again. It was a pretty wild scene. BP's attempt (in reality their ability) to control access to sites surprised me. They're able to shut down access to whole sections of public land, hiring local sheriffs to do their bidding. I understand that some areas are dangerous and toxic, but anytime a private corporation with their own paid army shut down and don't give access to the public is seems extremely sketchy. It was amazing to get the same answer over and over from people working in the cleanup. They would never comment on anything, and could never point us to someone who could. At one place on Dauphin Island, BP had contracted the local police to close off a large swath of the island (coincidentally the same part of the island with all the big houses). These are public roads, near beaches that didn't have oil, closed to the public.

A crab struggling to find it's bearings. Out in the open water, near the surface, it didn't shy away like it normally would.

I'm extremely glad I had the opportunity to see this and talk to people there, but the more I saw, the more intractable our dependence on oil seems. We desperately need a fundamental shift in the way the world operates, but the reality is that oil is so intertwined in our daily lives (the plastic keyboard I'm typing on is made of oil) and creates such wealth, that changing that will probably take more than a disaster like this.

Globs of oil float in the water.

From our trip from the Mississippi delta to the Florida border I saw the range of environments that the oil will effect, from the massive expanse of Bayou and marshes that make up most of southern Louisiana to the wide white sand beaches of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

Oil stained shores get washed over at high tide.

The thousand plus miles we drove also gave us ample time to flesh out our arguments for and against BP, the environment and our dependence on oil. Each topic proved as perplexing and complicated as the next. The pros of one complicating another. We as a world are built on oil. There's no argument about that. We wouldn't be where we are without this seemingly plentiful, energy dense substance. It's flexible and it's powerful that's for sure. Oil in one way or another permeates every aspect of our lives. It has dominated and shaped our world since it became widely available. It allowed us move out of the cities, spreading ourselves to such an extent that the thought of not having a car is inconceivable to many people today. Oil allows us to eat food from the other side of the planet and comfortably live in any climate.

Tar balls cover the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

To go a day without oil is a challenge that may be impossible in this day and age. You can't brush your teeth, not with a plastic tooth brush anyways, drive your car, ride your bike, walk on the street, or even wear your favorite Patagonia fleece. Would you like lunch? That better be food you grew yourself, but not in plastic pots and not tilled with a rototiller.

Beach goes brave the tar balls and heavy construction equipment, Gulf Shores, AL.

Does this mean that we're partially responsible for the oil spill? Possibly, but no more than an airline passenger being responsible for the plane crashing.

Roseate spoonbill.

At times it seems as if we're so dependent on that sweet crude that moving away from it seems impossible. But moving away from it is the only way for our world to make the next great leap forward. It's the crux of my generation and all that follow, to find a new, plentiful, reliable, and less polluting source of energy. Current ideas and innovations are great and a step in the right direction, but they are only a drop in the ocean when compared to what oil currently does for us.

An oil slick near Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Where should this innovation come from? Should the government be involved? Should oil and other polluting industries be priced in a way that takes into account their environmental impact?

Eastern Brown Pelicans take flight.

In my own opinion, I truly believe that we need to make a real push to get away from polluting energy sources and make a shift in our society toward sustainable growth, although with the global population as it sits today we may be past the point of sustainable growth. I think it's both our government and every individual's responsibility to do what they can towards this goal. Unfortunately the oil industry creates such wealth for everyone involved (i.e. states, governments, and companies) that renouncing it will take more than goodwill on our part. It will take us citizens to push for what we know is the right thing to do. We need an overwhelming push in regards to science and innovations. We need the government to think more than a year ahead. We need people to realize that gasoline shouldn't be this cheap. We've lived beyond our means for too long, both monetarily and environmentally. Should we tax gas? Yes. Should we tax coal? Yes. The USA has been a great innovator since it's birth, but we grow stagnant without a proverbial gun to our heads. We saw a little glimpse of this when gas prices hit $4 a gallon. People started thinking that maybe that huge SUV wasn't worth it. As prices fell, we quickly forgot what all the fuss was about. It doesn't help that the government has been slow to encourage new ideas in efficiency, only just recently pushing for a slightly higher fuel standard.

Great Egrets enjoy the sunset.

I've always said that the best ideas come from working with restrictions. To work outside of the box, you first need a box. Without some long term, progressively tightening regulations, what's the reason for anyone to improve?

Oil up close.

If the government sets these long term goals for industries, it gives them ample time to plan for their future. I would advise against the government picking sides, but only to set standards that must be achieved. Let the free market decide the best answer to any given problem. The best part of this kind of solution is that the general public won't even notice the difference. Did you notice when toilets went from 10 gallons to 5 gallons per flush? Or when refrigerators had to cut their power in half? Probably not. Instead of being happy with what we've accomplished, we need to always continue to improve our efficiency.

An Ohio family fishes off Dauphin Island, AL with an gas rig in the distance.

What about the cost? The arguments and objections come from all angles. The standard response from industry when they're told they need to increase efficiency is to say it will cost far too much, jobs will be lost, and lives will be ruined. Unfortunately some of these things are necessary to move our society away from the precipice. We need a fundamental shift. It's time to get rid of your SUV. It's time to move closer to cities. It's time reign in our ridiculous over indulgence in every aspect of life. It's time to diversify our energy sources. When a mining town closes, all is lost. Shall we as a country or as a world face the same future when the oil runs out?

Tar balls, or piles of balls, Gulf Shores, AL.

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that this spill won't effect our dependence on oil. Since this well wasn't even producing oil yet, it won't even effect the price at the pump. We as a collective world don't generally react too strongly to environmental disasters as there's very few people effected and the alternatives (giving up that SUV) just don't weigh on us enough, or we justify them away.

An oil ringed island still provides shelter for birds.

These are hard questions. Do we completely change the way we live, or do we change the place we live and accept it? Many people may feel sad about the damaged gulf coast, but will see it as an acceptable loss as long as oil keeps flowing. It's come to the point where if we continue down this path we must start thinking about acceptable losses.

Sea cemetery, Grand Isle, LA.

Is the loss of blue fin tuna spawning grounds in the gulf of Mexico an acceptable loss? There must some other fish out there I can eat in my sushi. How about polar bears? Or pelicans? Or white sandy beaches? Different people will say different things, but the answer should be that none are acceptable losses. We can change. We can live in a cleaner world. It's not going to happen overnight and maybe not completely in my lifetime, but it can happen. While we're best with our backs against the wall, wouldn't it be less catastrophic (and stressful) to start now? There are options.

Grand Isle, LA

National Guard troops roll through Grand Isle, LA.

Rain pours down on Gulf Shores, AL.

Workers clean the beach, Gulf Shores, AL.

Tar ball.

Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, AL.

Eastern Brown Pelican cruising at sunset.

Fishing boats wait near Pass Christian, MS.

Oil.

Please spread the word. Share this blog with your friends.

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

See another blog entry about the BP Oil Spill

BP Oil Spill in and around Grand Isle, Louisiana

2010-06-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

We spent 2 days in Grand Isle, LA to witness and report on the oil spill affecting the region. I will go into more depth about this in the coming days, but I wanted to share some of the photos I've made of the incident. After getting the runaround from BP about media credentials and access, most of which was blocked by hired local sheriffs, we eventually found where the oil actually is, offshore and out of sight. BP has done a great job of cleaning the accessible beaches around Grand Isle and Port Fourchon, and they have a large work force on display, but the reality is that there hasn't been much oil on Grand Isle since mid-May. The workers walk the beach (in the extremely hot and humid weather), inspecting and moving the clean pom-pom like 'snare-boom', while less than a mile off shore, Grand Terre Island with historic Fort Livingston is awash with oil. It became clear during our stay that the cleanup was focused on the areas that people could see.

There's a flotilla of boats skimming the water, and from what the locals say, most of the oil in the open water is cleaned up fairly quickly. Only being out in a boat for a few hours, the extent of the damage became clear.

Please share this blog with anyone who is concerned about the oil spill.

If you would like to reproduce or use any photos in media, magazines, websites, etc., please contact me:

davidseaver@hotmail.com or 802-355-3728.

Here are some of the photos.

Boom around Bird Island, near Grand Isle, LA.

Birds Island with a large ship housing workers in the background.

Bird Island near Grand Isle, LA is well protected by two layers of boom. Bird Island showed some signs of previous oil, but looked okay. The worry is that a storm surge could swamp the island, covering it with oil and fouling the nesting grounds of thousands of birds.

Brown pelican in flight.

A skimmer ship.

Dolphins swim in Barataria bay. We saw hundreds of dolphins swiming in the bay.

A long row of barges with pumper trucks wait to catch oil and suck it up.

A worker moves a hose on the barges.

A large anchored skimmer ship sits idle.

Oil sheen on the water.

The thick viscous oil has the consistency of warm gooey peanut butter.

The oil.

Kate thoroughly disgusted by the oil floating in the water.

An oil blob near Grand Terre Island. This is approximately 2 feet long.

An oil patch on open water.

A thick patch of oil near Grand Terre, LA.

Oil globs near Grand Terre, LA.

Snails covered in oil. Grand Terre Island.

Oil boom on the rocks of Grand Terre Island.

An oil boom up on the rocks of Grand Terre Island. This should be in the water.

Oil washes up on the rocks on Grand Terre Island. Fort Livingston is in the background.

Thick brown oil in the water.

Thick oil washes up on the rocks of Grand Terre Island.

Oil on the beach and in the grass, Grand Terre Island.

The high tide oil mark on a protective sea wall around Fort Livingston, Grand Terre Island.

Oil stains the brick of historic Fort Livingston on Grand Terre Island.

Oil on marsh grasses, Grand Terre, LA

Close up of the oil.

Oil penetrating the marsh grasses of Grand Terre.

Brown pelicans and sea gulls on bird island.

A porpoise swims near Grand Isle Beach with oil rigs in the background.

Workers gather at a staging area in Grand Isle State Park.

Large booms protect Grand Isle Beach.

Artist Bobby Pitre working on new paintings inspired by the Gulf Oil Spill

These large paintings outside Bobby Pitre's tattoo parlor in Larouse, LA have gained national attention and landed him in People Magazine.

The much publicized gulf graveyard in Grand Isle, LA

There were many anti-BP signs on Grand Isle. While most people seem concerned with the oil spill, the consensus was more of anger towards President Obama and the government for instituting the 6 month drilling moratorium. Grand Isle and much of Louisiana is supported by the oil industry, either directly working on the rigs or in the myriad of supportive industries that keep our country running.

Soiled absorbent boom, Port Fourchon Beach.

Pelicans fly near Port Fourchon Beach.

Brown pelicans near shore, Port Fourchon Beach.

Oil rigs can been seen just off shore from Port Fourchon Beach. This area is responsible for a large portion of the US's oil needs.

Workers under a tent, Port Fourchon beach.

Inspecting the snare and absorbent boom, Port Fourchon beach.

Snare and absorbent boom, Port Fourchon beach.

Inspecting the snare and absorbent boom, Port Fourchon beach.

All of these photos and more are available for digital stock photography, prints or mounted at my Photostore

To inquire about assignments and availability please email or call

802.355.3728

See another blog entry about the BP Oil Spill

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Rock Church St. for Jazz Fest

2010-06-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals played a free show on Church St. yesterday, a last minute surprise that thrilled the packed audience. Here are some shots from the show.

They rocked the Marketplace! This is why I love Vermont.

Burlington - Yaroslavl Sister City

2010-05-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from the last few days with a group of business people from Yaroslavl, Russia, Burlington's sister city, here to meet with similar businesses in Vermont. After a week of meetings and tours of Burlington and the surrounding area, they were treated to a relaxing sail on Lake Champlain and a bbq hosted by Howard and Barbara Seaver (my parents) for everyone who helped make their trip a success.

For more information, check out the Sister City Facebook page.

There will be upcoming trip to Yaroslavl in early September, 2010 to celebrate the city's 1000th anniversary. If you're interested in joining the group, get in touch through the Facebook page.

Elena and Sergey

Thanks to Chuck, we had two boats to cruise around the lake.

Sailing with Camel's Hump in the background.

Dale showing Vitaly the finer points of sailing.

Elena and Sergey enjoying the sun.

We tied up at the Burlington Boathouse for some lunch.

The city of Burlington with Mount Mansfield in the background.

Camel's Hump.

Yury adds Lake Champlain to his list of water he's been dragged in.

Yury, Russ and Vitaly

Elena shows off the bottle of special Yaroslavl vodka as Irina and Howard make toasts to a great trip and new friends.

Kate and Sheila

Barbara, Irina, Howard, and Gail

John and Andrey

Sunset

Sergey warms up.

Megan and Sergey singing.

Here's a recording of the Russian song sung by Sergey and Megan.

And then the real show began. The fields were lit by thousands of blinking fireflies, the most I've seen in years and a real treat for the guests.

Spring has sprung

2010-04-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well, spring is here, although the snow from the last two days has been a little strange. Never bet against Mother Nature.

Outside my studio...love the snow, but not quite right.

In the studio with a spider plant's flower

Rama bursting over the lilies.

After some yard work to reset the gardens for spring, sister Kate showed up for round two of shooting her newest creation, Candy Kate's Marshmallows. Yes, they are as delicious as they look. We decided that with Mother's Day coming up we'd use some great tea cup platters.

Rose with chocolate

The ever popular cinnamon

The almond looks so regal with the blue and gold

Love the long fresh grass