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A composite showing the ritual of stone jumping, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra (best seen at large sizes)<br /> <br /> Nias Island is the site of one of the last megalithic cultures, which are characterized by the use of stone monuments, statues and other stone objects (Stonehenge is an example of an ancient megalithic site). The Nias villages are build on hills; Bawomatuluo Village (meaning Sun Hill) is 400 m above sea level.<br /> <br /> This is a PhotoShop composite of a sequence of 5 photos of one jumper, taken in rapid succession. The background was desaturated so the jumper could be seen more clearly. <br /> <br /> Stone Jumping (called hombo batu), is a manhood ritual where young men leap over stone towers 2 to 2.5 meters high. In the past, the top of the stone was covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo, and the jumpers carried a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. It evolved out of warfare between island tribes, who fortified their villages with high stone walls. Warriors who could jump over the stone walls and other obstacles set up by the enemy could easily conquer their rivals.
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A composite showing the ritual of stone jumping, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra (best seen at large sizes)

Nias Island is the site of one of the last megalithic cultures, which are characterized by the use of stone monuments, statues and other stone objects (Stonehenge is an example of an ancient megalithic site). The Nias villages are build on hills; Bawomatuluo Village (meaning Sun Hill) is 400 m above sea level.

This is a PhotoShop composite of a sequence of 5 photos of one jumper, taken in rapid succession. The background was desaturated so the jumper could be seen more clearly.

Stone Jumping (called hombo batu), is a manhood ritual where young men leap over stone towers 2 to 2.5 meters high. In the past, the top of the stone was covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo, and the jumpers carried a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. It evolved out of warfare between island tribes, who fortified their villages with high stone walls. Warriors who could jump over the stone walls and other obstacles set up by the enemy could easily conquer their rivals.

  • Young eagle, Delta, BC<br /> <br /> There were dozens of young eagles perched in the trees today out by the Delta Dykes. I liked how the bare branches, with the tips just starting to leaf out, formed a background for the eagle.<br /> <br /> This is a young bald eagle; they develop their white heads and tails when they are 4-5 years old.
  • A composite showing the ritual of stone jumping, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra (best seen at large sizes)<br /> <br /> Nias Island is the site of one of the last megalithic cultures, which are characterized by the use of stone monuments, statues and other stone objects (Stonehenge is an example of an ancient megalithic site). The Nias villages are build on hills; Bawomatuluo Village (meaning Sun Hill) is 400 m above sea level.<br /> <br /> This is a PhotoShop composite of a sequence of 5 photos of one jumper, taken in rapid succession. The background was desaturated so the jumper could be seen more clearly. <br /> <br /> Stone Jumping (called hombo batu), is a manhood ritual where young men leap over stone towers 2 to 2.5 meters high. In the past, the top of the stone was covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo, and the jumpers carried a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. It evolved out of warfare between island tribes, who fortified their villages with high stone walls. Warriors who could jump over the stone walls and other obstacles set up by the enemy could easily conquer their rivals.
  • Elephant at sunset feeding on the grasses by the Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Botswana<br /> <br /> The blue line in the sky is a good example of the atmospheric phenomenon known as the Belt of Venus (or Venus' Girdle), where the earth's shadow can been seen in the sky opposite the sunset. Often the best and most subtle colors at sunset and sunrise can be found in the sky opposite the sun.<br /> <br /> My big computer has packed it in (they are sending a free replacement), so I am featuring some photos from a gallery of photos taken this past summer in Botswana. Chobe National Park is famous for its large populations of elephants.
  • Copra workers launching a loaded dugout canoe through the surf, Simeulu Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> This photo gives a feeling for the weight of the dugout canoe, especially when loaded with the copra sacs for transport out to the larger ship off shore (seen here <a href="http://goo.gl/DoVl6">http://goo.gl/DoVl6</a> and here <a href="http://goo.gl/Z6Tn3">http://goo.gl/Z6Tn3</a>). I always try to interact with my photo subjects, in this case by trying to heft one of the copra sacs into the canoe for them (much to the amusement of the workers) and they are HEAVY!
  • Portrait of a copra worker taking a smoke break, squatting on his dugout canoe, Simeulu Island (Pulau Simeulue) , Sumatra<br /> <br /> Today I have posted more photos from a small series documenting the lives of the copra workers who live and work on the off-shore islands, 120 km off the west coast of Sumatra. <br /> <br /> This extremely remote area has rarely been visited because the unrest in Aceh made getting permits difficult, until recently. It is starting to gain recognition as a prime surfing area, like the better known Nias Island to its south (which was part of the famous Hippie Trail of the 1960s). The island is close to the epicenter of the 9.3 magnitude 2004 earthquake.
  • Long-tail boats beached near the Dala Ferry Terminal, Yangon, Myanmar
  • A sign of spring; time to plant primulas outdoors in Vancouver!<br /> <br /> This photo was taken outdoors in natural light in the shade at F22, ISO 400, 1/10 sec. The white pot made a nice circular frame around the flowers. The photo edges were darkened in photoshop.
  • Copra worker bailing out his dugout canoe, Simelulu Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> Copra is the dried meet of the coconut (call the kernel). Sacs of coconuts can be seen on the copra boat in the background. Coconut oil is extracted from the dried coconut meat.
  • Still life with nuts and blueberries<br /> <br /> I was inspired this weekend to try a still life when I saw the glass bowl full of nuts on the kitchen counter. The first shot was OK, but need a little colour, so I sprinkled on some blueberries. Shot with natural light from the window at f22, ISO1600, by placing the bowl on the floor and using a tripod. And I didn't even have to leave the house LOL.
  • Temple 2, Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> The Buddha image that is barely visible through the doorway (especially at the larger sizes) can be seen here <a href="http://goo.gl/q9anG">http://goo.gl/q9anG</a>.<br /> <br /> The fantastic temple complex of Bagan rivals Angor Wat for its number of temples, but is not as well known since Myanmar was closed to tourism for so long. Bagan is on the plains of the Irrawaddy River west of Mandalay. Between the 11th and 13th century over 10,000 temples and stupas were built there, of which around 2000 remain. Roughly speaking, a stupa is a solid structure that can't be entered and a temple has an interior that contains images, usually statues of Buddhas.
  • Battling zebras, Ngala, South Africa<br /> <br /> This was a serious fight that involved biting, kicking and drawing blood.
  • Pair of long-tail boats on the Irrawaddy River, Yangon, Myanmar<br /> <br /> The photo is now cropped thanks to the suggestion of Louise and Diane. The new version can be found here: <a href="http://goo.gl/ktpuu">http://goo.gl/ktpuu</a>
  • Fabric shop, Bogyoke (Scott) Market, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Thar she blows!<br /> <br /> Eruption of old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Montana. This is a classic subject; I wonder how many photographs have been taken of this geyser since its first recorded description in 1870?
  • Portrait of an Acehnese woman in elaborate flowered headdress, Banda Aceh, Sumatra<br /> <br /> This photo, and the others in this series, were shot outdoors with natural light and were not posed, but shot as they were seen (with my Nikon D300). In this case, I noticed her standing in front of a building with a yellow-beige wall that provided a neutral background in an otherwise busy crowd-filled scene. In situations such as these, when there is lots of light, I usually shoot on aperture priority (at least f11), with the exposure stopped down by one stop to avoid blowing the highlights.
  • Leopard cub in a Mopane tree with its paw on an impala carcass, Ngala, South Africa. Best seen at larger sizes since his good camouflage causes him to almost disappear in the thumbnail.<br /> <br /> Mopane trees with their huge trunks and large spreading branches are favorites with leopards for stashing their prey out of reach of other predators such as lions and hyenas. This young leopard is around 1 year old. His mom was lying in the deep grass at the base of the tree totally stuffed after feeding on the impala. The cub appeared to feel safer staying in the tree 'guarding' the impala carcass. Note the paw resting on the hind limb of the impala, and how well he blends into the dappled light in the tree.
  • Hippo displaying at sunset-4, Ngala, South Africa<br /> <br /> You do NOT want to see this coming up next to your canoe! Hippos kill more people than any other African animal and can be highly aggressive toward humans and boats. Their powerful jaws can bite canoes in half and they can tip over even larger boats.
  • Scotch
  • Portrait of a couple in traditional dress, Banda Aceh, Sumatra
  • Quadratone of zebra eating grass, Ngala, South Africa<br /> <br /> I couldn't decide whether to feature this photo or the portrait of the Cape buffalo today. In the end, I decided on this one, because the one visible leaning leg of the zebra creates an interesting unbalanced feeling when juxtapositioned against the heavy head and neck, almost like it's impossible that the zebra doesn't fall over. I'd be interested in hearing other opinions.

  • nelli

    on February 11, 2013

    stunning work !

  • sisterhoodofthetravelingbras

    on February 11, 2013

    February is Black History Month. The theme for 2013 is: At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality.
    I am challenging everyone in the Daily Foto Community to post something that relates to the theme on Sunday, February 24th. I am leaving the subject matter open to your interpretation. Post a Crossroads. Post a photo of what Freedom or Equality mean to you. Post a pic of Barack Obama or an African American…. A black cat or anything black. The choice is up to you! THANKS! The Sisterhood is looking forward to seeing what each of you posts.

  • Rick Willis

    on February 11, 2013

    Excellent Images...

  • webstersway

    on February 11, 2013

    Fantastic!!!

  • fotoeffects

    on February 11, 2013

    Neat piece of work. I like the treatment and the composite of the five shots is terrific!

  • Donna McCommon

    on February 10, 2013

    Great piece of art!

  • GaryHowe

    on February 10, 2013

    Wonderful composite

  • dcroake

    on February 10, 2013

    Great piece of work.

  • DycasStudios & CaseyElizabethPhotography

    on February 10, 2013

    Great job, such talent.

  • Lgood

    on February 10, 2013

    Great work!!!

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