tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:35:10 +0000Carla FranciscoCanonPortugalphotographycloudsskyCaribbeanseaMexicobloggersGrand Bahia Principe AkumalRiviera MayavacationbeachoceanwaterstormsunweatherbluehotelwavesCarcavelosCubasandwhitebirdboatcastlecloud appreciation societyflyinglightperspectiveshadowsunsetAlentejoBelémManhattanMontemor-o-NovoNew YorkOeirasPenacovaRegaleiraSerra da EstrelaSintraTulumUSUSAVaraderochangecityelectionflightflyfoggreenhopelighthousemorningmountainorangepalacepathpelicanphotographer's blockplanerainrain showerruinsshadesunrisetowerviewpointAtlanticBahamasBrooklyn BridgeBugioCorucheDecemberEriceiraHavanaJamaicaMafraManteigasNYCNewsweekSadoSetúbalTrumparchartballoon rideballoonismbenchbird's eye viewcatcoaticoldcontrailcrepuscular raysdawndesertdetaildustexperimentferryfireworksfocal pointfountainfull moongingerheathot-air balloonlamplens caplobbymicroburstmistmonumentmoonnew yearparasailingpicture of the weekpine treerainbowredrefugeesriversculptureseagullsensesslopesnowstareufouniteunitedvalleyvictoryvideowallwellwide-angleworldMy vision... my way. <br>I'm passionate about photography. <br>Passionate about the sky... and cats. <br>Passionate about life... wherever it may be found.http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)Blogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-7235958590659404117Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:02:00 +00002013-08-02T13:02:20.684+01:00bloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocastlecloudsMexicopalacephotographyRiviera MayaskyTulum A barred access to one of the buildings undergoing restoration work. The House of Columns, also known as The Great Palace, was one of the largest residential building in Tulum. Originally L-shaped, it later received an additional west wing. The House of the Halach Uinic, to which a thatch awning has been added to help prevent further sun and water damagehttp://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-mayan-ruins-of-tulum-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-2206843896937460137Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:26:00 +00002013-07-30T10:28:58.813+01:00bloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscoMexicophotographyRiviera MayaruinsTulumvacation I visited these ruins on a scorching hot morning, even though we got there very early... I'm sure I would have enjoyed the visit even more if the sky had been a little cloudy. In spite of the heat and the lack of shade, I loved the site and I was delighted to see how well kept it is. http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-mayan-ruins-of-tulum-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-6748082181319764470Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:37:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.102+01:00bloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocoatiGrand Bahia Principe AkumalhotelMexicophotographer's blockRiviera Maya These fluffy cuties live with the guests at the hotel :) They're coatis, a delight to watch and a big plus in favour of the resort. http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/cute-coatis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-5543754294950529157Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:28:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.086+01:00bloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscoGrand Bahia Principe AkumalgreenhotelMexicoorangepathphotographyRiviera Mayavacation This is Villa 57, where I stayed during my vacation in Mexico. The Grand Bahia Principe Akumal has some of the best kept grounds I've ever seen at a big resort. &nbsp;Colourful and clean, the resort is quite pleasant to walk around in.http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/orange-and-green-all-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-586191889661017185Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:05:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.089+01:00artbloggersCanonCarla FranciscoGrand Bahia Principe AkumalhotellobbyMexicophotographyRiviera Mayasculpture IXIM (pronounced "ee-sheem") is the Mayan word for corn and it's also the name of this huge sculpture. It sits in the middle of the lobby of the Grand Bahia Principe Akumal is it really is quite impressive. The plaque at the foot of the sculpture reads: "IXIM This magnificent work of art represents man in his eternal communion with the elements, animals and plants, existing in harmony with http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/ixim-mayan-word-for-corn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-167329280592196437Thu, 18 Jul 2013 16:10:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.079+01:00bloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicomorningphotographyrainrain showerRiviera Mayaskystormvacationweather It was a rainy morning and we decided to go shopping for souvenirs. We hopped on one of the little carts that take people back and forth between the various stops inside the Grand Bahia Palace complex, and got out at "The Hacienda". Sure enough, there was a downpour on the way and we didn't have to wait long to witness a rainshower of epic proportions! This photo was taken just a few http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/rainy-morning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-8839851323848597273Wed, 17 Jul 2013 21:21:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.105+01:00beachbirdbloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscoflightflyflyingGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicooceanpelicanphotographyseavacationwaterwaves This visitor at the beach of Grand Bahia Principe Akumal was anything but shy and it came and went as it pleased - which pleased the tourists immensely. They sometimes flew above our heads in groups of three or four and it never ceased to amaze me how such big birds managed that degree of gracefulness. Now I'm definitely a fan of pelicans :) http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/bye-bye-til-tomorrow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-6013788437230616430Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:03:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.096+01:00beachbirdCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscoGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicooceanpelicanphotographyRiviera Mayasandseawaterwaves This and a few other friendly pelicans became regular visitors at the beach of the Grand Bahia Principe resort. They flew low and right by us and never hesitated to get in the water just to freshen up or fish among the tourists. They didn't mind the many people who flocked (pun intended ;) towards them with all sorts of cameras in their hands, eager to record those funny moments and http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/time-for-snack.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-620357819192249575Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:22:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.099+01:00beachboatCanonCarla FranciscocloudsflyingGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicoparasailingphotographyRiviera Mayaseaskystormwaterwavesweather Parasailing is always a big thing at the Caribbean resorts. I still haven't tried it but I sure was glad that I had my feet on the ground on this occasion, to be able to take this photo of the colours of the Mexican flag flying high in the stormy sky. http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/making-most-of-each-moment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-5895374707012158472Sun, 14 Jul 2013 19:46:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.093+01:00beachbloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicooceanphotographysandseaskyvacation Just chillin' and watching the sky :)http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/as-clouds-go-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-3429404259454010592Sun, 14 Jul 2013 17:39:00 +00002013-07-27T16:55:56.083+01:00beachbloggersCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsGrand Bahia Principe AkumalMexicophotographyRiviera Mayasandseaskyvacationwaterwaves I got back from the Riviera Maya about a week ago and I'm now starting to sort through the 200 or so photos I took during the week I spent there. So, expect a few more in the coming days... This is one of the beaches of the Grand Bahia Principe Akumal resort where I stayed - a very beautiful and quiet beach, even more so underneath stormy skies.http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-kind-of-summer-picture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-6061733654085313505Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:49:00 +00002012-04-07T13:50:11.457+01:00CanonCarcavelosCarla Franciscocitycloud appreciation societycloudsfull moonlightmoonphotographyPortugalshadeshadowsky http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2012/04/hide-and-seek.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-8058064371011821477Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:00:00 +00002011-04-07T23:51:45.408+01:00CanonCarcavelosCarla FranciscodesertdustplaneskysunsunsetCourtesy of the Sahara Desert? As it happens, a plume of dust blew North from the Sahara and hung around off the coast of Portugal. Could it be that it's putting on a show every sunrise and sunset for three days?... and counting...http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2011/04/dust-in-air.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-7974959253708058192Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:05:00 +00002011-02-19T13:05:49.334+00:00balloon rideballoonismbird's eye viewCanonCarla FranciscoCorucheflyflyinghot-air balloonPortugalEarlier this month I went on a balloon ride. And what a ride it was! We departed from Coruche (Portugal) and flew for over an hour, until just before the sunset. It was lots of fun and it's a great way to fly! http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2011/02/balloon-ride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-2332158661808784072Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:09:00 +00002011-01-08T12:11:06.453+00:00CanonCarcavelosCarla FranciscocloudslightOeirasPortugalrainbowskysunweatherThis beauty paid me a visit just before 2010 ended. It knocked on my window and just stood there, smiling at me and posing for my camera... :) http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2011/01/double-vision.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-8638176452950848298Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:20:00 +00002010-10-16T16:29:05.564+01:00beachboatCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsCubamicroburstoceanrainrain showerseaskystormsunVaraderowaterweatherThis is the kind of thing that brings down planes... This one didn't. What it did was leave me mesmerized and in awe of the phenomenon... I must confess that I was crossing my fingers in hopes that it would somehow develop into a water spout... As they say, give them an inch and they'll take a yard! Anyway, in the end I was just thankful that Mother Nature put on this show when I was (for http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/10/wet-microburst.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-3486730410213599007Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:37:00 +00002010-10-05T14:38:27.225+01:00CanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsCubaHavanaseaskystormvacationviewpointThe last I saw of Havana was an ample view from the fortress they call "La Cabaña" (The Hut). The sky was heavy with stormy clouds, the light promised an electric storm about to strike and the air was wonderfully charged... I loved Havana and I plan on going back with more time to explore it properly, the way such a beautiful and interesting city deserves to be discovered. Hasta siemprehttp://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/10/hasta-siempre.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-7313639174545645685Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:29:00 +00002010-09-25T13:30:33.058+01:00AtlanticbeachblueCanonCaribbeanCarla FranciscocloudsCubaheathoteloceansandseashadeskysunVaraderowaterIt was way too hot for me that day... I couldn't convince myself to get up off my beach chair but this photo was just begging to happen... And here you have it - a hymn to laziness!http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/09/impromptu.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-3736748340719486995Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:52:00 +00002010-09-23T15:37:38.464+01:00BahamasblueCanonCarla FranciscocloudsCubaflightoceanplaneredseaskyvacationwaterwhite... on my way to Cuba, I caught a glimpse of the Bahamas. This is one of the many photos I took out the window since I was hopelessly drawn to that "red engine casing/clouds in the background" combination during most of the tiresome 8-hour flight... The thin stripes of land down below stirred up my imagination and look forward even more intensely to the warm waters of Varadero, which I had http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/09/peeking-out-window.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-6316081600771751523Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:57:00 +00002010-07-04T22:05:33.459+01:00CanonCarcavelosCarla Franciscocloudscrepuscular rayslightPortugalshadowskysunsunsetThose who love and prefer a beautiful sunrise over a beautiful sunset will get no argument from me. The truth is I don't think I'll ever have to choose between the two, as there's one of each every day... However, if I really had to choose, I'm pretty sure I'd go for the sunset - if nothing else, because it happens just before night falls and I've made my mind up long ago that I prefer night overhttp://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/07/crepuscular-rays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-5430104415973512743Tue, 04 May 2010 18:49:00 +00002010-06-21T18:34:04.737+01:00BelémbirdblueCanonCarla FranciscocloudsfountainPortugalseagullwaterwhiteThis seagull was clearly having fun around the fountain - it kept circling the jets of water as they went up and down... Looking at it against the sun, my eyes were locked in the flight pattern, admiring how it managed to fly through the mist and not get caught by those powerful "geysers". I truly envied that bird's eye view (in the most literal sense ever!) - it was a hot day, way too hot for http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/05/refreshing-fly-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-8068110257032371496Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:58:00 +00002010-06-21T18:34:04.739+01:00archbeachbenchblueCarla FranciscoEriceiralampMafraPortugalseashadowviewpointwallwhiteVery colourful, isn't it? Well, looking at this photo, one things catches my eye more than anything else: the shadows the wall casts on the sidewalk. Call me weird, but I think they fit the scene very well, since this is a viewpoint above a beach... with waves... :) If you lean a little over the wall, you can see the "Whale Beach" (Praia da Baleia). It got its name in 1872, when a huge whale http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/04/waves-on-ground.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-6485224740131900382Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:48:00 +00002010-06-21T18:34:04.741+01:00Carla FranciscoManteigasmountainPortugalriverSerra da EstrelaslopevalleyI sometimes wonder if I could live far away from the ocean and deep in a valley... I'd still have the sky and maybe a river to quench my thirst of living by the water, but I can't help thinking I'd wither away and lose myself on those slopes... http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/04/deep-in-valey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-2871966782330200730Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:39:00 +00002010-06-21T18:34:04.743+01:00CanonCarla Franciscocoldmountainpine treePortugalSerra da EstrelasnowIt was a cold day in the mountains. There was a pine tree in my field of vision when I was aiming my lens at the peak - I mean aiming for shooting, not for throwing ;P I tend to take a lot of shots like these (as you can see here) and then I always end up not knowing which one I prefer - I guess they tell me different stories and I'm not big on preferring one emotion to another... For instance, http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/04/to-focus-or-not-to-focus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564692760998263760.post-2425494555389003465Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:55:00 +00002010-06-21T18:34:04.745+01:00CanonCarla Franciscocatgingerlens capstareAt first he was quite excited about my lens cap... tried to take it from my hands, played around with it between his paws for a while and then, because it simply refused to fight back, he got bored and just "stared it to death" :) http://carlafrancisco.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-do-you-mean-canon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Carla Francisco)0