Timecapsule

Timecapsule, originally uploaded by Rob Millenaar.

What do you get when it rains for days on end in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i? A swollen Wailuku river and a torrent of water falling off the edge at Rainbow Falls. A popular spot for tourists to gape at nature's wonders, with an ever present rainbow to grace the countless photo's that are taken here. That is, when the sun is shining, which was rather rare last week. Compensating for the lack of a rainbow is the water itself. It has picked up so much sediment and soil that is has coloured itself red. Orange really!
Late one afternoon, when most of the tourists were gone, I set up for a couple of long exposure time shots, with tripod and neutral density filters. I got some wonderful results, like in the image, where an orange sheet appears to be draped from the rocks, framed in green tropical scenery. A time capsule of 18 seconds in the life of the waterfall, compressed into one image.
Hawai'i, and especially the windward side of the Big Island, will never seize to hold its spell on me.

Back in Hawai'i

Back in Hawai'i, originally uploaded by Rob Millenaar.

Ahh.. I'm back where I belong. That's how it felt, stepping off the plane in good old Hilo. Over the years I have been here so many times, that the place has grown on me. And now, for a month, I can call it home once more.

This picture is interesting in more than one way. First it shows the gorgeous backdrop of the lush vegetation along Honolii stream on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. I've been hiking along the stream for only a short stretch as there was no good trail to be found. I need to do some more exploring.

Second, you'll notice the extremely wide angle that is afforded by my new Sigma 10-20mm zoom lens, set at its shortest zoom distance. I'm sure this lens is going to give me lots of new photo opportunities. The old days of switching lenses all the time are back.

Third, note the weathered visage of the traveller. A latent flue keeps him from looking cheerful, even though in his heart he is. The rate at which wrinkles appear has recently increased substantially. Young at heart, old(er) at the outer layer. No worries!

A responsibility to awe.

Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope


We Astronomers

We astronomers are nomads,
Merchants, circus people,
All the earth our tent.

We are industrious.
We breed enthusiasms,
Honour our responsibility to awe.

But the universe has moved a long way off.
Sometimes, I confess,
Starlight seems too sharp,

And like the moon
I bend my face to the ground,
To the small patch where each foot falls,

Before it falls,
And I forget to ask questions,
And only count things.


Rebecca Elson
1960-1999


I haven't been updating my blog for quite a while. Lost the drive, the motiviation, the inspiration. Reading back Rebecca's poem triggered a renewed urge to revisit the blog. Since last post many things have happened: travelled to Hawaii twice and suffered the loss of my father in law.
No resolutions for the new year. Nevertheless, I hope to give the blog a bit more attention.

Rob