Outer Banks

My week at the Outer Banks of North Carolina is almost complete. Ocracoke Island, Hatteras Island (where we camped), Bodie Island, Currituck Island - all parts of what make up a beautiful barrier island paradise off the coast of North Carolina.

A week is the minimum amount of time needed to explore these islands as the chain is 100 miles in length with speed limits that are as low as 25 averaging about 40. There are many State Parks, National Parks, Lighthouses and National shoreline to check out in addition to boutiques & restaurants.

Protecting the dunes is foremost in managing this natural wonder. There are numerous entry points for vehicles to drive on the beach - but beware, you'll need an SUV with 4-wheel drive and high clearance if you plan to go out on the beaches.

I've tried to capture the various aspects of these islands in the photographs in this gallery. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I've enjoyed my week here in coastal paradise.

Next week I'll be in our nations capital being a tourist to the core and then after the July 4th weekend I'll be headed down to the South Carolina coast bordering with Georgia. Charleston, Hilton Head, Hunting Island and Savannah are on the agenda for the beginning of July.

Hawaii is planned for the end of the month - the big Island! More to come...

Cheers,

Monty

Last minute photoshoot - Sai Harley

Singer-songwriter-Violinist, Sa-Idah Harley - Sai performed "Blackbird" at the Tosco Music Party Beatles Tribute earlier this month. She is in the process of releasing a CD and wanted to shoot a variety of looks as possibilities for use in her packaging.

Shot on a Saturday night at Yellow Rose Studios, Sai needs the images by Monday morning so she can decide and then send off to the graphics artist she is working with.

It was indeed a pleasure to quickly put together thoughts for a multi-look shoot on the same location to be completed within a few hours. I have to say that Sai was wonderful to work with as she and my able assistant, Linda, created variations on the theme achieving what I think was an excellent result!

You be the judge - the results are here.

You'll be hearing more from Sai as she releases her CD and continues performing in the Charlotte area.

Cheers,

Monty

June Agenda - camping tourism!

Beaches - Shoreline - Nations Capital

The last part of June we'll enjoy a little travel & landscape photography.

First will be the coast of North Carolina with a focus on Cape Hatteras. My intent is to be able to spend enough time camping on the shores so as to relax enough to see the true beauty within the sand. Hopefully I'll catch a few fish too.

Following that will be my first trip to the tourist sites within Washington DC. I'm not sure yet what my photography goal is with this visit. I'm anticipating the viewings alone as a significant experience. This just may have to unfold live - or it may not happen at all.

All in all, eagerly anticipating this years camping trip. July promises to be an interesting month - stay tuned!

Cheers,

Monty

June 5th is the Tosco Music Party organizations "Beatles Tribute Night" - a major annual live production featuring diverse musical genre's celebrating the music of the Beatle's.