Saipan

October 14, 2014 – Bird Island, Saipan

Long Exposure, Saipan
Bird Island, Saipan

Bird Island, Saipan

I hiked down to Bird Island the other day and managed to take a few descent shots given that it was a very cloudy day. This was taken at around 1PM. I was hoping to get some really nice exposures with the sun being in the perfect spot at 1PM. However, it was a bit overcast. Although it wasn’t what I was expecting, the result was unique in the sense that the clouds in the background make the picture look more dramatic.

Bird Island is one of the Marine Protected Areas in the CNMI. It is located in the North Eastern side of Saipan. It is a quick 5 minute hike down to a beautiful beach. In the summer time, you could venture over onto the island itself and explore the tide pools for exotic marine life. If your lucky, you could also see baby black tip sharks patrolling the shoreline in search of a meal to eat.

April 2, 2014 – Wednesday

Long Exposure, Saipan
Banzai Cliff

Banzai Cliff

Banzai Cliff, Saipan. It puts me in awe how a specific landscape can have many different appearances. This was taken at night. I was hoping for some star action to light up the horizon, but was refused by the mercy of the weather.

March 21, 2014 – Friday

Saipan
Laulau Bay, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Laulau Bay, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Laulau Bay, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. One of THE nicest places on Saipan, Laulau Bay is located on the South Eastern side of Saipan. Growing up, Laulau Bay was the place where my family would gather and hang out at the beach, bbq, and have fun in the sun. In my teenage years, this was the place where I learned how to spearfish. Now a days, it is a place where I go to relax and get away from “everything”. Sitting by the cliff side, one can hear the constant crashing of the waves upon the ancient coral reef. White noise, which changes the frequency of the mind to a channel that embraces peace, calm, and tranquility. Thoughts of “stress” vanish into the ocean mist phasing out, as the ocean tide recedes.

March 18, 2014 – Tuesday

Beach, Long Exposure, Saipan
Bird Island, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Bird Island, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Bird Island, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. The island looks as if a giant had placed a huge rock in a tiny embayment on the North Eastern side of Saipan. On one side of the island, it is surrounded by a reef structure raging from depths of three to six feet. On the other side, is the open ocean. Bird Island sits in the Bird Island Marine Protected Area making any fishing activity illegal. Its a very nice spot to take a 5-10 minute hike and bask in the ambiance of Mother Nature. If you are lucky, you can sometimes find baby black tip reef sharks swimming by the edge of the beach.

March 17, 2014 – Monday

Beach, Long Exposure, Saipan
Wing Beach, Saipan Northern Mariana Islands

Wing Beach, Saipan Northern Mariana Islands

Wing Beach, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Attempted to do some night time photography this past weekend due to the full moon. However, the sky was partly cloudy with scattered showers. I managed to take a 5 minute exposure of Wing Beach. At first glance, you could quickly assume that this picture was taken in the day time. However, small details of the picture will tell you otherwise. Since it is a long exposure, anything that is “moving” will show movement in the frame. If you look at the clouds, you can see how they form streaks across the sky (just as stars would in a long exposure).

March 15, 2014 – Saturday

Beach, Saipan
Banzai Cliff

Banzai Cliff

A view of Banzai Cliff, Saipan. During WWII, Banzai Cliff was one of the last points of retreat for the Japanese. When the Americans took over the island, they started from the South working their way towards the Northern part of Saipan. Instead of choosing to surrender, a large portion of the Japanese military jumped off this specific cliff to meet their end. Fast forward 50 years, you can see where the ancient limestone cliffs meet the fluid ocean. During the Winter time, the ocean can be very treacherous with huge waves that pound against the cliff side. If your by the edge, you can literally feel the power of Mother Nature.

March 14, 2014 – Friday

Beach, Saipan
Managaha

Managaha

A panoramic shot of Managaha Island. If your ever visiting Saipan, it is a MUST to take a trip to the beautiful island paradise. If you’ve never tried it, go banana boating, parasailing, or snorkeling. Great island attractions!

March 12, 2014 – Wednesday

Beach, Long Exposure, Saipan, Uncategorized
Managaha facing West

Managaha facing West

Managaha Facing East

Managaha Facing East

Managaha Island. One of Saipan’s most visited spots due to it’s emerald green waters, white sand beaches, and isolation in the Saipan Lagoon. The island offers numerous pavilions for residents/tourists to spend the day/overnight enjoying their “beach front” view of mother nature. Managaha is located in a Marine Protected Area where any fishing/harvesting activities violate the rules of the MPA. Managaha is currently experiencing a change in topography due to erosion in the northern parts of the island.

March 3, 2014 – Tuesday

Saipan
Ribs

Ribs

Ribs

Ribs

Delicious Ribs. Barbecuing is a weekend ritual where family & friends gather to hang out at the beach, BBQ, and have a great time in the sun. Marination of the meat is step one. If you don’t get the marination right, then the meat will obviously taste bad. Step two is to get the fire to the right temperature. Third step is to sit back and enjoy the BBQ.