Strays and Panoramas

Typhoon sunset. This is a composite of two images, showing the same scene as in this pan of the plain between Changhua and Taichung, but a wider view.

The pan and stitch functions are really great. Here I did a row of identical houses just for fun.

A panorama of a Dong Shan Road in Beitun, just for practice.

Shooting egrets is surprisingly difficult. In low light conditions they move, causing blurring and loss of detail. Under strong light their brilliant white plumage washes right out, eliminating the detail.

This well known market in Fengyuan, right next to a major temple behind Sogo, is a great place to grab a snack.

A crowded stand boils with activity.

Changhua-style ba wan, a great local favorite.

Customers line up at a popular stand.

An old man hawks snacks in the market.

Shaved ice topped with sweetened fruits and other goodies, a signature Taiwan dessert.

Traffic waits to explode out of the intersection as evening falls on a Taichung street.

Typhoons bring the most fantastic clouds.

Two views of a bridge in Taiping at night. This exposure was taken on ISO 80 for six seconds at f3.5

The second view of the same bridge. A ten second exposure, ISO 80, f3.5. I love the way the stream looks. Unfortunately the bridge is a tiny bit blurry -- vibrations from passing vehicles are shaking either it or fencepost I put the camera on.

You'd think that in the hills outside of Taichung noise pollution wouldn't be a problem, but you'd be wrong. KTVs slapped together with prefab metal parts are serious problem all through the foothills -- the yowling carries for kilometers. Here a man destroys a traditional Taiwan song that would be beautiful if it were done right.

The new Tz Chi hospital complex rises in Tanzi just outside Taichung city.

My kids are back! My daughter enjoys a bowl of noodles.

Two things you'll always find in the road: kids without helmets -- but before you cringe at those Taiwanese safety attitudes, just remember those....

...Mormons harassing passers-by in the street. Man, that's real safe.

Drive-by potstickers. The logical next step is of course, scantily-clad potsticker girls.

We picked up the kids late on a Friday night at the airport and stopped at a Yungho Soybean Milk place on the way home.

Sao bing, waiting for something to be stuffed inside....

...like you tiao, or deep-fried crullers.

Beethoven frowns down a Taichung street.

A dying breed. Before the rise of the consumer culture with its infinitude of shops, many ordinary people got everything from household goods to knife sharpening from passing tinkers and vendors.

A frog in camo.

Husband and wife trash recovery team.

All over Taiwan's cities are tiny metalshops, full of the atmosphere of another age.

[Taiwan] [Taichung]