Vida Morkunas

my new book!

2011-09-28T19:35:00.001-07:00

my new book! , originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas (seawallrunner).

My new book is called Two Ice Lands. It takes my readers through a beautiful photo journey retracing my travels in West Greenland and in Iceland in the summer of 2010.

Take a moment to leaf through its 300 pages, your time will be richly rewarded.

The book was printed via Blurb, and is available in hard cover with a dust jacket, on exceptional quality paper. This is a high-end coffee table book, sure to delight world travelers (or arm-chair enthusiasts) seeking Northern, out-of-the-way, sights.

It's been a long time

2011-01-21T15:08:00.001-08:00

...since I posted here. No I did not fall off the end of the Earth, but I certainly did go to places less seen and less visited - a one month journey to Greenland and Iceland kept me focused this past summer. Oh the icebergs !! And I did not forget my password either. In the next few weeks I will add some photographs from my travels and my weekend hikes.

the view from my tent

2010-06-18T18:04:00.003-07:00

the view from my tent, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

what a terrific long weekend it was. May 2010.

birds, clouds, ocean

2010-06-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

sunday tide birds, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

an inviting space to camp

2010-06-18T18:03:00.001-07:00

a-series camp site, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

walking on clouds

2010-06-18T18:02:00.001-07:00

walking on clouds, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

tracy in low tide with clouds

guardian

2010-06-18T18:01:00.001-07:00

guardian, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

a lovely snowshoe with Jen in May, at Artist Point.

lake chelan from hanes point

2010-06-18T18:00:00.001-07:00

lake chelan 051, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

Lady of the Lake boating travelers from the town of Chelan to Stehekin, about 50 miles north. We were close to the Northern end of the lake. It takes about 3 hours end-to-end with many stops along the way.

relaxing by Lake Chelan

2010-06-18T17:58:00.001-07:00

lake chelan 065, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

beautiful weather by Lake Chelan, but oh was it ever windy and cold. April 2010.

Trail Maintenance with the Washington Trails Association

2010-06-18T17:57:00.001-07:00

wta volunteer vacation 51, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

In late April I spent a week by lake Chelan, doing trail maintenance with saws, loppers, pulaskis and shovels on the beautiful Lakeshore Trail near Moore Point.

It was hard physical work, but freeing for the soul. A week in the wilderness, listening to great stories, eating good food, meeting interesting new people, doing good for the environment. What could be better? I am signing up again next year!

arc of infinity

2010-06-18T17:54:00.001-07:00

arc of infinity, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

in April I converted my lesser-used Rebel XT into an infrared camera.

ruby return

2010-06-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

ruby return, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

after all the craziness and the several months of seven-day weeks, I had to get away to a place that I love.

Back to Ruby, relax and recharge with good friends.

waiting

2010-06-18T17:51:00.001-07:00

waiting, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

I saw two hockey games during the Olympics (men's hockey, women's hockey) but this game... this game... blew me away. Men's sledge hockey, US versus S Korea. What spirit! what force! and what humility. At the end of the game, there was a standing ovation, and not a dry eye in the house. The most spirited competition I had seen during any of the Games.

S Korea vs USA on Saturday March 13. The USA won against the Koreans, but oh did the Koreans ever put up a great defense. Over 85% of US shots were stopped.

Ice Sledge Hockey is the Paralympic version of Ice Hockey and, since its debut on the Paralympic Programme in the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games, it is quickly becoming one of the biggest attractions for spectators. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by male athletes with a physical disability. Ice Sledge Hockey is practiced by athletes in about ten countries and is managed by the IPC through the International Paralympic Ice Hockey Committee.

It follows the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with a few modifications. Instead of skates, players use two-blade sledges that allow the puck to pass beneath. They also use hockey sticks modified with a spike-end for pushing and a blade-end for shooting.

Opening Ceremony - Paralympic Games

2010-06-18T17:47:00.001-07:00

opening ceremony 47, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

a beautiful, joyous and tremendously inspiring event at BC Place.

Today is the Day!

2010-06-18T17:46:00.003-07:00

Today is the Day!, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

happy marching canadians

2010-06-18T17:46:00.001-07:00

happy marching canadians, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

the Olympic Games ended on a fevered pitch, Canada won Olympic gold at hockey. The joy and elation in the streets was palpable. *everyone* descended on Dunsmuir street, and marched towards the corner of Robson and Granville. It was a peaceful, boisterously happy crowd, everyone wearing red hockey jerseys.

trading pins

2010-06-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

trading pins, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

Olympic silliness, photo 2: trading pins. People went *crazy* for pins (ask me about my own collection!!) there were pins for various pavilions, supporting partners, even from previous Olympics. An innocent hobby that connected visitors to us, and to one another.

waiting for The Bay

2010-06-18T17:40:00.001-07:00

waiting for The Bay, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

Olympic silliness, photo 1: waiting in line to buy Olympic shwag at the Bay. Some days, the line would go around the city block.

four host first nations

2010-06-18T17:39:00.001-07:00

four host first nations, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

the Four Host Nations Pavilion was near the Power Smart Village. I spent a few hours there, a beautiful building and great programming.

Royal Canadian Mint

2010-06-18T17:38:00.001-07:00

Royal Canadian Mint, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

one last one from the Mint... seen in the Royal Mint Pavilion during the Vancouver Winter Olympics earlier this year.

Royal Canadian Mint

2010-06-18T17:37:00.001-07:00

Royal Canadian Mint, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

the famous $1,000,000 coin at the Royal Mint Pavilion during the Winter Olympics.

Royal Canadian Mint

2010-06-18T17:36:00.001-07:00

Royal Canadian Mint, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

One fine evening during the Winter Olympics, Doug and I got into the Royal Mint pavilion without waiting in line. Beautiful sights to see.

final day of the cauldron

2010-06-18T17:34:00.001-07:00

final day of the cauldron, originally uploaded by Vida Morkunas.

posting some favourite images from the Winter Olympics... Lots more on my Flickr site.

vectorial elevation

2010-02-17T16:49:00.001-08:00

vectorial nine, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Public Art on the Georgia Strait during the Olympics

the forest and the sea

2010-01-24T10:47:00.001-08:00

the forest and the sea, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I LOVE waves with crests of wind blowing mist the other way

clouds at low tide

2010-01-24T10:44:00.001-08:00

clouds at low tide, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

a quiet weekend in my favourite hideaway

katzie in the fog and in the light

2009-12-27T20:32:00.001-08:00

katzie in the fog and in the light, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Texture

2009-12-27T20:30:00.001-08:00

Texture, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the Experience Music Project - Seattle WA

architecture by Thomas Ghery - what a beautiful, magnificent piece of art this building is !!

the ROO

2009-12-27T20:29:00.001-08:00

the ROO, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the Richmond Oval, one of the venues for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games!

sun and clouds and fog and rain

2009-11-12T22:41:00.001-08:00

sun and clouds and fog and rain, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I *love* the sight of fog in the trees.

god spoke to the valley below

2009-11-12T22:40:00.001-08:00

god spoke to the valley below, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

... but left out the little house on the hill

"Sit Walk Write - a Meditation on Presence"

pyramid reveal

2009-11-12T22:39:00.003-08:00

pyramid reveal, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

view from the shore, in the morn after a walk and an early breakfast

high desert camper

2009-11-12T22:39:00.001-08:00

high desert camper, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

happy to be here

saturday morning

2009-11-12T22:38:00.001-08:00

saturday morning, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

looking north-west from inside of my tent. Those clouds never had a chance - they cleared out before 9am rolled around.

outstanding in the field

2009-11-12T22:37:00.001-08:00

outstanding in the field, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

if I had to create a flag for my journeys, this would be it.

illumination

2009-09-13T22:15:00.003-07:00

illumination, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

drawn to the light, pulled towards an unknown horizon

silver play

2009-09-13T22:15:00.001-07:00

silver play, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the birds suddenly rose from Incinerator Beach and began to fly. I snapped a picture. what a gift!

button alley - buttons

2009-09-13T22:14:00.001-07:00

button alley - buttons, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the whimsy of Bamfield, BC on the outer Western edge of Vancouver Island

the streets are made of money

2009-09-13T22:13:00.001-07:00

the streets are made of money, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the whimsy of Bamfield, BC on the outer Western edge of Vancouver Island

LIGHTNING

2009-07-26T09:12:00.001-07:00

LIGHTNING, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

take THAT, Vancouver !!

If you click on the photo you will be redirected to my Flickr stream. Once there you can scroll down to see an animation of last night's storm.

it's raining

2009-07-26T09:11:00.001-07:00

it's raining, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

After well over two weeks of sticky heat, the skies opened up tonight. Poor timing, as people are out and about for Illuminares, the Virgin Music Festival, the Mission Folk Music Festival and for the Vancouver Festival of Lights (fireworks). Pity the people who are sitting on the beach, hoping for a good viewing of tonight's firework festivities. With this thunder and lightning, opening up an umbrella is not an option.

the road to aspen grove

2009-05-31T18:59:00.005-07:00

the road to aspen grove, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

log pile, cloud

2009-05-31T18:59:00.003-07:00

log pile, cloud, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

long exposure - night 2

2009-05-31T18:59:00.001-07:00

long exposure - night 2, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

thunder knob and its lovely camp site

2009-05-31T18:58:00.001-07:00

thunder knob and its lovely camp site, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

diablo lake reflections

2009-05-31T18:57:00.001-07:00

diablo lake reflections, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the reflections in the water were nearly perfect

the fierce north face of colonial

2009-05-31T18:56:00.001-07:00

the fierce north face of colonial, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

orange you beautiful

2009-04-29T20:29:00.003-07:00

orange you beautiful, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Tucked in the back of this 40 acre field was this row of glorious tulips.

The field may appear empty of people, but this is the area that was the most crowded with photographers - everyone so very polite too!

These tulips were just resplendent - bursting with life and with colour. This bunch was also the tallest in the field, and given the tulips' ripeness I know they will be the first to be cut.

I got them right in time!

tulips - seabird island

2009-04-29T20:29:00.001-07:00

tulips - seabird island, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Earth Day!, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

It happened without much premeditation.

Last year in late March I took some night time photos of Vancouver - prior to Earth Hour, and on Earth Hour. I was pleased to see that many participated in that one-hour event, but there was a lot more conservation that could be done - during that one hour, and on that day.

Every day in fact.

That small exercise got me thinking. How could I conserve energy by taking small little steps to change my behavior?

I set a modest goal to conserve 5% of my energy usage over the course of the following 12 months. I examined the graph charting my previous year's energy usage, and saw an opportunity for conservation in the winter months - when my energy usage typically peaks. There are many ways to track progress - I chose to do so directly on my online account with BC Hydro, and by joining Team Power Smart

A year later I am rather surprised to see the results of my effort: I saved 50% of my energy usage by making small conscious changes:

- turning off the lights when I leave a room

- turning off the computer at the end of the day

- heating only the room that I am in, in the winter; and turning off the thermostat at night.

That was all I did.

On average this year, I used 5 KWh of energy a day, except in the winter when my usage bumped up to 7kWh a day. My monthly hydro electricity bills averaged about $15, about $20 in the winter. I only use electricity to heat my home..

I saved about $150 this past year on my hydro bills. What will I do with all this money? I am donating it to Covenant House (two blocks down the street from my home), a safe harbour for street kids living in Vancouver - there they can find a hot meal and a safe place to sleep.

Today, on Earth Day, I rejoice in the result that one year's of simple effort has brought. I am signing up for an additional year with Team Power Smart, with a goal of saving 10% over this previous year.

It should not be too hard to find an additional half a kWh or so to conserve every day.

mist rising slowly over the rocks - Wickanninnish Beach

2009-03-25T21:00:00.005-07:00

mist rising slowly over the rocks - Wickanninnish Beach, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

a restful spot - wild pacific trail

2009-03-25T21:00:00.003-07:00

a restful spot - wild pacific trail, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the glowing forest

2009-03-25T21:00:00.001-07:00

the glowing forest, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

sunset the next evening

2009-03-25T20:59:00.001-07:00

sunset the next evening, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

one last one

2009-03-25T20:58:00.001-07:00

one last one, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

atwater market

2009-03-25T20:57:00.003-07:00

atwater market, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

do you like fruit?

union pacific we will deliver

2009-03-25T20:57:00.001-07:00

union pacific we will deliver, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

get away from my window

2009-03-25T20:56:00.001-07:00

get away from my window, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

"The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver" ELBOW

Got to get out of TV.
Just pick
a point
and go.

The ticker tape tangles my feet
as I search
for a face
that I know.

Come on
tower crane driver.
There's not so far to go.

I must have been working the ropes
when your hand
slipped from mine.

Now I live off the mirrors and smoke.
It's a joke.
A fix. A lie.

Come on
tower crane driver.
Oh so far to fall.

Send up a prayer in my name.
Just the same. They
say I'm on top of my game.
Gentle gentle love.
Send up a prayer in my name.

this way

2009-03-25T20:53:00.001-07:00

this way, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

LOST David Wagoner

Stand still.
The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost.
Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen.
It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

fiery other shore

2009-03-25T20:52:00.001-07:00

fiery other shore, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I wonder what these trees look like now - are they wearing their white winter robes? Or the tender green undergarments of spring?

diablo reflections

2009-03-25T20:50:00.001-07:00

diablo reflections, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I am returning there soon. I expect a lot less black, and a lot more white, when I shoot this view again.

tension

2008-12-01T23:00:00.003-08:00

tension, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

nighthawk by the river

2008-12-01T23:00:00.001-08:00

nighthawk by the river, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

abandoned unloved

2008-12-01T22:59:00.003-08:00

abandoned unloved, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

feeding the hungry

2008-12-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

tiny and hungry, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

canyon walls

2008-10-05T22:22:00.001-07:00

canyon walls, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

soft and hard

2008-06-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

soft and hard, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

rocky raccoon

2008-06-01T08:19:00.003-07:00

rocky raccoon, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

path

2008-06-01T08:19:00.001-07:00

path, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

green with beauty

2008-06-01T08:18:00.001-07:00

green with beauty, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

the most beautiful trail I've ever been on

peach tones begin

2008-06-01T08:17:00.001-07:00

peach tones begin, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

cape alava - North Westernest point of the USA

My New Book !

2008-03-16T17:12:00.001-07:00

My New Book !, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Published at last

Landscapes of Vancouver

2008-02-13T23:39:00.001-08:00

Landscapes of Vancouver, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I hope to see you there!

islands in the mist

2008-01-17T15:20:00.003-08:00

islands in the mist, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

chesterman beach, bc

as above, so below

2008-01-17T15:20:00.001-08:00

sky and ground like a crinkled piece of paper, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

sky and ground like a crinkled piece of paper

amphitrite boxing day

2008-01-02T23:12:00.001-08:00

amphitrite boxing day, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Amphitrite Lighthouse, Ucluelet BC

It felt so good to wake up to sunshine and poofy clouds on Boxing Day, for a change.

we have been plagued by uncharacteristically bad weather of late - very high winds at Christmas (clocking in at 100km+) and in other days we've had snow, hail and driving rain. Driving the roads has been particularly sketchy recently.

So I grabbed a quick breakfast and headed out for a walk on the Wild Pacific Trail. It was good to breathe in the fresh ocean air and watch the waves crash against the rocky
shores near Ucluelet.

the sheltering forest

2007-12-17T15:40:00.001-08:00

the sheltering forest, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

This tree is not a stump - and will never become a stump in the foreseeable future

The area is now protected - as Skagit Recreation Area in BC, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area in Washington State

the golden path

2007-12-04T23:11:00.001-08:00

the golden path, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

this road leads to international point, between BC and WA on Ross Lake

skagit river in the winter

2007-12-04T23:09:00.005-08:00

skagit river in the winter, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

split rock

2007-12-04T23:09:00.003-08:00

split rock, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Hole In The Wall beach, Olympic National Park

evening walk

2007-12-04T23:09:00.001-08:00

evening walk, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Hole In The Wall beach, Olympic National Park

the fog of fall

2007-11-10T21:05:00.001-08:00

the fog of fall, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

a brief glimpse of Thunder Arm made me stop in my tracks - or rather, kept me from crossing the bridge over Diablo Lake and continue to the Overlook.

I parked the car at Colonial Campground, then proceeded to the beach. A low fall fog was creeping over the Fourth of July pass, and heading down the lake.

It was a strange, mesmerizing sight. While the rest of the lake was enveloped in bright sunshine, here the weather was ominous, menacing - cold.

I had to take a shot.

sanctity of the mountains

2007-11-10T21:04:00.001-08:00

sanctity of the mountains, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

diablo lake, again

newhalem november

2007-11-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

newhalem november, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

autumn, near Newhalem WA

arches of gold

2007-11-10T21:02:00.001-08:00

rivers of gold, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

diablo dam - I love how the sunlight reflects inside the arches

a wonderful evening for a gala dinner

2007-11-10T21:01:00.001-08:00

a wonderful evening for a gala dinner, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I spent Sunday night, a few weeks ago, taking photographs during the 100th anniversary of the BC Mountaineering Club, on Grouse Mountain.

It was a beautiful night - as you can see - and a beautiful evening.

aquazeen

2007-10-13T09:59:00.001-07:00

aquazeen, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Hozomeen towers over Hozomeen Lake - and reflects nicely, too

lakeside reflections

2007-10-13T09:58:00.001-07:00

lakeside reflections, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

evening at the similkameen

2007-10-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

evening at the similkameen, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

From Ashnola Indian Reservation 10

the end of summer

2007-10-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

the end of summer - day four, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

The mountains are covered with snow, the dock is frosty, the boat sits anchored, unused.

Only the chair keeps hoping, hoping, that someone will sit and have their morning coffee there.

But hope is fading.

pyramid woodpile and grimface from rim trail

2007-10-13T09:49:00.001-07:00

pyramid woodpile and grimface from rim trail, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

it's coming to get us

2007-10-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

it's coming to get us, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

it looked ugly, and it got ugly

when it was done, all that surrounded us was *white*

protector

2007-10-04T08:09:00.001-07:00

protector, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

my favourite sculpture at UBC Museum of Anthropology: Bill Reid's The Raven and the First Men.

mamquam and pyramid from elfin lake

2007-10-04T08:08:00.001-07:00

mamquam and pyramid from elfin lake, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

a return to a beloved place

assembly

2007-09-13T14:18:00.003-07:00

assembly, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

Evening Glow

2007-09-13T14:18:00.001-07:00

Evening Glow, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

near Winthrop, WA

the wind was howling

2007-09-13T14:17:00.001-07:00

the wind was howling, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

in Old Molson, Washington State - near Osoyoos BC

battleship islands before the impeding storm

2007-08-27T09:34:00.001-07:00

battleship islands before the impeding storm, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

a morning 'brewing the breakfast tea by the lakeside' shot

I was hoping that nothing would become of these clouds. Instead they put my tent through a severe test a few hours later

d'arcy wavy

2007-08-21T23:04:00.001-07:00

d'arcy wavy, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

I love that long little curl of cloud, over the mountain on the right

birkenhead lake, late evening

2007-08-21T23:03:00.001-07:00

birkenhead lake, late evening, originally uploaded by seawallrunner.

The weather forecast for Vancouver this weekend was all-rain all-the-time

So we headed North, where we got a little bit of rain, much clouds, and a few hours of sunshine every day. Beautiful restful weekend.

Don't like the weather? wait an hour.

Fortunately we all had brought tarps for our campsites and flys (protective covers) for our tents