La Isla Bonita

Living in Hawaii, I often times take for granted that I live on one of the most beautiful places on earth. I can't remember the last time I was truly able to take a couple of hours to just ENJOY the beauty of things around me. For a while, I've been feeling the need to make time to find some peace and serenity away from the craziness of everyday life - to take time to "smell the roses". I "listened" and did just that.  


My quest for peace and serenity took us to Ho'omaluhia Botanical Center. Ho'omaluhia was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection for Kaneohe. It also serves as a place for endangered and rare plants as well as providing visitors with hiking trails, camping grounds and a 32-acre lake for fishing. I have lived in Hawaii all my life and have never heard or been to this place before!  



Our journey also took us to the Byodo-In Temple at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. The Byodo-In Temple is a Buddhist temple which welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate and simply appreciate its beauty. As a child, I remember taking our visiting relatives to this beautiful landmark.  


I was pretty satisfied with most of the photos I took on this outing.  I'm getting much faster at finding the right exposure for my photos. Hopefully photography will give me the opportunity to never forget how important it is to find peace and serenity once in a while.  

ISO 100, -1 EV, f/2, shutter 1/1600

ISO 100, 0.3 EV, f/1.8, shutter 1/2500

ISO 100, 0.3 EV, f/1.8, shutter 1/2000

ISO 100, 1 EV, f/1.8, shutter 1/50

ISO 100, -1 EV, f/5.6, shutter 1/50

ISO 800, 0.3 EV, f/2.8, shutter 1/320

ISO 100, 1 EV, f/4, shutter 1/60