Author: MichaelStephenWills

My photographic style centers on the use of natural light to visualize emotion and evoke memory. The evolution of my style began early in the year 2002, with an imperative to capture personal and fleeting memories. My son and I traveled to New York City, to view the first Saint Patrick's Day parade after September 11, 2001. My work from that parade was so successful and satisfying (see "New York Fire Department, Saint Patrick's Day 2002") I just never stopped.

Kerry View Two

Coolcreen Townland

March 2, 2021March 11, 2021 MichaelStephenWills9 Comments

Number two of seven from the Kerry County side near the top of Healy Pass, R574. Coolcreen townland is in the foreground of this photograph, the aspect turned 90 degrees to portrait mode, compared to View One..

In 1911, the Irish National Census lists nineteen (19) persons of five (5) families listed with the names O’Sullivan, Sullivan and Shea. From this view this is a puzzle until the map is examined. The land transitions from this rock to a steep, then leveling slope down to Glanmore Lake and a stream running from the heights, neither visible in this view, with plenty of reasonably level, fertile acreage.

Beara Peninsula, Coolcreen townland, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland.

You can easily view a higher resolution versions by clicking on the photograph to open a browser tab.

Click photograph for a larger version.

Click me for the next photograph of this series.

Kerry View One

Coolcreen Townland

March 1, 2021March 3, 2021 MichaelStephenWills19 Comments

Number one of seven from the Kerry County side near the top of Healy Pass. Visible in the distance from this point on R574, Healy Pass, are the Rivers Drunminboyr, Glanstrasna flowing into a sheltered inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. Beara Peninsula, Coolcreen townland, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland.

You can easily view a higher resolution versions by clicking on the photograph to open a browser tab.

Click photograph for a larger version.

Click me for the next photograph of this series.

Glacier!!!

experience a glacier of Patagonia

February 22, 2021February 20, 2021 MichaelStephenWills6 Comments

Two person ship launch against glacier base.

Summer was the season for our visit to the edge of eternal, for now, Patagonian ice fields. Remnants from the last ice age, larger than some (small) countries. The site is surprisingly noisy with sharp, explosive, ice crackles.

More amazing even than the sounds, the dark shading on the ice is volcanic dust from recent eruptions of many cones.

Click this link for more glacier photographs from my work on Getty Istock.

Click this link for my series of posts about Chilean fjords and glaciers we visited February 2016.

Over the top

Rest Stop

February 21, 2021February 20, 2021 MichaelStephenWills4 Comments

We crested Healy Pass, R574, surprised to find a shop with grand offerings of books and Irish knit sweaters. Passing over the Cork/Kerry border we stopped to admire the countryside from the heights. Pam models our purchase from the Healy Pass shop.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.

Looking back down the road.

A welcomed sight.

Passing into county Kerry on the way to Killarney.

A glorious setting. “The promised land.”

Personality Plus

Hello!!

February 20, 2021February 18, 2021 MichaelStephenWills8 Comments

Healy Pass, R574, negotiating the ridge above the Adrigole River valley, we turned off and I clambered onto some rocks with the tripod, camera and other equipment. Looking around after a few shot I noticed a curious bystander.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.

Ice Bells

Noticing small miracles, taking the time and effort to capture them…..

February 18, 2021February 15, 2021 MichaelStephenWills13 Comments

These icicles were formed along Fall Creek during the coldest months of February in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

The transient nature of these forms is suggested by the thinness of the pedicle joining each bell to the ice lobe of the ledge. Note the golden crystals in the ice lobe.

A visualization of the symbolic power of the numeral three, reflected on itself. Question: what do “threes” mean to you?

Captured with the Sony DSLR-A700, DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 lens, hoya circular polarizing filter, mounted on the Manfrotto tripod with ball head.

Click the photograph for my online gallery Ice Bells listing.

Ice Bells -- click for my online gallery

On the Ridge 5

Taking in the sights.

February 17, 2021February 9, 2021 MichaelStephenWills7 Comments

Healy Pass, R574, negotiating the ridge above the Adrigole River valley. I am not positive this is an erratic. Here the camera is turned several degrees to the left from yesterday’s photograph. Pam is on the road, standing out in her red raincoat. Fifth of a series of five photographs.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.

On the Ridge 4

More Glacial Erratics?

February 16, 2021February 9, 2021 MichaelStephenWills

Healy Pass, R574, negotiating the ridge above the Adrigole River valley. I am not positive this is an erratic. Here we are looking over the pass, the winding road is just out of sight to the left. I parked the car in a small turnoff and climbed the ridge for these shots. Fourth of a series of five photographs.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.

On the Ridge 3

Glacial Erratic?

February 15, 2021February 9, 2021 MichaelStephenWills2 Comments

Healy Pass, R574, negotiating the ridge above the Adrigole River valley. I am not positive this is an erratic. Though this rock may have been deposited by the glaciers, to qualify as a glacial erratic the rock must be geologically distinct from surroundings. Third of a series of five photographs.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.

On the Ridge 2

Rock, Grass, Sky

February 13, 2021February 9, 2021 MichaelStephenWills

Healy Pass, R574, negotiating the ridge above the Adrigole River valley. This photograph corrects the defect of yesterday’s via a slight turn to the left. Second of a series of five photographs.

Clashduff townland, Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.