Thriving.

Deeply into the semi desert land of Ceará, a Brazilian state near the Equator Line, I came across this beautiful blossoming plant. It called my attention not only for the vivid colors contrasting with the monochromatic dry tone of the surroundings,

Amburana cearensis

but for the way it succeeds where most plants are in a state of stagnation, waiting for the raining season. It does send us a message of strength!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Global warming, trashing, depleting, destroying... Catastrophic views of our planet's future. Well, I know they can be true, but there's hope and, if we keep looking around, we might find signs of a better scenario.

As an example I offer you this different view from the same subject. A picture of this tree against the same background was already posted here in February, however, what makes it different now is that it resembles human lungs (just tilt your head).

And it fits like a glove for my new year's message: A breath of fresh air - a new attitude towards our relationship with the Earth.

Breathe deeply in 2009!!!

The Ephemeral

In Lagoa Doce, a coastal village in the north of Rio de Janeiro state, it is still possible to see the pinnacle, as the local people like to refer to a remaining piece of sedimentary rock that was dismembered from its main spit. This curious tower-like sedimentary rock feature is destined to disappear (naturally) in a few years.

Aware of that, I decided to show it here in an attempt to transform fleetingness in an everlasting visual poem.

If I am not successful at that, I will have at least given a good hint for people who might be looking for a quite and clean beach spot.

Simply beauty!!!

Speaking “scientifically”, September 23 marks the beginning of the vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere. In popular words, it’s spring in Brazil.

Actually, since this country is stretched lengthwise, the intensity of the seasons varies in northern and southern states. In Rio de Janeiro – southeast region of Brazil - where these pictures were shot, it is already possible to have a glimpse of the upcoming season.

Spring, moreover, has everything to do with flowers. Here we have two examples of wild flowering plants, shot at different ecosystems – estuary and the restinga (a tropical dune forest biome) respectively – with their most favored creatures. All together they represent beauty.

Rivers and cities

Water has become the main subject in environmental debates nowadays and rivers are responsible to deliver this vital element to the cities. That inspired me to post these recent images from the Paraíba do Sul river, which flows through Campos, the city I live in.

This river reaches the Atlantic Ocean after flowing for more than 1.120km, from the state of S. Paulo, where its source is located, through the state of Minas Gerais to Rio de Janeiro. Along all the way it shows signs of being mistreated - polluted, channelized, its bed raised with detritus - by its own beneficiaries: the human beings.

In Campos, Paraíba do Sul is not treated differently, however, I chose these two images, shot at a location near its mouth, trying to call people's attention to the beauty of the river we are forgetting to take care of. 

Homage to The Master

After a long time searching, I have just come across the web page of my photography master Dr. Eugene H. Johnson - http://www.ehjohnson.com/index.htm . We first met when he was working in Brazil and I owe him my love for the art of photography (check his site and you can see why).

This post is dedicated to him and the solo picture I show here from "Jericoacoara" beach, which was originally shot in color, had his approval with a little comment: ... I would love to see this in black and white.

Well, master, as you wish...

Black River

Not very far away from Campos, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, there is this cozy little place called

"Rio Preto".

It is a refuge from the city madness, where we can  still find bucolic landscapes and crystal clear water running, but not in a rush, over still (but not stiff) rocks, which compose a relaxing melody. Listen!!

The Blue Rock and us.

Very few of my pictures have shown people or man made things. These two images, however, would not be complete without some human references, for the powerful sight of "Pedra Azul" can only be felt if seen from a human size perspective.

This natural monument is one of the main attractions of  Espirito Santo state, in the same tourist circuit mentioned in the previous post. Its name comes from the bluish hue noticeable during most part of the day, when sunlight reflects from the slime molds that grow on the rock surface.

But what really fascinates visitors is the feeling of smallness they get when walking the trails that take them closer to that huge "thing". 

MAY FLOWERS

It's almost May, the most enchanting month of the year in Brazil, for it is considered the brides' month (meaning the best time for getting married) or the month of the flowers. 

According to www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/year/may.htm, May is "the time when flowers emerge and crops begin to sprout." That's why I chose this title.

Coincidently, I have just returned from a three-day trip to the south of Espírito Santo state where agritourism is the main activity.  Among other places, I visited the greenhouses of a renowned florist specialized in orchids. Here I let you have a little taste of a pleasant time among such beauties.

The Raining Season

March is a crucial month for Northeastern Brazilians who have been waiting for the rain to fall. 
In that region, mainly in the area of caatinga (an exclusive ecosystem), there are only two possibilities
for the weather to be: rainy, from mid December to June, and dry for the rest of the year.

Many times, the rain comes too late, more precisely after March, the 19th, which is St. Joseph's day. After that, not raining means catastrophe. That is why the month of March is surrounded by

many religious activities, most of them asking St. Joseph for water.

These pictures were shot in late January this year, showing that the rain was already falling, coloring the landscape in green and blue against a welcome gray sky.

To St. Joseph, our very deep appreciation.

CARNIVAL

It’s “carnaval” in Brazil and the hottest spots at this time of the year are the beaches.

Carnival is the wildest party (in the purest sense of this expression) we have. It’s not only about the big and famous parades in Rio de Janeiro, for most Brazilians travel to small coastal cities in order to play hard for, at least, four straight days. 

You might have been asking, however, why these two beautiful and quiet beach spots, between the states of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, are illustrating this post.

Well, excepting the four days of carnival, those places are just like this and, unless you come during the “crazy party”, that’s the way you’re going to find them.

 

Happy 2008!!!

Yes, I know, time flies. I had not realized how long it had been since I last posted…
Well… I had my reasons, however Brasil (I spell like it is in Portuguese, remember?) is still a beautiful country and I will keep shooting and showing it.

Thank you all for the visits and comments and keep coming back, for I will try not to take that long to update this page.

   

For this coming back, I chose an image taken on the first day of this year. The yellow “Ipê” just jumped out of the blue (literally) in a cool late afternoon in "Ceará", my home state.

Sugar Loaf

Sugar Loaf is probably one of the most visited spots in the city of Rio de Janeiro and it is very easy to understand why.

I thought it would be impossible to shoot without repeating what millions of other photographers, amateurs or not, have already done.

However, I have changed my mind:

Impossible is to portray all the beauty seen from above there.

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/eereeree'/

The name is funny, but the place is FUN. Iriri (/eereeree/), in the state of Espírito Santo, just north of Rio de Janeiro, is a bless.

It is a very small town with its hills and beaches, friendly people and refreshing, right temperature sea water.
Not much to say about it, but a lot to enjoy.







Find out more about "Espirito Santo"

A Reminder.

Surprisingly, I have been asked what this blog is about!
The surprise comes from my assumption that the pictures could speak for themselves, even more because I do believe a photo means more than thousands of words.
As a proof of that, check these pictures of my homeland, in the northeast region of Brazil.

They were shot from about the same angle, but in different seasons (same year). How could I possibly pass my feelings of wonder and peace on, if not by the means of trying to make you see what my eyes looked at and my camera captured?

There are indeed many wonderful things in this world that can only be shown or, for the more fortunate, felt; but never explained.

"Carnaval" getaway.

Brazilian “carnaval” is famous all over the world for its irreverence. The louder the samba music, the crowded the streets, the bigger the parades, the better! Even for me, as a native, there was this idea that nowhere within Brazil could one find a way out of the mess (considering my own opinion about this popular party).

Then I found “Venda Nova” in the state of “Espírito Santo”, also in the southeast region. I got so happy finding a perfect refuge for people who enjoy the sounds of nature, the company of a few and the sight of the horizon.

“Venda Nova” is a place where familiar agriculture, mainly coffee plantation, moves the economy, which is, in most cases, run by Italian immigrant successors providing great food, wine and countryside experiences. Needed to say that not only during “carnaval”, but at any time of the year one may enjoy all that.





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Niterói - the other side of Rio.

Yes, the city of Rio de Janeiro is “A Cidade Maravilhosa” (The Wonderful City) and we can see why from Niterói, the other side (literally) of Rio.

However, once in Niterói, there’s much to see if we don’t keep staring just at the other side of the bay that separates these two cities. Here we can find nice people, a calmer environment - since it is a smaller city than its most famous neighbor - beautiful beaches and many other interesting atractions.


Some people say that the best thing about Niterói is the sight of Rio de Janeiro, but these photos can show why it is so important to always look at all directions when traveling.


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The Sunlight State

We have just entered a new year that comes with new perspectives and hopes of love, peace and beauty as it happens every morning when the first beams of light hit the Earth.


The Brazilian northeast region is a special place for enjoying such feelings. Ceará, one of the nine states in that region, for example, is called The Sunlight State, which is justified by the images shown here and the ones I posted under the title “It's SUMMER time!! ”


These photos were shot not later than 6:30 am when, in Ceará, the land is already filled with energy and beauty abounds in many different forms.




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Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!!

In order to not get apart from my purpose of showing Brazil, I have included a picture of Christmas decoration in the city of Campos, state of Rio de Janeiro, where I live.

As for my New Year’s message, I ask you permission to include an image not taken in Brazil, but one that represents what people all over the world, from all religious backgrounds, desire year after year: PEACE.

This was taken in the USA when the “first” Gulf War took place. It was the only manifestation for peace that I could witness in the city of Clearwater, Florida, at that time, but it has served to remind people that War, for any purpose, is wrong!!!!!


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Homesick 1

In order to pay homage to my hometown Sobral, in the State of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, I decided to show some of its attractions.



Sobral is considered part of our National Heritage because of its historical buildings and for housing the third most important sacred art museum in our country.



Let the images speak for themselves!

In order of appearance:

Palace of Languages, Portuguese tiles, Dores' Church, The Pieta (D. José Museum's sacred art piece) and the Culture House.

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