Sydney Opera House dressed in Vivid Sydney colors

Sydney Opera House dressed in Vivid Sydney colors

Our trip coincided with the very beginning of the Vivid Sydney Light Festival that occurs every winter. This was it’s 10th year, and there was so much to see! There is a good list on the official Vivid Sydney website.

I wrote up a quick entry about our visit to the Taronga Zoo as well.

We were there for opening night, and it seems like everyone else was too! Foot traffic became so congested that by the time we got back from the Taronga Zoo police officers were directing people to move in one direction to keep the flow of people going. Fortunately, our hosts had access to the Amex viewing platform and that is where I was able to get some shots of the Sydney Opera House dressed in Vivid colors!

It is difficult to pick my favorite so I included all those that I think turned out decent.

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

During our visit to Sydney, Australia we were fortunate to be able to visit the Taronga Zoo to experience their contribution to Vivid Sydney, a three week event held during the winter months in Sydney to encourage tourism. A huge part of the city was lit up for it’s first night on May 25th – and we were able to experience a little more of it by riding a ferry over to the Taronga Zoo:

Step inside a world of scientific discovery and become a Light For the Wild. Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo is shining a light on conservation and the wonders of wildlife with a spectacular display of light sculptures. Alongside the festival favourites from last year, you’ll meet a whole new mob of awe-inspiring animal light sculptures.

Each of these incredible installations and light sculptures tells a fascinating tale about conservation. Discover the stories about these beautiful animals and learn how Taronga is working to help save 10 species from extinction over the next 10 years.

I added a gallery of my favorite photos from the night. To capture the different colors I used these settings:

  • ISO 6000-8000
  • f/16-f/20
  • 1/30 shutter speed
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Homecoming 2017

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Homecoming 2017

The oldest carrier in the fleet, the USS Nimitz, came home to the Puget Sound today following a six-month deployment.

Back in June, we watched the ship leave on a more cloudy day. You can see those photos here: USS Nimitz departs for deployment
It was great to see the fog burn away in time to see the Nimitz return safely home.

If you are interested in prints, please email me at [email protected] and I will help you get what you need.

-Kristie

USS John C. Stennis Homecoming

USS John C. Stennis Homecoming

I was honored to see the USS John C. Stennis return from deployment last month. Earlier this year I photographed the carrier capable of holding 5,000 sailors leave it’s homeport of Naval Station Bremerton, destined for a multi-month deployment full of numerous port visits and replenishments at sea. Watching the massive ship traverse the Puget Sound was awe inspiring but the dreary weather was a reflection of the emotions surrounding the ship. We have gone through a deployment, and it was sobering knowing that these men and women were leaving their families behind.

USS John C. Stennis, CVN 74, leaving for deployment January 2016
USS Stennis flying the 12th Man flag while departing January 2016

The ship departed on Blue Friday, so in honor of their hometown Seattle Seahawks the 12th Man flag was flown.

This article (Stennis Returns Home After 7-Month Indo-Pacific Deployment) has some great information about what went on during their deployment.

When the Stennis made its way around the final bend towards home, the weather was in sync once again. A gorgeous afternoon welcomed the sailors home to the Puget Sound and their families.

Welcome home!

USS John C. Stennis CVN 74 Homecoming August 2016
<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome home <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USSStennis?src=hash">#USSStennis</a>! Sailors man the rails as she arrives home to Bremerton <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoNavy?src=hash">#GoNavy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/12thman?src=hash">#12thman</a> <a href="https://t.co/XEpDYDEtj2">pic.twitter.com/XEpDYDEtj2</a></p>— Kristie Adams (@KristieJLAdams) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristieJLAdams/status/765000677911166976">August 15, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
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