The Gardens of Queenstown The class took a nice stroll through these gardens. I challenged people to try to get five different photos of this bridge, and this was one of mine.The actual shot I took was much bigger, but I decided to crop down in post to focus on the water. I liked the way they all looked like brush strokes. It made me begin to understand why Monet spent so much time trying to capture the strange light that comes from water and plants.- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
Forest on the road to Paradise When you leave Glenorchy and start driving on the dirt road to Paradise, there are a few little wet forested areas that you’ll pass through. It’s worth pulling over your car and just going on a random walk. I recommend following a stream or river so you can always find your way back. Because if you get more than 100 meters from your car and you lose your way, you’ll never find your way again! The heaviness and thickness of the forest is totally confusing, and you’ll be hopelessly confused… but following a little stream is usually a good ticket to find your way back.- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
The Melt The point where ice turns into river is tough to find. Sometimes it requires a lot of hiking, and sometimes you never find it. But when you do find that rip between worlds, you feel the full weight of the discovery.I’m usually a bit afraid to get to close or stand on the ice. It’s generally not a good idea, and I have enough bad ideas without needed to add more to the repertoire! :)- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the entire post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
A Gentle Stream Through New Zealand All this news out of New Zealand is still upsetting.  I've got a lot of contacts and friends down there... and I know it's a rough time.  Not much I can do... feel a little useless...  so about the best I can do is post some serene and gentle photos of the nicer side of nature.  I hope all my friends down there find it gets a little easier as the days move forward.- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
Over the Top of Iceland When I am by myself for weeks on end, I think I probably make bad decisions.  I lose all sense of perspective and what is "normal".  I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing...  I guess some of both. Anyway, I was driving along the coast in NE Iceland along the fjords.  It was about 11 PM and the sun was setting.  I was about to lose it behind the mountains, and then I saw a dirt road that went right up one of the mountains ...  - Trey Ratcliff Read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
A Canyon Oasis This place is deep inside Glacier National Park.  The only bad thing about photography is I can't show how deafening the sound of the waterfall inside the canyons was!  It ricocheted around the rocky walls and seemed to be perfectly acoustic echo chamber.  I didn't get in, but the water seemed super-cold.  It was a nice spot to stop and take a break for a bit.  You would think the noise would kind of relaxing, but it was less of the alarm-clock-bubbling-brook and more of the 747-emergency-landing...- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
About to Cross the Stream on the Hike, Approaching the Blue Glacier This is about 20km into our backpacking.  The fertile soil from recent glaciation sprang colorful life everywhere, even as the valley was changing colors for autumn.  Little streams trickled here and there and fell into larger streams.  Fording some of these was always a little sketchy when carrying a bunch of expensive camera equipment, but it was always worth it.I can't explain how often I stopped to take photos along this hike!  I am sure it took about 4x as long as needed, but that was the point of the whole trip, after all...If you zoom into the large or  original size, you can see the glowing blue glacier there, spilling out from between the edge of the Andes.- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.

About to Cross the Stream on the Hike, Approaching the Blue Glacier


This is about 20km into our backpacking. The fertile soil from recent glaciation sprang colorful life everywhere, even as the valley was changing colors for autumn. Little streams trickled here and there and fell into larger streams. Fording some of these was always a little sketchy when carrying a bunch of expensive camera equipment, but it was always worth it.

I can't explain how often I stopped to take photos along this hike! I am sure it took about 4x as long as needed, but that was the point of the whole trip, after all...

If you zoom into the large or original size, you can see the glowing blue glacier there, spilling out from between the edge of the Andes.

- Trey Ratcliff

Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog." href="javascript:openLB(742623813,'',XLarge,'',1024,717);">About to Cross the Stream on the Hike, Approaching the Blue Glacier This is about 20km into our backpacking.  The fertile soil from recent glaciation sprang colorful life everywhere, even as the valley was changing colors for autumn.  Little streams trickled here and there and fell into larger streams.  Fording some of these was always a little sketchy when carrying a bunch of expensive camera equipment, but it was always worth it.I can't explain how often I stopped to take photos along this hike!  I am sure it took about 4x as long as needed, but that was the point of the whole trip, after all...If you zoom into the large or  original size, you can see the glowing blue glacier there, spilling out from between the edge of the Andes.- Trey RatcliffClick here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.

About to Cross the Stream on the Hike, Approaching the Blue Glacier


This is about 20km into our backpacking. The fertile soil from recent glaciation sprang colorful life everywhere, even as the valley was changing colors for autumn. Little streams trickled here and there and fell into larger streams. Fording some of these was always a little sketchy when carrying a bunch of expensive camera equipment, but it was always worth it.

I can't explain how often I stopped to take photos along this hike! I am sure it took about 4x as long as needed, but that was the point of the whole trip, after all...

If you zoom into the large or original size, you can see the glowing blue glacier there, spilling out from between the edge of the Andes.

- Trey Ratcliff

Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
See photo in original gallery.