I have posted a page containing three interactive panoramas from the Czech Republic. Two are from Prague – one in Old Town Square and the other from atop the Clementinum’s astronomical tower – and one is from Czech’s second largest city, Brno. These panoramas require Flash and can be accessed by clicking here.
Photos from the Czech Republic, Prague, Austrian Alps and More
Better late than never, I guess.
I would like to announce that my Czech photography gallery is finally finished and available for viewing! Click the image below or this link to check it out. For a smaller, elite gallery of only the very best photographs, click here.
While working in Germany during the summer of 2008, I took two short excursions outside the country. The first was a visit to the Czech Republic organized by my friend and fellow astronomy graduate student, Pavel (the second was to Rome – this is featured in another gallery). A Prague native, Pavel showed me the city’s ins and outs before we embarked a mini road trip that took us through Brno (the Czech Republic’s second largest city), Salzburg and the Austrian Alps.
Despite some Alpine mountains and clouds, these photographs are definitely urban-centric. You’ll see images of Prague’s winding streets, Old Town Square and Prague Castle. Other highlights including some interesting art pieces from a gallery in Brno, the often overlooked astronomical tower in Prague’s Clementinum, and some striking city shots from the walls of Prague Castle.
The Grand Canyon’s Secret Waterfall (and other silly Southwestern adventures)
In August, 2009 I took a road trip through the American Southwest. Along the way, I chronicled my adventures in the form of the video embedded below. If the video is not available, click HERE to watch it.
After some initial silliness, I detail hiking the Grand Canyon’s North Kaibob Trail. About a vertical mile down into the canyon, I arrived at a collection of waterfalls known as Roaring Springs. I ventured off-trail and scrambled up to reach a secret waterfall that few people have ever set eyes on.
Next, I include a bunch of animals just for fun. Photos and videos come from the San Diego Zoo, the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde UNESCO World Heritage Site and the famous bat bridge in Austin, Texas.
This video is part of a larger multimedia collection. Please visit http://www.mikespecian.com/photography/american-southwest/ for more.
The Health Care Rally – A Rudimentary Documentary
On August 15, 2009 we took a detour into Grand Junction, CO to drop a friend off at the airport. Minutes after depositing her at the terminal, she called to inform us that her departure had been delayed because Air Force 1 was landing within the hour. After a bit of research, we discovered that President Obama was holding a health insurance reform town hall at Grand Junction’s Central High School later that day. If the President was going to be there, why shouldn’t we?
Tickets to the town hall were distributed via lottery prior to the event. There was zero chance we were getting in. This condition was shared by a couple hundred activists and protesters who had gathered on a street outside the school to vocalize their opinions on what would eventually become the Affordable Care Act. In this video, I play (really) amateur documentarian by capturing the sights, sounds and spirit of the afternoon. Signposts are provided below the video if you’d like to skip ahead.
0:50 – A walk along the ranks of the opposition
3:27 – A visit with the supporters of Obamacare
7:10 – Both sides claim “freedom” as their value premise
This video is part of a larger American Southwest gallery. Click the link to see more great videos, photographs and interactive panoramas.
The Voice of the Navajo Nation
While driving around the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon north of Tuba City, Arizona, we passed through what I believe was the Out Reservation. We turned on the radio to discover that there was only one station broadcasting. According to YouTube user jbegaye2001, the station is KTNN AM 660, “The Voice of the Navajo Nation”. It can be heard all over the Four Corners region. He claims that almost all of the programs are done in Navajo including sporting events.
These videos are part of a larger Canyons gallery. Click the link to see more great videos, photographs and interactive panoramas.