Duga

During our time in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, we had a cool opportunity to visit Duga.  Of course, the entire experience was amazing, but this spot was super cool. 

Duga is a Soviet built Over-The-Horizon radar system used as an early missile defense system from 1976 to 1989.  When it was working, it was nicknamed the Russian Woodpecker by shortwave listeners due to its pattern of clicks and napping noises. 

This thing is massive.  I’m guessing here so don’t hold me to this (and I looked on the Intranet for specs but failed to final anything), but I’d say it is a couple hundred feet high and maybe a half mile long.  It just when on, and on, and on……  This photo captures about a third of the entire structure. 

As you can tell, it was fall at the time and I took this photo with my drone at sunset.  It might not seem like such a good photo to you, but for me, it’s the memory that makes it special.

I captured a ton of video at this spot and around Chernobyl.  Maybe someday I’ll edit some of that to share with you.

 

To view a larger version, click HERE

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Jesus, Other Fans and Behind The Scenes Photos

I was scrolling through photos I’ve taken covering the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last two years.  I’ve been covering them going back to my first game in 2011, but I was just looking at this year and last year.  While I was looking at these, it occurred to me that I don’t share any photos other then an occasional player, a live action shot and sometimes a coach.  But I take a bunch of the fans, who are sometimes more interesting than what’s happening on the field.  I also take a bunch of photos of objects (helmets, footballs, etc..) and other non-players (past players, other photographers, celebrities, etc..) on the sidelines, which normally don’t see the light of day. 

So, I’m going to share some of my favorite photos from the last two years with you today.  Happy New Year and good luck in 2019.

Scroll down to see the rest of the photos or go to the “Sports Fans & Behind The Scenes” gallery on my website.

Jesus is a Steelers’ Fan.

Jesus is a Steelers’ Fan.

The Chair

How creepy is this spot???  Super creepy, if you ask me.  I took this photo inside a school nurse’s office at an abandoned elementary school.  Here is my question….why would an elementary school nurse’s office need an adult medical chair?  Now that is creepy!! 

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often. 

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Pat Perry's Mural

We found this outstanding mural during our Detroit urban exploration weekend.  I love how the artist didn’t paint the entire wall, just used portions and left some of brick exposed as part of the mural.  He even worked around the windows and used one within the lantern.  I’m not 100% sure, but I think he painted this as part of the Murals in the Market festival.  You can see more of his work here: http://patperry.net/

To view a larger version, click HERE.  Below you can also see a couple of other photos from this spot.

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.  PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

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Looking down Gratiot Ave toward's Detroit.

Looking down Gratiot Ave toward's Detroit.

Blair lining up for his photo

Blair lining up for his photo

The Look

MJ and I ran into this guy while on safari in southeast South Africa.  As you’ve read before, we had a wonderful trip to South Africa with dozens of great animal experiences.  This guy looks tough, but he didn’t threaten us or anything.  And He allowed me to capture his portrait.  Handsome looking dude…don’t you think?

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.  PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

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The Point

I was out very early this morning with the boys attempting to photograph the sunrise behind downtown Pittsburgh.  We got lucky because it didn’t snow or rain on us, but we never got a pretty sunrise…it was just to cloudy.  Even though we didn’t get the sunrise we wanted, I took a fair number of photos.  Here is one of those photos looking right at The Point Park.   

NOTE:  the park is partially flooded in the photo.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.  PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

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Garden Of The Gods

In early December, I got the chance to visit Colorado Springs.  What a nice city and location.  I was impressed!!  Right outside my hotel balcony was this amazing view of Garden Of The Gods.  I took this photo in the early morning hoping to catch the sun shining off the mountains

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.  PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

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Alamo

This has to be the most photographed spot in Texas.  If it isn’t, I don’t know what would be photographed more.  I captured this pic the last time I was in that area.  This was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in San Antonio.  The place was crawling with tourist.  So this is a combination of about 10 photos, plus the magic of Photoshop to make the tourist disappear.  Otherwise, good luck trying to find this spot empty of people standing in the way.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.  PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

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Beast

I don’t know what to say about James Harrison.  If he is on your favorite team, you’d love him.  If he isn’t, you hate him.  Regardless, he’s been a force in the NFL for many years.  I hope everyone has a great NFL Kickoff Weekend.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I update and add to them often.

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The Chair

A few of the guys and I went out to capture some urbex photography today.  The weather was perfect and we hit up a couple nice spots.  I captured this image at our first stop.  This creepy chair was the only reason we even went to this location…and guess what, it was worth it.  What do you think?    

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I recently updated them.

Nursing office at an abandoned school

Nursing office at an abandoned school

Downtown Pittsburgh

Today’s photo is from the beautiful downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  What else can I say about Pittsburgh that I haven’t already in past blog posts.  I love this view.  I also love the view when you drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and come up looking at the city.  You can’t beat it.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I recently updated them.

Ceiling

Today’s photo is from the Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.  I took this photo during my last visit to Washington DC.  I’d love to go back, but they now have a renovation projection going on that will take a few years.  So it will be a while before the scaffolding comes down.  Maybe I’ll go back in a few years. 

Beyond the scaffolding, this is an amazing facility.  It is the largest Roman Catholic Church in all of North America and is one of the largest churches in the world (its in the top ten).  It has so many great sanctuary locations inside with over 70 chapels and oratories.  Every chapel has a different style and design.  You could spend days in this facility and not catch all the little details. 

Anyway, this photo is of one of the many dome ceilings looking straight up at it.  Have a great weekend.

To view a larger version, click here:  https://500px.com/photo/201359315/domed-ceiling-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440

Palace of the Grandmaster

Officially known as The Palace, the Grandmaster’s Palace is in the walled city of Valletta Malta.  It was built starting in the 16th century and they finished it in the 18th century.  It was originally built as a palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, who ruled Malta and at that time, they called it the Magisterial Palace.  Today it serves as the Office of the President of Malta and as a museum.

I took this photo inside the Palace.  I just loved the mural painted around this entrance and how it worked (matched) with the marble flooring. 

To view a larger version, click here:  https://500px.com/photo/200207087/palace-of-the-grand-master-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440

Palace of the Grandmaster

Arizona Desert

Today’s post is an aerial view looking straight down from a hot air balloon in the Arizona desert.   Our balloon ride was very early in the morning and we floated over this campsite.  What a peaceful ride in a beautiful part of the country.

To view a larger version, click here:  https://500px.com/photo/199069859/arizona-desert-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440

Aerial View in the Arizona desert

Aerial View in the Arizona desert

The Bridge

We recently spent a little time at the Ocean Coral Resort in Puerto Morelos Mexico.  This was the first trip we’ve taken with Blair in a very long time.  Blair and I took photos on a number of occasions and locations.  We all had a great time and it was nice to get some warm weather. 

I took this photo of “The Bridge” that connects the main building of the resort with Building 16, which was where our hotel room was located.  So we walked this path a bunch over the course of our stay. 

Ocean Coral Resort

Ocean Coral Resort

Sack

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns game in Cleveland yesterday was an interesting experience.  There were numerous story lines from the game.  One of them was all the sacks the Steelers inflicted on the Browns’ quarterbacks.   This photo is one from the first half of the game.  Frankly, they all looked like they hurt to me.

Lawrence Timmons sacking Cody Kessler

Lawrence Timmons sacking Cody Kessler

You can tell it was a rough day for the Browns by looking at this helmet.

You can tell it was a rough day for the Browns by looking at this helmet.

Central Park In The Summer

I took this photo of “The Lake” in Central Park during our last visit to NYC.  This specific spot is just to the west of the Bow Bridge and Bethesda Fountain.  I had to sit here for what seemed like forever to capture this photo without a bunch of pedestrians on the path.  I like the Eldorado towers sticking up over the trees on the left side of the photo as a reminder that this quiet spot is in the heart of Manhattan.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

The Vault

This former bank vault is now a dinning room for 12 people inside the Pittsburgh Engineer’s Building in the downtown area.  A few weeks ago, Pittsburgh held an event called “Open Door Pittsburgh”.  Basically this meant that there were around 30 buildings that are not normally open to the public, open to the public on this day.  Some of the buildings had guided tours and others were just self-guided tours of the spaces.  The Vault caught my eye on the marketing material, so I made sure we hit that spot first.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

Josh and Lacey

I’ve never met Josh and Lacey, but they have a great future together.  They’re getting married on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh.  They wanted to use a couple of my photos for their wedding website.  It was an honor communicating with Josh about their big day and being able to help them.  You can see the website here:  https://laceyandjoshwed.squarespace.com/when-where/#june-24-2017

Josh and Lacey, good luck and enjoy the ride!

Josh and Lacey

Josh and Lacey

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

Heinz Chapel

Heinz Chapel