The Rock & Roll(ing Tides)

The Rock & Roll(ing Tides) - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

The Rock & Rolling Tides Of Time
by Imran Anwar

There It Is! The Rock!
Shiny Old New Full Moon,
Rising Up, Again So Soon.
But Never Dull, Not Routine,
This Bright Uplifting Scene.
As Long Day's Wait Finally Ends
Towards A Heavy Night It Tends.
Gravity Pulls, What Matters?
Silently Lifts Bay's Dark Waters
Mass Of Land Had Held At Bay.

Roaring, Rolling, Tides Of Time
Quite Quiet, But Still Won't Stay
Raising Weighty Water's Tides.
Higher, Higher The Marker Rides
Highest, Highest I've Ever Seen,
Rising, Tiptoeing, To Tips Of Toes,
Tide Ripples, Time Flows.
Standing Still, Moon Above,
Insignificant I, Perched Upon
Imran Marina Finger Dock.


Words & Photo © 2010 IMRAN
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No Terrorism Monster Godzilla In House Of God, God's Villa

No Terrorism Monster Godzilla In House Of God, God's Villa - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

The Faisal Mosque (in memory of the only pious King of modern Saudi Arabia, the assassinated Shah Faisal) on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, is among the largest houses of God in the world.

Just like the symmetry of the photograph above, the ironic similarity, rhyming and conceptual congruence between God's Villa and the monster Godzilla is intended to raise awareness, not to offend. It is up to us to have religious faiths in our lives to be better people, but also to stay involved in who and how someone speaks for our religions.

This is true regardless of what religion we practice, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or other, non-monotheistic, religions, like Hinduism, etc. Without educated, sensible and intelligent people staying involved, religions can be hijacked, and God's Villa overtaken by the monster Godzilla of fanaticism, intolerance and terror.

So help me, God, to save the houses of God, from the actions of the Satanic, verses of hate-preaching and the No-SoulMan's Rush2Die and kill innocent children and people going to school or to prayer.

Also see, Heaven Vantage.

© 2008-2010 IMRAN™
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Cloud Computing Essential Considerations for Users, Vendors & Media

April 23, 2010 — Imran Anwar, ranked "Most Influential" in Cloud Computing on Twitter, clears the air on Cloud Computing. 10 minutes could save you 10 million or 10 months of trouble or more. You must view this, especially if you are an end-user or business/technology manager thinking about investing in Cloud Computing, or are a vendor/service provider offering or planning to offer services in this fast growing area, or if you are a member of the media or analyst community. The key points raised in this engaging brief video will save you a lot of heart ache and grief. Don't spend another minute or another Dollar on Cloud Computing without speaking to Imran Anwar.

Fire Water. Liquid Gold. Comet Alley View?

Fire Water. Liquid Gold. Comet Alley View? ;-) - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

Before you accuse me of doing HDR work or clicking some random effects in PhotoShop, hear me out! LOL

It was a frigid day when I walked out to the beach to capture the sunset. My fingers were near frozen and (still being too lazy to read what all the buttons on my Nikon D300 do) I simply was squeezing and twisting buttons on it. ( Others from that day will be posted later).

As they say, "Given enough monkeys with enough typewriters at least one can produce the complete works of William Shakespeare..."

Fortunately, Shakespeare did not take pictures.

This photo may not win any awards but the over-saturated looking, somewhat overexposed yet nearly unreal reflections of the burning sky set the perfectly still water on fire.

The melting comet-like iced-rock on my beach and the unreal reflections around it simply added to the drama of the moment with melting Gold dust seeming to reflect on the ice. That of course made me insert my first French-word play pun in the title. :-)

© 2010 IMRAN™
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Whites Of Their Skies

Whites Of Their Skies - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

I would love to only post "obviously" dramatic and stunning images taken in exotic locations or with my Nikon D300. But, I don't want to miss out sharing the unexpected "ordinary" sights of beauty I walk by every day even with just an old pocket camera in hand.

A photo from a late afternoon walk on South Country Road, East Patchogue, New York.

April 13, 2010 was a somewhat windy and cool day. I had to time the photos that day to avoid traffic that does get busier around 5 PM.

The falling sun's light made interesting patterns in the oncoming heavy clouds (will post that one another time). The newly blossoming trees' white shades created interesting effects against the gray sky, white clouds and green hedges while the old classy homes reflected on Robinson's Pond.

I found it interesting that even though I did not change the colors, the clouds in this size exported image look purple but just deep gray in the original sized image. Enhanced Contrast & lightened Shadows in iPhoto and framed in PhotoShop.

Reminds me of similar colors but opposite weather at this picture.

© 2010 IMRAN™
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Steal Not Non-Steel Magnolias' Magical Pretty Pink Floral Flo(a)tilla

Steal Not Non-Steel Magnolias' Magical Pretty Pink Floral Flo(a)tilla - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

These pretty pink flowers seemed floating in the air on South Country Road, in East Patchogue, Long Island, New York, as I walked by.

I did not want anyone to think I Steal Magnolias ;-) . Taking care not to step onto the property they are on, I tried to capture the Floating Flowers Flotilla (hence the Floral Flo(a)tilla title).

I don't know the official name of this plant but those are the real pink colors of it, not Photoshop.

I am happy with my current "standard" Black frame with title and name presentation method in my stream, and my friends love it too. But, this image made it worth trying a white version. What do you think, compared to the version below?

© 2010 IMRAN
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Atop Foggy Bottom, Steamy Spirits Rise

Atop Foggy Bottom, Steamy Spirits Rise - IMRAN™ ____(iPhone Photo In Fog. Verse Worth Reading), originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

Atop Foggy Bottom
by Imran Anwar

Hazy halos hovering low,
Hi, says cold steaming fog.
Silky shimmering, soft swirling,
Slinky, steamy, soulless spirits,
Densely ethereal dervishes
Dancing devils of heavy air
Alight darkly, walking on water
Collapsing, out of misty breath
Into another's unreal nothingness
Silently screaming, seeking solace
Dazed, drunken, doomed...
Moisture-laden dying ghosts.

Words & Image © 2010 IMRAN
--
iPhone 3GS photo in drizzle & fog, framed & overlaid with text effect. Note the steamy figures rising from the water.
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Dome Of The Rock - Heaven Is A Place On Earth

Dome Of The Rock. Heaven Is A Place On Earth. The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

People fight and kill for sandy pieces of land, on the gates of perceived heavens, when God has created heavens on earth we cannot give enough thanks for.

This dome shaped rock is a highlight of the stunning swath of beach at The Baths, in Virgin Gorda, the British Virgin Islands. A place that makes you say "Oh, God!" more than most places of worship.

The truth is, without justice, there cannot be peace on earth and the sands of time will churn with rivers of blood, as man kills man, to try to prove who is a bigger prince of peace. And, God, isn't that a shame on earth.

PS If you have not seen it, I highly recommend you watch KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (available on DVD).

© 2008-2010 IMRAN
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Image Notes: Taken on a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise in 2008 with a pocket Nikon S6. Imported into iPhoto. No cropping. Did not reduce highlights which would make the rock top less shiny but it would dull the stunning water and sky colors. Reduced saturation a bit & added title frame in Photoshop.

Solar Cytoplasm Sets Sky(To)Plasma Display. (Dedicated To Dennis Hopper & All Those Fighting Terminal Illness)

Solar Cytoplasm Sets Sky(To)Plasma Display - IMRAN™ __ Please read: Dedicated to Dennis Hopper & All Those Fighting Terminal Illness, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

Since I was a kid, I loved puns, enjoyed Physics, hated Biology and despised Chemistry!

This is possibly the most science-related pun titles that is also (I hope!) philosophically deep. But it is quite simple at the same time.

The nuclear-hot core, Hydrogen burning nucleus of the sun, plasma ignited fires of the gigantic heavenly body, light its edges like a yellow membrane of fire. That all-consuming heat, across the spans of space, is also the source of energy for life, even in the most basic cellular (as in single-cell of living beings) organism.

Cytoplasm, in Biology, is the material between the cell membrane and its nucleus, the basic building block of life.

All living creatures, including us proud humans, with passion, blood and plasma coursing through our veins, are simply walking symphonies of a seemingly random but coordinated cacophony of chemical reactions in our own cell's cytoplasm. It's not strange when something goes wrong, it's a miracle that so much works so perfectly for so long, giving us a chance to achieve greatness beyond the humble cell we start from.

Bare branches of a sole tree stand in stark defiance against the falling sun. Yet its soul silently yearns to trap life-giving photons in a net of meshed dry limbs, so that new life may spring forth again from their tips.

We humans proudly walk by the sunset sky lit to plasma colors as in the moment above, to huddle in the safety and comfort of our nuclear family members. As we turn On our hi-def plasma displays to the Discovery Channel, we discover...

We, our planet, even our sun and solar system, appear to be tinier and tinier, nearly invisible, insignificant single cells of the universe the further we view from.

We are amazed. We are humbled. We realize that in life, until our death, it is our choice. We may be insignificant, but we can choose not to be inconsequential.

Even as the mighty sun falls, and daylight burns to an end, we can still seize the day to shine bright into the endless night.

Carpe Diem.

Dedicated to Dennis Hopper and all those fighting terminal illnesses. Fight on, live on, shine on, forever, you crazy diamond stars.

© 2010 IMRAN
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Note: This picture's colors were not processed or boosted. Only a frame was added with a title.

Songs Of Spring Flying & "Pink! I Soar"

As the inexorable march of time brings our days to a close, just past the Ides Of March, the clocks spring forward, back to their original times. Spring may be in the air, or at least around the corner of the winter clock's tearing eye --- as will be happier days and times one day on the calendar of life.

Blue skies are not immediately visible on the horizon and the darkness of night still stands, brooding, silently menacing, around the water's edge.

But even in impending dusk, the sky blushes pink for its fantasy-filled thoughts of the sensual dawn it yearns to be embraced by. The soul wonders. What shall I do with this moment?

One Day I'll Fly Away, but does it have to be now? Shall I seek refuge in stark branches with Broken Wings? Or go back to Learning To Fly so l can fly again to seek the new dawn -- which I have to believe is waiting over the horizon?

I think. I feel. I choose. I roar. 
"When eyes see Pink, I soar."

PS Sorry, I could not resist the puns on Pink Eye, Pink Eyesore, etc. for an image that is cool and pleasing to the eye. Of course the Pink Floyd song reference also reminded me of two other favorite songs, one from Randy Crawford and the other from the one-hit wonder Mister Mister.

© 2010 IMRAN
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Do You Know The Ides Of March, The March Of Time?

Do You Know The Ides Of March, The March Of Time - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

I post few photos of myself here unless there is some significance to the image or event. Today is such a day. The Ides Of March are upon us.

The Ideas of March is the name given to March 15, a day dedicated to the Roman god Mars, in their ancient calendar. They held a military parade on the day. It was there and on this day Julius Caeser was assassinated in 44BC, despite being warned.

Life rushes forward, time marches on. Today is March the 15th, 2010. The Ides of March are upon us as the March of Time parades us past our glorious lives to our inescapable ends, the colors of our lives, like the colors of the title in this photo, sliding from the blue skies of joyous lives to the deepening pinks of the ending gentle sleep.

We eye the future, even as the seers of the Ides of March see something else. We do not warm to how they warn us of a different story. For we know only one way to live, no matter how far or near the end. We have to remain full of wonder, for the mystery of the unknown, whether of turning a page, or not turning a corner.

The end may be near, lurking like the dangerous stab in the heart by a trusted loved one, but the joy of having lived every minute as we wished is even nearer, deeper in our hearts, and that lives through all eternity, regardless of how glorious or how humble we are in the grand scheme of history.

"Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!" wrote William Shakespeare.

When we hear the silent haunting melody accompanying an impending dusk, appearing, oh, so soon, on an amazing life, when we felt so close to the blue skies of tomorrow, we are left wonderously gasping in our final breaths....

If only.... if only....if only!
Such was life, Such is life.

Liberating Religions Trapped In A Cave Mentality

A Twitter ID, @thoughtandhumor, going by the name of Professor Howdy, sent me a tweet today. "Will pop culture be the end of historic Christianity", it said, with a link to an article by T. M. Moore titled Trapped in the Cave?

It refers to Plato's parable about cave prisoners who did not know there was more to life, and the universe, than the shadows and darkness that made up their daily existence… until one escapes and returns with news of the world out there.

The article is quite well written and readable for something that touches upon Philosophy and Religion.

It makes some excellent points, especially related to something like Philosophy, which is somewhat more logic and reason driven than Religion. Religion, especially the Bible-Thumping or Muslim-Blowing versions of it, which get most (negative) media attention tends to be increasingly driven by a total lack of intelligence. Such practice of religion seems increasingly based on an obvious strong attempt to actually curtail one's use of the very thought and conscience that God has given us.

This applies to the suited-booted smooth-talking, jet-setting, secretary-screwing, so-called Christian preachers who condemn victims of natural disasters in the name of God. I am certain Jesus Christ would personally bitch-slap these playboy preachers, if he was to return today.

It applies to the illiterate, unwashed, hell-bound suicide bombers and their un-Islamic so-called Muslim trainers, who plan and joyously carry out murder and mayhem among bazars filled with women and children, or who show their "bravery" by killing little girls going to school. Instead of 72 virgins in heaven, they can be assured 72 billion years of burning in eternal damnation.

The Jews in Occupied Palestine, the ones who cry over their holocaust, yet carry out one of their own, who keep Palestinians in what the Vatican also described as Concentration Camps, are not off the hook. Neither are the "peace-loving" Hindus who crush Muslims in Kashmir and other states, or put an evil cast of castes on what should all be equal human beings in the eyes of God. No one is above blame, though they all feel they, and their oh-so-obviously-perfect religion, are above blame, higher than the other religions.

Yet, almost each religion, in addition to laudable aspects, has much that is laughable. In this set of circumstances and global theological reality, ALL major religions can benefit from the advice the writer gives in his article. The writer proposes using elements of pop-culture to introduce more people to the spirit of philosophy. I concur with some of those fundamental propositions, for what I hope would enable a better, more human and intelligent practice of their religions.

In my humble opinion, most major religions were "progressive" ideas at their time, yet have become etched in stone in the sand-filled brains of their most virulent followers. We do not need to turn the Holy books politically correct, or do other such, often ridiculous, editing as some religions do as a palliate. It may please a small number of new adherents, but, I believe it comes at the cost of greater hardening of attitudes among the more conservative believers. That makes the effort both foolish and counterproductive.

I think enabling, even encouraging practicing Christians and Muslims (and others) to use more of their brains, and intelligence, instead of rote-indoctrination done to them since childhood, will actually make them better human beings in the practice of their own religions.

That means religions can go about again in their role of helping improve the human condition, the human experience, even as they still give people the opportunity to work for the improvement of the post-human afterlife they believe in.

Care must be taken, though, to ensure this is not, is not presented as, and does not come across as, an attempt to "edit and update" the basic tenets, the core values, of the basic faiths that make the religions what they are.

Otherwise, instead of opening minds, such attempts are more likely to lead to even more severe introverted responses from religious quarters and their most ardent followers.

Who needs more "Christmas Is Under Attack" or "The West Is Out To Destroy Islam" pedagogue blowhards emptying their lungs, with words from their empty brains, filling the airwaves, further poisoning instead of clearing the air, within and among religions.

What do you believe? And, what do you think?

Comment here, or let me know at http://twitter.com/imrananwar

When Life's In The Rough, Believe In Magic And Miracles

As I, along with countless millions in this country and around the world, face the most challenging times of my life, I do my best to remain the positive person I was since I was a child.

I usually do not blog with embedded content (because I like my blog to be a record of my creative efforts and also because you never know when the embedded content can be removed by the owner or poster). But, this Golf video clip is especially poignant.

You will find this clip entertaining for the sports value.

But at this difficult stage in life for so many of us, it is a great reminder to never give up hope, never lose faith and above all, never stop believing in magic you could not have imagined, good fortune you could not have planned.

Just when you think all is lost, your life is in the rough, the most amazing things can happen. Good fortune can appear when you least expect it. A gust of wind, or just the ultimate touch of God's hand can twist a blade of grass just so perfectly, that every thing lines up. And, it lines up far better than you could have set up, aimed for or taken at swing at.

Believe. Have faith. Smile. Above all, give thanks. Even if you don't get to ace every hole, or achieve very goal, what could be better than to have had a chance to play the game... of life.

Port, Hole, Whole Boat Peephole, British Virgin Islands

Port, Hole, Whole Boat Peephole, Virgin Islands.
Sounds So Sinful For So Heavenly A Place



The Baths at Virgin Gorda, in the Virgin Islands, are just an out of the world experience to visit and see.

Getting from the top of the hill to the rock formations, with convoluted steep climbs down through jutting rocks with rising water, narrow paths and scary little landings, enhance the thrill. You walk on planks to where pirates of yesteryear probably walked the plank. But now the scene is serene, and of peace and security.

The sky and sea look satin smooth while the rocks are textured and the light plays games to show rocky shades of olive and mocha on the sides.

You fall in love with it, especially when you see this view, like a port hole of the planet, a peep hole onto a world of boating, yachting, fun and frolic.

Being able to frame the whole catamaran in this triangular opening on what must be volcanic rocks spewed out of earth millennia ago, even with an old pocket Nikon Coolpix S6, was a fun and the picture came out very nice.

A must see place.

© 2008-2010 IMRAN
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Why? Why Now? Why Me? But, Still So Blessed

You all know how positive a person I am. But it is becoming so difficult every day.

Everything of any significance that I NEEDED to happen or fall into place correctly this week, singly or in total, went wrong or led into brick walls. Non-stop. But, I continued to laugh it off, and continued to plug away as I have for the last nearly 2 nightmare years.

But, it just does not stop. The surreally bad week ended just now with my lifeline iPhone 3GS falling out of my pocket (when the earphone cable snagged a chair & yanked it out), falling face down, on tiled floor and being smashed to pieces :-( .

This was just unbelievable bad luck and bad timing because it is the only phone and net connection I had. And, due to the real difficult time in my life, I can't afford to replace it right now.

"Why? Why now? Why me?" were the words of the song "Suzanna, I'm Crazy Loving You" that came to my mind (and the expression on my face, I am sure).

But, as I was walking home from where it happened, devastated at the new challenges that poses, the way things are rapidly crashing, and as all I built over 21 years vanishes before my eyes, the feeling of despair for the unnecessary and unfair loss, I considered how blessed I am.

I am so blessed --- in the dream life I have had, still have now with being alive, healthy & able, and the amazing life that lies ahead, once these worst days are over. God willing. So, Thank You, God, for all the blessings.

Your prayers in these toughest days of my life are appreciated.

400 Sunsets Fly By. Farewell, Father

Four Hundred Sunsets Fly By. Farewell, Father - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

Time eternally flows on and on.
Taking with it beloved people,
Favorite places, precious lives.
Leaving in its turbulent wake,
Memories, smiles, seas of tears.
Savor and never ever forget,
Love, smiles, time, joy we get,
Before they fly forever, forever.

How fast 400 days went since I lost you, my beloved father. Yet, each felt like a century of sorrow. A lifetime of smiles and blessings you gave.

Now you and Ami have flown together, to heaven, forever. As tears roll down my face, I promise, I will not forget and will pray and love you both to my dying day, Abu.

Farewell, Father.

No processing was done to this image's colors. See bird more clearly slightly larger

18 Years Of A Million Tears. Mother's Memory 2/2

18 Years Of A Million Tears. Mother's Memory 2/2 - IMRAN™, uploaded by ImranAnwar.

2/2. The saddest day of my life, 18 years and a million tears ago.

I flew out of JFK the night of February 1, 1992, headed to Pakistan - where it was already 2/2/1992. I was going to see my beloved parents in Lahore. But, I was en route via Karachi. My Mom had insisted I stop there to condole the death of a relative and a friend's father there, the previous week.

The powerful PIA Boeing 747 jet engines hurtled me over the North Atlantic, erasing 600 miles per hour between my mother and me. But, there was an invisible infinite eternal distance of space and time growing silently, a cosmic chasm that no known power in the universe could shorten.

As the plane was flying towards Europe, life was flying away. As the aircraft was coming in for a landing, unknown to me, my mother's soul was taking off into the heavens beyond this world.

Landing in Karachi, I was smiling and happy, when I disembarked, clueless about what tragedy had struck me but I was unaware of. I went to the airline counter to check the status of my connecting flight to Lahore that was supposed to be for a few days later.

I was flirting with the young lady checking my reservation, asking for a nice window seat. She looked at me in a puzzled manner that I did not understand then. As she quietly typed on the keyboard my curious eye made me read a telex message on her desk, facing her.

As I read the upside down text, my breath left me, my heart stopped. I felt the hand of death clutch my heart...

"Please give priority seating...
Passenger Imran Anwar needs to be on next flight....
Has to attend Mother's funeral."

That is how I found out that my mother had died, just over 50 years old.

Instead of seeing my Mom to open the bags of gifts I was carrying for her and everyone, I would barely get home in time to carry her body for burial. Instead of her pinching my cheeks as she loved to do, all I got to do was touch her cheek one final time, as I fell on my knees next to her. She seemed just to have fallen asleep.

18 years later today, to the day, not a day goes by when I do not shed a tear for my beloved mother. Tears roll down my cheeks as I write these words, and every time I relive that moment.

Ami, I will love you forever, even after I die.


© IMRAN
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Parasurfers Line Up Against Miami Sky(line)

Parasurfers Line Up Against Miami Sky(line) - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

Matheson Hammock is a lovely park in the swank Coral Gables neighborhood of Miami, Florida. It is also a marina where I kept my yacht for about 2 years. On the other side of the marina, parasurfers' lines can fill the sky against the backdrop of the downtown Miami skyline with shades of blue that change hour by hour, day by day. Taken with a pocket Nikon S6.

Check out this interesting alignment of chutes.

© 2010 IMRAN
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loc: 25.68012,-80.256715

Flying By, Days Of Our Lives, Melting Into Sunsets

Flying By, Days Of Our Lives, Melting Into Sunsets - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

This photo I took reminded me of this most moving picture I captured one year ago - when too I caught 2 birds flying away past a sunset, soon after I lost my beloved father.

You will appreciate that image, and sentiment, a lot when you click the link above to view it, especially if you cherish your parents.

This one was a reminder of how we fly by the moments that make up our lives and how the days of our lives melt into sunsets of yesterdays that, moments ago, were our todays. Dad is now gone over one year, Mom coming up on 18 years (b. 12/25/1942, d. 2/2/1992). Too soon. Too soon. Also check this stunning image of 2 birds in front of the sun.

Make the best of the time you have, as I too resolve to do so.

© 2010 IMRAN™
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Cruising Off Into The Sunset

Cruising Off Into The Sunset - IMRAN™, originally uploaded by ImranAnwar.

The lovely lines of a moatorboating cruiser sailing into the sunset, towards the falling red sun at Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida.

The camera caught the red reflections on the water beautifully, making the waves look like a beverage of beautiful nature the soul can get drunk on.

Shot with a Nikon S1 pocket camera from my Sea Ray Sundancer 360 traveling South East towads the marina in Coral Gables.

© 2010 IMRAN™
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