For an interesting time, try photographing water droplets. With a fast shutter speed, bright lights/flash, and a syringe dripper, you can find an amazing assortment of water droplet shapes that only your camera can capture. Best of all, whether you’re home, abroad, bored, or trying new techniques, catching water falling will produce amazing photos for prosumer and professional alike.

Look at more of my frozen water droplet photos on Flickr, including my favorite, which looks like a dancing woman. Enjoy!

I always enjoy looking at faces from around the world. Here’s a sampling of several profile photographs of mine–all taken with permission–from folks around the world. I looked back through my photos, both old and new, to give you an interesting spread of faces–which do you find interesting?

Can you guess where all these people are from? Several are American, but most are not. View my Flickr account to find out the countries of origin.

Enjoy!

It’s a question many have been asking this past week. “Coop, what would you do if you won Host Our Coast?” They’re referring to the travel journalism/videography/photography/summer recreation contest I’ve entered (and am thrilled at having a winning chance!).

I believe that DLITE and the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) tourism boards, who are running the contest, will give the winners an itinerary. In the meantime, however, there are always places to explore, activities to try out, and museums to visit that may or may not be on “the list.” So here’s my idea of fun things that everyone would like to try!

–Cape Henlopen State Park near Lewes, DE, would be a fantastic place to play their 18-hole disc golf course and then climb to the top of the WWII Observation Tower for stunning views in every direction.

-I would love to see unique wildlife such as mink, black bear, and bobcat at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, VA.

-One of the nation’s largest specialty food shows, the NASFT Fancy Food Show, will be taking place this year in Washington, D.C. With representatives, chefs, and specialty food purveyors from every state and over 70 countries, the show will be a wonderful way to meet local food artisans from the Chesapeake/Delmarva area while sampling incredible delights.

-Who’s never been parasailing? I haven’t, but I’ve wanted to ever since I can remember–especially if they let you flip upside-down while in the air. The beaches in Virginia look like a great place to start, espcially if I can support a family owned and operated business with a perfect safety record.

-While out on Chincoteague Island in late July, I’d attend their 24th Annual Blueberry Festival and enjoy mouthwatering treats, activities, and music festivites. The following week? It’s the legendary Chincoteague Pony Swim, of course–an event I’ve wanted to see since I was a little girl.

-Why not go hiking on Boxes Point Trail in Kent County, MD, then get a rush speeding downhill during a Pocomoke State Park mountain biking adventure?

-Freshwater catch-and-release fishing for walleye, trout, large mouth bass, catfish, and more? I’d elect to do that in the Savage River Reservoir in Big Run State Park, where only non-motorized boating is allowed. Nothing like a secluded afternoon of fishing in the Maryland hills!

-I love the thrill of catching crabs (I let them go, don’t worry), so it’d be great fun to go crabbing on Chick’s Beach in Virginia Beach, VA.

-For a chance to see a demolition derby, taste terrific fair food, and listen to an outstanding music and entertainment selection, there’s the Delaware State Fair and quite a few others to enjoy.

-Visiting the Delmarva Discovery Center on the Pocomoke River would be a great way to learn about heritage, history, river ecology, and more. Plus, there are guided nature trail hikes ever weekend.

-The Annual Maryland Bottlenose Dolphin Count was down last year (though numbers widely vary, so we shouldn’t panic yet), so why not help out this summer and join in on the count contest? It’ll help bring awareness to such a beautiful animal, and while there, I’d absolutely love the chance to see the dolphins up close–but not if it’s risking their well-being.

I could go on and on, but this is my ‘starter’ list of places to go and things to see. Now all I have to do is win this contest so I actually have the chance to show off the amazing coast!

Interested in helping me win? I would be eternally grateful, so please vote here daily through May 8th.

It seems silly, right? I’m the Anti-Tourist Traveler, and here I am in the running to win my dream summer job with, you got it, a tourism board.

Why, you ask?

It’s simple: I am passionate about sharing the outdoors with everyone possible, and I firmly believe that no matter where one is, there are hidden wonders (as well as popular sites) to discover and enjoy.

While surfing Idealist.org back a while ago, I saw that the folks at www.HostOurCoast.com had launched their 3rd annual search for the next summer host of the coast. It was exactly the kind of position I’d been looking for, and here’s why:

-I love the outdoors, and am fairly experienced with all the activities one would do for the job–kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching (yes, it’s true), etc.
-I am a lover of travel (though admittedly few aren’t!) and truly enjoy sharing my experiences with everyone. I have plenty of stories from all around the world if you’re ever interested!
-Living a sustainable lifestyle and being “green” is easier said than done, but I try my best to use and reuse, recycle, not buy harmful/unnecessary products such as bottled water, and live in such a way that harms the Earth as little as possible. I’m also always interested in learning new gardening methods, energy ideas, and new ways to protect our planet.
-I am a freelance writer, a part-time photographer, an occasional videographer, a creative brainstormer, a food reviewer, a volunteer teacher, and more. I’m not trying to come off as a bragging buffoon; I’m only trying to point out that, well, I believe I’m well-versed in every area they’ll be looking at!
-Sharing the outdoors with others is extremely gratifying, especially when there’s an opportunity to teach youngsters about fun recreational sports and natural beauty found in the great outdoors.
-Whether I’m in a popular tourist spot or am living out in the middle of nowhere, I always manage to find excitement and interesting activities. There are locals to talk to, places to take random walks, and always new things to see around every corner. If one hunts, excitement can be found (just not necessarily in a guidebook).  Even in Times Square there are fantastic places and restaurants to discover that are just minutes away from the crowds! This is true nearly everywhere, and my research always yields fun results whether alone or with friends.

I could go on with plenty of reasons about why I want to win this opportunity more than any job I’ve ever applied to, but I’d be talking faster than you’d care to hear. I’m extremely flattered at the support I’ve received from voting and commenting friends, so I’m happy that everyone understands why I’m working so hard towards this goal. So yes, while I’ll be working for DLITE (DelMarVa Low Impact Tourism Experiences) if I win, it’s an opportunity to showcase a part of the country that has quite a few hidden treasures, great museums, national parks, summer events, and more. And while on and off the shooting/exploring schedule, I’m sure I’ll find amazing opportunities to learn about and discover the gems of Delmarva.

In short, that is why I would absolutely love your support!

Vote daily (in takes under 30 seconds!) or leave a comment at http://bit.ly/fCvsN4 Thank you!