"Full Sail" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
This was taken approximately 1.5 mile from Wind Spirit with the island To'opua between the camera and her. She was at anchor, but as part of the evening celebration, our captain decided to have the sails out. What a beautiful sight she was.
"Ship's Bell" - Taha'a, French Polynesia - 2018
5:4 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
The ship's bell is perhaps one of the most time honored accutrements of any vessel. It is required equipment, even though it isn't used as much in modern times. It is usually made from brass or bronze and has the name of the vessel and the construction date engraved. They were used to indicate time, particularly at watch changes. Unlike civil bells that strike the number of each hour, a ship's bell has only 8 instead of 12 to indicate time. The bell is also used when underway in dense fog to alert other vessels of the presence.
"Wind Spirit Under Palm" - Taha'a, French Polynesia - 2018
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
Most of our traveling took place at night. During the relaxing days, Wind Spirit was usually at anchor. This day was no exception.
"Fair Weather" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
This quiet afternoon, with cumulus clouds moving lazily by is a welcome site to the crew of Wind Spirit. Fair weather is upon us.
"Foresail" - Taha'a, French Polynesia
2:3 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
This was taken near Ha'amene Bay while under way westbound. The sun was setting behind the clouds off to the right, but the resulting sky illumination made for a beautiful backdrop to the sail positioned at the very front of Wind Spirit.
"Crescent" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
2:1 Aspect Ratio, Panorama - Black and White
This is the first in a series which belongs together. The evening this was taken, the crew was preparing dinner ashore on this tiny island. I was able to get a images that captured how special the evening was.
"Contemplation" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
2:1 Aspect Ratio, Panorama - Black and White
The second in this series. I wanted to do silhouettes and asked two of the Wind Spirit crew for their assistance. I think they did an amazing job, don't you? I named this one " Contemplation".
"Celebration" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
2:1 Aspect Ratio, Panorama - Black and White
This is the third in the series. Completely unrehearsed! I named it "Celebration" because that was the best way to describe the mood that evening.
"At Dock" - Raiatea, French Polynesia - 2018
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
While most of our stops were at anchor, this one was the exception where Wind Spirit was at dock. This was taken at Raiatea, the second largest of the Society Islands. And I thought it was the perfect time to get a nice portrait of the ship.
"Ironwood Sunset" - Motu Tapu, French Polynesia - 2018
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
Native islanders would quickly recognize the foreground tree as an Ironwood. The wood is so hard, it's like iron. Anything you make from it will last a long, long time!
"Underway" - At Sea, French Polynesia - 2018
2:3 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
This was taken while underway near Vaitoare. Wind Spirit is a motor / sail vessel so the sails are assistive in propulsion. But they are more than that. One feels a sense of majesty when the sails are out and the wind has them filled.
"Line Stowage" - Moorea, French Polynesia - 2018
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
Renowned Welsh yachtsman Roy Williams often notes, "A tidy boat is a happy boat." To that I'd add that a tidy boat is also a safer boat offshore. One way to keep the deck free of clutter is to make sure that you have all your lines neatly stowed.
"Candles" - At Sea, French Polynesia - 2018
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
This was taken in the evening, midway between Raiatea and Bora Bora. I blended three photographs in order to capture the full height of the sails in such close quarters.
Each evening, on the aft deck the crew would set up this 'restaurant under the stars', they call "Candles". The dining and atmosphere experience is absolutely unparalleled in this cozy setting.
"Moorea Landscape" - Moorea, French Polynesia - 2018
5:4 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
I did manage to capture a couple of island landscapes. It's hard to translate the true beauty of the place in a photograph. You really have to be there. The volcanic, and vertical nature of the islands are actually hard to shoot. Here, the passing rain clouds created a surreal image for us.
"Rainwater on Teak" - Moorea, French Polynesia - 2018
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
Wind Spirit had lovely, well maintained teak decks paired with amazing teak hand rails all along the decks and walkways. The teak has such a comfortable and durable quality about it. This shot was taken just after an early morning rain shower passed by. The rainwater on teak made almost a perfect reflection. Very nautical don't you think?
"Cooks Bay" - Moorea, French Polynesia - 2018
2:1 Aspect Ratio, Panorama - Black and White
Wind Spirit is at anchor in perhaps the very spot Captain Cook anchored. This is one of two major bays on the island of Moorea. So for a brief moment, I felt like an explorer myself! Then as I saw the over-water, grass thatched roofs, I snapped back to reality. Oh well, fun while it lasted!