Mermaiden Studio of Photography & Design

We traveled by RV through Yellowstone, Montana, and the Wyoming area on multiple adventure trips. These photographs show some of the highlights. Many of these photographic scenes make excellent wall decor. The animals of the mountainous western USA also make interesting wall art or editorial pictures.

Shoshoni is a town in Wyoming with an old west and native American heritage.

Churchill, Manitoba in Canada is called the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World" because the largest concentration of Polar bears gather there in the fall waiting for the sea ice to freeze on the Hudson Bay. These photographs show the harsh and almost barren landscape of the tundra as winter covers these sub-Arctic moraines and wetlands. During this time, the huge male bears wait out the last of summer, resting and testing their strength. The mother polar bears, called sows, also wait nearby, but away from the rowdy ones, with their yearling cubs. They will be taking their cubs out to hunt for the first time. Polar bears spend the majority of their life on the ice floes, diving in after their Ring Seal prey, and so are considered Marine Mammals. The polar bear was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act by the United States Department of the Interior in 2008. Climate warming is it's greatest threat. Polar bears (Ursus Maritimus) are the largest bear today, even larger than the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis). Alaska - Images | Mermaiden Studio (photoshelter.com)

Pacific Northwestern USA has many different environmental conditions, from the agricultural fields of the Palouse to the wild Olympic Peninsula. Washinton State and Oregon have many fine wineries, and weekend wine tasting excursions are a lifestyle culture unrivaled in the eastern USA. More to come.

North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee is an area blessed with beautiful Appalachian Mountains while being near the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is moderate and comfortable year-round. The beaches are gorgeous; the growing conditions are excellent. The Wreck Diving is renown. Morehead City area is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".

New England & Northeastern USA Town and Country is a gallery of images from the area I call home of more inland and urban areas. For coastal scenes, please see my North Atlantic Coastal USA and North Atlantic Underwater galleries. New England and New York State are known for their four seasons, colorful fall foliage, green hillsides and mountains, lush waterfalls, and rich urban culture. In many ways, the northeast has it all.

Atlantic Northeast Underwater is an overview of some of the images I have made since I began diving in 1984. You can see more under my "Animals" Collection or by doing a search. I learned to dive in the often chilly and murky waters off Massachusetts, USA. Like many others I started taking photographs underwater before I had good scuba skills, much less camera skills in an alien and equipment cumbersome environment. My enthusiasm for the underwater exploration spurred me on. While the Northeast is challenging and does not have the great vistas of the equator, it is rich in a variety of sea life. While there is only one Stony Coral in this north, there are multitudes of colorful invertebrates such as anemones and colorful crabs including the reddish Lobster, the Blue Crab, and cute Hermit Crabs. There are also many fish, though what we normally see are individuals. Schools of fish swim by in streams from out of the green and are soon lost again in the algae rich haze, usually faster than focusing allows. Whales and sharks, too, are here in the shadows, seldom seen underwater in the northeast. The forms of life seen in warmer waters repeat themselves here in similar variety. This ecosystem teases the observer to explore the North Atlantic Ocean over again.

The Maritime provinces lie in the North Atlantic Ocean and are comprised of three New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, including smaller surrounding islands such as the Isle of Magdalene. They account for less than 6% of Canadas Population. The indigenous people of the Maritimes include the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy people. People from Britain came over around the time of the Mayflower during the 17th century. My Grandmother told me her people settled in Nova Scotia after coming over on a “sister ship” of the Mayflower. Traditionally they are fishermen and farmers. This Atlantic Provinces gallery is currently under construction. I have many images from this area, but they are within other folders or not yet uploaded. A search may find what you are looking for. I have a set of bog plants to be added. You might also search my North Atlantic Underwater gallery, as I have dived the area a bit. "DEFINITION: the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, with coastlines on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. Compare with Atlantic Provinces."

This is the North Atlantic coast of the U.S.A., near my home. This coastal area has its own ecosystem full of sand and salt tolerant plants, animals and other delights. See also my North Atlantic Underwater Gallery and the Waves Gallery.

Newfoundland, Canada is a jewel of the north. We traveled there by RV and had several weeks to drive the "Rock", as they call it, for good reason. Newfoundland is a geologist's dream, with the Tablelands of exposed bedrock and moonscape qualities, fossil fields and layers, and striking, ragged coastline. The people are welcoming. The seafood is fresh. They are making strides in restoring wild Atlantic Salmon. The birdlife is special, with important rookeries located there. The SCUBA diving is cold but beautiful. I look forward to returning. "DEFINITION the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Maritime Provinces. Compare with Maritime Provinces"

The Indo Pacific, South Pacific, the Maldives, and Fiji are among the exotic destinations I have been fortunate to visit. The SCUBA diving is exquisite, with extremely diverse life forms. I have more to add to this gallery, especially Fiji and Hawaii. Please search for more.

The Heartland of the United States of America is a vast land of farmland and wilderness, dotted with homes and cities. It is often missed by travelers intent on flying coast to coast, but it is rich fertile farmland, wildlife, and the Badlands.

The Great Lakes Region here includes Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I have been lucky enough to visit some of these beautiful sections of the United States while traveling by RV. Had I flown across the country, I would have missed so much. More images to come.

The Galapagos archipelago is a top nature study and dive destination. I experienced these islands while staying on a Live-aboard boat. The Archipelago of Colón is commonly known as the Galápagos Islands. They lay in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador and Peru. They are part of the Republic of Ecuador There are three major water currents around these islands, The SCUBA diving is cold water diving, but not so cold as to require a dry suit. The islands of the Galapagos archipelago include: Fernandina Island, Darwin Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Island, Bartolomé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Marchena Island, North Seymour Island, Rábida Island, Genovesa Island, Pinta Island, Pinzón Island, Floreana Island, Española Island and the distant Wolf Island.

The "Florida and Georgia" gallery Is under re-construction, but there are a lot of images within the archive you may search for.

Dominica Island is in the outer eastern Caribbean Ocean. It is a lush island with waterfalls, good produce and a wonderful Marine Preserve. Therefore, the SCUBA diving is excellent, and the topside is picturesque. I have many images yet to be included.

DELMARVA is a made-up word describing the Atlantic peninsula separating Chesapeake Bay from Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern United States. It encompasses about 180 miles including most of Delaware and parts of eastern Maryland and Virginia. Assateague National Wildlife Refuge is part of DELMARVA.

The Cayman Islands are a well known travel destination in the Caribbean. It has beautiful beaches, world class SCUBA diving, and a healthy economy. Birds migrate to the Caymans to breed. These are some of my photographic images of the Cayman Islands splendor, above and underwater.

California, to be updated soon.

British Columbia, Canada, is wild and unruined. The water is clear and clean. The mountains drop steeply to the north Pacific Ocean, creating dramatic fjords. Salmon, Bears, and Orca or Killer Whales, are some of the native wildlife to be observed. Huge cedar trees in the temperate rainforests and pristine glacial rivers offer views as lovely as anywhere. Indigenous cultures flavor the towns and can be visited. The SCUBA diving is rated as one of the top destinations worldwide for the diversity and colorful life.

British Columbia Coast and Vancouver Island, Canada, is a favorite travel destination of mine. Salmon, Bears, and Orca or Killer Whales, are some of the native wildlife to be observed. Huge cedar trees in the temperate rainforests are impressive centuries old giants. Indigenous cultures flavor the towns and can be visited. The SCUBA diving is rated as one of the top destinations worldwide for the diversity and colorful life.

Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao of the Netherland Antilles, are commonly referred to as the A-B-C Islands in the Caribbean. They are close to the northern coast of Venezuela, near the equator. Because they are somewhat protected from many of the tropical storms which devastate the Caribbean, they offer beautiful coral reefs which have been protected in many sections. I included Roatan in this gallery because most of my pictures from there were on back-up drives which failed, and all these Islands are off the coast of South America. Roatan is part of Honduras. The diving is very similar to the ABC islands. The ABC Islands are arid desert Islands with a persistent trade wind keeping the constant 80F temperature very pleasant.

Antelope & Grand Canyons, Arizona, are truely wonders of the world. I hiked down into the canyons on a few occassons, and am thus able to show a less common view of the beautiful, colorful landscape carved by the force of water.

Andros Island is the largest of the Andros Island archipelago, of the Bahamian Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The 140-mile barrier reef of Andros is the world's sixth longest. The reef is typically 1 –2 miles from shore so boat diving is the norm. The island is known as the bonefish capital of the world. It has a large quantity of blue holes, both underwater and within the land areas. Andros exports fresh water from its many springs.

Americana Is a gallery of things both patriotic and reminicent of early American culture and landmarks.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Canada were the highlights of our first RV, Recreational Vehicle, road trip. The journey took us across from Massachusetts to Wyoming, traveling the sights of Yellowstone, Glacier and up the Canadian Rockies. Our second westward journey took us through Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. This gallery encompasses the northern regions of Glacier and the Canadian west, exclusive of British Columbia, which is in its own gallery. See also the " Polar" gallery.

Alaska Bound. On a six-month trip by RV (Recreational Vehicle) my partner and I drove from Massachusetts to Washington and north to Alaska, then home again through Canada. These images are from the Alaskan segment of this road trip. It ranges from early July through mid-September. There are many other images than shown here which are available. I will add to this when returning to Alaska in the future.