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About Me

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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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January 8, 2010

sarangani: kawas mangrove forest


Strong and Sturdy
a mature mangrove tree stood firm against the waves

The wind and the waves were stronger than I expected. Several times I almost got toppled over. Its just the second day of the year but here I am already drenched in seawater, looking for another coastal beauty along the north western shores of Sarangani bay.

I got together with several of my friends in General Santos (home of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao) and headed to a place called Kawas in the coastal town of Alabel, a few minutes from GenSan. Unlike the previous days, weather was great this time and we were hoping to have a good sunset. I was excited to field test a new camera body my brother gave me without hesitation (after twisting his arm) after seawater damage mine during my Guimaras trip.

Late Afternoon at the Mangroves
mangroves act as natural breakwaters

It was more than a decade ago when I last visited the place. We used to go here in my elementary and high school days to collect specimens for our biology classes. It looked different now, the shoreline particularly. The mangroves at the reforestation area (found on both ends of a now established resort) are fully grown.

Kawas, Alabel, Sarangani
sundown in mono

The place was beautiful, save for the visible shreds of plastic bags and wrappers that got tangled in some roots and low branches of the trees. The local government should seriously look into this as these garbage can also harm marine life.

Kawas, Alabel, Sarangani
strong and steady

Finding place to setup for the shoot was tricky. The waves got stronger as the sun dipped towards the horizon. The wind was picking up too. Walking on submerged rocks and roots and keeping your balance as waist high waves rock you while trying to keep your camera gears out of reach of the splashes was a daunting task.

Kawas, Alabel, Sarangani
dance of the mangroves

Most of the spots we preselected were already in deep waters by the time Mother Nature showed her sunset colors. I moved to a safer location, closer to shore, rather than risk getting my gears wet.

My aching feet, bruised by sharp rocks and pricked by the thorns of shrubs, seemed like a minor inconvenience as I watched the mangroves sway with the wind against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset sky. I did not mind starting my 2010 this way.

Check out other views of the world in Thats My World.
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Lantaw
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22 comments:

sheng said...

Woohoo! I love the colors, fany colors you got there, we should have this kind of shoots more often. That is, when you get home more often too. Hehe, lovely shots!

Unknown said...

i would gladly endure aching feet just to see this idyllic place. i would probably linger and soak up the natural beauty of this mangrove forest. all great photos, the 4th is my favorite.

Nilo Manalo said...

very nice!

Anonymous said...

another great set sir allan! congrats! -jet

witsandnuts said...

It's must-see place. Ang ganda!

Lantaw said...

Thank you all! :)

@sheng, try ko puli more often :D

bertN said...

Puedeng i-frame yung mga photos mo! I'm envious.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic!! as always! The sky, the colors, the mangroves! Absolutely breathtaking! Looking at your photos, reading your description, makes me feel as though I have been there! Thanks for another marvelous trip! Have a good week!

Sylvia

January Zelene said...

wow! ang ganda ng mga kuha... wish ko, sana ganyan din ako kagaling katulad mo... saludo ako sayo!

visit mine too...

Bohol Church

Erin said...

awesome captures...so enjoyed visiting today :)

Jim said...

Your photos of this place are really beautiful.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

LadyFi said...

Such stunning photos of great natural beauty.

Louise said...

Spectacular shots. I love the colors (and no-color, too) and the movement. Wonderful!

Photo Cache said...

Oh my goodness, reading this post is like scanning a glossy travel magazine. Fantastic.

My entry is over at http;//ewok1993.wordpress.com

Nancy Bea Miller said...

I think these are some of the most stunning nature photographs I have ever seen!!! I am in awe, both of your artistry and the natural beauty of the trees and waves. Wow!

Ferdz said...

Bihasa na agad sa D90 :D

Ganda talaga kunan ng mangroves. Their very picturesque especially with the sunset. I love the gradation of colors sa mono.

GingGoy said...

nice...nice...nice
lapit na summer...can't wait tho wala na ko halos time to travel :(

Lantaw said...

Thank you for the heartwarming comments!

@Ferdz, kailangan e hehehe

@tutubi, why no time? dapat may time lagi for travel hehehe

Jenn said...

Lovely indeed. Great shots as usual. I love how you capture water. I was in Lake Sebu last Christmas holiday and had a blast! Thanks to you as your blog helped a lot in terms of where to go and who to contact. :-D Will post soon (hopefully).

Lantaw said...

@jenn, wow! glad you had a great time there. will wait for your posts :)

Anonymous said...

hey, those trees were awesome! it looks like the trees just survived throuh a flood but it's really a mangrove tree forest.

marilyn alfanoso said...

wow... ang ganda!

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[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)