It is hard to come to Belize and not see some Mayan ruins. Some have been restored to the point that they don’t look real. Lubaantun (LOO-bahn-TOON), where we went, is an excellent example of ruins. No, there aren’t any tidy pyramids, but there are superb examples of stone work.

Antonio, our guide for those of you new to the blog, related the history of this amazing site to our group. They were fascinated, and asked a lot of questions.

As Arnie and I worked with people, some asked where we had done this or that shot last year, but we always encouraged them to make their own photographs

I did another image for our exhibition next summer, Tropical Impressions from Belize. I can’t wait to see it printed!

. As we were getting ready to leave, I saw this tree. I walked this way and that, looking for the right angle. It quickly became clear to me that I needed to lie down on the ground to get the shot I wanted, so down I went, using my camera bag as a pillow!

We made our way back to the bus, some stopping to look at wares made by the Mayan ladies who laid them out on blankets and cloths on the ground. One cannot buy from everyone, but I did want t get some more basket earrings, and one of the ladies had some that I liked.

After washing up and eating another tasty lunch at the Lodge, we went down to the dock for the boat ride down to Ben Coleman’s place at the mouth of the river on the Bay of Honduras. Ben is a fisherman and often sells his catch to the Lodge.

He is a lovely man, and this year, we got to meet his wife who was having eye surgery when we were there last year.

Ben and his wife loaded the nets into his boat, then showed us around their place. He cut open some coconuts, so people could try the fresh milk. There was plenty to photograph.

The kitchen is away from the house, as is typical in many southern climes, including the US not all that many years ago.

We were taken with the old kettle boiling water on a grill over the open fire. Soon, we saw plantains frying in a small, cast-iron pan. They were like banana chips, only better! Everyone really enjoyed them.

Back in the boat, we followed Ben and his wife out along the shore as they laid their nets for the evening catch.

The first anchor went over the side of Ben’s boat, and he and his wife cast one of the nets into the water as the boat moved along. At the end of the net, they dropped another anchor. Then, they moved to another area not too far away and cast another net. In the morning, they go out again to get whatever fish are caught and either sell them at the market in Punta Gorda or to the Lodge.

With two nets laid, Ben turned the boat around and headed back to his house. Shooting into the light made a wonderful photograph!

We went back upriver, making numerous stops for Egrets, Tiger Herons, Green Iguana, cayuks (traditional dugout canoes), and any number of other possible subjects.

I was waiting for a certain Cotton Tree that I remembered from last year. Yes, it was still there, and the late-afternoon light cast a nice glow on it and added to the intensity of the reflections.

We were going further upriver, but people were tired and looking forward to Happy Hour at the Lodge. We gathered around two tables, downloading images and enjoying one another’s company. It was another good day.

We always enjoy comments.
We hope you will LIKE this blog (just above the blog title above) and SHARE it (below) with those interested in photography and travel along with the following:

• Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures
• Facebook page
• YouTube videos