Stefan Gebenus

Hohwachter Bucht, Germany. June 2009.

It’s a new day,
it’s a new dawn,
it’s a new life…

Taken at 4:30 am. It was an incredible moment.

Near Hamburg,  Germany. May 2009.

Wild Iris Versicolor, growing next to the pond in our garden.

Chania, Crete / Greece. May 2008.

I have no idea why it is called Ice Plant – after all, it looks more like summer sunshine. And the other nicknames of this Carpobrotus Edulis are actually not much better: Pigface, or Hottentot Fig. In German, they are called ‘Mittagsblume’ (Lunch Flower), and I somewhere read that they are edible.

Well, I prefer to take photos of them…

My Garden, October 2008.

Again, apologies for the lack of uploads. I am still refining my editing skills. But I took this rose dew picture in my garden last saturday, and thought it would make a good “I’m still alive” post…

Redwood National Park, California / USA. September 1995.

Feeling really small under some really, really big trees…

Tierpark Hagenbeck / Hamburg, Germany. April 2007.

It’s not hard to tell that this bear really enjoys bathing.

Published with kind permission of Tierpark Hagenbeck.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for the content of external websites.

Altes Land, Germany. April 2007.

This bee is certainly enjoying the dainties that spring has to offer in the Altes Land area, which is one of Germany’s largest growing areas for apples and other fruit. It is located south-west of Hamburg. I would recommend to visit it in spring (mid to late April, depending on the weather). The sight of thousands of apple trees being abloom is just spectacular.

Hamburg, Germany. October 2006.

“Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.”
- John Ruskin

Hamburg, Germany. May 2007.

The bumblebees just loved the huge rhododendron in our old garden. They came around for breakfast, lunch and diner every day. This brave guy sure did not leave hungry.

Near Travemünde, Germany. May 2007.

A tree on the cliffs near Brodten, at the German Baltic Sea coast.

Tierpark Hagenbeck / Hamburg, Germany. April 2007.

He looked me straight into the eyes. Yes, this picture was taken at the zoo. But there can be no doubt that this mighty beast was fully aware of my presence at this moment.

Published with kind permission of Tierpark Hagenbeck. Whenever you are in Hamburg, make sure to pay them a visit. It is one of the most beautiful zoos I have ever visited.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for the content of external websites.

Near Hamburg, Germany. March 2008.

Now, go ahead and call me shameless, but I had my camera set up already before this adorable couple decided to give me a very special show. I took this as their consent to publish this intimate picture for you to enjoy.

Update, 28 Aug 2009: The folks at Gizmodo.com found this picture and used it to promote a design contest for an alternative Apple Snow Leopard box. Check the result – it’s hilarious! Link

And speaking about being shameless: as this photo seems to enjoy quite a bit of extra attention these days, I would like to take the chance and advertise my latest project for aviation enthusiats:

http://www.netAirspace.com/

Tierpark Hagenbeck / Hamburg, Germany. April 2007.

There was a young lady of Riga,
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger.
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside
And the smile on the face of the tiger.
- Author unknown.

This tiger certainly has no lady inside. He’s just taking a rest to quench his thirst.

Published with kind permission of Tierpark Hagenbeck.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for the content of external websites.

Near Hamburg, Germany. December 2007.

It was a freezing winter’s night, but the oak tree took the cold with an eternal grace. In the background, the everlasting glow of the city completed a very memorable atmosphere.

Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel, Germany. June 2007.

This little fellow and myself obviously share the same passion: spotting airplanes. But I really envied him for getting so much closer to the action than I could…

Near Ijmuiden, The Netherlands. April 2007.

“Happiness is having a scratch for every itch.”
- Ogden Nash

Chania, Crete / Greece. May 2008.

Really, what was this horse thinking!? The sign clearly reads: no parking! Does he think his fancy hat will help him? This is so wrong…

(Taken in the port of Chania – this picture is not ‘photoshopped’.)

Keukenhof, The Netherlands. April 2007.

A field of golden tulips at Keukenhof Gardens.

Published with kind permission of Keukenhof Gardens.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for the content of external websites.

Near Hamburg, Germany. March 2008.

Easter 2008. Still some snow on the ground. But when the storks return, spring cannot be far.

Near Hamburg, Germany. December 2007.

In a clear winter night, 2 days before Christmas, I went down to the pond in our yard to see if I could find some elves or gnomes. As you can see on the picture, I did not find any, but the scenery was magic nonetheless.

Espelkamp, Germany. October 2007.

Pearls of dew, shimmering like diamonds in the sun, are this spider’s first catch of the day.

Espelkamp, Germany. October 2007.

Pretty fly for a (red’n) white guy…

Hamburg, Germany. April 2007.

We tried to stare each other down. He won the game, but I got this picture in exchange.

Keukenhof, The Netherlands. April 2007.

If you like tulips, go visit Keukenhof Gardens in spring. I have never seen so many flowers before.

Published with kind permission of Keukenhof Gardens.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for the content of external websites.