The Last German Spring

On my last Sunday in Germany we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and take one last tour of the Franconian countryside.  First stop was to Walberla and then we made our way to Hohenstein for one last Windbeutel.

Germany travel stock photography:  Cherry tree blossom in spring, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Germany travel stock photography:  farm field in spring, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Germany travel stock photography:  farm field in spring, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Homeward

On Tuesday afternoon I’ll be walking onto a plane in Munich and flying 10,000km west, to California. It’s been a constant battle to stay here in Germany (the legal way, that is), but I’ve finally run out of options, for now. The last weeks have been busy while trying to take in as much of Germany as possible before heading home.  The days have been so nice lately, seems a bit of a shame to have to leave just now…

Mr. Stork arrived a few weeks back, while the Mrs. showed up a couple days ago.

Stork nest on chimney, Bavaria, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

On Easter Sunday we took a lazy afternoon trip over to the historic city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  It’s one of the cooler cities that I’ve been to here, and judging by the hordes of guidebook carrying tourists of all nationalities, I’m not alone in my thinking.

A cool old wall surrounds the town, which after climbing a flight of stairs, one can walk around on and enjoy a rooftop view across the city.  Anywhere one looked, cool old towers were rising into the sky.  Cobble stone streets and colorful old buildings finished up the mood.

HIstoric city Wall and guard towers, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Historic stone tower, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Cobble stone city square, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Walkway along historic stone wall, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Historic stone tower, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Cobble stone street, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Europa Park

Finally made a visit to Europa Park the other week.  Sort of like Disneyland, but the park is themed after the countries of Europe; So there is a “France” region, a “Scandinavia,” an “Italy” and so forth.  Got lucky with some nice spring weather; first time I’ve put on sunblock in a long time.  Only took a few pictures as I spent most of my time standing in lines for ride.  Good times.

Europa park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Europa park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Europa park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Europa park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Days of Spring

Spring has arrived here in the Oberpfalz. Growing up in southern California, I never knew seasons. But after a long winter here in northern Bavaria, the first leaves of spring are nothing less than magic. And by now the forests are nearly completely green, as if the winter had never existed in the first place. The days are once again long and warm; the sun rising early and staying up late. The storks are back on their chimney and song birds wake me up all too early in the morning if I forget to close the window at night. The street-side cafe’s have once again set up their chairs outside and one looks for a shady place to sit to escape the hot midday sun. These last days make the cold of winter easily forgotten. Life has returned.

Green leaf in Spring, Bavaria, Germany

Cherry tree Blossom in spring, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan Photography

Cherry tree Blossom in spring, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan Photography

Cherry tree Blossom in spring, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan Photography

Pegnitz Highline

My buddy Till walking the line on the outskirts of Pegnitz yesterday evening.

Cody Duncan Photography: Highline, Pegnitz, Bavaria, Germany

Cody Duncan Photography: Highline, Pegnitz, Bavaria, Germany

Cody Duncan Photography: Highline, Pegnitz, Bavaria, Germany

Cody Duncan Photography: Highline, Pegnitz, Bavaria, Germany

Hoher Göll

Panoramic photo Hoher Göll massif as seen from Jenner from the other week while down in the mountains of Berchtesgaden.  Stitch of 4 photos at 35mm.

Panoramic stock photo: Hoher Goell massif in winter, Berchtesgaden alps, Bavaria, Germany

Sun

I was walking to the bakery this morning and I got the feeling that something wasn’t right.  Took me a minute to figure it out, that the sun was shining and even a few birds were singing.  Spent the past weekend down in Regensburg, but the camera never made it out of the backpack.  On Friday I will be “flying into winter” for a few days, more when I get back.

Deutschland Stadt bilder: Rathaus, Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Bayern

Picture: Auerbach Rathaus (city hall).

Wind Turbines

Driving around yesterday I came across a few wind turbines in a farm field. The pictures don’t really show just how big these things are, but they are huge (for those that have never stood beneath one). The turning of the blades makes this ominous sounding ‘swooshing’ sound.

Alternative green energy production stock photo: Power generating wind turbines stand in farm field, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan photography

Alternative green energy production stock photo: Power generating wind turbines stand in farm field, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan photography

Alternative green energy production stock photo: Power generating wind turbines stand in farm field, Bavaria, Germany. Cody Duncan photography

16 Stops of Neutral Density

Today was a nice day of spring weather, which means that within 10 minutes any combination of: sun, rain, hale, or snow is possible, and most likely all of them. Even heard a rumble of thunder at one point, which sent me off chasing one of the storm front hoping to catch some lightning, but only managed to find wind and hale.

Passed this hunting stand on the road.  16 stops on ND for something around a 3 minute exposure.

16 stops neutral density daytime exposure of clouds, Germany