Tomorrow is Halloween, a holiday I’ve always been of two minds on. On one hand, I’ve had many fun Halloweens. We used to decorate the basement in the house I grew up in, and on a couple occasions I remember parties down there with all my friends from school and the neighborhood. We would run around all amped up on sugar, bobbing for apples and playing pranks. The evening was capped off by sitting on the cement walls bordering the backyard, that huge oak tree forming a black silhouette in the center, telling ghost stories.
On the other hand, since reaching adulthood, I haven’t really taken to the holiday like when I was a kid. To me, it is a holiday for children, and never has had the enduring spirit of Christmas. It seems a little ridiculous how excited some adults get. I’ve even cynically thought of it as simply an excuse to get drunk at Halloween parties. Am I too much the curmudgeon? Probably, haha! Anyway, here are a few shots I managed to find with a more or less spooky mood to them.
Happy Halloween!

A termite tower in Botswana’s Okavango Delta takes on a sinister aspect next to an equally spooky looking acacia tree.

More good old Oregon fog. I don’t think this shot is that scary looking. The light was rather magical but not scary.

Mayan temples, such as this one at Tikal, Guatemala, don’t necessarily look scary. That is, until you realize what happened just inside that small doorway – human sacrifice!

Near dark deep in a Columbia River Gorge side-canyon, fog and water combine to create a ghostly aparition.

The only shot like this I got in Africa, these scavenging marabou storks are perched above an elephant carcass at sunset. Don’t worry, the elephant was not the victim of poachers in this case.
Beautiful photographs!!!! If I had to choose one…May be the termite tower in Botswana…The tree is wonderful!!!
Thank you!
I share the same views of Halloween as you do Mike. I do love your images, particularly that last one.
Thanks LuAnn!
All beautiful shots Michael, but the marabous are magnificent!
Thanks! Coming from you of course that is a complement to be particularly proud of.
You’re far too generous with your compliments Michael. I never visit your blog without being absolutely awed, and inspired to keep trying!
Love the spooky photos. I have so much fun doing Halloween. Well, I’m almost 70 and the queen of tacky at Halloween with 18 bins of Halloween stuff to decorate the inside and outside. I’m into cute, not scary. This includes a 9′ tunnel and 6′ lighted spider. Our house is a fun destination and I’ve hosted 3 fun parties this year…including one tomorrow night. And we have just a ranch house so nothing big or elaborate. It all started in 1989 when we started going to a new church and I became in charge of their Halloween party which was a pretty big deal. I bought decorations after Halloween at 90% off. So with clearance sales and yard sales I’ve gotten some neat stuff. AND I always give a couple bins to charity. I give stuff to kids at our Halloween party (plush creatures). And I don’t give out candy; rather, I give nice rings and necklaces. I didn’t have fun as a kid so I’m doing it now.
Wow Annette you really go for it! My uncle when he was alive did up his house like that. And he actually used to be much more of a critic of Halloween than I am. I want to trick or treat your house!
Have fun tonight!
I pretty much agree with you about Halloween.
These are spooktacular images. 🙂
Spooktacular huh? Haha!
Hope you have a good one!
You too John!