This forum is a mouthful!

I read and here's my quick response, knowing I will come back later after mulling it over.

I can't agree more getting to the exotic places. I so wish to see the Yosemite, Old Faithful, the deserts and The Ditch near Vegas and the ever falling snow of Minnesota! And a BISON! People keep telling me African sunsets are beautiful and I agree but after looking at other sunsets I realized they may ALL be the same! So i challenged some folks in a recent upload to go do "their sunsets" and I believe I have a point. Sunsets are good anywhere! Depending on humidity, clouds, ambiance, water (reflections) and the height of the sun. Realizing this my frame  of mind changed a little about the exotic places. Sunsets are but one example.

Having said this, most of my pictures are taken within 4 miles of my home, even the ones I upload, are within 20 miles from my home. I feel so put to shame when Carin (meisiekind) uploads her Canada pics, New York and so forth in such a blase fashion along with the most expensive resorts in Africa. BUT I am not going to tell her, LOL.  I keep shooting because I observe like gradient and girsempa that most great pics were after all not that exotic to the photographer.

Another thing about South Africa. Most people do not realize I have my whole photography menu set in an area little bigger than ONE of the States in the USA! The rest of Africa (pardon if I generalize) is good for capturing hordes of little emaciated black children all over - in war torn countries.

Most probably my best pic was of a giraffe annoying me, for following me while after an "exotic" Sable Antelope.

Do I differ from you Tom? Yes and no! If I may add my point of view in this relaxed debatable format: I would love to be in those exotic places but I also realized we all regard exotic areas to be the doorsteps of others. Thank you for bringing up this interesting point.

Are we in for challenge Bruce?

Piet Vermeulen, South Africa