Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (20)
Faemike55
wild shot
very cool
durleybeachbum
Wow! Astonishing!
Jay-el-Jay
Massive plants.I wonder how old they are?
ArtistKimberly
Fantastic
junge1
@Jay-el-Jay: The trees could be anywhere from 1,500 to over 2,500 years old!
flavia49
very lovely
jocko500
some big trees
Richardphotos
hey Sig. been a long time since we met in Phoenix. great capture and tree
junge1
@Richardphotos! Thats right Richard. Spring 2009!
beachzz
almost in my backyard--they are pretty impressive trees!!
starship64
They are big, aren't they? Great comparison.
virginiese
Hey ! You look like a dwarf in front of this huge tree ! Great capture. I love big trees too : they are so majestic and certainly very old ! We should protect nature better !!!
farmerC
as we say, are really healthy boys.
Cyve
WOW... What a fabulous trees... Outstanding capture my friend... Really OUTSTANDING !!!
ontar1
Wow, that is fantastic!
UteBigSmile
Dein neuer Schnappschuss schaut fantastisch aus und du sooooooooooooooooo klein!
drifterlee
Wow! It's huge!!!!
MrsRatbag
I didn't know you were such a small man, lol! No, those trees really are giants...great pic!
SunriseGirl
Great comparison shot.
auntietk
You seem so much taller in person! LOL!