YEHLIU, Taiwan in 1980: What was once an iconic landmark on the northern shores of Taiwan where visitors stroll onto the small magical beach and find pretty maiden hawk their daily goods, is no longer. Today, it is a a park with a hefty entrance fee.

Queen and EM

YEHLIU, TAIWAN

In 1980, I was on a year-long assignment on Taiwan for National Geographic . It was a time the island, in fact, the whole world, was in the wake of an awakening giant, China. It’s nice to be back to the island 38 years later to find it thriving, clean, sophisticated and the people, honest. (You can tell by the cab drivers).

I was also happy to find the “Queen’s Head” at Yehliu still standing. Though smaller than I remember. (4,000 years will shrink anyone.) Seeing her again made me wondered whether the island will allow erosion to take its course or will they intervene and how?  I’ve been told that her neck has shrunk to four feet in circumference. After all, her stately features only came about in 1962-63 when part of the mushroom rock broke off to expose her majesty.

With me to this cape on the north coast was my muse and adopted daughter Em Marie. She  joined her mother and me on the only day-off from her busy modeling schedule. Having never met the Queen, (named after Queen Elizabeth) I thought she was quite apropos in her presentation. 

Full resolution of the image is 5 feet by 2.5 feet.
(Click on image to view lighted color version)

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Ruth Lester

Welcome to the future blog page about Ruth Lester. LIFE Magazine Photo Editor and Portfolio Editor at the International Center of Photography. Enter to see more photo. Circa 1973

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Robert Pledge

PHOTO AGENT
Future blog page about Robert Pledge the founder of Contact Photo Agency will be added here. Enter now to see photos. Since 1984.

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Susan Biddle

PHOTOGRAPHER
A future blog about White House photographer Susan Biddle will be completed. Enter now to see photos. Since 1978.

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Paul Jernberg

PROFESSOR
A future blog about my longest known friend Paul Jernberg will be added here. Enter now to see photos. Since 1969.

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