Backyard Pansies [Today's Flowers]

My wife's back and front yard is like a mini-botanical garden. Here are two of the pansies growing there. I'll be posting other flowers of hers over time -- if you are patient enough to keep scrolling down, you'll come to the japanese anemones, rose of sharon and white rose, which were all from around the house. Since I've become interested/active in photographing them, why, I've had to learn their names -- lol.

London Sky/Eye [Sky Watch Friday]

This is not the sky one would expect to see in London, but we lucked out -- 9 days of sunshine and 1 cloudy day-- so, this sky is not a product of 'photoshopping'. I shot this from Westminster Bridge [love the street lights] down the Thames to catch the London Eye. Blimey, all of a sudden I need some Fish-n-Chips.

Tulips [Today's Flowers]

   Here are two views of tulips that one doesn't often see [speaking for myself]. In any event, they never fail to please. These were shot in the Balimore Conservatory, a lovely place to visit.

Silhouette [Sunday Stills: In the Sky]

One rather amusing observation we made walking through Madrid was that the most ornamental buildings were banks. I don't know what, if anything, that reflects on Spanish culture -- but it was a fact. I wondered if this statue depicted an angel on its way to make a deposit ---

Austin, TX Reflections [Sky Watch Friday]

In Oct. 2010, we visited friends who had moved to Austin, TX. We were quite amazed at how much the landscape reminded us of upstate NY. It was green, hilly and abounded with flowers - no tumbleweeds or Stetson hats to be seen -- LOL. On a walk from the UT, I caught this view. Now I just love reflections and silhouettes, so I had to stop and shoot---glad I did.

Still in Texas, we were driving back to Austin from a day trip in San Antonio. I was sitting 'shotgun' and couldn't help noticing the sky in the sideview mirror. Had to shoot it!! I apoligize for the funky way my captions (mis)align under my images. They look good while I am typing, but go astray when I click on Publish Post -- I welcome any helpful suggestions.

Am Rhein [Sky Watch Friday]

We were winding up a delightful 'Rheinfahrt' when I caught view of the castle silhouetted against the evening sky. It was almost a one good shot or cry about it situation -- I got lucky [thank you telephoto lens!].

Orchid [Today's Flowers]

 I was not sure whether this is an orchid or not. Since several kind viewers  have assured me it is [merci beaucoup], I have modified the title and caption. -- I love to get inside flowers and experience a diiferent perspective. This was taken with a Canon A720 'point and shoot'.

Peabody Institute Spiral [Sunday Stills: Looking High, Looking Low]

We visited Baltimore's Peabody Institute last month and I spied this wonderful spiral staircase. I actually lay down on the floor and shot straight up! If you don't know the context, it's hard to say what the heck is going on -- cool beans!

Magnolia Tree in Full Bloom

After the rainiest April on record, the sun has begun to appear with greater regularity in Rochester, NY. And, everything is turning green and in the process of blooming. Our magnolia tree is usually the last one to reach its peak, and it is just about there.

              As beautiful as they may be, unfortunately, the magnolias around here have no scent.

   I really like this image. Think I'll use it for a photo note/greeting card. The down side of all this is that    when the petals come down, there will be one helluva mess to contend with. Sigh--

Rockefeller Center Exit Doors [Sunday Stills: Doors and Doorknobs]

Rockefeller Center is an absolute gem and model of the Art Deco craze in the early 20th century. We were in NYC in Oct. 2010 and caught a weekend when there was open house at many iconic locales. I couldn't get enough of the glitzy interior of Rckefeller Center -- even something as mundane as the exit doors.

Webster Park Beach Sunsets-- Lake Ontario [Sky Watch Friday]

These two sunset photos were taken on different evenings -- one never knows what to expect up on the lake.  But, who can resist sky, water and a setting sun?