Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Monday, May 31, 2010

La Samaritaine: Pieces of Sky

La Samaritaine, Paris Paris ~ May 4, 2004

I was so sad when I read Cieldequimper's and Halcyon's comments on yesterdays post featuring one of the lighting fixtures on this beautiful building (now extinct), that I went searching for more photos. I found a few of the outside and the inside. Here's one taken from Pont Neuf.

Cieldequimper gave me the first clue when she said, "It used to be a favourite of my Gran's and I have many fond memories there. To answer your question, it's now closed - forever." (Oh, no!)

Halcyon filled in the bad news: "Sadly the Samaritaine was closed due to asbestos. It would have cost too much to refurbish. I hope someone salvaged those lamps though. They are nice. I used to like to go to the top floor and have a coffee and enjoy the view."

Does anyone else have memories of this historic and beautiful landmark?

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.


This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Shedd Doors

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Light on La Samaritaine

Paris ~ May 4, 2004
La Samaritaine Department Store

I've enjoyed these lighting fixtures along the Seine side of La Samaritaine Department Store in Paris since I first saw the building in the late 1960s or early 1970s, so I was dismayed to see the fixtures gone on my last visit in 2008. I hope it was only for refurbishing and repair. The fixture looks to be somewhere between Art Deco and Art Nouveau in style, doesn't it? Or is it truly a Deco piece? What do you think? The current building was in progress between 1883 and 1933, so it spans both periods.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Friday, May 28, 2010

A Crab in the Aisle

Cancer the Crab in St. Denis Basilica, St. Denis, France St-Denis Basilica, St-Denis, France ~
October 15, 2008

You'll find this crab and gryphon among other images from the zodiac in the aisle leading to the high altar in St-Denis Basilica near Paris. I was surprised to see signs of the zodiac inside a church, but I should not have been. You can read more about the convention here.

Aisle to the High Altar, St. Denis Basilica, France
This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Boathouse, Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle Boathouse - River Avon, Warwickshire, England Warwick, England ~ February 17, 2010
Warwick Castle's Boathouse on the River Avon

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Reticulate Collared Lizard on a U.S. Postage Stamp

Reticulate Collared Lizard on a US Postage Stamp, 2003 Reticulate Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus)
Texas and Mexico
U.S. Postage Stamp ~ 2003

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Ski the Volcano

Mt. Hood, OregonMount Hood Meadows, Oregon ~ January 24, 2009

This is Mt. Hood as seen from the lodge at Mount Hood Meadows. I don't ski, so I entertained myself by checking out the mixed drinks. I don't drink that much, either, so let's just say a little went a long way. I remember the day as being especially enjoyable, especially the second part of the day. I watched ants in brightly-colored parkas going up and down the mountain, up and down, up and down, up and down. You get the picture. Meanwhile, the clouds (the real ones) caused the mountain to fade in out of view like the Cheshire Cat.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Chowder, Anyone?

San Francisco, California ~ February 2, 2007
San Francisco International Airport

Don't do this to me. Has someone figured out that you sell more seafood if the fish have happy smiles on their faces?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Santa Fe in San Diego

Santa Fe Train Station, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California ~ November 5, 2009
I grew up in Southern California an hour or so north of here, so palm trees and atmospheric architecture of this ilk were commonplace to me at one time. I've always appreciated them and found them of historic and artistic interest, but they were not unusual. Going back after so many years, and with so much modern construction having taken the place of the old, I see these buildings now as rare gems, and the palm trees and shadows as among the elements that evoke nostalgia — a sense of an era as well as a place. As I researched, I found that even this building supplanted an old Victorian station on the spot. Photo #6 on this site shows the station in Corona that I remember from childhood.
This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Elephantopiary

Elephant Topiary at the San Diego Zoo San Diego ~ November 5, 2009
San Diego Zoo

I probably should have gone up to see what his tusks were made of and how they were attached, but after a long day of walking around (long, but enjoyable), I didn't think of it. I was happily surprised to see the elephant waving goodbye to us with his trunk. (In my own mind; no, the trunk didn't move, even in California.)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A Viking Dragon?

Viking boot scraper, Oxford, England Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

This looks to me like a dragon's head, possibly Viking-era in style, although I really don't know what it is. We found it while walking along The High Street on a rainy day, and I'm guessing its function is for scraping mud off your boots before you enter the halls of learning.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Quiet Now

Mt. St. Helens Mount St. Helens, Washington ~ September 6, 2003

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Moo

Portland, Oregon ~ September 20, 2002
Portland International Airport

I hope there's something edible in that bucket. This cow looks hungry.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Circles and Squares

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 21, 2004
In front of Union Station

I love finding interesting things in the pavement.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

'Tis the Season for Salmon Flies on the Deschutes River, Oregon

Salmon fly (Pteronarcys californica)
Also called stone fly and willow fly
Central Oregon ~ May 30, 2004
Along the Deschutes River

Fly-fishers go crazy from mid-May to early June waiting for this little critter to hatch, because the trout and salmon also go crazy trying eat the insects. At that time, they'll bite at anything, especially tied salmon flies that look like the real thing to them. It's interesting that the salmon fly even has some of the coloring we call "salmon."

We were on the Deschutes River on May 30, 2004, with these harmless and pretty bugs flying everywhere. One of them landed and was very obliging when I asked to take it's photo. I wasn't fishing. I was enjoying all the things buzzing and crawling and blooming around the river bank. It was a beautiful day unless you were an unlucky fish or a salmon fly. Here are a few more links:


This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Dreams of Soaring

Egyptian Goddess and Bird, Louvre Museum, Paris Paris ~ May 6, 2004
Louvre Museum


This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Laundry on the Amazon

A House along the Amazon River, Brazil Amazon River, Brazil ~ April 27, 2007
Above Manaus


This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii ~ May 7, 2010

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii On first impression, it doesn't look like one tree. The shade was inviting, and the trunks beckoned me to explore.

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii The guy with the green shirt leaning against this mass of roots is working or playing on his laptop. As I gazed around, I realized that he wasn't alone. I'll bet there were at least five people sitting under the tree using their computers. This banyon tree and its assorted benches provide a sort of outdoor internet cafe (bring your own laptop, and I'm not sure where the connection comes from).

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii One tree creates a small forest of beatifully-textured roots and light-play from the tree's canopy.

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii This is the main trunk. Branches of varying sizes reach out horizontally and . . .

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii . . . like these, they drop roots in large clusters.

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii The roots eventually look like real trunks, and the branch continues to grow outward to form yet another trunk.

Big Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Here is a plaque at the base of the main trunk.

On another note, a funny thing happened while we were wandering under the tree. A young woman was telling a young man about the cruise she was on. She said, "We're stopping at some small town, then going on to Seattle, and then Alaska." Can you guess where that small town is? Right. Astoria, Oregon. If you're reading this and don't know me, that's where I live. I could say, "Small world," but so many cruise ships stop here that it's not such a coincidence. It did make us laugh, though. A few days after we got back, there was a cruise ship in port. I wonder if she was on it.


This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Signs by the Big Tree

Front and Canal Streets, by the big banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui, HawaiiLahaina, Maui, Hawaii ~ May 7, 2010

I often take photos of street signs just so I can identify where I've taken the other photos. In this case, I liked the sign, and on viewing it, I liked the trees and the sky. The green at the bottom of the photo is a famous gigantic banyan tree that takes up most of a block. I'll post its pictures tomorrow.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Pretty Birds

Birds on a U.S. Postage Stamp, 2002
Colorful birds on a U.S. postage stamp
commemorating John James Audubon ~
2002

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Perfect Spot on a Perfect Day

Tables and Chairs Outdoors, New York City - NYCNew York ~ May 6, 2009
Bryant Park
Avenue of the Americas at West 40th Street

I remember how enticing this place looked as we took our long walk up to MoMa and Central Park.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

In Focus

Feral Rock Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Napili, Maui, Hawaii ~ May 9, 2010

It's always a challenge. With most animals, it seems that focus is at least half the success. I do enjoy watching pigeons, and they're tame enough to let me practice.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Coq au Vin, Anyone?

A chicken on The Little French Restaurant London ~ February 19, 2010
South Kensington

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Fish and Shell Mosaic in the Women's Bathroom

Fish mosaic at a convention center, Portland, Oregon Portland, Oregon ~ c. 2003

I found this mosaic in a restroom at one of the Portland convention centers. I think it was the Rose Garden, but I'm no longer sure about that. We had attended a gift show before I had any clue about finding my way around Portland. I only remember I was happy to see that someone had thought of decorating the restroom with animals.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Shoe Tree in Central Oregon

A shoe tree in Central Oregon near Mitchell Highway 26, Central Oregon ~ July 20, 2007

Unfortunately, it was a gloomy, gray day, because a sight like this causes one to pull over and get out of the car, camera in hand, and it would have been nice to have better lighting. I'd never seen a shoe tree before, and this one was in the middle of nowhere, but not so far from Mitchell, Oregon, population 170 in the 2000 census. My guess is, it's about the same now.

A shoe tree in Central Oregon near Mitchell My old camera handled the lighting a little better as I got closer to the tree.

A shoe tree in Central Oregon near Mitchell Finally, a few colors.

A shoe tree in Central Oregon near Mitchell
The sign can't be read in my photo, but here's a link to a photo on Flickr that shows its humorous message. I'm only envious because they had a beautiful blue sky to work with. Below are a few more links of interest:

. Knot-cha-cha's visit to the shoe tree
. More about the shoe tree: Autum Wind Studios

The only other time I've seen flung shoes was in Portland, Oregon, with Francisca when she took this photo. I'm not sure if you'll need a Facebook account to see it.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Reflections on an Orca

Orca or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
Key Biscayne, Florida ~ January 14, 2008

We want to think they will "behave" and be our friends, but wild animals are wild animals, and we need to remember that. Recent tragedy reminds us. But how beautiful they are, how big, how powerful. How much to be appreciated and respected.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Parrotfish and Wrasse, Maui

Star-eyed Parrotfish and Saddle Wrasse, Maui, Hawaii Star-eyed Parrotfish (Calotomus carolinus) (above)
Saddle Wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey) (below)
Honolua Bay, Maui ~ May 8, 2010

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store

An Egret at Maryhill

Maryhill, Washington ~ October 5, 2003

Down the slope is the Columbia River. On the other side are miles and miles of arid, rocky terrain. Yet inside the Maryhill Museum of Art you'll find world-class exhibits of European origin. Sam Hill wanted his wife to forget about her life in Minneapolis and be content with him here in the West. It didn't work out, but he left an unusually interesting legacy and many miles of good roads. And this bronze egret.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Deer on Harrison Street

Deer on Harrison Street, Astoria, Oregon White-tailed deer
Astoria, Oregon ~ July 24, 2005

Deer on Harrison Street, Astoria, Oregon The fawn came right up to the back window.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Friday, May 14, 2010

Galloping Waves

Wind and waves on a desert-like Maui beach Maui, Hawaii ~ May 6, 2010
Ukumehame Beach Park

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Looks Like a Dinosaur?

Key Biscayne, Florida ~ January 14, 2008

This is one of my favorites among the animal photos I've taken. It is so in focus and in your face, plus the iguana's tongue is visible, and I can just feel it about to take another bite of the leaf!
It looks for all the world the way I imagine a dinosaur, although we now know that dinosaurs are related to modern-day birds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store