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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Chicago School, 1893

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

I don't know if it would be easier to learn in a school like this, but I'll bet it would be a more inspirational way to start the day than the ugly Bauhaus-looking school I attended in Southern California. I think I would imagine that it was a museum with all kinds of esoteric information inside rather than the characterless and forbidding facade of my school that made me want to run away and retrieve my sense of self.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Bench Mysteries of Oxford

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

I'm convinced that these modern-looking benches were made just to confuse people like me. Alternating with the ones that look like rolltop desks (above) are flat benches like the ones below. The curved benches were obviously quite wet, or I would have tried them to see if they're comfortable. Any clues?



This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Mountain Meadows and Lilly Pads

Near Bend, Oregon ~ June 7, 2009

We had driven outside of Bend into the mountains, but I don't remember the name of this nearly-pristine location. The air was crisp and clear and whistled gently through the trees as it can only in forested meadows betweent the high peaks.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gryphons on a Stone Shield

St-Denis, France ~ October 15, 2008
St-Denis Basilica

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Yellowtail Coris, Hawaii

Hawaii ~ September 25, 2007
Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook's Monument)

Usually it's nice when the fish cooperates and gives you a fish-like profile, but in this photo I was happy get some of the brilliant blue spots and the flowerlike tail.

By the way, for any of you who enjoyed my "On the Pavement" blog, I merged it with "Tapirgal's Daily Image" last night. All of the photos and comments are here. I'll be including "pavement" photos among the other posts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Friday, October 22, 2010

The Other Direction

South Junction, Central Oregon ~ June 2, 2005

This picture is a companion to yesterday's photo. I was standing in just about the same spot, facing the other direction. I like the way the car blurred at the right of the photo.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Displacement

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 27, 2010
Outside the Flavel House on Duane Avenue

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Train at South Junction

South Junction, Central Oregon ~ June 2, 2005

There's nothing like being right up close when they come rumbling and screeching through. In this case, you can't see the scenery, but the wild and daunting Deschutes River lies at the bottom of a slope on the right. This photo is also dedicated, and you know who you are.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Eastern Hercules Beetle

US Postage Stamp, 1999

It's amazing what you can find on stamps. I think this image is particularly well done.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wednesday Doorway: A Basilica in Rome

Rome ~ April 13, 2004

Posted in honor of a blogging friend whose images are making me "homesick" for a faraway city.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Friday, October 8, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Beach Called Two-step

Hawaii (Big Island) ~ September 22, 2007
A remarkable snorkeling place
The hut on the outcropping may be a cultural center.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fish Mola from Panama

Panama City, Panama ~ January 17, 2006

I'm sorry about the lousy photo quality, but I couldn't resist taking pictures of several of the framed molas hanging in the restaurant area of a hotel we stayed in. Molas are a very particular kind of reverse applique stitchery made by the Indians in the Kuna Islands of Panama. Every little detail is stitched by hand, the edges of the cloth are turned under, and you end up with layer upon layer of beautifully intricate stitching as well as fascinating, artistic designs. As you can tell, I love molas. They were originally made to be worn as blouses by the women. When the sleeves and the seams wore out, they would take the design off and make it into a new blouse. Now they are sold to tourists as artwork in its own right with ragged fabric edges rather than turning into something to wear. The ragged edges are usually hidden under a frame.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Wombat at the Lugnasa Festival

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 26, 2008

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stripes

Portland, Oregon ~ February 16, 2008
Burchell's or plains zebra
The Oregon Zoo

At least, I think this is Burchell's zebra. Zebras have been seen in photos and books and at zoos for so long that we get used to looking at them. But when you really begin to think in a fresh way about the patterns and colors on these animals, zebras a truly amazing-looking creatures not like anything else on Earth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.
Yes, we have zebras!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Alex at Smith Rock

Near Terrebonne, Oregon ~ September 1, 2009
Smith Rock State Park

This is my friend Alex from Panama. In nice weather there is always either a full or sparse line of people - but always someone - winding their way up or down the trail. Others are climbing the rock with technical gear. Climbers come from all over the country and beyond. There are areas for beginners, intermediates, and . . . I assume the experts can also find something to do. What you see here is a small part of the formation. There are overhangs, 90-degree angles, and the great bulb of "Monkey Face" on the other side. The hiking trail is plenty for me. The front side is not long, but it's steep. Then there's the other side . . . a beautiful walk if you're up to it. I posted the beginning of this trail earlier on the blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.