Gaeta, Italy: Navigator's Monument

Gaeta, Italy ~ April 17, 2004

We stopped in Gaeta, simply a promontory on the map, because we wanted to stretch our legs and we were hungry. As it turned out, we could hardly have chosen a more picturesque place. Above, you get a better view of the harbor. Below is a better exposure of the monument. Giovanni Cabota is known to the English-speaking world as John Cabot, and Gaeta is one of the two places that may have been his birthplace. The other candidate is Castiglione Chiavarese.

Click the photo to enlarge, then click again.

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Mural and Wrought Iron: La Samaritaine, Paris

Paris ~ May 4, 2005

Art Nouveau design inside La Samaritaine department store

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Sabino Canyon after Rain

Sabino Canyon, Arizona ~ December 30, 2004

Here is another photo from the same hike. It had rained hard all night, and the day was beautiful and perfect for hiking.

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Garden and Fortress

Vatican City ~ April 15, 2004

Gardens of the Vatican

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Segways in the Rain

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

Just outside Shedd Aquarium

I've just been talking to someone who took Segway tours in Paris and other cities in Europe this summer. He said that in Italy, they didn't take tours, but you could rent Segways in many towns. This may be fun when your feet get tired. I'd love to try it! I'm clearly behind the times, because this photo was taken in 2005. I've never been on one. Have you?

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Made for Reflecting

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 22, 2005

Tacoma Art Museum

Weekend Reflections

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Ornate Doors in Paris

Paris ~ May 5, 2004

West Doors of Notre Dame Cathedral

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South Junction Without the Train

South Junction, Oregon ~ June 2, 2005

This is the railroad bed, site of two earlier posts (here) and (here) with the train. I love this wild landscape, I love trains, and there's a scenic river down the grade where people sometimes think they're going to catch a fish or two.

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Snow on Bricks

Bend, Oregon ~ December 28, 2009

No tweaking here - the colors of the day desaturated the photo.

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Charlie Musselwhite, Portland

Portland, Oregon ~ July 1, 2005

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A Lion on the Door, Basilica of Sacre Coeur

Paris ~ October 18, 2008

A door of the Basilica of Sacre Coeur

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Shaggy Cows

Washington ~ January 25, 2010

Along the I-5 Corridor near Battle Ground

I got a nice close-up view of the bucolic scenery along I-5 when I had to walk to get a gas can while my passenger was hitching to the airport. Francisca may remember this. I was so embarrassed, but it was a pleasant walk on a sunny winter day. I'm glad it wasn't pouring rain, and a Good Samaritan not only got her there on time, but came back to make sure I was OK!

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In the Meadow

Near Crater Lake, Oregon ~ May 7, 2005

Weekend Reflections

When we found Crater Lake still packed with snow, we took a few photos and came down to lower ground. Here the walking was easier without snow gear, and the water was clear as crystal.

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Imposing

Port Townsend, Washington ~ September 21, 2003

Jefferson County Courthouse

Looking more like something designed by Louis Sullivan for construction in Chicago, this imposing Romanesque building cannot help but catch one's attention as they pass by. When I looked it up online, I found Stan Rule's blog, which in turn links to a PDF file about the building's history. (Gotta love the Web, yes?) You might also enjoy Port Townsend Daily Photo.

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Whales in the Swimming Pool

Maui, Hawaii ~ May 7, 2010

Outrigger Napili Shores Resort

This mosaic of mama humpback and her baby added a lot to the poolside effect for me. I didn't go in the pool, so this is as close as I got. I spent my time chasing fish with a camera in the ocean instead.

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Man and Nature

New York ~ May 6, 2009

Central Park

Primordial glacially-scoured bedrock coexists in harmony with the designing hand of humans in and around Central Park. This, I think, is part of the fascination.

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The Best "Fall Colors House"

Bend, Oregon ~ November 6, 2010

As Lee and I were driving to Starbucks, this gorgeous vision caught both of us by surprise. I drove around the block and walked alongside the house to various angles. This shot is the only one that even marginally captures the glowing brilliance of this yellow house in the glow of the golden leaves. At times like this you want to just ditch the camera and bathe yourself in the awesome perfection of the moment. There was even a comfy fall cat sitting on the porch wall.

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I Love Eels

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

Fire eels (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) at the

Shedd Aquarium

As the title says, I love eels, and fire eels are among my favorite. I think of this species as small, because most of my experience with them has been in smaller home or pet store fish tanks. These two were probably between 12 and 18 inches long when I saw them at the Shedd Aquarium (maybe longer, it's hard to remember), but I've just learned that 3 feet is not an unusual size for a fire eel if your tank is big enough. The Aquatic Community web site says fire eels can be found in "floods and streams in India, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). The Fire eel has an elongated body that can reach a length of 100 centimeters (40 inches) in the wild." The ones in fish tanks tend to be shy and they don't bite. I wonder about the big ones. . . .

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Remembering Jimi Hendrix at the Woodland Park Zoo

Seattle, Washington ~ May 5, 2008

It seems to me that zoos have become more and more eclectic over the years, and some of the fascinating things you find there are not only about animals in cages. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle has this memorial to one of the world's most incredible and best-remembered guitar artists on an aggregate rock near some bird exhibits. Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle. There's also a famous memorial to him there that I haven't visited.

I took this photo within the same minute as the picture above, so it has to be here, but I can't remember now exactly where the star is located. I seem to remember that the reason I didn't photograph it so it could be seen in situ is that the girl in pink pants may be sitting on it. I think it's nice that this memorial is integrated with the play and viewing area. You come upon it completely by accident, and think, "Oh yeah, Jimi Hendrix! Cool." 

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Mt. Hood Dressed for October

Mt. Hood, Oregon ~ October 14, 2004

I always like taking pictures of this mountain, and it's a challenge from a moving car. It pops into view for just a second or two and then it's gone. It pops up above the trees again and is gone again. You never get a protracted view with a good camera angle. So, if you don't stop, you often don't get the photo. Since this is the route we usually take between Astoria and Bend, it's a view I've seen many, many times. It's easy to forget to stop and enjoy it. This view is facing approximately east - going from Astoria/Portland over the pass and into the high desert. Early October is often the time with the least snow and the smallest glaciers. Already this year (2010; note that the photo is 2004) it's dumped snow at least once or twice, changing the face of the mountain, getting ready for winter and all those who come to play in the snow (ski, snowboard, hang out at the lodge). Click on the Mt. Hood link below for more pictures of this inactive volcano.

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