River Horse in the Rain

Seattle, Washington ~ May 19, 2005

Woodland Park Zoo

The rain echoed teardrops at the Woodland Park Zoo as friends gathered for a memorial service for zookeeper Heidi Frohring on May 18, 2005. Her death may remind us to be wary of dangerous relationships and drugs, but her too-short life should remind us to care for life on this planet, and that one passionate voice can inspire others. Heidi died on May 1. A memorial was held at the zoo on May 18.

See more Weekend Reflections

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Windows, Seattle

Seattle, Washington ~ May 5, 2008

Look what someone did with a curve and some crinkles. I still love the old windows best, and will look for a few more among my archives before I move on, but I do like what this architect did with shapes against the sky.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

1885 Windows, Austin

Austin, Texas ~ February 5, 2011

I like the contrast between old and newer. This is another drive-by. There were a number of buildings on the street that I liked even better, but they are clearly taken on the move, so I will save them for a series. 

This building is dated 1885, one year before my ancestors and their associates founded Corona, California, where I grew up. It's interesting for me to have a touchstone for the world in which they lived at that time. They did not come from Texas, but from St. Louis and Sioux City, with ties and business connections in Boston and New York. I'm writing a book about their bringing their skills, money, and cultural preferences to the untamed wilds of Southern California.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Windows, Chicago O'Hare

Chicago ~ February 12, 2010

O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Today I continue my "Windows" theme. I was struck by the pleasing shapes and also by the layering of window upon window. I like O'Hare because of its bird-chirping baggage trains, the flags and globes above the walkways, the interesting people, the occasional dinosaur skeleton, and most of all because I have never been through O'Hare when I wasn't going someplace really interesting (or maybe returning). This trip it was Portland to London.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Frosty and the Moose

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 24, 2006

Stephanie's Cabin Family Restaurant

A snowman and a moose. What could be better? 

Happy Holidays, everyone!

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Windows, Bloomingdale's

 Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

Bloomingdale's Department Store

Could this be Unofficial Windows Week? (See yesterday's post.) I found the window above in the most unexpected location - the women's bathroom. I don't remember why the angle is so intense.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Windows, Paddington Station

London ~ February 19, 2010

Paddington Station

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A Peek at Saddle Mountain from the Trail

Oregon Coast Range ~ March 19, 2006

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A Little Place in Trindade

Trindade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ April 22, 2007

I love the architecture that tells me I'm not at home any more. There are a couple of towns in Brazil named Trindade, and this one was on the beach. It was a jewel of a setting, and it was HOT.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Diversity

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

This is one of my now-getting-to-be-famous drive-by shots. It's not perfect, but it was too good to miss.

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Arches and Old Stones

Ravello, Italy ~ April 20, 2004

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Morning Reflections

Portland, Oregon ~ May 4, 2009

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Sunrise at an airport usually means something to look forward to - in this case, New York City after almost 40 years. For some reason I take a lot of airport pictures. I guess it's because I enjoy the excitement of airports unless the delay is too long. It means moving around . . . somewhere to go. New things to see through the lens, new things to experience. I'm ready. . . .

Come check out Weekend Reflections.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Sky and Silhouettes

Dudley, West Midlands, England ~ February 16, 2010
Dudley Castle Keep

Image Search / Wikipedia

Fortunately, I finished sorting my used pictures for this blog last night, or I would have repeated this photo of Dudley Castle. I must be in an English Castle mood today. Here is another post, this time from the tower looking down.

Today I am joining others around the world who participate in Skywatch Friday. Click on over to see stunning photos of the beautiful sky that covers us all!

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Interesting Old Digs

Banbury, England ~ February 15, 2010

Whately Hall

We stayed in this former coaching inn from the 17th Century for a couple of nights. I loved the old building (and cheaper than most Holiday Inn Express Hotels). We got to chat about history with some of the staff, but I vowed to carry my own blankets next time. Under a featherbed comforter, you roast. Throw it off and you freeze. I'm used to layering covers, and I never got the hang of how to sleep Old England Style. Any hints?

By the way, I'm re-thinking my blogs, and I intend to make "Tapirgal's Daily" a daily blog again. Or close enough. It will help when I get my used photos re-named with the date first so I can tell quickly if I've already used a photo or not. Apologies for any you've seen before.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Flying Frigate, Made for Soaring

Sayulita, Mexico ~ February 10, 2007

I love the way these oddly-built birds look against the sky.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Of Course

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Westminster Abbey

February 19, 2010 ~ Westminster Abbey, London

My Web Page: tapirback.com

The Blue Columbia River

Oregon ~ September 2, 2003

A View from the Multnomah Falls Trail

The trail is about a mile long from the parking lot to the falls. On September 2, 2003, my friend Kate and I were huffing and puffing our way to the top. That's Washington on the other side of the river. I took the photo with my little old Olympus Digital. It did very well under conditions like this one.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

A Small Boat along the Amazon's Bank

Amazon River, Brazil ~ April 27, 2007

Life along the Amazon is all about boats - big boats and small boats. Someone certainly lives here, as you can see the small shack among the trees. The boat in front would be like seeing a person's car parked in the driveway. The owner may catch a few fish for market.

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A Horse, of Course

Houston, Texas ~ February 7, 2011

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

It's always nice to run into a friendly equine.

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Upswept Clouds

Near Volcan Baru, Panama ~ January 9, 2006

Panama's highlands surprised me, and it was nice to cool off.

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Chicago Storm

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

I still find drenching wet weather like this exciting, and I find Chicago exciting. It was a good day.

Come visit my home page at tapirback.com

Monreale from the Tower

Cathedral and Cloisters at Monreale, Sicily ~ April 27, 2004

I could have stayed longer and learned a lot more about it. I loved this place with its interesting architecture and art and its Norman history. Here are more posts about Monreale.

Come visit me at tapirback.com.

Cactus, Front and Center

December 30, 2004 ~ Sabino Canyon, Arizona

They say you're not supposed to put your main subject smack-dab in the middle of the photo. I'm not sure why I did, and in fact it doesn't ruin this photo for me. I love the cactus, and I was proud of myself for doing so well on that long trail. And I wasn't sure how much farther we had to go. And the scenery was breathtaking. In other words, composing the photo was one of the last things on my mind.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Rain and Rivers: Over the Yucatan

Over the Yucatan or Belize ~ January 30, 2005

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

"Taphophile Tragics:" Drive-by Cemetery #3

February 4, 2006 ~ Near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Last week Julie at Taphophile Tragics mentioned my penchant for "drive-by" cemeteries. I had to laugh, because I already had another one in mind. This isn't it. I got lucky and stumbled upon this one a few minutes later. At least this one is in focus. And in color!

Next week? Maybe another drive-by.

. Drive-by #1

. Drive-by #2

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Garibaldi Train Station, Oregon Coast

Garibaldi, Oregon ~ January 28, 2012

Today's post is a companion to yesterday's post showing the old steam engine on the left.

I especially like this engine which someone saw fit to paint like a Holstein cow. I wonder if it fools anyone?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Number 90

Garibaldi, Oregon ~ January 29, 2012

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The Bones of Trees

Salishan, Siletz Bay, Oregon Coast ~ January 29, 2012

I took this shot from the highway facing toward the ocean. It makes an intriguing scene, and I wonder what the storm must have been like that brought the bones of these trees to the tidal flatlands, or were the trees standing here before the storm?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Thing of the Past

Belize City, Belize ~ January 30, 2005

United States Embassy

This was our first evening in Belize. We had just landed, found our hotel, and wanted to see the area. As we turned away from the Caribbean to wander the streets, I imagined we would find some local neighborhood color. I didn't imagine until I saw the sign that we would stumble on the U.S. Embassy, so unassuming and unannounced.

When I looked it up online for this post, I learned that the historic building was demolished in 2011. The Colonial-style edifice was originally constructed in New England in 1866, dismantled, and sent to Belize as ballast in the hold of a ship. It began as a private home before the U.S. government bought it in the mid 1930s, and before it was demolished it was the last U.S. Embassy building made of wood still standing in the world. Who knew as we sauntered past it in 2005?

I wish I had a better photo to post, but I took only one. We were at the beginning of a trip where I knew I'd be taking a lot of photos. Remember how conserving we had to be of expensive SD card storage space?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Harvard Yard

Harvard Yard, Cambridge, Massachusetts ~ May 5, 2006

Harvard Yard was lovely and peaceful on a pleasant day in May. It was also drenched in history. I wish I'd done more research before going. The town of Cambridge seemed small and quaint, just about perfect for a college town. There was so much history at every turn, much of it buried in the unknowable space beneath the sod, between blades of grass, and behind antique lintels. The yard, the buildings and the town were simply going about business as usual. For some reason I felt that X-ray vision into the past would serve me well here . . . if I had it, of course! In addition, any location made with so many red bricks is compelling to someone who grew up surrounded by ranch-style stucco.

If you are interested in the pros and cons of dusty, old museums, check out my post from yesterday on Tapirs: The Tapir Preservation Fund (TPF). The museum was only a couple of blocks from here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Big Heads

Houston, Texas ~ February 4, 2011

There's a factory here that specializes in big heads and occasionally whole bodies. The bewhiskered guy between Reagan and Obama is Martin Van Buren. The ones we saw were mostly U.S. Presidents, but some were not Presidents. The one on the left looks to me like Rock Hudson. Any ideas?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.