Sunday, October 31, 2010

Photo: Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Look at these cute kids in these fabulous costumes for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland.

I was hiking in Ramsey Canyon in Southern Arizona last weekend and these kids appeared with their Moms hiking up the trail to get a photo of their cool costumes.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos and this week we take you to the Fjords of Norway at Viva la Voyage!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Photo: Spooky Halloween Churchyard

It is almost Halloween so here is a spooky photo of a churchyard taken at dusk to get you in the Halloween mood.

I took this photo at San Xavier del Bac in Tucson. I think it fits the mood of Halloween.

Check out the beautiful red rock of Sedona at Viva la Voyage!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Photo: Calacas Singers

It is Day of the Dead time again.

Here is an interesting way to decorate a couch.

Kathy Murillo is a Latina artist who decorates and paints every item in a house.

She painted this red couch with a Day of the Dead mariachi joining a group of singing mariachis.

Dia de los Muertos is about celebrating and remembering people who are not here.

This painting probably represents a group whose fourth musician has passed away, yet every time they play, they remember and believe the spirit of this musician could be present.

The photo below shows you the entire couch including the grass.

Check out our travel photos of Sedona at Viva la Voyage!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Calacas Couple

It is almost Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.

Here is a couple of calacas (skeletons) driving in their red convertible.

I have lots of background and history on the special celebration of Day of the Dead if you click the Dia de los Muertos label.

Check out the beautiful red rock of Sedona at Viva la Voyage!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Photo: Large Moon and Craters

Here is a photo of the full moon with a touch of blue-grey to show contrast and allow you to see the craters.

It is almost Halloween so a full moon helps set the atmosphere.

Trick or Treat!

Check out the beautiful red rock of Sedona at Viva la Voyage!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Photo: Lovebird Spreading Wings

Look who visited today.

We saw a peach-faced lovebird in the backyard preening on a blue agave cactus.

Look at those colorful feathers.

These birds are very pretty. muy lindo.

Check out new travel photos of the red rock of Sedona, Arizona at Viva la Voyage!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Photo: Blooming Cactus Flowers

The weather has cooled down and we are so glad.

Because the heat is now below 100 degrees for the past couple of weeks, the cactus flowers are starting to bloom.

I woke up and all of these flowers bloomed at once on one of our cactus that I keep in a pot by our front door.

The flowers only last one day. Blink and you miss cactus flowers.

Check out new travel photos of the red rock of Sedona, Arizona at Viva la Voyage!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Photo: Tranquil Scene at Barry Goldwater Memorial

You can see a bird flying over the Barry Goldwater Desert Memorial.

This photo provides you a good view of our gorgeous Sonoran Desert.

Our desert is truly beautiful. It is hard for me to find a forest as pretty as the Arizona Sonoran Desert.

Once my husband and I were on a boundary waters trip between Minnesota and Canada.

It was quite a trip as we experienced a few challenges, but when we were canoeing on the various lakes listening to loons and staring at the scenery, I looked at him and said every view is the same, it is all green trees.

I told him that there seemed to be no geological rocks or sedimentary lines to look at on mountains or cliffs and there was no diversity of landscape, it is all green trees and tall termite mounds as far as we could see. My conclusion was that Arizona canyons and waterways were much more interesting.

Dave of www.costaricadailyphoto.com just looked at me and responded that people come to this special boundary waters area to see these green trees as people find them scenic and relaxing.

It is funny how two people can look at the same scene and have such different interpretations and ratings of it.

Today is Sunday, which means new travel photos. Check out the geology and red rock of Sedona, Arizona at Viva la Voyage!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Photo: Profile of Barry Goldwater at Memorial

Today's photo is of the profile of Barry Goldwater's statue at the Barry Goldwater Memorial in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

I took the profile so you could see Barry's glass frames.

Barry is looking towards Camelback Mountain, one of his favorite views.

Barry was an accomplished photographer, which was his hobby.

Barry Goldwater is a strong part of the fabric of Arizona's history.

He was a five term Senator and the Republican Party's nominee for President in 1964.

Goldwater is known for reigniting the conservative movement in America in the 1960s, and he also influenced the Libertarian movement. Goldwater was well respected and a charismatic leader. By the 1980s, however, the Christian Right disagreed greatly with Goldwater's Libertarian views. Goldwater then became a vocal critic of the religious right's views on abortion, gay rights and the role of religion in the public.

Goldwater is someone whom Arizona is extremely proud of.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Photo: View from Barry Goldwater Memorial

Today's photo is taken from the Barry Goldwater memorial looking towards Camelback Mountain.

The memorial is in a scenic location in Paradise Valley.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Photo: Barry Goldwater Memorial

Paradise Valley and Scottsdale are adjacent to each other.

Paradise Valley generally does not want parks in its small enclave, but the town did create a memorial to Barry Goldwater, the father of modern conservatism.

Barry Goldwater was a Paradise Valley resident and part of a pioneering Arizona family.

Today's photo is of the sign to the memorial, which is made of local rocks. Tomorrow I will show you a little more of this memorial.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Photo: Cactus and Sky Light

Here is a photo on an overcast day when the sunlight broke through shining light on Camelback Mountain.

You are looking at golden barrel cactus in the foreground.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Photo: Music in the Garden

Don't you love live music, especially in great settings?

Here is a photo of a band playing at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

It is that time of year in the Valley of the Sun when the weather is cooler and we can go to many events and enjoy the outdoors.

Concerts at the Desert Botanical Garden are always a favorite of mine.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Photo: Mirrored Hornets

Today's photo is one I took of Chihuly's art work when he had his installation at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

These were called Mirrored Hornets.

They are eye catching, especially sitting in the desert rock. Quite a contrast.

Check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Photo: Plane in the White Fluffy Clouds

Here is a plane flying high among the large, white, fluffy clouds.

Sometimes clouds look so strong and full of substance.

The silhouette of the plane stands out in front of the clouds.

Today is Sunday so check out new travel photos of Montenegro at Viva la Voyage!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Photo: Phoenix City Hall

Here is a photo of Phoenix's City Hall.

The architecture of the building is symmetrical and it has almost a crown like top.

The shape of the mid-rise building is aesthetically pleasing.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Photo: Red Curled Petals

Here is a photo of red, slightly curled flower petals.

The pattern is pleasing to the eye.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Photo: Papago Park Mountains

Here is a photo of one of the mountains at Papago Park.

Papago Park Mountains have holes in the rocks. Some of the holes are like small caves.

The holes give the mountains an interesting look and everyone climbs them.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Photo: Macro of Twigs

Here is the last photo in my study of eggs and nest.

You can see the close-up of the twigs used by the birds in the construction of the nest.

I hope you have enjoyed this series.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Photo: Close up of Quail Egg

Tomorrow will be the last day of my photographic study of quail eggs and nest.

This photo shows good detail of the Gambel Quail egg, including the spots on the egg.

Quail eggs are supposed to have spots and each egg looks unique.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Photo: Pieces of Nest

Here is a macro photo of a couple of the twigs and pieces of wood used by the birds to make their fabulous nest.

The nest is like a mini work of art.

The weaving detail was quite exquisite.

Check out our travel photos of the stunning Island of Hvar off the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Photo: Tightly Weaved Nest

I am almost done with my study of the nest and eggs.

In this photo, you can see the tightly weaved twigs twisted into a round nest.

These little birds work very hard to create this nest. Does anyone know which birds made this nest? I think it might be finches.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos so check out the gorgeous Island of Hvar off of the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Photo: Camelback Mountain During Storm

I am interrupting my photographic study of eggs and nest to show you what the sky and the mountain looked at right behind me while I was photographing the eggs.

It was a weird sky with light on Camelback Mountain but dark sky as the rain was getting ready to pour.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Photo: Quail Egg in Black and White

Look at this photo of the quail egg.

Can you see the unique spots on this egg?

Gambel quail eggs are quite distinct.

I was sad that the eggs did not hatch but grateful for the opportunity to create this photographic study.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Photo: Nest Particles

Look at the precise construction of this bird's nest in today's photo.

The birds who created this nest started with tightly weaved small branches on the inside.

As the birds built the outside they used longer, looser wood materials.

At the bottom of the nest was mud and twigs to form a strong soft base so the eggs and chicks would not fall through.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Photo: Eggs in Nest in Black and White

I am continuing with my study of the quail eggs in a well-built nest.

I took this image in black and white and you can still see the spots on the quail eggs.

I hope you are enjoying my photographic study of the eggs and nest.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Photos: Quail Eggs at Dark

Here is a macro photo of three of the Gambel Quail eggs that I took at dusk.

Quail eggs are usually kept together on the ground in a small dug shallow hole.

Quail eggs are spotted so I find them quite interesting.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Photos: Quail Eggs in Bird nest

Here is a photo of the unique bird nest that had fallen out of the very tall date palm tree, but now we have eggs in the nest.

So, here is what happened. I was taking the opportunity to study and photograph the bird's nest, when I remembered that sadly we had a group of 11 quail eggs in one of our cactus pots. The eggs had not hatched because of the intense heat at the beginning of the summer.

I gathered up the quail eggs and placed them in this nest and placed the combination on the desert ground by a cactus.

I will do a study of the Gambel Quail eggs and the nest for the nest few days.

Check out our travel photos of the designs of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Photo: Delicate Bird Nest

Here is a photo of a bird nest.

The nest is made of tiny wood branches, wood pieces, and even mud at the bottom.

This nest blew out of a 30 foot date palm tree. I picked it up and it had no birds in it. I took it home to photograph.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos so check out the style of Denmark at Viva la Voyage!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Photo: Palm Lane

Here is a photo of Palm Lane in the downtown historic Phoenix area right below the window of my office.

Can you see why it is called palm Lane?

Quite cool to see this many palms in a row.

And palms do provide shade.

Check out our travel photos of the Art of London, England at Viva la Voyage!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Photo: Newspaper Rock

Today is theme day for City Daily Photo Bloggers and the theme is Graffiti.

Graffiti communicates messages and can be artsy to look at like the photo I am sharing today.

This is called a newspaper rock, which means a rock with a collection of petroglyphs. This is a southwestern type of graffiti.

This photo is of petroglyph rock containing Native American symbols. This rock was designed, chiseled and hammered by a very good friend of mine named Jim Lowman. He said it took about 100,000 strikes to create this art piece. I really like it.

Jim created this art as part of an arts summer class we participate in. See other works of art by artists in the class at http://leafdogart.com/gallery21.htm

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants for theme day!

Check out our travel photos of the Art of London, England at Viva la Voyage!