Saturday, August 31, 2013

Photo: Phoenix Skyline

This is a photo of the downtown Phoenix skyline at sunset.

I don't think it is recognizable to people out of town the way some major cities are, as it does not have an signature features such as the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, or the distinctive skyscrapers of New York.

Nevertheless, the Phoenix downtown has experienced a growth in recent years and is enjoying a resurgence due to the addition of more than 10,000 Arizona State University students who now attend classes downtown.  They add life that is having a rippling effect.

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Photo: Camelback Castle

You may have noticed in yesterday's photo that there is a house that looks like a castle high up on Camelback.  Here is a closer view.

This is known as the Copenhaver Castle, named for the orthodontist who built if from 1967-77.  He listed it for sale in 1985 for $7 million, cut the price to $2.5 million in 1987.  He still could not sell it and he filed for bankruptcy.

The next buyer bought it from a bank in 1989 for $985,000, but filed bankruptcy in 2004.  An insurance company bought it for $2.6 million in 2005, but the insurance company was later liquidated and the house went into foreclosure.  I local man bought it last year for $1.45 million, but estimates that it needs $3 - $5 million in renovations.  It has 7.900 square feet of living space with unusual castle-themed features.  

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Camelback Mountain homes

This is a wider view of the house I showed two days ago.  It shows the remarkable setting for the houses that climb the slope of Camelback Mountain.

These houses have great views across the Valley, especially at sunset.  They do not have any flat space for a lawn, however.

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Photo: Flagstaff Hike

It is still hot in the Valley of the Sun, so here is another photo of a cool mountain hike up the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff.  People from the Valley like to go north to enjoy the forests in Arizona's cooler, high country around Flagstaff, the Mogollon Rim, and the White Mountains.

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Photo: Backstage Corridor at the Musical Instrument Museum Theater

Here is another photo from the backstage tour of the Musical Instrument Museum Theater.  I showed a series of these photos about a month or so ago.

This is the corridor that leads from the Green Rooms to the back of the stage, and from the receiving dock to the main part of the museum.

It is traditional for visiting stars to sign their names or leave photos or posters for hanging in the corridors back stage at theaters where they have performed.  Back stage areas at theaters thus record some of the people who have performed there.

Although the MIM is only a few years old, it is developing a gallery of talented, distinguished artists who have graced its stage, as shown in this photo.

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Camelback Mountain House

This is a house high up the slope on the south side of Camelback Mountain.  They have obviously designed this house with lots of windows to take advantage of spectacular views across the Valley.

This week we have photos of Galway, Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher posted  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Photo: Magical Horseshoe Bend

Here is a photo of magical Horseshoe Bend, which is located up by Page, Arizona.

In Arizona, we are so lucky to have so many fabulous places to hike and enjoy.

And, I love red rock.

Arizona is special even though we have to survive the summer heat.

Today is Sunday so we have  new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, Ireland.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Photo: Leaving On a Jet Plane


Here is a photo looking out at the sky and earth from a window on a plane.

I like this photo.  The sky and earth appears zen like.

We often like to take photos from planes.  We hope for clean and unscratched windows on the plane so we can take photos.

It is brutal heat lately in Arizona so we all think about getting away for awhile when we are experiencing the summer heat in the Valley.

We have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Photo: Spineless Cactus

Some cactus have hair like yesterday, but today's photo has no cactus spines.

I think Cacti are so interesting with the different textures and styles and they can grow in our very hot desert.

We are in the peak of summer and it has been hot.  We all cannot wait for cool weather to start.

We have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Photo: Honeysuckle Colorful Flower

I love to take macro photos.

Macros can sometimes look other worldly.

Today's macro is meant to be delicate and pink!  I must be getting ready for theme day as we all need to take a pink photo for the upcoming theme day.

This photo is of the honeysuckle flower.

We have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Photo: Texture: Hair and Spines

Well this is a hairy and spiny cactus from our backyard.

It looks like you could reach out and touch the hair but the hair is protected by long cactus spines.

It is a contracts in looking at something soft and familiar like hair but caged by sharp points.

We have photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Photo: The Mystical Waters of Sonoma Coast

Here is a magical photo that Dave Selden of www.costaricadailyphoto.com took while on the rugged but beautiful Sonoma Coast in Calfornia.

This photo was taken with a neutral density filter with a long exposure.

Dave took this photo on  a photography tour last year with Justin Black of Visionary Wild and Jerry Doodril. Both were great photo instructors.

Have a happy Monday!

We have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Photo: When is Your Next Vacation?

The summer vacation season is drawing to a close, and I hope you have enjoyed your summer vacation.

To illustrate the return from vacation, this is a photo of an art installation ih a rotunda in the airport in Santiago, Chile.   It is a tower of suitcases and row of suitcases on the floor.

Maybe this is what happens to luggage that the airlines lose.  The lost suitcases become object for art in Chile.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Photo: Good Morning!

This is one of the flowers that is in our yard and that greets the morning be opening to display its deep violet color.  It is a pleasant way to greet the new day.

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.


Friday, August 16, 2013

Photo: Kite Flying on the Beach!

Summer is a popular time for people in Scottsdale/Phoenix to head over to the California coast to enjoy the ocean, cool breezes, and attractions.  This is a view from one of the bluffs along the beach between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, looking down on a kite flying above the waves.

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Photo: Did You Get My Point?


The cholla cactus in our yard are thick with spikes. This is a diamond cholla, which is an usual type of cholla.  Most cholla are much thicker .  These cholla make up for their narrow stalks with long thorns.

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Photo: Sunshine Equals Nap Time

My mother's white boxer likes to swim in our pool and nap on our lounge chairs in the sun.

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Photo: Lithop Flower

The lithop plant is tiny. The entire plant is smaller than a thimble.  They take very little water.  We spray them with mist every few days.  They sprout a flower very rarely.

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Photo: Tiny, Tiny Yellow Cactus Flowers

The top of this cactus is about the size of a dime.  The flowers are about the size of the head of a pin.  Some cactus flowers are huge in relation to the size of the cacti, but this is the opposite extreme..

This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Photo: Tiny Tendrils

Macro photos of flowers open ones eyes not only to the colors and beauty of the flowers, but also to the architecture of the flowers.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the wildlife of Tanzania, Africa.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Photo: Transparent Pink Beauty

Here is another macro of one of the flowers in my yard.  The subtle transition from fuscia to pink, to orange, to yellow looks like it is is posing to be a model for a painter.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Photo: Agave Flowers

Agave plants are know for their spiked leaves, not their flowers, but this is a close up photo of their flowers, just before blooming.

When they send up a tall sprout with flowers, they will shortly thereafter drop their seeds and then the plant will die.   Fortunately, they send out new plants from their base to grow around the spot of the plant that died.

For each agave in our yard that has died, we have about a half dozen new plants taking its place.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Photo: Kissed by the Sun

These leaves of a kalanchoe succulent in our yard caught the late afternoon sun in a way that highlights the color and translucent qualities of the leaves.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Photo: Beauty of a Macro

If you saw the news yesterday, with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer greeting President Obama at the airport in Phoenix, you might have noticed she was holding an umbrella.

We have had some rain in Arizona recently, which is unusual for us, but it cools the summer temperatures and causes flowers to bloom, such as this  honeysuckle in our yard.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Photo: Saguaro Cacti on Camelback Mountain

This is a photo of some more saguaro cacti high up on Camelback Mountain.  Saguaros grow best in an altitude a little higher than the floor of the Valley of the Sun, which is why the Saguaro National Monument just outside of Tucson has a very high concentration of saguaros.  Tucson is about 1,000 feet higher in altitude than Phownix/Scottsdale.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Photo: Giant Saguaro Cactus

These giant saguaro cacti cling to a ridge of Camelback Mountain.  Saguaros do not grow an arm until they are about 80 years old, so these are probably about twice that age.

Saguaros send out roots about the same distance as they are high, but the roots are only an inch or two below the surface.  And there is no tap root.  In the desert, the source of water is only near the surface.

This week we are showing photos of Waterford,  Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  It is the home of Waterford Crystal.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Photo: Silhouette of Jumping Cholla Cactus

While on the cactus walk and the Phoenecian Resort, we had an angle to look up at the afternoon sun being blocked by a cholla cactus.

In Arizona, and hopefully elsewhere, we pronounce words that are Spanish in origin, such as cholla, using the "Y" sound for the double "L."  So "cholla" is pronounced "choya."

That is the correct pronunciation that would be used in most of Latin America.  In Argentina, it would be pronounced "chozha."

The most common example of this pronunciation is the Spanish word for chicken, which is pollo.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of Waterford, Ireland, the home of Waterford Crystal.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Photo: Indian Bend Wash

Here is one more photo of the Indian bend Wash greenbelt that runs through Scottsdale.  We had a rain storm two seeks ago and the wash did its job exactly as designed.

The rain water collected on grassy areas to minimize street flooding, and in a couple of hours the rain was gone.  And the rest of the year the retention area for flood control are parks, golf courses, bike and walking trails, and little ponds for ducks and geese.

This is so much better than the concrete ditch that the Army Corps of Engineers wanted to build, like they did in Los Angeles, and that Scottsdale had the foresight to create a greenbelt instead about 50 years ago.

This week we are showing photos Cabra Castle, northwest of Dublin, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  It is a castle hotel that is a delightful place to stay.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Photo: Golf Green at the Phoenician Resort


This is one of the holes on the Phoenician Resort golf course.  After we have tea at the Phoenician, we like to take a little stroll on what they call their cactus walk.  One of the golf holes has a tea quite a bit higher than the walk, with a short tee shot to this green down below.

If someone has a bad hook and comes up short, they could find themselves in the cactus near this green.  I hope none of the golfers hit the cactus with their swing.

This week we are showing photos Cabra Castle, northwest of Dublin, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  It is a castle hotel that is a delightful place to stay.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Photo: Theme Day: Street lights

Today's theme for August 1 is "Streetlights" for City Daily Photo sites around the world.  This is a photo from last night on Main Street in Old Town Scottsdale.

Main Street is lined with art galleries, restaurants, and shops for tourists that feature western wear and Native American items.

There are large decorative street lights on lamp posts that line the streets, plus regular streetlights, and small lights strung across the street, which add a festive ambiance.

My husband and I actually live in Paradise Valley rather than Scottsdale.  (Our next door neighbor's side yard is the boundary between Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.)  We do not have streetlights on residential streets in Paradise Valley because the town tries to keep it dark to make it easier to see stars,  We also do not have any business streets.  There are no stores, gas stations, or other businesses except resorts in Paradise Valley.

This week we are showing photos Cabra Castle, northwest of Dublin, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  It is a castle hotel that is a delightful place to stay.

Here is a link to the posts of other City Daily Photo bloggers who are showing photos of the Street Light theme.
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