Postcard from Leavenworth

The other day, I opened a box of framed pictures that I once used used in my art shows. Inside, besides pictures, I found a few souvenir tiny seed pods from my days at Leavenworth’s Art-in-the-Park. These little pods were from the trees that grew in the park…beautiful trees (either Ash or Aspen, not sure which).

But when they seeded, oh my God, watch out. It rained pods by the gazillions. They were everywhere and even got behind the glass of some framed pictures. The trees were beautiful, but their seeds were a pain in the rear. And now, a few of these seeds are in Arizona. Good luck with our climate.

Anyway, this is a special photo of one of those trees, obviously at the beginning of Autumn. What made these trees so unusual was that all the leaves would hang straight down. When you photographed shooting straight up at them, it looks like they are all rushing right at you.  It is quite an effect that you really don’t see with your eyes. Another one of my many memories and souvenirs of Leavenworth and the Pacific Northwest.

Postcard from Autumn

I took my morning walk around 5:45 this morning. It was 85 degrees with the humidity of 51%. I do this nearly every morning…and every morning, when it is over, I am greeted by the wonderful cool air of my A/C…and I am in for the day. Contrary to some misconceptions, the heat of Arizona in July and August is not dry…no, no, no…it is the monsoon season when we get rain, lightning thunderstorms, and humidity to accompany our heat.  As I have said before, it is the price we pay for 8 months of great weather.

But there is a positive side to this…I get spend more time creating new paintings. And it is only natural that I select subjects that reflect a cooler time of year. Similar to the autumn leaves painting I showed you last week, this is another painting with an autumn theme, this time on a slightly larger scale.

It is titled, “Path Through Autumn.” The original photograph on which this painting is based, was taken just outside Leavenworth, WA in October 2005.  I remember walking this path wearing a warm coat as it was quite cool that day…perhaps in the 40’s. That sounds so nice now, being that it is 106 outside as I write these words. 

I have such great memories of autumn in the Northwest, so it is only natural I continue to look for ways to enhance those memories through my creative abilities. Don’t be surprised if you see more autumn paintings in the future.

By the way, Leavenworth offers a wealth of beautiful autumn scenery and if you are ever in that area in October with your camera…or your paint brushes, definitely take the time to express your own creativity. I promise you will not be sorry.

Postcard from Leavenworth

This image brings forth memories. It is the gazebo in Leavenworth, WA, located in the park in the heart of the city. Leavenworth, if you don’t know, is a Bavarian-themed town on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.

For some years, I came here as the occasional tourist, poking my head in all its shops, dining at its unique restaurants…then, for five years, I came as an artist, displaying my art often in the weekly “Village Art in the Park” show on weekends.  I wasn’t there every week, as I did art shows all over the Western United States. But, I was there often enough that I developed a love/hate relationship with the town. Those feelings ring true today.

I loved doing the art show there, not because I made a lot of money, but because of the special relationships I developed with many of the artists who showed there also. We became a kind of family. It was always good to see them when I did the show, and occasionally run into some of them at other shows.

But, some of the worst shows I ever did financially were here. I remember one time I did a show in another town and made several thousand dollars. Then, the following weekend, did the Leavenworth show and made less than $100. You never new what was going to happen on any given weekend…completely unpredictable.  Not good if that is how one makes a living.

The gazebo itself holds many memories…the beauty of all the flowers…the weddings I photographed in the gazebo and all over town…and the incessant noise of polka-type music played on accordions week after week.  I know the tourists loved it, but the artists who were set up in the park right next to it hated it. The same musicians playing the same songs over and over again, year after year. And they are probably still doing it now.

As I said, it was a love/hate relationship.

I miss my friends and fellow artists, but do not miss doing the show…or any art show for that matter. But, it was a part of my life that I am glad I did.  

Postcard from the Sierra’s

Continuing with the Autumn theme I started in the last blog entry, here is a recently finished painting of some Autumn leaves.  In fact, it is titled, “Autumn Leaves on Rocks.”

I took the original photograph in October of 2008 while camping about halfway up the eastern slope of the Sierras, between Mono Lake and Yosemite (I recently showed you another photo of this area). It was so beautiful there in the fall, although I remember how cold it was at night, snuggled in my sleeping blanket inside a tent.

This was the time when me and my camera were traveling all over the Western US, before I moved to Tucson.  That was a great time, full of great memories, even if it was a bit too cold at times. I later figured out how to make it warm enough for me at night.  After a few months of that, I settled down in Tucson where it is plenty warm at night and I could sleep in a bed.

Anyway, I do love this image, both as a photo and now as a painting. I only wish I could make it larger here to show you all the brush strokes. Look for more Autumn paintings in the future. By the way, I have put together a collection of my newest paintings on my Website, although this one is so new it is not on there yet. Please take a look, if you like.

Postcard from Yosemite

Now that most of you have joined me in the heat of summer, maybe its time we look forward to autumn once again. It is not that far off, and right now it sure sounds good.

Frankly, there is no better place to enjoy autumn more than in Yosemite. It is so beautiful there at that time of year…lots of colors and cool weather.  It sure sounds good right now.

This image shows just a sample of color that you can find all over Yosemite. This photo was taken just above the valley floor along the Big Oak Flat Road. Actually, I don’t know if they still call it that, but that is what I know it as and it will always be that for me.

In the few days that I explored the valley in the Autumn of 2008, I took many colorful photos as I happened to hit the autumn season just right. I have shown you a few in the past and will from time-to-time, show you a few more. I hope you don’t get tired of them.  I only wish I could make them bigger here in this blog.

Postcard from Venice

I suddenly found myself in Venice today…well sort of. My body is here in over-cooked Tucson, but my mind and artistic talents were back in one of my favorite cities in the world as I reworked a few of my art pieces from that great Italian city.

This is one of them…a sketch I did some time ago that I felt needed upgrading. You see, I am working on upgrading my Web site with new works and redesigned spaces…and as I look at some of my works from the past, I feel a few of them need an upgrade…or in one case a complete new beginning.  When I finish that one, you will see it here.

Never-the-less, I had originally done a color sketch of these buildings on the Grand Canal. But, it didn’t pass the test of time. So, as I looked at it with new eyes, I began to work on it again.  And work, and work, and work. It’s a bit different now than it was, and I like it much better. But will it pass the test of time? Who knows?

As you may have read here before, I love black and white sketches and engravings. In a short while, some of my old and new and reworked sketches like this one will pop up on my Web pages…I am organizing them and creating the pages in my air conditioned home while it remains too hot to go outside. I hope you like this one…and some of the ones you will begin seeing on my Web site soon.

Postcard from Sedona

In looking through some of my thousands of images today, it occurred to me that I’ve only shown one picture from my trip to Sedona in December of last year. My friend Dave and I spent three days there, shooting at sunrise and sunset…and we got some great images. In the middle of the day, we mostly just messed around in Sedona and Cottonwood, waiting for the light to get good again.

One morning we were shooting at sunrise on a mountain above the town with temps in the low 20’s…and we did not get one good shot. The next morning was better, but even colder.  What photographers won’t do for that one great photo!

The Sedona area is a photographers dream, red rock mountains in all kinds of wonderful formations, desert landscapes, blue skies and if you are lucky, some great cloud formations. It is especially rewarding in the so-called “Golden Hours”…around sunrise and sunset. Those red rocks get even redder.

This shot was done near sunset. The rocks on the left are part of Sedona’s most famous mountain, Cathedral Rocks. We were some distance away from them, so this picture was taken with a long lens. I remember I had to hold the camera as my tripod broke as I went to set it up for this shot. Thanks God for anti-shake lenses.

I was lucky to get sunlight on the rocks, but dark rain clouds in the sky in the distance. I must say the the larger I make this photo, the better it gets.  So even in this smaller size, I hope you like it.

Postcard From Eugene – Fireworks

Happy 5th of July, everyone! Yes, I know the 4th of July holiday was yesterday, but, according to federal mandate, today is also part of that holiday since the 4th was on a Sunday. Don’t believe me? Try going to the bank today or checking your mail box.  Today is an extension of Independence Day.

In keeping with the spirit of this 2-day holiday, I hereby present you with a photo I took in Eugene, Oregon a few years ago. For a couple of years, I did an art show there that always fell around the 4th of July. It was held in a park on the Willamette River, very close to the University of Oregon. After the show closed down on the evening of the 4th, they would hold their annual fireworks display in the same park…and it was a good one too. This one year, I set up my camera on a tripod to record as many fireworks explosions as I could.

I got some good ones. This particular image shows multiple explosions as one must leave the shutter open for some seconds to record these low light images.  It’s one way to get some interesting photos.

This actually is the second fireworks photo from the Eugene show that I‘ve shown in the last two days.  If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, hopefully you got to see the other one. 

Regardless, I hope all of you had a great 4th (and 5th) of July.

Postcard from Tucson

I must admit I am a bit of a military aircraft fan boy…not overly crazy, just always loving to see these marvels of aircraft engineering… old and new. I’ve prowled the halls of the Imperial War Museum in London looking at WWII aircraft hanging from the ceiling. I’ve been to several air shows on military bases to see more modern aircraft on display. I even found some great older aircraft on my recent visit to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

And, I am lucky enough to live in a city that houses a huge collection of great airplanes from our past. The Pima Air and Space Museum is a wondrous place for people like me…hundreds of aircraft from all over the world are permanently on display here, both in hangers and outside (not a place to visit in the summer).  As a bonus, the museum sits right next to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where thousands of military airplanes are stored, some to be repaired, some to be salvaged for parts and others to be destroyed. The place is nicknamed “The Bone Yard.” You can take a tram car tour of the base directly from the museum. Well worth it.

I’ve shown you a couple of aircraft pictures before on these pages, and today I am sharing another one:  This is a B58-A bomber (nicknamed the Hustler), formerly used by the Strategic Air Command.  It could carry up to four nuclear bombs and was flown by a three man crew.  Here is more about the B58 from Wikipedia:

“The Convair B-58 Hustler was the first operational supersonic jet bomber, and the first capable of Mach 2 flight. The aircraft was developed for the United States Air Force for service in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the late 1950s. Originally intended to fly at high altitudes and speeds to avoid Soviet fighters, the introduction of highly accurate Soviet surface-to-air missiles forced the B-58 into a low-level penetration role that severely limited its range and strategic value. This led to a brief operational career between 1960 and 1969. Its specialized role was succeeded by other American supersonic bombers, such as the FB-111A and the later B-1B Lancer.”

In my much younger days, I always thought this was a cool airplane and secretly wanted to fly one. It never happened of course, but I still think it is a cool.

Postcard from Mt. Rainier

This lovely picture of Mt. Rainier and Tipsoo Lake was photographed nearly 5 years ago, in Sept. of 2005, using my very first digital camera, an Olympus single lens reflex. It was actually my first road trip with my new toy…and, frankly, I made a lot of bad shots that day.

Fortunately, this was not one of them. Tipsoo Lake is at the east entrance to Mt. Lassen National Park, just over Chinook Pass on Highway 410. It is the first view you see of Mt. Rainier. I took this photo coming down from the pass. Eventually you get down to the same level as the lake. In fact, I remember hiking the trail around it the next day.

Still, it was an interesting day…my first visit ever to this glorious national park. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, although my pictures did not turn out all that great. In fact I was a bit mystified at some of my results.  Using this camera was so different from my film cameras.

Near the end of the day, I drove all the way out of the park to the west and took a hotel room for the evening. There, I sat down and read the camera’s manual from beginning to end, trying to figure out what I had done wrong…and I mostly did. I learned a great deal that night…so much so that when I went back into the park the next day, my photos turned out much improved. How infinitely better things work when you read the instructions.

Actually, it wasn’t that I hadn’t read the instructions, it was just that I needed to do it again after I did a day of continual shooting with the new camera. The instructions then made a lot more sense…and I learned some new tricks that I didn’t read the first time through. There are so many settings on today’s cameras that one should always put the manual in the camera bag and carry it with you at all times. Worked for me on this trip and on many occasions since.

I still have that camera, but don’t use it as much as my Nikon get most of the photographic work. But, I still like to use it once in a while as it is a very good camera with some unusual features my Nikon does not have. So, I guess the lesson here is read the manual, then use the camera, then re-read the manual again and again. Works for me.

Postcard from Chicago

This rather tall building, photographed at a bit of an angle, is the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago…although it is more properly known today as Willis Tower.  However, most Chicagoans still refer to it as the Sears Tower.  And why not…it has been that name for many years.

Sear’s license for the name actually expired in 2003, but the naming rights were sold in 2009 to London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd…hence the new name. 

At the time of its completion in 1974, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York. Currently, Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

I photographed this black building on a gray day, hence, the original image has no color. So I just changed it officially to black and white. I shot it at an angle as I am wont to do when the occasion calls for it, just to be doing something different, and because I like the results.  Also, most skyscrapers are photographed vertically, and by shooting at an angle, I can do it horizontally. I darkened the lower portion of the building on purpose. I do like way this image turned out.

Postcard from Tucson

As you might guess, it is very hot this time of year in Tucson. As I write these words, it is 105 outside, heading for 108. Yesterday, it hit 111…and there is no end in site. What all this means is I get to spend a lot of time inside, some of which is spent creating new digital paintings.

That is very true of this new work titled, “The Old Courthouse.” It only took me two days to complete it with no false starts. I knew what I wanted to do and I did it right out of the box (so to speak).

This is the old Pima County Courthouse, located here in downtown Tucson. It is called the old courthouse because in the 70’s the county built a new multistory courthouse very close by.  It is not as pretty as this one, especially when the spring flowers are blooming.

Incidentally, the old courthouse (built in 1931) is no longer used as a courthouse, but it still retains the name. It is currently used by Pima County for office space for various functionaries.

One of the interesting facts about downtown Tucson is that the modern multi-storied building are mixed right in with old Tucson, which contains some beautiful historic buildings from the city’s past. I will shortly begin painting some of these old buildings, so stay tuned.

If you are ever here, take a self-guided walking tour of the downtown area to see the old and the new together. (Be sure and stop at El Charro for the best Mexican food you ever ate.)

Postcard from Bryce

Thor’s Hammer is a famous landmark in Bryce Canyon National Park. It has probably been photographed a billion times…if not more. If you have been to Bryce, I bet you even photographed it yourself.

On this lovely early morning in September of last year, the light hitting the rock was spectacular. Thor’s Hammer had a magic glow to it, not from the sun which would be on the left…but rather from the reflection of light bouncing off red rocks to the right of this photo.

Now, the problem for me with the original photo is all the rocks in the picture are red.  Everything’s red. So I decided to play with it using black and white filters to see if I could make the glow of Thor’s Hammer be a color unto itself and separate it from the rocks in the background.  I played and played with several different filters in my arsenal to come up with the final image. It was fun doing and I am not sure I could do it again as I didn’t record my steps.

But I think I achieved what I set out to do…make Thor’s Hammer really stand out. It almost looks like I used a flash, but trust me, I didn’t. I hope you enjoy it also.

Postcard from Tucson

This is my newest painting, entitled “Magnolias Against a Brick Wall.” I must say I like it very much. I am sorry the image has to be so small for these blogs (although it is now bigger than it used to be). There is a lot of interesting brush work here (and brush marks) that add to the quality of the picture.   like.

The original image was taken in mid April this year on the campus of the University of Arizona. The UofA has done a great job of planting trees and plants all over the campus that yield spectacular colors in Spring. This year, as I have written here before, was extremely beautiful. I am already looking forward to next year.

I hope you like this new painting and I will continue to publish new works here as I finish them. There are still a few new ones you have not seen yet.

Postcard from Organ Pipe – The Double Arch

In March, my friend and fellow professional photographer Dave Forester and I made the trek to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument near the Mexican Border. You have already seen some of the photos we took that day as we were on the lookout for desert wildflowers.

But along the way, on this rather rough dirt road in the back country, we ran into a rarity in this part of the Southwest…an arch. Of course, arches are not unknown here, just a rarity this far south. What was also fun, was that I got to photograph it centered right above a rare Organ Pipe cactus. While not rare inside this National Monument, they are a rarity everywhere else as about 98% of all Organ Pipe cacti are located here.  In fact, the only other two Organ Pipes I have ever seen are on the campus of the University of Arizona in a special desert garden. 

But what make this arch so unique, as you can see from the second photo, is that on top of the large arch is a smaller arch. Now, I saw a spectacular double arch in The Arches National Park in Utah, but it was not sitting on top of another arch. This little arch out here in nowhere, just a few miles from Mexico, is quite a find. 

I nicknamed this arch “Rabbit Arch” as the rock formation inside the arch looks like a rabbit at rest, complete with ears.   I recommend you go see it if you are ever in the vicinity, but be prepared for a very rough ride.

Postcard from Hunters

This is another painting that I recently finished after being on hold for a couple of years.  As mentioned before, I had a few painting in the works that I never quite finished or was not happy with.  Again, recently acquired tools allowed me to re-do this painting from scratch and produce a work that I like better than any attempts done in the past.

This painting comes from yet another image from the town of Hunters near Lake Roosevelt in northern Washington State. The town turned out to be a treasure trove of images of old cars and trucks…and now an old gas station.  I like to think of it as a bit of Americana…remnants of a time passed, but not forgotten.

And, surprise…I have a few more images from there that I have not even attempted to paint…yet. Stay tuned.  

Postcard from Chicago – A Sketch

I mentioned in a recent blog how much I love sketches and engravings. The majority of my favorites are those done in black and white media.

The other day, I was playing with some new software specifically designed for sketching and observed that I could do watercolor sketches (digital, of course). I had never done anything in this media so I decided to explore the possibilities.  After a couple of attempts, I sketched this image of the Chicago skyline.

I was surprised by the results. As usual, I decided to let it sit for a few days to see if I still liked it later.  Well, I do. I emphasize that it is a sketch, not one of my more in-depth paintings.

As I also mentioned here before, I spent a lot of time in the Sketch Gallery at the Chicago Institute of Art. It was interesting to see the number of different kinds of sketches on display, including watercolors. In fact, there were several preliminary sketches of famous paintings that are hung elsewhere in the painting galleries.

I admit it was fun to try something different and even more fun to be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Postcard from Yosemite

It’s Spring, 2006 in Yosemite Valley, before the tourist season begins. In the valley, the waterfalls at running 25% above normal as the winter snowfall was way above normal.  There are waterfalls everywhere, most with no names. They will be gone in a couple of weeks, but they are there to enjoy now.

This waterfall does have a name…Yosemite Falls…specifically the lower portion of this landmark feature of the valley. The trail to the falls is an easy one from a parking lot. On the way, you can see all of the falls framed by trees.

When you arrive at Lower Yosemite Falls, you are standing on a bridge. For most of the year, you can stand here and leisurely take all the photos you want.

But on the this day, the mist from the falls is so intense, I had to stand with my back to the falls, quickly turn and snap a photo, then turn immediately to wipe off the camera and lens. I did this about three times and prayed that I had a good shot.  I did…all three actually.

This is one of them, done in Ansel Adams-style black and white (of course, since I am less than a mile from his Yosemite studio). I hope you like it.

Postcard from Rome

Longtime readers know I have a special love for sketches and engravings. One of my favorite places in my recent visit to the Chicago Institute of Art was the gallery where sketches are displayed. Went through that gallery three or four times.

On my last trip to Rome, I took a photograph of a statue of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He ruled Rome from 161 till 180 AD and is known as the last of the “Five Good Emperors.” The original of this statue went on display in Rome is 176 AD (this one is a copy). Being a devotee of Roman history, I wanted to do something special with the original photo. For many reasons, I decided to do a sketch.

Easier said than done. I worked and worked on a possible sketch off and on for a few years, none of which made me happy. I tried all kinds of different techniques…but they just didn’t measure up.

Lately I’ve undertaken the task to finish a number of unfinished art projects, including the Marcus Aurelius sketch, with new tools that have been made available to me.  I have been quite successful at this task…and you will see some other results in future blogs.

But, for today, I hope you will enjoy my finally-completed sketch of this famous Roman Emperor. I went through many many steps and variations to come up with this one, and after looking at it off an on for a few days, this is my final version.

Incidentally, I also did an engraving of the original photograph which I am still completing the final touches. You may see that one in the future also. But for now, enjoy this sketch which took many years to complete. Ah, the trials and tribulations of the artist.

Postcard from the High Sierra

I took this photo on Lee Vining Creek, about 1/3 of the way up towards Tioga Pass on Highway 120 from Mono Lake. I was camped out near here for a couple of nights before heading up the mountain to the pass and the Yosemite High Country.  Obviously it is autumn, late October actually.

Water reflections was one of the subjects that fascinated the Impressionist painters. They worked hard trying to capture this visual phenomenon with brushes and paints.  It is a little easier for the photographer. What we try to do is frame the image in such as way the you see not only the interesting abstract reflection, but a little of the shoreline (like the rock in the foreground) so you, the viewer, can put the scene into perspective.

By the way, you may have noticed lately that the photos here are larger than in the past.  Thank Microsoft for this. They recently upgraded the Windows Live Writer software to make photo sizing  and positioning much easier.

Enjoy.

Postcard from Canyon de Chelly

I wanted to share this photograph I took in Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “deshay”). For those who don’t know, this unusual canyon is located in northeast Arizona and is both a National Monument and part of the Navajo Nation. Tourists are not allowed in the canyon unless they are accompanied by a Navajo guide. Most folks like me just prowl the roads and trails the skirt high above the canyon walls.

This photo, shows the effect of a phenomenon known as “desert varnish”, the black substance you see on the wall. There are several instances of it in Canyon de Chelly and other locations in the Southwest.  It can make for an interesting black and white photo, properly framed, of course.

For inquiring minds, desert varnish, according to an article on Wikipedia, “scientists originally thought that the varnish was made from substances drawn out of the rocks it coats. Microscopic and microchemical observations, however, show that a major part of varnish is clay, which could only arrive by wind. Clay, then, acts as a substrate to catch additional substances that chemically react together when the rock reaches high temperatures in the desert sun. Wetting by dew is also important in the process.”

Also in the photo on the lower left, almost too small to see, are the remains of an Anasazi cliff dwelling. There are several of those in the canyon.

I just like the abstract interplay of the desert varnish on the red rock.  Black and white works well in Canyon de Chelly.  And speaking of black and white,  Ansel Adams did some beautiful work here, including one of his famous shots of another Anasazi ruin called “The White House.” It also features a strong element  of desert varnish.

Postcard from Hunters – The Old Truck

I’ve always had good response from readers when I showed photos or paintings of trucks and automobiles in a state of old age and disrepair. In going over some of my old b logs, I realized I never showed you this painting of an old truck I found in the small town of Hunters, WA.

It was sitting right by the highway along with some other vehicles in not-so-great shapes. But this one stood out because of its colors and contrasts. Perhaps I enhanced the colors a little (artistic license), but even with that, it was a great find.

I went by it a year later and it had deteriorated quite a bit. I wonder what it looks like today or even if it is still there.

It turned out to be one of my most popular paintings and I sold many prints during my time on the art show highway. I remember one show where I sold every print I had including a large canvas version. Good times.

Enjoy.

Postcard from Venice – Ponte Rialto

I worked on my art this past Memorial Day Weekend. By that I mean the digital paintings I create from my original photographs. Long time readers know I spent some years on the art road selling my work at shows and was pretty successful at it.

Admittedly, I’ve not done as many new paintings as I thought when I retired here to Tucson. But, Tucson is a town of many charms that keep me busy…and during that time I’ve added many new photos to my collection from many different trips. Some of these will turn into paintings as I once again pick up my digital paintbrush.

I started this painting of the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal in Venice sometime ago…then let it sit, while I decided over time, as is my custom, if I liked it or not. And, frankly, I forgot about it…until I came across it this weekend.  And guess what…I still like it!  I put some finishing touches on it and marked it complete. It is being seen in public here for the first time.

I remember taking the photograph on my last trip to Venice, knowing I wanted to paint it. Rather than photograph the bridge from higher up or from further down the Grand Canal, as has been done so many times over the centuries, I decided to shoot it from water level close-up.  I was inspired by a watercolor by John Singer Sargent, done from this same point of view.

I hope you like it also.  

Postcard from Tucson – More Tohono

I had such nice comments on my last blog about Tohono Chul Park, that I thought I would share two more flower photos from there.

The first flower is I believe, some sort of Amaryllis (always remember when I discuss flowers, I seldom know what I am talking about). Such beautiful, large blooms that easily fill a frame.

The second photo is a cactus flower that I am totally unfamiliar with. I have never seen this type of flower before. Tohono Park contains a wide variety of cactus from all over the world, so it may be one of the exotic ones from parts unknown. I just thought it was worth a click of the lens.

By the way, my thanks to reader Jo Falls who identified all the flowers from my last blog. I was correct about the Mexican Daisy, but the cactus flowers were from a Claret Cup cactus. The unidentified purple flower was actually an Arizona Thistle. My grateful thanks to Ms. Falls for helping me with my botanical identifications. If she would like to help me out with these two photos, I would be very grateful.

Postcard from Tucson - Tohono

When my friend Susan came in mid-April to visit Tucson for the first time, I told her she could not have picked a better time. Not only were the wildflowers going stronger than they have in years, but most other flowers were kicking into high gear and we were beginning to see the first cactus blooms.

With that in mind, we headed over to Tohono Chul Park, here in Tucson, just two days before we departed for Chicago. This park is one of the great botanical gardens of the western world, especially for desert flora. The park is 37 acres and is divided into several sections, each with a theme. There are many trails throughout the park, some long, some short…and for the date of our visit, it was a treasure trove of gorgeous flowers, many from plants I had never seen.

And of course, it is also a photographer’s dream. I just wanted to keep shooting and shooting, which of course is what I did. Here are just three of the photos. Please don’t ask me the plant names, although the one that looks like a daisy is indeed a Mexican Daisy and I believe the cactus flowers are from a Hedge Hog Cactus, but I may be wrong. The third, I have no idea.

If you ever come to Tucson next spring, in mid-April, I highly recommend a visit to Tohono Chul Park.

Postcard from Chicago – Food

There is no denying I love good food…of all kinds. And when I go to the big city, I want to experience some really good meals with local ambience. I had some specific goals in mind for my Chicago trip and was able to fulfill them all. Now, I am not going to tell you about all my Chicago dining experiences…just a couple.

First and foremost is The Chicago Hot Dog. I looked forward to this one when I first planned my trip. What makes a Chicago Dog so special? Well it is unique and has to be made with certain ingredients in a certain way. Here is the recipe:

A Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed, boiled or grilled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, originating from the city of Chicago. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish (often a dyed neon green variety called "Nuclear Relish" or "Emerald Relish"), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers, and celery salt. No variations are allowed and definitely no ketchup.

Oddly, I could only find these dogs downtown. I am sure they are available in other places, but I could not find them, even in Wrigleyville or in sports bars. So, how do they taste? Fantastic!! A little spicy thanks to the sport peppers, but definitely delicious. But be warned, they are messy to eat. Don’t try eating and driving with these babies. But, when in Chicago, put them high on your list.

Now, when I go to big cities, I love to eat in sports bars and enjoy sporting events with the local fans. And that is easy to do in Chicago as it is a sports-crazed city. So when I went over to Wrigleyville, there was only on place I wanted to eat…Harry Carey’s Tavern.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Harry Carey, now deceased, was and is a Chicago icon…the voice of the Chicago Cubs for oh so many years. At his tavern, I had a “Holy Cow” burger, named after his favorite broadcast expression. It was very good…but more than that, this tavern was filled with sports memorabilia, photos of famous folks and even a bust of Harry.

But most important, the place was filled with sports fans, even though the Cubs were not playing that day. They were watching baseball and hockey, especially their Blackhawks who are in the NHL Playoffs. Such a great atmosphere for me to be a part of Chicago, even if only during lunch hour.

The final place on my original list was Ditka’s Restaurant. This restaurant owned by another Chicago icon, Mike Ditka. Now, for those who don’t know, Mike was a tight end for the Chicago Bears and later coached them to a Super Bowl Championship in the 80’s. He is a fiery, no-nonsense guy who you don’t want angry at you. But, he will also be honest and straightforward with you with no BS…no matter who he offends. He is currently a football analyst on ESPN and I always enjoy listening to his opinions.

Ditka’s is located downtown on Chestnut Street. It is not a true sports bar, although there is a very nice bar where I am sure you can watch games while enjoying a meal. Ditka’s is first an foremost a restaurant with a great menu and a very upscale decor…even though there is sports memorabilia (mostly football of course) everywhere.

I had a dish called a “Meatloaf Mash”…a thick slice of meatloaf, sitting on a slice of jalapeño cornbread…covered with BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes, and thin sliced onion rings. Oh my God, was it good! And I am not a meatloaf fan. My friend Susan had salmon which she said was absolutely perfect. I washed my meal down with two classes of Mike Ditka’s Ale, also very good.

From what I can tell, Ditka’s serves outstanding food, and I hear their steaks, although expensive, are to die for. I highly recommend you put this place on your list. And yes, that is me in the picture after lunch…my stomach was flat before I went in.

There is one other great meal that I at, but won’t go into detail…it was on the 95th floor of Hancock Building. The view was spectacular to say the least…all of Chicago was laid out before me. But the most memorable part was actually being with friends who I had not seen in a while and whose friendships I cherish.

As you can see, I lived and dined well in Chicago. And I haven’t even mentioned some of the other great meals I had, including some homemade ones. Don’t you just love it when all the elements of a vacation come together so perfectly leaving you with amazing memories that will last a lifetime?

Postcard from Chicago – Things You Can Do With a Bean

As mentioned in the last blog about Chicago’s Bean, here are a few additional photos taken there. It was so much fun playing around with my camera at this most unusual location.

Photo #1 is a distorted look at the Chicago skyline as reflected off of the highly polished surface of The Bean.

Photo #2 is of my good friend Susan, and her brother and sister-in-law. Look at the dimension the Bean adds to the photo. You can see their front, their backs, and even me shooting the photo. How cool is that?

The third photo is another of Chicago’s skyline taken from a different side of the Bean. But if you look in the lower left of the photo, you can see me taking the picture. What a great discovery the Bean was for me and my camera.

Enjoy.

Postcard from Chicago – Strange But Fun

Like any big city, Chicago has its share of unusual, sometimes strange objects you won’t find anywhere else. I am sure there are more than I know about, but here are three objects that I saw that were very unusual, but oh so much fun.

First, in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, a short walk from the Chicago Institute of Art, is the city’s strangest, but most photographed object…lovingly known as “The Bean.” It is called that because it is shaped like a bean, and a giant one at that. It’s official title, given by the artist who designed it, is “Cloud’s Gate.” Sorry, fella, it is The Bean.

It consists of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, then highly polished to give it a reflective surface with no visible seams. Reflections off of The Bean are distorted to give you a strange, bent view of both the city’s skyline or of the people standing by it. It is interesting to take a picture of the skyline, or even of oneself from different positions to see what kind of distortions you get. I will publish more photos from the bean in a forthcoming blog.

Also in Millennium Park is Crown Fountain, two 50 foot towers made of transparent glass block bricks, standing at either end of a long, black granite plaza. Behind the glass bricks are high-tech LED video screens. When the screens are illuminated they show the faces of nearly a thousand individual Chicagoans. The faces move and blink, eventually puckering their lips, at which point of fountain of water shoots out where the mouth is. Very fun and a big hit with kids on hot summer days.

Finally, while wandering through Chicago’s most famous department store, Marshall Fields, I came across this interesting mobile hanging from the ceiling. It is three stories high and consists of five thousand balsa wood gliders, the kind you used to buy as a kid and sail through the air. It was an unexpected and unusual find, and I am sorry the photo cannot do it justice.

By the way, Marshall Fields has been bought out by Macy’s, but locals still refer to it as Marshall Fields. Many of us hate to see old traditions go away.

Postcard from Chicago

I’ve been fortunate to have visited some of the most famous art galleries in the world…The Louvre, the Orsay, The British National Gallery, the Uffizi and others as well as special exhibitions of great art. But, the Chicago Institute of Art can hold their own against any of them! It is a very special place, to say the very least.

This very large building, guarded by its two famous lions, sits on Michigan Ave. at Adams St. Inside you will find art of all kinds from all over the world. But be warned, it is impossible to see and appreciate it all, even over several visits. I know…I tried. Most every day of my Chicago visit, I spent two or more hours exploring the numerous wings and gallery rooms. I was able to see many of the worlds most famous paintings that were the most important to me, along with some pleasant surprises…but I had to be content with that.

The sad truth is that after about two hours, my head starts spinning and I can’t take in anymore art. So I would go do other things, usually coming back the next day, or sometimes even later the same day.

On many days, my friend Susan needed to be home and do some work as she had been away for a over a month. So, about 10:10 most mornings, I would walk a block and a half to pick up the #6 express bus to downtown Chicago and about 20 minutes later I would get off 1/2 block from the Institute and be there when it opened at 10:30. Talk about having my own transportation to and from one of the most famous galleries in the world! Later, Susan and I would meet up downtown and head out to other adventures.

Inside is a treasure trove of original art work of all kinds from all over the world. I focused mainly on paintings as that is where my passion lies. There are works here by some of the most famous painters that ever lived. From the early European works of Durer, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, El Greco, Rubens, Delacroix, David, Turner Constable…to the Impressionists and post-Impressionists such as Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, Morisot, Van Gogh, Seurat, and too many others to name. Then there are the modern painters led by Picasso, Matisse, Gris, Kandinsky, Modigliani, and Leger. No wonder my head was spinning!

The American painters are extremely well represented with the likes of Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Frederick Remington, Mary Cassatt, James McNeil Whistler, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Edward Hopper.

This museum is an art lover’s dream. As my friend Susan is a member, I was able to get in free everyday to take in these treasures. For any lover of fine art, this is heaven. Would that I lived there…I would go nearly every day and focus on one painting, bringing a guide book with me so read all about it and appreciate it more.

It was difficult to decide what paintings to show you here, but I chose two of the Institute’s most famous…”Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper and “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” by George Seurat. Both are considered the finest works of the respective artists. By the way, I photographed these works as it is allowed, but without flash. Thank God for anti-shake lenses.

I will try and share more great works with you in the future, maybe sneak one in hear or there. If you love great art, I hope you can see this wonderful place sometime in your life.

Postcard from the U-505

There are only five German U-Boats left from World War II…and only one in the United States. It is found at the Museum of Science and Industry, on Chicago’s South Side. It was here that I first saw the U-505 and toured inside to get an all-to-brief view of what life was like aboard a WWII German sub.

The story of the U-505 and how it came to be in Chicago is as interesting as being inside it. Launched in 1941, it was on its 12th patrol when it was spotted off the coast of West Africa in June of 1944. A US Naval Task Force, led by the carrier USS Guadalcanal under the command of Captain Daniel Gallery (a Chicago native), went after it…and after several attacks by depth charges and from the air, it was forced to the surface. Gallery had formulated a plan prior to the battle on how a U-Boat might be captured in tact.

The German crew quickly abandoned ship, but opened a sea valve to scuttle her. But, the Americans moved rapidly to board the vessel and capture it before it could sink. Thankfully, the Germans did not properly set the additional explosive charges and the Americans found and disarmed them and shut off the sea valve and to prevent the boat from taking on more water.

The partially submerged boat was then secretly towed over 1,700 miles to Bermuda…the first time a ship of war had been captured at sea since the 19th century. The crew was eventually taken to a secret POW camp in Louisiana and kept incommunicado until the war ended. This was a violation of the Geneva Convention for treatment of war prisoners, but the U.S. did not want the German high command to know we had the boat and all of its secret codes and devices. If the Germans knew, they would change their codes and the US would no longer have access to German communications. The information gathered on the U-505 turned out to be quite valuable.

To make a long and interesting story very short, the museum eventually acquired the boat, restored it, and put it on display for all to see. I’ve only briefly covered the highlights of this fascinating war story. The whole history of the U-505, its patrols and eventual capture is worth a read and can be found on a special Wikipedia Web page…and of course on display in the museum.

The pictures I have here are only of the outside of the U-505. I was not allowed to take photos inside. I can tell you it was quite cramped and very hard to even imagine how these sailors lived.

A U-boat would go out on patrol for approximately 100 days. There were 59 crewmen aboard and each was given one uniform. No change of clothing, no baths or showers, and temperatures constantly in the 90’s or higher. The few bunks were shared by other crewmen on different shifts. Only officers had their own bunks. One can only image the smells. If by chance, one crewman came on board with lice, everyone had lice very quickly. This was not a good way to live, especially since U-Boat sailor casualties for the war were 75%!

Ventilation was done from hatches on deck when the boat was running surfaced, which meant no fresh air when the boat submerged. The engines used when on the surface were twin diesels which produce their own wondrous smells. When submerged, the boat switched to electric motors powered by batteries kept charged by the diesel engines when surfaced.

Serving aboard a World War II German submarine was most decidedly not a desirable life for a sailor. If you would like see why in graphic detail, I suggest you watch the movie, “Das Boot” (The Boat). It is rather gritty and oh-so-true to the real thing.

I must say I was a bit awe-struck being aboard the U-505, seeing how the men lived on their long patrols. I knew long ago it was a terrible life…and this visit only reinforced those thoughts and my admiration for all submarine sailors of that era. My own uncle served aboard an American submarine in the Aleutians during that war, but would never talk of it.

In the end, one can only conclude it is the average man, the ordinary Joe who fights in any war…it is he and his family that pays the terrible price for the ambitions of our supposed leaders, no matter what country.

Postcard from Wrigleyville

It was a cool overcast morning in Southside Chicago when my friends Susan, Kristen and I hopped on a #55 bus and headed west to the Garfield Station on the Red Line “L” Train. From there, we boarded a north bound train, above ground at this point, passing U.S. Cellular Field (AKA the new Comiskey Park), proudly displaying it banner that the Chicago White Sox were World Champions in 2005…a seeming taunt to the other team in Chicago who have not won a world championship in 102 years.

As we approached downtown, our train went underground for a while, eventually emerging on elevated tracks in Chicago’s North Side. We stayed on the train until coming to Addison Street, our destination. As we pulled into the station, I saw it on the left, right there by the station…94 year-old Wrigley Field, the second oldest baseball stadium in America and home to the Chicago Cubs.

At this point, you must understand that I am still a kid at heart. As a little boy, I lived and died for baseball and football. I was a baseball fan before the Giants moved to San Francisco, my hometown. I collected baseball cards by the hundreds, went to San Francisco Seals games, and watched the only weekly TV broadcast of a major league baseball game, hosted by Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese. Major league ball players were almost gods to me at my young and tender age. So stadiums like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park in Boston, were the home of the gods which I had no chance of seeing, being a west coast boy. The major leagues were far away in a distant, almost fantasy land.

But, here I was, standing that fantasy world, at the real Wrigley Field. Of course I am a little more realistic today about baseball…I still love the game, but don’t really follow the major leagues anymore. They lost me after their second strike in the 90’s. But, on this day, a was a kid again, fulfilling a childhood dream to see this park and walk among its memories, and that is exactly what I did.

For $25, on days when the Cubs are not playing, you can take a guided tour of this grand old stadium. The tour lasts and hour and a half, although mine lasted nearly two hours.

But before taking the tour, my companions and I needed lunch, so we headed for Harry Carey’s Tavern across from the stadium. For those unfamiliar with that name, Harry was the long-time broadcaster of Cubs game on radio and TV who is a huge icon in Chicago. In fact, there is a statue of him in front of Wrigley. His most enduring expression was “Holy Cow,” so of course I had a Holy Cow burger for lunch.

At the appointed time, I enter the stadium for my tour. It was all I could have hoped for and more. We started out in the right field bleachers and heard stories of the famous Bleacher Bums of Wrigley and about the manually-operated scoreboard…five guys that work in there, changing scores by hand, without benefit of heat or air conditioning…or a bathroom (there is a garden hose with a funnel on it).

From there, we headed for the visitor’s locker room, a place filled with the ghosts of great baseball and football players (the Chicago Bears played at Wrigley until 1970). So, I was in a room that once held the likes of Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Vince Lombardi and countless others. This surprisingly small room was the epicenter of my childhood fantasies of the baseball gods who played here.

From there, we climbed up to the press box, and saw the view from high above the stadium. We were next to the guest box where a celebrity is selected to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the seventh inning stretch. Of course, prior to his death, this was the sole job of Harry Carey.

From there we sat in the luxury seats, then on down to the holy of holies, the Chicago Cubs dressing room. All the time, our guide was giving us more stories about the park and its history. Finally, we made our way into the Cub’s dugout and onto the field itself where many of the great memories of baseball history took place. It was here that Babe Ruth pointed to center field, indicating he was going to hit a home run there…and did. It was the stadium where a man with a Billy goat was refused entranced and pronounced his now famous curse upon the Cubs. And it is here where ivy grows against the outfield wall and fans throw back home run balls hit by the visiting team.

It was a special day for me, a kid one more time, to see this place and be a part of it, even if only for two hours. At the end of my Chicago visit, my friend Susan asked me what was the highlight of my trip, and I chose this day.

PS: Exactly one week later I flew home to Tucson and when I landed, the first thing I saw upon exiting the plane were the concourse bars’ TV screens showing game from Wrigley Field between the Cubs and Arizona. As I watched a batter at home plate, I was filled with the memory of standing there myself and sitting on the low brick fence just behind him. What a day!

Postcard from Chicago – The Bottom Line

After 11 days in Chicago, here are my conclusions: It is a beautiful, vibrant, very clean city, full of excitement, friendly people, a great transportation system, and an unlimited supply of things to do and see. The city is alive with a fascinating downtown, numerous outlying neighborhoods with their own special flavor, great museums, sports, fabulous restaurants and much much more. It’s the best time I’ve had in a long time.

So what did I do there ? Well for starters, I visited all three of its outdoor major sports stadiums, including an in-depth top-to-bottom tour of 96 year-old Wrigley Field; toured a German U-Boat and a coal mine; saw some of the most famous and beautiful art in the world; got wind and rain in my face from a 4D movie; saw thousands of exotic marine animals; ate several Chicago Dogs; dined at the restaurants of two Chicago icons (Mike Ditka and Harry Carey); had lunch on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building; slept every night just a few blocks from President Obama’s home; took subways above and below the city; walked its most famous streets, including the Magnificent Mile; stood at the beginning of Route 66; listened to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata at a free lunch concert; photographed myself on “The Bean”; learned why it’s called “The Windy City”; and spent hours exploring a few of Chicago’s outlying neighborhoods…and loved every minute of it!

It was a dream trip, seeing someplace brand new and visiting with old friends. I am just lucky that I love Tucson or it would have been harder coming home.

Chicago is a very, very big place, centered around its large downtown area. It is the third largest city in America with nearly 3 million residents inside the city limits. There is the North Side and the South Side, with the downtown being the dividing line. Its sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, with the state borders of Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan very close by.

Skyscrapers soar to great heights and the city keeps itself clean and well stocked with millions of flowers…this time of year it was tulips. And they are everywhere in the downtown, and in many of the neighborhoods away from the downtown.

I walked my legs off nearly everyday seeing and experiencing the sites, but it was worth it. Living in a large city like Chicago is so different. Most folks don’t own a car, or need one for that matter. You can move all over the city using buses, subways (called the “L” for elevated railway), Amtrak, and another train system called the Metra. There is also the PACE system that brings people from outlying areas to transportation hubs inside the city.

In the days that follow, I wll tell you more about my adventures in this great city and share some of my photographs. I hope you enjoy them.