Postcard from Tucson

Not long ago, I mentioned a new project I was working on…architectural studies of buildings in the Tucson area. Well, I am still plugging away at it, usually on weekends. This is one of the photos I took on one of my outings. It isn’t exactly a true architectural photo, but I like it, never-the-less. It has some nice artistic qualities. And actually, as the tables, chairs and umbrellas were planned by the original architect, perhaps it is architectural in nature.

I took it on the third floor of the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building on campus as the University of Arizona. As you will see from future photos, the UofA is a treasure trove of fabulous architecture. And now that I think about it, you have already seen a few examples in past blogs.

This actually is one of my favorite places on campus. On weekends, you will often find me there, working on my netbook computer, or just reading. It has a fabulous courtyard between two main buildings, filled with tables and chairs. In the courtyard are beautifully shaped concrete planters with plants, lawn and bushes and many stately palm trees rising almost to the third floor. I recently read that the building was designed to resemble and airplane hanger, but I must admit, I don’t see it.

Two walkways on each connect the two buildings. It is from the western walkway, looking down, that I took this photo. I hope you like it.

Postcard from Wrigleyville

I realized after posting my last blog about Wrigley Field, that I have never told you the story of the stadium’s famous scoreboard. Well, I am here to make amends…and as you will see, the facts and stories behind the scoreboard are interesting.

First, there are only two fully manual scoreboards left in the major leagues…and as you might guess, they are from the two oldest parks, Wrigley and Fenway Park in Boston. A few other stadiums have partial manually operated scoreboards, but its not the same.

In Wrigley, the board, which was installed in 1937, is operated by five guys behind the scenes. There is no heating or air conditioning inside, so right now the guys are freezing, but will be roasting in there come summer. And, as you can imagine, they are constantly moving, putting up scores from all over the major leagues.

Now, you noticed I said 5 guys…not a woman in site. The reason…there is no bathroom in there…however, there is a funnel attached to a hose which is used when the need arises. Imagine that in this day and age!

Now, if you examine the photo, you will see electric lights used to signify balls, strikes and outs. These lights are not controlled by the guys inside, but rather buy a fellow working in the press box, high above the field behind home plate. His name is Rick and has picked up the nickname of “Quick Rick.”I was lucky enough to visit the press box and see where Quick Rick does his work.

Now, Rick got his nickname because he is super-fast at posting balls, strikes and outs. In fact, he has studied the motions of every umpire in the National League and has the ability to put up a ball or strike before the ump has finished his arm motion. He is that fast.

But, one day, he was a little to fast. The Cubs were playing the St. Louis Cardinals one day and the Cards had two runners on base with one out. The next batter hit a fly ball to the outfield where Sammy Sosa made the easy catch. But Sammy forgot how many outs there were. So, as soon as he made the catch, he turned around to check the scoreboard.  He saw two outs posted and thought he made the catch for the third out. But Quick Rick had posted the out before Sammy turned around.

Sammy, thinking there were three outs, started jogging in towards the Cubs dugout. The Cardinal runners all scored before Sammy realized he had made a goof. The Cards won the game by one run. Oops. Legend has it that Quick Rick was told not to be so quick anymore.

There are lots of great stories about Wrigley like the Curse of the Billy Goat and others, but those will have to wait for another day. Next time, something different than baseball, I promise.   

Postcard from Wrigleyville

About 11 months ago, I wrote a blog about my first trip to Wrigley Field in Chicago. I still think back to that trip and how special it was for me. Stepping back in history and waxing romantically about my love of baseball in my younger days.

I have been back to Chicago and Wrigley since then and it was no less a special visit than the first time. And with the baseball season just beginning, I thought it a appropriate to show another image of that famous stadium and its sign.

I don’t think there is any more famous ballpark sign in baseball. Sure, Fenway Park is slightly older than Wrigley, but I defy you to tell me what their entrance looks like. We have all seen photos of the “Green Monster” wall in left field, but their entrance is doo-doo compared to Wrigley.

In case you are wondering, this picture was taken at the corner of Addison and Clark. That whole area reeks of sports, both baseball and others.  Sports bars are everywhere. But having been to a few, my favorite is still Harry Carey’s Tavern, across from the stadium.

And while my love of professional baseball has waned considerably since my younger days, I still love the game. The major leagues lost me as a fan several years ago, but I do enjoy going out to watch college baseball here in Tucson. And this year, Tucson has a new Triple A Farm Team, so I might just drop by this year and see a few games.

But whatever happens, I will never forget my times at Wrigley Field.

Postcard from Oxford

It’s one of my favorite cities in the world…Oxford, England. It lies about 1.25 hours north of London, depending on traffic. Of course, it has one of the most famous and oldest universities in the world, dating back to the 11th century. Oxford University consists of 38 colleges with romantic names such as St. Johns, Trinity, Queens, Keble, New (which is old), Jesus, Exeter, and many more.

Its noted teachers and students are way too many to name here. Its churches, libraries and museums are incredible and fun to explore. The whole city reeks with charm from by-gone eras. And, I have been fortunate to visit it several times. But part of its charm includes its many pubs in and around town.

This photo/sketch is of my favorite Oxford pub, the White Horse. It is located on Broad Street, in the heart of Oxford, directly across the street from the famous Sheldonian Theater. It’s the oldest pub in Oxford, dating back to 1590. It was “home” to famous visitors to Oxford such as President Clinton and Winston Churchill…and favorite hangout of TV’s Inspector Morse. Also look for it in the movie, “The Oxford Murders,” (they sat at the same table as me). It is also one of the city’s smallest pubs.  But definitely worth the visit.

If you go, be sure and order the steak and ale pie…so delicious…and let the barman pick out your beer/ale/lager/bitters for your meal.

Its easy to get to…if you are in London, take the bus (called the Oxford Tube). There are several pickup spot in London, then non-stop to the heart of downtown Oxford. Then, just walk and enjoy this most incredible city.

Postcard from Tucson

I’ve started a new project (or picked up the pieces of an old one)…photographing some of the architectural wonders of Tucson.  Since I live here, why not.? Easier to photograph here than Paris.

My project, for the most part, will focus tightly on some of the smaller details of our architecture, and will mostly be in black and white. This photo, of course, fits neither of those two criteria. But I was out shooting early Sunday morning and I always wanted to shoot this scene without people in it.

So while I captured several good architectural images later in the day, I had to get this one while I had the opportunity. I will explain more about my new project when I show off some of those images.

But, of course, this does qualify as an architectural photo. It is the walkway in front of the old Tucson Courthouse. I’ve shown you a painting I did of the entire courthouse some time back. This walkway is on the other side of the picture. I love the arches here and have always been a fan of arched walkways and their courtyards. This kind of arched walkway is very prominent in several European countries. I have even found some here in America…the last one, besides this one, being inside a student dorm at the University of Chicago.

I found another interesting walkway similar to this one, without the arches, on the University of Arizona campus. As I said, it is similar, but quite a bit different. I will show it to you soon. I promise.

Postcard from Utah

How could one not stop and take a picture like this? I was traveling east on picturesque Highway 12 in Utah. I was east of Bryce Canyon and west of Escalante. I had just spent 4 days camping and hiking (and photographing, of course) in Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park….the very westerly section of Highway 12. Now I was traveling east to see more of the most beautiful highway in Utah.

This photo was taken just outside the small town of Henrieville, UT…looking east. The red rock/mountain formation you see is called Powell Point and is one of many beautiful sites you see in the Grand Staircase of the Escalante National Monument.

The clouds this day, were of course, a major bonus. I think it rained a little off and on that day, but had stopped by the time I got to Escalante. From there, the real beauty of southern Utah begins.

Postcard from Mt. Rainier

In a less visited corner of this magnificent National Park lies a grove of old, first growth trees known as the “Grove of the Patriarchs.” It is about a one mile walk from the main road through some of the most beautiful forest you have ever seen. Part of the trail runs beside the Ohanapecosh River.

Soon, the trail divides and you cross the creek on a swinging bridge and head deeper into the forest, until you enter the Grove of the Patriarchs. From there, the trail becomes a boardwalk to help protect this old forest from the crush of too many visitors.

From here, you feel like you are on sacred ground. Groves of ancient Douglas-fir, hemlock and Western red cedar trees leave the air musty sweet. Many of these trees are over 1,000 years old…some have 30’ foot or more circumferences…they have survived fires and floods and even the ravages of man.  

This photo is more artistic and less designed to give you a feel of an old growth forest. In the future, I will show you images of the trees that grow here. But, better yet, if you are ever in this great park, set aside some time to visit this place for yourself. You will never forget it.

Postcard from Chicago

The date was 10/10/10…an unusual date to be sure. It was the day of the Chicago Marathon, a major event not only in Chicago, but in the world of marathon runners. They come from all over the world in many shapes and sizes, some runners, some walkers, and a few who can do neither.

I captured this photo as a so-called handicapped participant in the race came around the corner near mile marker 19. He was actually way ahead of most of the runners. He moved quickly as his arms kept spinning his back wheels, only leaving when he had to negotiate a turn.  It was a herculean effort to stay ahead of the pack and attain his best personal time over the 26 mile course. No matter what his final time, he is a champion and one that inspires awe and admiration for us more fortunate humans who have the use of all our limbs. I wondered that day if I could do this, given his same situation. I tend to doubt it.

But in fairness, I raise my glass in tribute to the thousands who competed that day, but to this fellow especially.

Postcard from Tucson–Book Fest

The annual Tucson Book Festival is probably my favorite event in Tucson. Too bad it only happens once a year. In only its third year, the event is now the 3rd largest event of its type in the nation. This year, over 400 published authors, many extremely well known, came here for the two day celebration of books of all types.

As you can see, there are a plethora of tents all over the mall area where you can purchase books, attend seminars, meet authors, get your books autographed, and visit many other publishing-related vendors. The photo above shows you just some of tents outside…there are many more off to the right.

For me, the best part of the festival are the author talks and workshops that occur in classrooms and tents on the University of Arizona campus. There are hundreds of them, but sadly you can only do five a day as they are held in the same time slots. When the lists come out, I spend a few hours going over them and narrowing down the ones I want to see…then make my final selections. Sadly there are always two or three events held at the same time and I have to make a hard choice. This year, I carried the list on my new Droid X phone, so I knew where to go for each event. Love that phone!

The second photo shows you one seminar I attended called, “Scene of the Crime: Place as Character.” The mystery writers there include Martin Cruz Smith, on the far left (Gorky Park, Polar Star, and many more)…and Cara Black, center, author of the Aimee LeDuc mysteries that take place all over Paris. It was held in one of the large tents set up on the mall.

Other events I attended were on such diverse topics as science fiction, constitutional law, astronomy, puzzles, writing, sports and more. I got to meet and speak with folks like the famous sports writer Frank Deford and the writer of many great thrillers, James Rollins. 

Like last year, C-Span 2 was also here showing live book talks on both Saturday and Sunday. I attended two of those and saw the camera pointed at me a couple of times, but have not seen the videos yet. 

In such a short space, it is difficult to explain how much I enjoyed this festival. If you are an avid reader such as me, look for a festival like this somewhere near you.  Or next year, plan to come down to Tucson and see this one.  By the way, the weather was perfect, right around 80 degrees.

Postcard from Mt. Rainier

This photo, taken in Mt. Rainier National Park, is the base of Narada Falls. And yes, the rocks are really that gold color. They really do look like large chunks of gold, made even shinier by the water. 

I remember this trip to Mt. Rainier as it was my one and only visit to this great park in the Northwest. Imagine that, living for 15 years in Washington State and only visiting this natural wonder only one time. And here’s another dirty little secret…I never made it to Mt. St. Helens.

What makes this trip even more memorable for me, was it was my first expedition into the wilds with my first, brand new digital camera, an Olympus E-300. I remember shooting on the first day in the park and not being really pleased with my shots. So I took a hotel room outside the park’s western entrance, got out the camera manual and read it in depth and discovered where I went wrong. (You know the old saying about electronic gadgets…when all else fails, read the manual). The next day’s shooting produced much better photos.

This shot of Narada Falls was done on the second day. The falls are just a short walk from the main highway and worth every step. I did shoot the entire falls, but like this one the best as it highlights the gold rocks, which, to me, are just as important as the falls. When one is shooting a scene like this, one should always shoot at different angles, as well as wide angle and close-ups. You never know what may jump off the screen at you when doing post-processing.  

Postcard from Tucson–Wishing for Spring

It won’t be long now…it’s early March and Spring is about to be sprung. Here in Tucson, it feels like Spring already…temperature in the 70’s and low 80’s, plenty of sunshine, baseball underway…but no flowers yet, like the ones you see in this photo.

I shot these lovely flowers last year in early April at the Tohono Chul Park here in our fair city. That park is dedicated to Southwest plants and flowers and no doubt I will be out there again in a couple of weeks. I showed you some of the flowers from there last year. But, like most of you, I am getting impatient for the real Spring to kick into gear again.  If you live in the north climates, you must be more than ready.

Don’t ask me the name of these flowers as I don’t have a clue. Remembering the names of flowers is not my strong point. So I just enjoy the beauty they bring to our lives…and thanks to photography, I can enjoy them all the time.

Postcard from Newport

The Oregon Coast is a wonder of nature and is always there for all to appreciate. I’ve driven it a few times, always with my camera because there is so much to enjoy and capture forever.

This photo of a beach near Newport, Oregon is a simple, yet expansive photo of the drifting sands caught in one moment of time. Go to this spot today, and it is an entirely different sight. When I saw this scene, I was reminded of some images I’ve seen of the sands of Death Valley and White Sands, NM. In these photos, it is all about patterns and texture.

I had no doubts when I photographed this scene it would be rendered in black and white. The sand is brown, but as I have said here before, color can distract the viewer from seeing the true intent of the photographer. By rendering the scene in black and white, you see what I want you to see and the image becomes more emotional. The patterns and textures jump out at you. Add to that, a classic S-Curve, and you have instant depth.

But enough of the photo lessons for now. Just enjoy the view.

Postcard from the Goosenecks

Last time, in my postcard from Mexican Hat, I briefly mentioned Goosenecks State Park. It’s an interesting place with a great view. I’ve never shared any photos of the place, because, quite frankly, my few pictures of the place were terrible.

The original images are the perfect example of why you never shoot at midday and you never shoot into the sun. I have worked hard to clean up this photo to make it presentable for viewing, but it is definitely not on my masterpiece list. I show it to you only because I want you to see part of the incredible views at this Utah State Park.

I stopped here briefly to eat lunch while on my way to Canyonlands National Park further north. I was amazed by the view and so sorry that I didn’t make it here at a better time of day, photographically speaking.  The river you see here meandering through the 1,000 ft. deep chasm is the San Juan River (I incorrectly identified it in my last blog as the Green River…sorry).  The river meanders back and forth, flowing for more than five miles while progressing only one linear mile toward the Colorado River. From this viewpoint, there is another gooseneck off to the right…just could not fit it all into the lens.

As I said, the only way to photograph the scene was to shoot almost directly into the sun, which accounts for the flares you seen in the photo. Still, it was a nice place to have lunch.

Postcard from Mexican Hat

Yes, there really is a place called Mexican Hat. It is in southern Utah, on US Highway 163, just north of Monument Valley and the Arizona border. Population 88, at the last census. It gets its name from Mexican Hat Rock, a distinctive rock formation located just outside of town (see below).

The town has a big celebration every year on March 8, commemorating the fact that the US Census Bureau has officially named it as a “census designated place.” Everyone in town who can make it shows up wearing…you guessed it…a Mexican Hat.

The hills pictured above are also just outside of town. When I first saw them, a few years ago, they reminded me of a Navajo blanket, for some reason. Probably because I had just left the lands of the Navajo Nation behind me when I first came into town. But, they are also similar to the Painted Hills of Oregon, which you have also seen here before.

So, besides the Mexican Hat Rock, located nearby is Goosenecks State Park, a wonderful place to see the Green River flowing through a series of goosenecks….and not far north are the fascinating red rock formations of the Valley of the Gods. As you may have noticed through my blogs, southern Utah is a beautiful place and worth many sightseeing trips.

Postcard from the Painted Hills

I came across this photograph taken a couple of years ago in the Painted Hills of Oregon and realized I had never shared it here. Neglectful of me, for sure, as I think it is a good photo.

I don’t have much more to say about the Painted Hills that I haven’t already shared with you before. It’s located in North Central Oregon and if you live in the Northwest as so many of you do, you definitely need to go there someday and enjoy the exquisite colors. Although it is part of a National Monument, there is no fee to get in. Just go, already!

Postcard from Chicago–Navy Pier

Welcome to Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular landmarks and tourist attractions.  Extending nearly 2/3 of a mile into Lake Michigan, the pier houses dozens, if not more, tourist attractions, such as the carnival rides pictured here.

It took two years to build and opened to the public in 1916. It was designed as both a pier to handle shipping and as a public gathering place for Chicagoans. And that is what it did until the era of motor transportation began hitting the shipping companies hard.   By the late 1930s, the pier was used as more of a summer playground, with recreational facilities that included picnicking areas, dining pavilions, a dance hall, auditorium, and children's playground.

During World War II the pier returned to serious marine purposes, as the city leased the pier to the U.S. Navy as a training center. The Navy's air group training arm docked a pair of converted flattops at the pier to use as freshwater training carriers. During this period, some 60,000 sailors and 15,000 pilots, including President George H. W. Bush, trained at the pier.

Moving forward several years, the pier was rebuilt in the 1990s, and now includes fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls. Other attractions include a 150-foot Ferris wheel (pictured here), an IMAX theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, the Chicago Children's Museum,  and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.

There are also several different kinds of excursion boats docked on the pier that will take you for specialized trips around Lake Michigan. For example, I took an old schooner sailing ship for an hour’s cruise on the lake. Quite fun, actually.

If you are ever in Chicago, no doubt you will visit Navy Pier as it is listed as the #1 tourist attraction in this great city. Definitely worth of visit. Be sure and stop in at the Billy Goat Café so you can hear the cooks yelling out, “Cheesebourger, Cheesbourger, Cheesbourger.” That alone is worth the trip.

Postcard from Yosemite–The Smallest Falls

Yosemite Valley is home to dozens of gigantic falls, some of which I’ve previously detailed here. With the valley being around 4,000 feet deep, the giant falls have a long spectacular drop. There is Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Ribbon Falls, and many others to numerous to name. And in springtime, there are even waterfalls that have no names.

But, in a quiet corner of the valley lies Yosemite’s smallest waterfall…called Fern Springs. Mostly ignored by tourists, it is actually quite easy to get to as it sits right by the road. There is even a small turnout to park your car.  As you enter the valley proper, the road splits in two and becomes one-way in each direction. Cross the Pohono Bridge and it is on your right. 

It is a natural spring bubbling up out of the earth. The water is quite drinkable. Like all Yosemite water, there is less of it in the autumn than in spring…and obviously this photo was taken in autumn…late October to be exact. And there is actually a second set of small falls just below what you see here.

Like all falls in this great valley, water from Fern Springs eventually flows into the Merced River. I hope someday I can go back in the springtime and photograph it again when the falls are full. 

Postcard from Southern Arizona

Sunrises and sunsets are a photographer’s bread and butter. We mostly concentrate on the quality of that more gentle red-shifted light on particular subjects. But, occasionally, we focus on the sunrise/sunset itself, as I did in this photo.

Sunsets are usually better than sunrise, because the ground has heated up during the day and there are more airborne particles in the air to help bring out more color. Such was the case for this photo.

The sun is actually in a different location than where I pointed my camera for this shot. The photo was taken at what we sometimes call “second sunset”…when the sun is below the horizon, but its red light affects cloud formations in all directions. The foreground, while not very spectacular, gives the viewer a point of reference. Remember, if you shoot sunset or sunrise photos, always give the sky either 1/3 or 2/3 of the image…never 1/2. Decide what is more interesting, the ground or the sky…then make your decision.

I took this image about 2 years ago in the Coronado National Forest, in the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness Area, about 40 miles due south of Tucson. I camped out there for a couple of nights and was rewarded with a spectacular evening light show. We do have some spectacular sunsets here in the Southwest. 

Postcard from Oregon

I came across this photo while searching through my archives.  I took it a few years ago with my first digital camera. The location is Astoria, Oregon…at the Northwest tip of the state.  It is here that the fabled Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.

It is here where Lewis and Clark finished their amazing westward trek from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. In fact, nearby there is a replica of their winter fort.

This is one of the Columbia Lightships that marked the entrance to the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean.  The first Columbia lightship took its place in 1892. This one served from 1951 to 1979. It was the last Columbia to be decommissioned on the west coast. WLV 604 is now a museum piece and open to the public at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

The ship is made of steel and is 128 feet long, 30 feet wide, and draft of 11 feet. The ship was powered by a diesel engine made by Atlas Imperial. The lighting system on the WLV 604 was a 375mm lens visible for up to 13 miles. Fog warning was provided by two diaphone signals on either side of the ship. It was replaced by a lighted navigational buoy. It was eventually retired as well.

I liked this image because of the two bow lines and anchor chain leading from the dock to the front of the ship. The clouds were also a great help. I am very glad I have so many pictures of the great Northwest to remember my time there.  

Postcard from Autumn–Forest Floor

I love these small scenes of nature, as you may have noticed. This was shot in Autumn, late October actually. Where? It doesn’t really matter, I guess, as its just another small, tiny piece of nature in the fall.

Actually, it was photographed in Yosemite National Park…not in the Valley, nor in the high country…but about halfway between…off of the Big Oak Flat Road. I just wandered into the forest and found this little scene. I didn’t arrange anything, just shot it as is. On that safari, I got to the park at exactly the right time.

What is better than wandering in nature, taking in the beauty? Most of the time it is not worthy of a prize-winning photo. But, never-the-less, it is peaceful and glorious to behold. It can restore our souls and wash away the noise and confusion of everyday life. But, it does help to have a camera nearby when you run into a beautiful little scene like this.

In my last blog, I showed you the grand sweep of Bryce Canyon from high on Inspiration Point. By way of contrast, I show you a tiny part of Yosemite here, but no less beautiful than the Canyon.

But, like the last blog where I told you to check out my updated Bryce Canyon photos on the Web, today, I am promoting my updated Autumn photo site on my Web pages. Again, this site has many new, never-before-scene photos, like this one…as well as some reworked images from other Autumn locations. I invite you to see it, at your convenience.