Catching Light -Mykonos, Good-bye Greek Isles

 

Linking to Nature Footstep Inspiring Photography: Catching Light .

In June I finished a tour of eight European countries, Austria to Turkey and mostly along the Dalmatian coast with a brief cruise of the Greek Islands.  Mykonos was the last island on the cruise before ending the trip in Athens, Greece.  I chose Mykonos for this "catching light" post because the day we spent on the island offered countless opportunities to photograph brilliant light--blue skies and sea, white cube-shaped houses glittering in the sun.

(Click on collages to enlarge.)

Here are some of the best sights from my tour of the harbor and town, including the lime washed cubical buildings with their blue accents and flat terrace roofs:

Mykonos has many churches, most very small.  In the past churches were built on sites to avoid paying taxes--example the small sanctuary middle left.  The large free form church is the Paraportiani and is quite unique as it is a blending of five churches each with different architecture:

 

Here are some common sights walking along the harbor:  fishing boat, the Alexandria Restaurant by the sea, an old anchor, fresh seafood (including octopus which is pounded and then hung to dry from fishing boats before preparing) and a playful dog making a pest of himself on the beach:

 

Streets are narrow and paved with flat stones that are painted white all around.  The white-washed buildings are accented with colorful doors, windows, and balconies.  Blooming bougainvillea, oleander, hibiscus, and fuchsia tumble over walls and balconies.

The windmill is a classic symbol of Mykonos.  At one time the windmills were used for grinding grain.  Now they are part of the character of the island.  Notice the Barbie pink scooter lower right!

These final shots are of the setting sun over the Aegean Sea as we walked back to our ship along the harbor:

 

 By this time I had been away from home for 21 days so was getting quite homesick.  Still, I'm glad to have these memories of sparkling white light against the blue Aegean Sea.

Catching Light - Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

September 1 - a quiet Labor Day here in the U.S. and a favorite holiday because it's not too early to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. I see the first hints of fall around the lake at Bernheim Forest. Brilliant skies reflected in the lake, grasses along the water's edge just turning and catching the light. A quiet and welcome time of the year. Enjoy. (Click on image to enlarge.)

 

Linking to Nature Footstep Inspiring Photography: Catching Light .

Mosaic Monday - Swiss Travel Dog

 

click on mosaic to enlarge

While on a somewhat blogging hiatus over the recent holidays I was trying to come up with some fresh post topics for the new year.  Here's my first effort:  Dog a Day.  Whenever I travel I miss my dog(s) that are left at home.  So, not far into the trip I'm looking for dogs to pet and photograph no matter what country I'm traveling in.  To begin this series I give you the Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog from a 2008 European trip.

Spotted this grand dog at an outdoor café in the historic center of Lucerne, Switzerland.  The Bernese is as much a symbol of Switzerland as its red cross flag (flying from buildings in top left photo), chocolate, and fine timepieces.  The Reuss River runs through the historic city center and cafes and shops line either side of the river where the Swiss enjoy the outdoors.  The flower decked wooden Chapel Bridge spans the river and provides a beautiful walkway.  This wooden bridge is one of the oldest in Europe, built in the 1330s.  The inside bridge roof is covered with very old paintings.  Middle right photo was taken from a cruise boat on Lake Lucerne and is the classic Swiss landscape of small wooden farmhouses and chalets nestled into the steep mountainside.  Lower right is a shot of the cloud-covered Alps.  I took this pic from the summit of Mount Pilatus near Lucerne.  Getting to the summit involved thrilling rides in a cable car, ski lift AND aerial gondola!  Think you'll agree that the view was worth the effort.

So, I hope you enjoyed this first Dog a Day post.  If so, come back next week.  Who knows where we'll go-Russia, Italy, France, New Zealand? 

Linking to Mosaic Monday

Best of 2013 Photography - May, June & July

I'm a bit behind with spotlighting favorite photos/subjects from 2013. So, today I'll share my picks for May, June, and July:

May

In May I became interested in photographing the many beautiful historical churches in Louisville so that I could participate in the weekly InSPIREd Sunday meme where we share interesting churches and other places of worship.

It happens that many of Louisville's historic churches are Episcopalian.  As I went around town taking photos of them, noticed that they all had red doors from the grandest cathedrals to the simplest stone churches.  Learned that the Episcopalian red doors symbolize many things, but primarily sanctuary and the Blood of Christ and His sacrifice.  This great example is Advent Episcopal in the Highlands of Louisville:

~click on images to enlarge~

June

For June I'll go back to one of my favorite spots for photographs -- Beargrass Creek from the Belnap Bridge in Cherokee Park.  In particular, I love getting shots of this wonderfully gnarled old tree in all seasons and times of the day.  Here a touch of pure summer fun with the inner tube swing hanging out over the creek.  BTW, this is my reminder to you that summer will return, although you may not think so in the frigid cold of this week!

 

July

 

July was not the greatest month for photography here at Summit Court.  First, it was the start of several months of ongoing problems with internet/DSL and my computer's performance which kept me from blogging on a regular basis.  In addition, it was a time when I was dealing with serious health and caregiving issues for my elderly family members.  On the positive, however, it was about this time that I started getting interested in attracting birds to the yard and trying to ID them.  So, I chose this collage of Chet in his favorite spot--lying by the front door and peering out at the birds.  He has taken a very laid back stance on his Roommate's new obsession with birds!

 

 

Picks for August - December still to come!  Am finding that going back though photo archives is a great way to see what happened in 2013.  You?

Best of 2013 - April Photography - Spotted Pony and Sunny Yellow

 

For the April pick of best photos of 2013 I chose this friendly spotted pony at a riding stable out in eastern Jefferson County.  I went back later in the year and was pleased to see my friend still in the pasture.

 

And just for the benefit of all my friends who hate this bitter cold winter weather that we're currently experiencing, how about some sunny yellow?  Hang on!  The forsythia will be blooming before you know it! 

Best of 2013- March Photography - Fraidy Dog

 

Chet here, folks -- Happy New Year from me and the Roommate.  We almost didn't make it under the wire with our greeting because we're having DSL/internet problems AGAIN.  Luckily the red light stopped blinking long enough for us to send out best wishes for 2014 to all our blog friends.  You all are GEMS!

 

The Roommate chose these photos of me in my literary thunder shirt as her favorite photography subject for March 2013.  Personally, I thought there were better photos of me, but she does the picking since they're her photos.  Anyhoo!  The back story here is that when I was just a little more than a year old (March 2013) I suddenly lost all my happy-go-lucky Chetness and started being afraid of loud noises and flashes.  We tried me wearing this thunder shirt, but it didn't work.  Now when the sky turns the least bit grey the Roommate gives me a little green pill.  Still haven't figured out why she likes to call me Lindsay Lohan. . .

Best of 2013 - February Photography - Gothic Gatehouse

 

Continuing with a look back at favorite photos/subjects in 2013, for February I choose the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse.  This fabulous gothic "castle", built in the 1870s, houses the valves which control the flow of water for the Louisville water reservoir.  This 110 million gallon basin holds water pumped from the Ohio River to be filtered for the city's drinking water. 

 

The gatehouse is ornamented with many gothic architectural details such as the huge water urns on each of the roof points.  An elaborate iron fence runs all around the reservoir.  The path goes all around too and is a favorite walking, jogging and photography site, especially at sunset when you can catch this golden light--if you're lucky!

Best of 2013 - January Photography - Pastel Skies

~ click on images to enlarge~

In this last week of the year I always enjoy looking back over the last 12 months and reflecting on what the new year may bring. First "looking back" will be of the subjects and themes I've explored each month in the photos I've taken. Almost every day I take a few photos --some I'm really happy with the photo or the subject, others not so great. At least this January-December review will provide some clues of what was catching my interest as the year went on. For January I chose "Pastel Skies"--just a few quick photos of a soft early morning sunrise. 

Friday Fences - Snowy Kentucky

While driving from Shelbyville to Louisville on U.S. Route 60 in the early afternoon on Wednesday, I spotted this wintery scene that could be a great holiday card from Kentucky.  May be biased, but I think Kentucky is beautiful in all seasons. :-)

 

 

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday - Mean Girls

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Who would think this sweet-faced mourning dove deserves to be called a "mean girl"?!  For sure, I didn't know until recently.  They have been visiting the yard for a while--since I started scattering feed for the ground foragers.  A lot visited, but they were very calm and non-aggressive.

Then last week, in preparations for the ice, snow and bitter temps we're experiencing right now, I set up this platform feeder and supplied it with some bird delites like peanuts and nutty suet.  Wow!  what a bunch of bullies--especially when a half dozen tried to crowd on the feeder at one time.  Lots of pecking and wing flapping going on.  So far, they've managed to intimidate a lot of the birds--and squirrels.  That is except for the tufted titmouse and blue jay.  Both of them can stand up to the mean girls! In the meantime, I'm cancelling the post titled "Peace Conference" that was planning. . .

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

Wild Bird Wednesday - November Yardbirds

click on collages to enlarge

This past month I've tried to keep a record of all the different birds that have visited the bird buffet or just roosted in the now bare trees just long enough for me to get some not so great photos.  The tufted titmouse is a frequent visitor and doesn't stay still for picture-taking.  Maybe should be renamed the blurred titmouse!

Here are others spotted in the yard in November:

Clockwise:  northern male cardinal and house sparrows, cardinal, blue jay ( first snow of the season)

 

Clockwise: mourning dove, cardinal, hawk (no idea which kind), the black-eared Chetbird, Carolina wren, Carolina chickadee

 

Clockwise: male house or purple finch, trapeze artist, juvenile European starling, dark-eyed junco, mourning dove, northern mockingbird

Clockwise:  brown creeper or downy woodpecker, another woodpecker - hairy or ladder back?, hawk, white-breasted nuthatch, American crow, red-bellied woodpecker

I'm still learning about how to ID the birds that visit--get right maybe 50% of the time.  Just wish I'd started with this interest a long time ago.  Could spend hours watching them out the window--and sometimes do!

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

Mosaic Monday - Tree Hieroglypics

click on image to enlarge

Recently I found this interesting tree in Cherokee Park whose trunk was decorated with many "hieroglyphic" carvings. In the lower right the traditional symbol for love, but what do you make of the rest? I see something definite in each carving. What about you? Can you also see a face in profile in the leaf shadows on the tree?

Linking to Mosaic Monday.

Monday Mosaic - Late Fall on Beargrass Creek

Click on images to enlarge

Each season I try to get some photos of this twisty-trunked old tree on the banks of Beargrass Creek in Cherokee Park.  For the fall shoot most of the colorful leaves had fallen by the time I made it to the park last week.  Instead of being disappointed, learned an important photography lesson: focus on what's in front of you and you'll always find great subjects.  In this instance, found all these different small shells on the creek bank and even on submerged leaves.  Serendipity!

Linking to Mosaic Monday.

InSPIREd Sunday - Historic Methodist

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This is the former Middletown Methodist Church, which is my neighborhood.  The church was built in the late 1800s in the gothic architectural style.  The spire and windows are especially distinctive.  The church is listed on the national historic register and is now a community center.  (I took these photos yesterday in the afternoon sun, as you can see!)

Here are a few more views:

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday .

Friday Fences - Locust Grove Split Rail

 

click on images to enlarge

 

Re-visiting historic Locust Grove farm, owned by the family of  George Rogers Clark in the early 1800s.  Clark was founder of Louisville, a Revolutionary War hero and explorer on the western Lewis and Clark expedition. The farm is about 20 minutes drive from downtown Louisville, Kentucky.  I've used these photos of the split rail fence before, but thought they might be interesting in a collage to see how the rails would look side by side when shot from different perspectives.

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday -the Red Head

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Red-bellied Woodpecker - visited the bird buffet a couple of days ago.  A most welcome customer.  Understand that he likes dried meal worms which were on the breakfast menu that day.  I'm most happy to hold my nose and put more out if he'll visit again!

Here are a few more views, including a shot of his bell (second row left) so you can kind of see where he gets his name.

 Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

November Gratitude Mosaics - C for Coffee

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November 3

Continuing with the alphabet of gratitude for November - today it's coffee made my own way.  For many years I've used this odd coffee making contraption, the Toddy Coffee Maker, to ensure that I can have a fresh cup of my favorite brew any time of the day without resorting to instant (yuk!) or brewing a pot and then wasting if I'm only in the mood for one cup.

Here's how it works (starting kind of at the bottom left) 1. insert the rubber cork in the bottom of the white "jug" and then place that round "buff" pad in the little well inside the jug.  2. next add about a pound of your favorite coffee and then fill the jug with cold water and cover.  3. let steep about 24 hours, either out on the counter or, when it's really hot, in the fridge.  4. After the steep time, pull the plug and allow the "coffee extract" to drain into the glass container.  As the extract drains through the "buff pad" all the bitter oils are captured so you have incredibly mellow coffee.  5.  Store the coffee extract in the fridge for over a week.  6.  When you're ready for a cup of coffee deliciousness like the one in the big photo, just mix equal parts coffee extract, water, and milk.  Microwave for about 3 minutes.  Of course, if you don't use milk or cream, just tinker with the ratio of extract and water to get the right strength.  And there you have it--a perfect cup of coffee any time, no fuss, no waste!

You may not be surprised that a coffee lover would also have a thing for the perfect coffee mug or cup.  Mugs are my souvenirs of choice when I travel or go to arts and craft fairs.  The lower right I bought at the Saint James Art Fair, and the brown at the Te Papa, the national Maori museum in Wellington, New Zealand.

Linking to the November Daily Blog at Myanderings .

Friday Fences & InSPIREd Sunday - Small Town Charm

 

 

click on images to enlarge 

This is the First Presbyterian Church right on main street in the small historic town of Shelbyville.  The church is small and cleanly designed.  I haven't been in the sanctuary, but would think that the light would be fantastic through that front window.  The fence surrounding the church is wrought iron in keeping with the church's simple architecture.

Beside the church there's a small garden where the ornamental grass and peeling bark of the river birch trees take center stage in the fall:

Linking to Friday Fences and InSPIREd Sunday .

November Gratitude Mosaics - B for Books

click on mosaic to enlarge

 

November 2

 

Today I'm grateful for books --stacks and stacks of them all over the house mean hours of reading pleasure.  I read from many different genres from historical fiction to police procedurals.  Especially fond of Scandinavian crime fiction from Sweden's Stieg Larsson (Girl with Dragon Tattoo series) to Iceland's Arnaldur Indridason (Inspector Erlendur series). Click on mosaic middle row to see some of the Nordic Noir that I read last year and favorite authors.  Also, when I discover new--for me--authors I like to read everything they have written.  Right now I'm working on Daniel Silva's novels about Gabriel Allon, Israeli spymaster and art restorer.  To date, I've read about 100 books in 2013.

 

Until a few months ago I ordered books from Amazon.  The UPS guys made regular stops at Summit Court with those Amazon boxes.  Then I discovered our excellent public library.  Now I keep a running lists of books on order.  About the only message that I like getting on the answering machine is "This is the Louisville Free Public Library.  You have four items on hold.  Please pick up as soon as possible."  On my way!

 

Finally, you can tell just how much we love books around here.  Instead of a man cave, Chet has a book cave!  He loves to snooze under this bookstack.

 

Linking to the November Daily Blog at Myanderings .

Wild Bird Wednesday - Raspberry Dipped

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First time visitor to the deck railing feeding station a few days ago.  He only showed up once and was flying solo.  As far as ID, I'm going with male Purple Finch.  One bird book said that the male looked like he had been dipped in raspberry juice!  I can see that in these photos which have not been color edited at all.  The purple finch is similar to the male house finch, but its coloring is more crimson, compared to the orange-red of the house finch.  The purple finch has a notched tail (see the photo of him on the grass stem) while the house finch has a longer squared tail.  Migrates through Kentucky looking for food as it gets colder.  Has a liking for the black oil sunflower seeds that are offered on the Summit Musings bird buffet!

Here are a few other shots of the raspberry dipped beauty.  Hope to see more of them this winter.

 Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .