Louisville's Gothic Reservoir

Can you believe that this Gothic stone castle is actually the gatehouse for Louisville's water reservoir basin?  Water from the Ohio River is pumped into the Louisville Crescent Hill Reservoir where sediment is filtered out before being supplied to local customers for drinking, residential and commercial use.  All the filtration mechanisms are housed in this unlikely "castle" built in the late 1800s.  The building has many Gothic architectural details like stone rosettes and water urns on the roof points.  An ornate iron fence circles the reservoir:

I took these photos last weekend while chasing the sunset over the Ohio River.  As you can see I got to the reservoir too late, but did manage to get these pics of the fence and water.  I'll go back another day for the sunsets and sunrises.  There is a walking/running path which circles the reservoir and is popular with residents of the Crescent Hill neighborhood for its elevated and unobstructed views of Crescent Hill Park.  Finally, here's a bonus shot that I call "light and shadow" of leaves on the stone steps to the gatehouse:

Linking to Friday Fences and Nature Footstep Waters .

What to do in Paris, the City of Love, on Valentine's Day

This photo was taken  in 2002 on a visit to Paris and before I had a digital camera.  Appropriately for this Valentine's Day post you can see that "luv" themed graffiti decorated the construction walls around the Eiffel Tower.  I was back in Paris in 2008 with a better camera, so decided to share some possibilities for spending the day with your sweetheart in this most romantic of cities. (Click on the collages to enlarge.)

Morning

Row 1 L-R:  view the River Seine and city from the top observation deck of the Eiffel Tower; watch school children dressed in traditional French smocks playing in the park; take a city tour by bus.

Row 2 L-R: shop on the very fashionable Champs Elysees; view the city from the Eiffel Tower; have lunch in a cafe.

Row 3 L-R:  walk through the park near Eiffel Tower; driver in Paris traffic; check out the cafe menu for a coffee and croissant break.  

Late Afternoon and Evening

Row 1 L-R:  men get a Parisian haircut; check out the sidewalk scene, including these gendarmes; take a cruise on the River Seine in a glass-topped boat.

Row 2 L-R:  buy your sweetheart some flowers; enjoy the beautiful architecture; drive by the Eiffel Tower at night.

Row 3 L-R:  buy some fancy French chocolates, browse the book stalls along the Seine; and, finally, end your day in the City of Love with an authentic cabaret show at La Nouvelle Eve (see the cancan and be prepared to be just a bit shocked!). 

Hope you've enjoyed this little fantasy tour and that you have a great Valentine's Day where ever you are.

Macro and Mosaic Monday - Russian Birch Trees

Photos from a 2012 river cruise of northern Russian.  The birch trees were spectacular in groves, along the river's edge, or closeup, especially the silvery bark.  Birch bark was used by local craftspeople to make everything from boats to slippers to decorative arts.  (Click to enlarge.) 

Linking to: Macro Monday and Mosaic Monday

Big Four Bridge

The Big Four Bridge for pedestrians and bicycles officially opened for traffic on Friday.  This old  railroad truss bridge spans the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN.  This old bridge has been a part of the Louisville waterscape since the late 1800s.  I was at the right place, right time, with camera handy back in November to catch this sunset.  Using these three shots to show how dramatically the scene changed in just a few minutes. (Click on collage to enlarge.)

If you enjoy water photography be sure to check out Nature FootstepWaters for Sunday to see entries from all over. Or, even better, link to your own water photos.

Skywatch Friday - Pastel Skies

Late January sunrise-pastel skies 

Skywatch Friday

Mosaic Monday - Winter Trees on Baringer Hill

Baringer Hill in Cherokee Park is a favorite spot for runners, walkers, and dog frolics all year round.  And then in the winter when Louisville gets its rare snow the hill is full of sledders.  Any time it's a beautiful high overlook for the park.  On this day in late January the bare trees were wonderfully highlighted against blue skies.

Linking to:  Mosaic Monday at Dear Little Red House

Beargrass Creek in February

Beargrass Creek branches through Cherokee and Seneca Parks in Louisville, Kentucky.  Throughout the parks are several stone bridges designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture, when he laid out our parks system in the late 1800s.

If you enjoy water photography be sure to check out Nature FootstepWaters for Sunday to see entries from all over. Or, even better, link to your own water photos.