11-07-09 Tropical Sunset

To balance yesterday's winter photo, how about a sunset on the Pacific coast near Ixtapa, Mexico?

11-06-09 Ugh!

I must really be running out of photos if I am posting pictures I've taken that I really don't like looking at! The good news is that it doesn't look like this in South Dakota. Yet.

I took this photo several years ago after a major winter storm closed schools and shut down businesses. But life goes on after such a storm and this person was out in the first rays of sunlight to remove the snow from his driveway.

11-04-09 Two Halloween Fairies

A year ago my wife, my mother-in-law and I visited Gig Harbor, Washington, and happened to arrive just in time to experience Halloween festivities. The street in front of our bed and breakfast was blocked off and it was filled with all sorts of characters, including these two beautiful fairies. Here's a view of main street. (click) A few minutes after I took the photo of the fairies, I stepped across the street and found this. (Click)

11-03-09 The First Snow

This is from my recent stay in Denver. I didn't have much time to wander around taking photos and the weather wasn't real conducive, anyway, with wet snow falling nearly continuously for two days.

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11-02-09 Rosey Remembrance

This red rose came from an arrangement for my mom's funeral. We had brought the rose home and as I was walking through the dining room, I noticed that the late afternoon sun was bathing it in strong, angular light. I guess this was a sign for me to photograph the flower.

11-01-09 A Human Interface

You may have noticed that I like to take photographs of art museum interiors. This photo comes from the Denver Art Museum. The inspiration for the title is the fact that the design and color of the space that showcases the art are so welcoming.

Art museums are often busy and full of the sound of voices and footsteps echoing off the walls and wooden floors in the spacious galleries. But because it was snowing outside, the museum was quiet and I had this floor almost to myself. I was looking for serenity, warmth and color on this particular morning and I found it.

For those who might be curious, the painting on the wall directly opposite my camera is called "Childhood Idyll" by Bourguereau. Click here to see a better view of the painting.

Canon 5D II 1/30s f/4.0 ISO800 35mm

10-29-09 The Big, Blue Bear

I am in Denver this week and we are being treated to the first major snow storm of the season - 8" so far. But it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, when I fly out.

This is the big bear sculpture that stares into the lobby of the Denver Convention Center. I'll have to admit that it wasn't the best day for street photography, with snow coming down in big chunks. But sometimes the worse weather conditions make for unique photos.

Click here to get a view from the inside.

10-28-09 Promenade

This photo was taken on the Stradun, the main street that runs through the center of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Many European cities have parts that are "people friendly," including Dubrovnik. No cars allowed - only pedestrians. This is a strange concept to a citizen of the US who lives in a city that is missing sidewalks in many key places. You want to walk to Walmart? You must be kidding!

What I like about this photo is that usually the dog leads the people but this dog is doing all it can to keep up with these children, who seemed pretty focused on going somwhere.

10-27-09 An Act of Devotion

Gothic architecture was revolutionary in the 12th century because it allowed for very tall structures with relatively thin walls. And thin walls meant plenty of windows and lots of light. Compared to previous styles, Gothic architecture was light and airy but to inhabitants of the 21st century, these places are dark.

And the darkness makes this photo what it is, since the main lighting is the soft light reflecting up into the faces of the two men attending to the votive candles. In the medieval mindset, light warded off evil, so even a single candle made a dark place safer and more holy.

Canon 5D 1/60s f/1.2 ISO500 50mm

10-26-09 The Empty Chair

I believe that this photo was the last photo taken of my mom at home. The empty chair was where my dad, Clarence, sat. Out of habit and respect, family members rarely sat in this chair, though my dad was never possessive about his place in the family room. My mother was happiest at home, but who isn't?

I have been thinking today about the events that bring families together: births, baptisms, graduations, weddings, retirements and eventually funerals. And as long as all those events come in proper sequence, it's all good. It is the circle of life.

And empty chairs are eventually occupied again.

10-25-09 Remembering Bernice

Of course, to my brother Mike, my sister Barb and me, she was "Mom." I'm sad to say that Mom passed away in the early hours of the morning today (October 25, 2009). Mom was 91 and we had spent the better part of the afternoon yesterday visiting her at the nursing home she lived in. Her passing was quiet, peaceful and appropriate. But I feel pain nonetheless, for I had not expected death to come so quickly.

There's more that I could say but I don't have many words right now. I'll let this photo of a my beautiful mother speak for itself.

10-24-09 Seeing Red: Going Green

My wife said that when we traded in our sexy Chrysler mini-van, we would buy a Prius. "What's a prius?" I asked. She said that it was a car that got good mileage and ran part of the time on a battery which was charged by its own motor and brakes. "Brilliant," I thought.

So here's our brand new car. Though this photo was taken several years ago, and our car isn't so new anymore. But it is still red. Incidentally, Deb usually gazes at me with adoration but this look says, "Just get this over with - I've got better things to do."