Here we have the renowned UVA Lawn, centerpiece of the Academical Village designed by Thomas Jefferson for the first public University in the United States, which he founded. The Rotunda is at one end (to the North) and this slide shows the view in the opposite direction, towards Cabell Hall.
Another pretty fall view? You all know UVA has been in the news of late, so you also know that’s not all this view is about.
Just another dull foliage shot?
I’m including a wide angle from my twin Sigma rig, to give you a sense of scale…
What do you guys make of it?
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, this year we have a supposedly historic piece of Berlin wall grafitti art on our campus, on loan from the Hefner Collection. It is Dennis Kaun’s KINGS OF FREEDOM. I’m still researching the provenance of this artwork, because I’m a little bit suspicious of it, as it is clearly signed “copyright” 1990. Continue reading
Paradise Falls
Springtime in Washington State’s Skagit Valley, home of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
An unintentional double-exposure at the Puyallup (pyoo – AL – ip) Fair.
I cannot look at Horseshoe Bend without thinking about Popeye the Sailor
Prusik Peak is the dominant peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Concepcion (1731)
One 
of the most attractive of the San Antonio missions, the church at Concepcion looks essentially as it did more than 200 years ago, when it stood at the center of local religious activity. The mission was well known for its religious celebrations. Not visible today are the colorful geometric designs that originally covered the exterior surface of the mission. Inside, however, are original paintings of religious symbols and architectural designs. These outposts were established by Catholic religious orders to spread Christianity among the local natives. These missions formed part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish Southwest in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This is one of the 5 San Antonio missions, the Alamo is owned by the state of Texas and operated by the Daughters of the Revolution. The National Historical Park encompasses 4 of the missions. Taken with the TL 120.
Mazamitla is located in the south-central area of Jalisco, south of Lake Chapala. Mazamitla is in the pine woods, more than 7000 feet up, clean air, cooler temperatures, a beautiful setting. San Cristobal Parish Church is an architectural wonder, blessed, for some reason, with an exterior that stirs thoughts of a Chinese pagoda. As usual, it appears freshly painted, white trimmed in red. There were flowers at the entrance. History says the clock in the tower has trouble keeping time. This image was taken with the spud Tech Pan film reversal process. How I miss Mexico!!!
The brainchild of Berlin-based artistic team Elmgreen and Dragset, Prada Marfa was meant to be a “pop architectural land art project.” Built of a biodegradable adobe-like substance, the building is meant to slowly melt back into the Earth, serving as a surrealist commentary on Western materialism. Prada Marfa is located northwest of Valentine, Texas, just off U.S. Route 90, and about 60 km northwest of the city of Marfa. Costing a sum total of $80,000 – or, put another way, about 40 Prada handbags
Due to vandalism the handbags have no bottoms and all of the shoes are right-footed. While the vandalism might be the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to Prada Marfa, the site still gets thousands of visitors a year, despite Route 90’s low traffic flow Most people buy the artists’ story, but a few vocal dissenters have flooded the internet with conspiracy theories. Some even argue that Prada Marfa is a trap set by aliens meant to attract potential abductees. Visitors beware.
In March of 2014, the Prada in Marfa was vandalized with blue paint and graffiti. Image was taken with the TL 120.
Located in the state of Veracruz, El Tajin was at its height from the early 9th to the early 13th century. It became the most important centre in north-east Mesoamerica after the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. Its cultural influence extended all along the Gulf and penetrated into the Maya region and the high plateaux of central Mexico. Its architecture, which is unique in Mesoamerica, is characterized by elaborate carved reliefs on the columns and frieze. The ‘Pyramid of the Niches’, a masterpiece of ancient Mexican and American architecture, reveals the astronomical and symbolic significance of the buildings. El Tajin has survived as an outstanding example of the grandeur and importance of the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico. Taken with the spud, hand held.