Monday, October 19, 2009

Buns of Iron


I know, I know, I couldn't help myself. Vulcan,the largest cast iron statue in the world, overlooks the city of Birmingham , known as the "Pittsburgh of the South", celebrating its rich history of iron and steel production. The city of Homewood which lies south of Birmingham gets this view of the god of fire and forge. The residents affectionately refer to their view as "moon over Homewood". See, if it weren't for BADP how would you ever learn all these important facts about my fair city!!

All kidding aside, Vulcan Park is a must see. Recently renovated, you can zip right up the elevator (when I was a wee girl, we had to trudge up the stairs!) to the observation deck and take in the terrific view of Birmingham. There is also a museum and nice picnic areas with a view as well.

33 comments:

dianasfaria.com said...

this is a great photo, & humorous too.

James said...

That is really impressive statue, I Just hope that's a hammer that he's holding. :-p

Seriously, that is a really great statue and I love the picture.

Eki said...

i couldn't help giggling just reading the tittle ... and looking at the photo ...

how tall is it, V?

Pat said...

Ha, ha to James. There's a statue here called The Victor (search on my site) that, when viewed from a certain angle, people joke about for the same reason.

Interesting statue---his head looks just as big or bigger than his 'buns'!

Olivier said...

magnifique cette statue et puis il y a une superbe lumiere, bravo

Jilly said...

Love the title and the buns. So effective - of course I mean the whole sculpture - against the sky.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Great bum but short legs though. A great photo (great light and sky) and a very humorous post.

Michel Benoit said...

This is a discovery...
I enjoy your photos.
Gasp ! I thought that Birmingham was in England... ;-O
Perhaps you are twin...?
Just as Natalie, I would say about Vulcan : a big head and a tiny ass !

Papalin said...

C'est une découverte...
J'aime beaucoup vos photos.
Moi qui croyais que Birmingham était en Angleterre... ;-O
Peut-être êtes-vous jumelées...?
Un peu comme Nathalie, je dirais à propos de Vulcain : une grosse tête et un petit cul !!!

Anonymous said...

I guess so. Leaves little to the imagination and I like that. I am just amazed it survived the war years.

steviewren said...

No matter how old he gets, unlike me his backside never sags. Lucky him!

brattcat said...

Hahahahahaha.

Daryl said...

Oh this is priceless ...

Thérèse said...

"Buns of iron" "Buns of steel":

Forging in Birmingham sounds fun and helpful!

Virginia said...

Steviewren,
My sentiments exactly!

Thérèse, I toyed with "steel and Iron"! :)

Nathalie and Avignon, well now that you mention it....ha

Thanks everyone. Glad you enjoyed this post. It was fun!

marley said...

V! Oh, V! You know how to get me every time! That is the best post of the day (and I've only been hear!) Just brilliant!

Bergson said...

Vulcain attend la foudre ?

Virginia said...

Oh Bergson,
We hope not. He's made it all these years without it!!

Marley,
You've used restraint in your comments. I'm sure you're about to pop to let a fine one fly!:)

James,
I took another look. Oh my! You probably beat Marley to it!!! HA

Marie-Noyale said...

Homewood residents are little devils!!!
and you are one of them at least in Spirits!!

Anonymous said...

Do they have a gift shop? If so, bet they sell an intersting nutcracker.

cieldequimper said...

Lol @ altadenahiker! This is very, very impressive! I'm sure you'll show us the view... ;-)

Char said...

I do so love this big hunka guy

Paula said...

Very cheeky of you, V! I stopped there on that afternoon about a year ago but the park was closed, and I had to get home. Next time I'll be sure and plan for it.

Dystopos said...

It looks like you must have climbed WVTM's transmission tower to get this shot. What's your secret?

Virginia said...

My secret you ask?? Well I was at NBC 13 for Blogging Against Violence about a week ago. I wandered out on their patio and parking lot and snapped the BIg Guy! It's not what you know but WHO you know!:)
V

AH,
Lordy, you've topped them all with that one! Whoohoo.

M-N, I was a Homewood resident for many many years. I've looked at those buns since I was a girl.

Lowell said...

I like it, but I'd guess it's been the butt of a few jokes around Birmingham!

Kitty said...

haha.
His head is so proportionally big for his body.

but then, I'm sure people aren't looking at his head.

EG CameraGirl said...

I enjoyed this post. You have a fun sense of humour. ;-)

Ken Mac said...

that dude is all buns and neck and not much else!

Bob Crowe said...

Oh, you had me all excited that we were going to get something really titillating. But you know what? His head is bigger than his booty. I'm trying to figure out what that means.

Ken Mac said...

altadena always cracks me up

TheChieftess said...

Very funny!!! Love this post...love the fact that if this is the largest statue in the world...then those buns of steel are even more impressive... I think a nutcracker would be a big seller AH...

FireLight said...

Virgina, this is just super! I need to put this photo in my family album. My husband's great grandfather owned the Hood Foundry on First Avenue North (it formerly stood on the site of the Tip Top Bakery that you and I would remember). The company poured the molds and welded those buns together along with the whole statue! I'll bet Tip Top never baked any buns that big!!!