Peaceful

Today's photo is brought to you by the color GREEN!  I snapped this photo last weekend while attending a brunch for a dear friend's daughter.  On my way in, I passed this lovely pond with a fisherman patiently waiting for a bite.  Since I was a bit late,  I couldn't  stop.  As I left, I just had to slow down and take a few shots of this idyllic scene. What caught my eye was the lush greenery reflected in the still water. It was a "mizzly" day, but I hope you enjoy this oasis in the midst of our big city .

P.S. "Mizzly" is a southern term that means a day that is part rainy, drizzly, well..... you know!

Red Tomatoes in a Blue Box

Well if these doesn't make your mouth water, nothing will.  Homegrown  Alabama tomatoes are the fruit of summer.  Actually I picked this photo just so I could include the tune du jour - "Hang on Little Tomato" by Pink Martini.  My thanks to Dusty Lens for introducing me to this group.  I am a shameless copycat.

Baseball Dreams Do Come True

What boy or girl  doesn't dream of a chance at bat in a real baseball park?  Well, my friend Connor got to do just that,  at none other than Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field.  For those of you who don't already know, Rickwood is the oldest baseball park in America.  What a thrill for me to be able to capture that moment when Connor got to live his dream.  

Scroll back to previous Rickwood posts.

2 THINGS CHALLENGE - UP/DOWN

Little did I know when I posted this photo today that I was jumping right into this week's Two Things Challenge which is UP/DOWN!  Thanks to my pal in D.C. for alerting me.  For once I am ahead of the game instead of bringing up the rear. 

These boys are having a ball swinging as high as they can go!  Isn't that what summer is all about?

Industrial Meets Art

 The temperature was well into  the 90's when my photography buddy, Bill and I headed to Sloss Furnaces for a little field trip. ( In our defense, we did question whether it was a good plan.)   About 15 minutes into our shooting expedition we confirmed that our timing was off by about 2 months. We forged on.  The heat we were experiencing was nothing compared to the temperature when Sloss Furnaces was in its prime.  This place has been lovingly preserved, painted, and tended.   There is truly a feeling of stepping back in time when Sloss Furnaces was instrumental in making Birmingham  the "Magic City."

An earlier Sloss post  was on July 3,2008. 

I Fall to Pieces

Meet "Nike" by Birmingham's Cordray Parker.  Isn't she great?  She looks like she might have just landed at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  I have passed her many times through the years, and she still can't seem to get herself together!  Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" always runs through my mind.  Click here to hear Patsy sing it as only she can do.  Feel free to sing along with her.

SKY WATCH FRIDAY - Red Tiles, Blue Sky

Highlands Methodist Church is probably one of the most photographed churches in Birmingham and rightfully so. Overlooking the famous fountain in 5 Points South, it's one of Birmingham's oldest churches.  Built in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style,  it is just as striking today as it was when it was built 99 years ago.  

For all the Skywatch Friday participants, click Skywatch Friday on the sidebar.

Curves

Birmingham is blessed with many beautiful columns that have thankfully not succumbed to the wrecking ball.  Today's column is brought to you by the Massey Building in downtown Birmingham.  While most depend on their decorative capitals to give them pizzaz, these columns are beautiful in their own right.  I think these soft curves and the way the horizontal joints line up perfectly make these especially appealing.  

Green Acres Meets City Livin'

Recently I visited a place that I have passed many times, but never stopped to explore- the Jones Valley Urban Farm.  One of its three locations is smack dab in the middle of downtown Birmingham.  I saw everything from corn , (at least 7 feet tall), melons, zinnias, and even a colorful rooster!   More photos will be posted in the weeks to come.  I chose this photo to give you a feel for the location.  As you can see , it is in close proximity to Park Place, a mixed income development, and the interstate! Please visit their website to see all the wonderful things this urban farm offers to the children and adults of Birmingham. 

Window in Bloom!

This vibrant poppy window at Wildflower Designs at Birmingham's Pepper Place is a real showstopper.  Owner/designer Sybil Sylvester is noted for her unique and creative approach to floral design.  I photographed it (about a 100 different ways to avoid the reflection)  a few months ago for a photography class. My theme was "Euro Birmingham",  and  I thought this window looked like one you might see in Paris.  Sybil confirmed it.  She bought it at the Paris Market.  

The Four Sisters

In 1898, four Daughters of Charity founded St. Vincent's Hospital, the city's oldest hospital.  Here they are depicted wearing a more modern,  metallic version of the very recognizable habits of their day.  St. Vincent's Hospital advertises that they are "where babies come from."  For our family that is absolutely true.  My two daughters and 5 grandchildren were all born there.  The hospital has grown and grown over the years, but continues to give the same excellent, compassionate care that it is known for.  I live near this hospital and always enjoy seeing the Four Sisters as I pass by.

Thanks to my friend Amy who tells me that this sculpture was done by Birmingham artist Brad Morton.

TWO THINGS CHALLENGE: People/Watch

This is my first time to wade in on the TWO THINGS CHALLENGE.  The theme this week is People/Watch.  I decided to include one photo for both. This precious pooch looks like he's people watching.  I'm thinking he's probably guarding his TAIL!   The Pepper Place Market is a meet and greet (or sniff and snarl) for a wide variety of dogs who are nice enough to bring their masters each Saturday!  So what do you think this pup is looking at? 

Click Two Things Challenge for the other participants today.

My new photography web page is up and maybe running. Hope you will visit.

Making Tracks

I took this photo from the viaduct on 21 Street in downtown Birmingham.  A very nostalgic scene, reminiscent of days gone by when the railroad played an important role in Birmingham's history.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - A Little Razzle Dazzle at the BMA

The metallic panels of this sculpture at the Birmingham Museum of Art shimmer in the sunlight. The blue sky and white clouds are the perfect backdrop for it.  The Sculpture Garden is  kid, adult, and photographer friendly .  It is a wonderful place to introduce children to the world of art. They can run around, be noisy and look at the eclectic mix of  sculpture up close and personal.  Who knew a museum could be so much fun!

 

Please click on the Skywatch Friday link on the sidebar to see all the other participants this week.