Vulcan Meets Warhol

Great way to jazz up a private parking lot on 19th Street North in downtown Birmingham.

High Atop....?

I see my Birmingham readers scratching their heads.  I have to give a nod to my photographer friend Michael Anderson who discovered this fool the eye location and was kind enough to take me there. I'll let my savvy readers have fun guessing where this was taken. I'll reveal tomorrow!

Ode to Steel

Recently I was up at Vulcan Park to photograph the big iron guy getting his buns painted. While I waited on the CraneWorks crew to crank up, I poked around a little in the Vulcan Museum. This wall fascinated me. Have a look!

Well SOMEBODY'S Gotta Do It!

Even Vulcan , Birmingham's favorite iron guy, needs a little spiffing up from time to time. Tuesday, CraneWorks provided the "cage" for these daredevil painters. For all you guys out there that mumble and gripe about painting the living room............things could be worse!

This will most likely be the last crane shot for many moons. Wayne, enjoy it while you can.

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.

Nostalgic Sunset

* My friend Jean Reed continues as my guest photographer this week. I'm enjoying her photos as I prepost them so I know you are too.

During the 20’s Quinlan Castle was the swankiest place to live in Birmingham. My mother lived there while taking classes at Business School—around 70 years ago. During her recent hospital visit at St. Vincent’s last fall, the view from her window was this nostalgic sunset view of Quinlan Castle in the Birmingham skyline! The view to the south from her window was the Red Mountain Expressway that leads to the Over-the Mountain suburbs. Vulcan is along the mountain to the right side in the photo!

Jean Reed - Guest Photographer

Birmingham's Iron Man

* I know you're enjoying Jean Reed's great photos and commentary as she fills in for me this week. I told you I'd leave you in good hands!

Virginia has introduced you to Vulcan. As a child we all looked to see if Vulcan had a green light or a red light in his right hand---representing traffic fatalities in our city for that day. Vulcan was restored a few years ago and the light was removed and the original spear was placed in Vulcan’ s right hand. During Vulcan’s restoration, Vulcan’s head was on view at the Art Museum. Below is a picture of my class during the year that Vulcan was being restored! What a thrill of a lifetime to see Vulcan up close and personal!!!

Jean Reed - Guest Photographer

From High Atop Red Mountain

I am sure many Birmingham readers of  my blog have wondered WHEN I was going to pull Vulcan out of the bag.  I was waiting until after the 4th of July.  You see Vulcan, the Roman god of iron and forge,  has guarded Birmingham for over 100 years.  He is the world's largest cast iron statue. For many, many years Vulcan held a torch in his hand.  It glowed green except when there was a traffic fatality and then it glowed red.  That's been replaced now with a spear.  Vulcan Park is a great place to visit and see the panorama of the city of Birmingham, and on the other side the suburb of Homewood.  For as long as I can remember, Red Mountain ( as in iron ore) is where the most spectacular fireworks display has taken place each year. They shoot into the sky all around Vulcan.  The fireworks can be seen from vantage points all over the city.  This year I enjoyed it from a golf course near my home.  My grandson sat in my lap saying, "Cool, awesome as each one burst into the sky."  I thought about my tripod and camera and then decided to just enjoy the evening with family and friends.  We had a cool breeze, believe it or not, and ooohed and aaahed till the very end.

Thanks to my friend Mary who sent me this.  Sorry it's a day late for the 4th but I love to listen to this anytime. France Sings for the USA!