There are some nice sculptures at Chicago Botanic Gardens – I took this one last week.
Saturday Sculpture Challenge, 8/1/20
Saturday Sculpture: CBG
Sculpture Saturday: Ravinia
Ravinia, our outdoor summer concert venue, has cancelled its season this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a pretty scene of Ravinia from July of last year, for Mind Over Memory’s Sculpture Saturday.
Len-Artists: Reflections of…
Guest host Shower of Blessings has given us the theme for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #87: Reflections.
My car is a source of several types of reflections:
Reflections of holiday lights on its hood
Light from its headlights reflecting on snowfall
An image in its driver’s side mirror (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Bodies of water are also great sources for photographing reflections:
One of the ponds at our senior community – the reflection was clearer on the water side (left) than the ice side (right).
Hippo and its reflection (Serengeti National Park, Tanzania)
Egrets on the edge of a lake (Tarangire National Park, Tanzania)
In this close-up of two geese that are part of a sculpture, the reflection of the top of the sculpture, geese in flight, can be seen in the pond. (Chicago Botanic Gardens)
Polished surfaces, such as glass and mirrors, are good places to look for reflections.
Glass pots on display at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington – the pattern at the bottom of the pot on the left is reflected on the platform.
Glass bowl
Glass sculpture on the roof of the museum after a rainfall – the birds are actually reflected in the puddle – it reminded me of the egrets in Tanzania!
The polished floor in the courtyard of a mosque in Cairo, Egypt
It took me awhile looking at this photo to realize it was actually a mirror image I was photographing, at a restaurant in Cairo. There was also a mirror at the far end, where the actual scene of our group having dinner was reflected, in the second photo.
Finally, semi-spherical mirrors were used to enhance flower exhibits at the annual orchid show (Chicago Botanic Gardens). This photo is a bit blurry but I liked the reflection – and you can see my camera in my hand at left!
And now, a theme-related video of a golden oldie from the 1960s!
Friendly Friday Odd Couples
I found out about the Friendly Friday Photo Challenge from Cee Neuner (thanks, Cee!).
Here’s my first contribution, for the topic Odd Couples.
Sculpture Saturday: Open House Chicago 2019
For Mind Over Memory’s Sculpture Saturday, here are some sculptures I captured during Open House Chicago last October.
Street art
At Zen Buddhist Temple
Sculpted steins at Dank Haus
At Elks War Memorial
At Wintrust Bank, Old Town
Hunt for Joy Challenge: Say Cheese
Cee Neuner has a new weekly challenge entitled On The Hunt For Joy. This is the second week and the theme is Say Cheese. She says,
“find some photos of you smiling and feeling joyful, or find some photos that brings a smile to your face or brings you joy. Tip from Ingrid Fetell Lee [who is the inspiration for this challenge]: ‘Studies show that our expressions can influence our emotions. So when you’re feeling down, try faking it ‘till you feel it by smiling, doing laughter yoga exercises, or looking at a photo of yourself taken at a particularly joyful time.'”
I selected photos that represent happy times in my life. The first is me having a fun moment with my son when he was a little boy, circa winter 1988.
A wedding photo taken when I married the man I love, Dale, in November 1995.
Playing around with the photo software on my computer in my classroom at Anne Sullivan School. This was one of the happiest years during my teaching career, 2009-2010.
Here are some happy times traveling.
Finally, one of my “shared” birthday celebrations – my brother-in-law and I have birthdays nine days apart, and he is 10 years older than I am. (They spelled my name wrong at the bakery – it’s Katy, not Caty! 😦 )
Sculpture Saturday
Mind Over Memory has a photo challenge called Sculpture Saturday. Here a few photos of sculptures I’ve taken over the last few months.
Thursday Doors: Belmont Ave. & More
I had Norm’s Thursday Doors in mind when, two weekends ago, we went into the city for Open House Chicago. I took some random pictures of doors as we drove down the street. Most of these were on Belmont Avenue.
This is not a door, but a gate is a portal, an entryway, so I consider it worthy of inclusion. I like the way it connects two buildings.
I also include some interesting non-door architectural features on Chicago buildings, and a couple of other random things.
The decoration on top of this building is typical of the art deco style of the 1920s.
This house looks as though it might have been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright or one of his disciples.
The door isn’t visible but what you see is above the door.
Partial doors visible here – I don’t know what church it is.
Modern sculpture
Inside Wintrust Bank, Old Town
Chicago architecture is amazingly diverse – I recommend a visit to the city for any architecture buffs. Take an architectural tour on the river, but also take time to wander the streets of the older parts of the city. There are many hidden gems!
CFFC: Lines
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week has the topic Lines.
Marriott Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
Fine arts & gifts store in Jericho, West Bank, Palestine
Countryside near Jericho, Palestine
Chihuly glass art, outside Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
Columned fountains, outside the Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
CB&WPC: Taking Sides
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge this week is sides of things.
Whose side are you on?
I’m not sure I’d want to be on THIS guy’s side – especially its bad side!
Climbing up the side of this pyramid might be tricky, not to mention slippery!
I’d rather be on this animal’s side than in front – whoa, watch out!
I’m on your side, lions! (My, what big teeth you have!)
I’m definitely on the side of these newlyweds on their wedding day!
Being on the side of a dahlia lets me see the unfolding of this lovely, delicate flower.
This side view is one of my best and most favorite photos.
Birds’ eyes are on the sides of their heads – and this one is giving me quite a stare!
Give me the evil eye, but don’t worry – I’m not going to steal your worm!
I hope you enjoyed my journey of taking sides. And remember, I’m always on your side (hopefully with camera in hand)!
