Garfield Rising

Across the street from the Alwun House is this art work called Garfield Rising named for the Garfield Neighborhood where it is located. It was created by artist Joe A. Tyler and commissioned through the street transportation capital “percent for arts” program.  It is a beautiful piece depicting the famous Phoenix rising from the ashes.

Sedler House

The Alwun House artists community is located in this historic home once owned by John Sedler, a merchant who owned Owl Drug. The Sedler family lived here until 1948. The founders of Alwun House purchased the property in 1971.

Alwun House

Nearly 30 years ago, Alwun House was the first alternative/contemporary art gallery in downtown Phoenix, A place where all arts are represented in one place. Tomorrow I’ll show you the ‘house’.

Swallow

The swallows are nesting in southern Arizona.

This photo was taken on my recent road trip in southern Arizona in the town of Tubac near the border with Mexico.

Sharing the bounty

These two seem content to share nature’s bounty.

Camelback Mountain

From the twelfth floor of a Central Avenue high-rise.

Full moon over Encanto Park

I went out to catch a sunset and found a full moon coming up instead.

Cactus, Sky, and one bird

Arizonan’s love it when we have clouds.

Guaycan Shrub

The flowers of the guaycan shrub being enjoyed by a honey bee.

Palm Tree Art

This art piece is located in a green spot near downtown Phoenix. I couldn’t find a name for the piece, but did see a plaque with the names a several contributors.

Flying Fish

When I looked up and saw the beautiful sky behind this fish on the side of a restaurant, I thought it might make an interesting photo. I played around with it and tried to make the wall disappear and leave the fish behind. It’s not the best job, but thought I’d post it anyway.

Surveillance

If you see one of these police helicopters circling your neighborhood, it’s probably a good idea to stay indoors instead of running out to your backyard with a camera like I did.

Apples

The most recent exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum is called “Cezanne and American Modernism”. It compares some of Cezanne’s works with the works of American artists who were clearly influenced by Cezanne. The gift shop in the museum used apples to attract buyers to the show’s catalog and other things Cezanne inspired. I was more fascinated by the look of the apple displays than by the things for sale. I took several photos and merged them into this collage.

Drop it like it’s hot

An interesting window display for the luluemon athletica store.

Patience

This young man is patiently waiting for his dad who is transacting some business at the Verizon Cellular store. I thought he was quite adorable.

Backyard Blooms

That echinopsis cactus in my back yard is blooming again. Such beauty and you only get one day to enjoy it.

End of an Era

The Biltmore Fashion Park is changing its look. The two story end of the shopping center is being taken down and it’s my understanding that for the time being, a parking structure will be built here. I heard that the original plan was to create retail space with living space above it, but the housing crisis has put a hold on those plans.  So many restaurants were located in this section and they are now gone or relocated.  Not to worry though, several new restaurants have opened in different locations within the shopping center.

Love Birds

I was at my friends Julie and Dave’s (Scottsdale Daily Photo and Tamarindo Cost Rica Daily Photo) house a few days ago and Julie pointed out these peach-faced love birds that have been gathering in a tree just down the street from her house. We did a little stealth photography to see if we could capture these little beauties. Julie has some great shots and maybe she will share some with you one of these days.



The very next day, I saw two of these little cuties in my front yard. There must be quite a group of them roaming the valley.

Corked

About two weeks ago, I went to a wine bottling party. There is a new place in Scottsdale called The Su Vino Winery and they have put a new spin on wine tasting. Instead of swirling, sipping, and spitting (that last part is optional), you get to bottle your own wine and take it home with you. The photo to the left is of the corking machine. You set the bottle inside, close the door, and “whoosh” the air is sucked out and the cork is pushed in.



Check out their website if you are interested in more details.

Starship Pontiac

I spotted this car on my way to work and had to drive around the block to get a second look.

Monsoon Skies

Dramatic monsoon skies over Phoenix.

Danger Lurking

Not really, this is just someone's whimsical addition to the pond at the Valley Commerce Center. However, the sight of this guy did give me a little start when I first saw it. This floating threat must add a little counterbalance to the serene cattails and ethereal water lilies.

Water Lily:

These beautiful water lilies were growing in the man-made pond at the Valley Commerce Center.

Water Feature

The Valley Commerce Center is a central Phoenix office building that has an unusual water feature. The water spreads out in a Y shape as the office building wraps around it. That round building in the center houses a small café that is virtually an island within the “pond”. This is where I found a stand of cattails growing. Tomorrow I’ll show more things I saw at this location.

Cattails

Cattails in central Phoenix? Yes indeed. Tomorrow I’ll show you where.

Scalloped

The scalloped roofline of Robson Gymnasium on the campus of Brophy Preparatory School. Brophy is the only Jesuit High School in Arizona and was founded in 1928.

Emergency Service

What do you do when it’s 106º (41C) and your electricity goes out? You call for help. That’s what happened to me yesterday. I returned from the grocery store and found my power out. The power company discovered that a transformer right behind my house blew out. I guess I should be thankful that I wasn’t home to hear that!



I decided to take a picture of the men at work and one of them spotted me right away and gave me a wave. I hope he sees this because I’d like to thank him for the good work.

Independence Day!

Today is Independence Day in the United States.  There will be picnics, family gatherings, parades, and fireworks.  I searched my archives for an appropriate photo and couldn't find anything I liked so I added some special effects to this flag photo.

To all my American readers, have a great holiday.

Friendly Encounter

I ran into this desert spiny lizard the day I volunteered at the Tovrea Castle. I took several photos of him, each one a little closer. I was surprised that he stayed there so long with me getting ever so close. I walked away for a few minutes and came back and approached him again, but this time he took off in a flash. I guess one photo session was all he could muster.

Lots of Reflections

Mirrored objects on top of a mirrored surface at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Theme Day: Reflections

A mighty saguaro reflected in one of the doors to the Tovrea Castle.

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