Sparkling

The water in Tempe Town Lake was sparkling like diamonds the day I was there.

Lake Wildlife

A large variety of wild birds have taken up residence along Tempe Town Lake.  I found this beautiful white heron sunning on a barricade at the end of the lake.

Marsh Land

The overflow water from Tempe Town Lake creates a sort of marsh land at the west end of the lake.  It's perfect environment for all kinds of birds.  Tomorrow I'll show you one of the birds I saw there.

There were lots of questions yesterday about the inflatable dam that creates the lake.  The lake is located in a dry river bed.  The river is dry most of the time but if we have wet weather in the mountains that surround Phoenix, the river can run and has on many occasions.  Anything built in the river bed or on the shores of the river has to take into account flooding from time to time.  The dam was built so that it can be deflated in flood times in order to allow the river to flow its natural course.

Forming a Lake

Tempe Town Lake is formed in the mostly dry river bed of the Salt River.  An inflatable dam is positioned at the end to form the Lake that runs along the north side of the city of Tempe.  Here you can see the inflatable dam sitting almost directly under the new bridge I featured yesterday.

New Bridge

When I was in Tempe last week I noticed this new pedestrian bridge across the Tempe Town Lake.

It's beautifully constructed with sail like covers spaced over it.

Bird House

The birds seem to like sunning themselves on the roof of this house.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day!

The Lights at Night

One more shot from Grady Gammage Auditorium.  I snapped this one a couple of weeks ago when I was leaving the theatre after a performance.  It's hand held with my little point and shoot camera and it turned out way better than I thought it would.  You can see how those round lights are lit up at night.

Grady Gammage Auditorium

Grady Gammage Auditorium is located on the campus of Arizona State University and is a building well known to anyone who studies architecture.  It is a Frank Lloyd Wright design that he originally envisioned to be built in Baghdad, Iraq.  It surely wouldn't be standing today if it had been built there.  In 1957, the president of ASU, Grady Gammage had a mission to create a distinct university auditorium.  He contacted his close friend, architect Frank Lloyd Wright who revised his Baghdad plans to accommodate a perfect spot on the ASU campus.  Neither Gammage or Wright lived to see the building built.  Both died in 1959.  Construction began in 1962 with Grady Gammage, Jr. turning the first shovel.  The design was described as having outstretched arms welcoming all to ASU.

The light fixtures I featured yesterday line the flying buttresses on either side of the auditorium.  They light the walkways that lead to the upper levels of the auditorium.

Circles

This unusual light fixture can be found at a very well known building.  Tomorrow I'll show you where.

Hawk

I was at the Tovrea Castle most of the day yesterday working on the docent training program when someone in our group spotted this Cooper's Hawk sitting on top of the power pole and surveying the property.  He was patient enough to let me snap a few shots before he flew off toward the castle.  I like the effect of that thin cloud streaking the sky behind him.

Gate

Southwestern style gate on a yellow wall.  I wonder what was above the gate that was removed leaving that unpainted spot.

Blue Glass & Gray Clouds

The glass on this office building looks especially blue against a gray sky.

1389

While driving around last Sunday, I encountered this Union Pacific train crossing the tracks in the warehouse area of downtown Phoenix.  I wasn't expecting to see trains but it turns out I saw two of them that morning.

Weathered

It rained again last Saturday night and most of Sunday morning.  Since we don't get to see much rain, I decided to drive around and enjoy the moist atmosphere.  While roaming around in the warehouse district south of downtown, I spotted these unusual stairs leading to a rather weather-beaten door.

Colorful Shopping

The Heard Museum's Spanish Market took place this last weekend.  In spite of the rainy day, there were lots of people shopping the colorful items.  These spreads and table runners were especially colorful.

Roses and Rain

I sat this bouquet of roses in a puddle of rain water and took some shots.  

I couldn't decide which of these I like the most so I decided to post them both.

Unusual design

I was trying to find an address for house I hadn't visited before when I came across this rather unusual church building.  Almost looks like a flying saucer.

Office Building

Here is another building that I pass almost every day.  I like the way these wings are repeated along the side of the building.

Low Hanging Clouds

Last weekend when I was at the Tovrea Castle I saw these low hanging clouds hanging between the Papago Buttes.  Even though I had to shoot across power lines and the highway, I thought the cloud formation was photo worthy.

Fashion Statement

One morning on my way to work I was waiting at a traffic light and noticed this young lady approaching the crosswalk.  I thought her attire was such an interesting combination.  Fortunately my camera was handy for a quick shot through the windshield.  I'm probably just jealous because there is no way I could wear those shorts.

One Light

I pass the building with this one light fixture almost every day and I've always admired it.  I decided it was time to stop and take a closer look.

Van...go

Since I mentioned Vincent's yesterday I thought this would be a good opportunity to show you their little catering vehicle.  I love the clever play on words and the sunflowers.

Pizza & Champagne

On Saturday I went to street market at Vincent's on Camelback instead of my usual Farmer's Market.  Vincent's is a fine French Restaurant that I've featured on this blog before.  This was the first time I had experienced Vincent's market and it was a special treat.  Along with vegetables, breads, and jams there were areas to get all kinds of food.  I especially like this brick oven pizza with the brick oven in a moveable trailer.  Take this trailer with you and you can have pizza almost anywhere.

A little champagne to go with that pizza sounded like a good idea to me.

Rain....finally

We finally had some rain on Friday night washing all the dust out of the air that had been stirred up by the winds earlier in the day.  It has been so dry here that when the winds kicked up on Friday afternoon, the air immediately filled with dust and dirt.
Saturday morning I spent a couple of hours going over the plans for tours of the Tovrea Castle (I've told you about Tovrea Castle here and here) and that's where I saw the castle reflection in the puddle of water.

Drinks anyone??

It's 5:00 somewhere!

I liked the way these bottles were arranged so neatly.

Thomas Road

One night last week I stopped on the way home from work to pick up a pizza.  While I waited, I noticed the light on the high rise buildings and decided to take a few snaps.  I liked this one the best with the cars heading toward me and the lower windows of the buildings lit from the setting sun.

Koi

I was waiting outside the door of the Hillstone Restaurant for a friend to arrive and watching the koi in the pond by the door.  I wondered if I could get a photo since it was dark out side and the pond was lit from below.  I whipped out the little point and shoot camera and gave it a try and was amazed at the result.  I could even see the stones in the bottom.

Hero Awards

Last Saturday night my good friend David treated me to a wonderful event called the Hero Awards.  The event is a benefit for the Friends of Animal Care & Control and they honor animals who have been rescued from shelters and gone on to live amazing and loving lives.  The stories were very inspiring and what made the event even more fun were the many dogs and cats that joined the guests in the Grand Ballroom of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.  The hotel chef prepared a meal full of surprises right down to this clever dessert plate.  Topping each table with a round of astro-turf was an inspired addition to the decor.  All in all, it was a fantastic event and a great opportunity for this group to continue their good work to provide spay/neuter assistance and to rescue unwanted animals and get them to loving homes. Ruff Ruff Meow Meow!

Theme Day - Fences

I found this attractive fence in an area of Phoenix where a lot of equipment companies are located.  The fence goes around an area where heavy equipment is stored.  I think it's a rather attractive fence for such an industrial purpose.

Tally-ho!

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