Revisiting the Soleri Bridge

 

Last year I did a post about the Paolo Soleri Bridge in Scottsdale. Today I have a few extra shots I've taken when I'm near the bridge.

It's such a unique structure that I can rarely pass it without taking one or two photos.

It actually is a bridge that crosses the canal on the walking path at the Scottsdale Waterfront shopping area.  It is also on the list of Scottsdale's public art installments so it serves two purposes.

Those two tall and shiny pillars make good photographic subjects.

The play of light on that metallic surface can create  different effects.

I can even peek between the two pillars and catch sight of a pedestrian crossing the bridge.  

It's a fun place to walk around and since it's outside, and part of a walking path, it's a safe place to walk during these crazy times.

Right on Time

 

It's the beginning of February and the flowering pear trees are right on schedule and bursting with blooms.  I started noticing them over the weekend so Monday afternoon I went out to snap a few photos.  I knew this office building would be a good spot.  I remember them from last year.

This tree is just around the corner from where I live.  

And, here is a close-up of the blooms on the tree that grows in the courtyard where I live.  I love seeing these pretty trees every year at this time.  They are a sure sign that spring is on the way.

Tuesday Trivia

 

Today I have another post of random photos from my photo archives.  Up first is a pile of very cuddly bears.  They were found in a home decorating store back in the days when we could all go shopping.  I was very tempted to take one of them home with me.  

Next is a funny sign I saw sometime around the holidays.  I'm guessing that it refers to passing dogs who of course can't read so hopefully the dog's humans will take note.

I saw this cute sign at my local wine store.  This one was taken around the holidays too.  It's a nice suggestion but these days, lengthy strolling around any store is not an option.

This last one is about  another shoe discovery I made.  The shoe was in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue.  No one will have to guess at the designer of these shoes because that heel says it all.  (Yves Saint Laurent for those few who might not recognize that emblem.)  I bet they were expensive.  

Giant Equipment

 

I found this mural on the back wall of the Arizona Mining and Mineral museum located near the Arizona state capitol.  Unfortunately, the museum itself has been closed for several years.  In 2017, its management has been given to The University of Arizona and volunteers have been working to refurbish the building and update the collection.  I recently read that they were halted by the pandemic but returned to work in January.  I visited the museum back in 2008 and enjoyed my visit there.  I hope they are able to open it again soon.  I remember there being a fascinating display of minerals and gemstones.  

The mural displays one of the truly giant vehicles that roam around the deep copper mining canyons here in Arizona.  It is a Komatsu 930e, haul truck designed to haul extra heavy loads.  Imagine driving one of those!  And this isn't even the biggest Komatsu makes.  

Taking part in Monday Murals.  

More Neighborhood Scenes

 

I was able to get out for neighborhood walks a couple of times this last week so I have a few more photos to share of the grand homes that are around the corner from me.  This one is the newest of them.  It was just completed in December of 2020.  There is nothing small scale about this place.

This one sits a little higher than street level giving it an uphill/downhill driveway in front of it.  That fountain out front is always splashing pleasantly when I walk by.

There are three homes in this area that have a Tudor design to them.  I like them all but then I've always been a succor for Tudor style.  One of these days, I'll have to photograph them all and then compare them here.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm recalling a special visit to EPCOT in Florida.

Brilliant Sunset

 

We've had some interesting weather the last two weeks and that means we have experienced days of overcast and days of patches of clouds rolling across the sky.  When the clouds break into patches, it makes for some brilliant sunsets like this one last Wednesday evening.  I ran out and snapped the top photo with my iPhone.

Then I grabbed my camera and took another shot.  I don't know which I like better.  They both have captured the rippling effects of those clouds very well.  I do see subtle differences in color.  

Grackles are 'Almost' Everywhere

 

I've posted many photos of the variety of birds I see when I walk at the Desert Botanical Garden but it occurred to me recently that I never see grackles at the garden.  I find that unusual because grackles are certainly everywhere else.  Grackles are common to both North and South America and they are a very common sight in the Phoenix area.  They seem to have adapted quite well to human environments.  They can be seen at almost every shopping center or office complex.  The fellow above was enjoying a decorative fountain at a nearby shopping center.

This fellow joined me for lunch one day two years ago when I was out taking photos on the far west side of the valley.  He sat on the chair across the table from me and watched while I ate.  They are said to be very smart birds who are content being around people.

This one joined me last February when I was having lunch at Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale.  

The fact that they are everywhere else in the valley brings me back to why they don't appear at the Desert Botanical Garden.  Maybe there is just too much competition from all the other birds who live there.

Fine Art and a Mystery

 

Many of my readers may remember that every year I attend an event called Celebration of Fine Art in north Scottsdale.  It runs from January through the end of March.  I actually thought that it might be cancelled this year but it hasn't been and my tickets arrived in the mail a few weeks ago.  

The event is set up in large white tents that are set in a U-shape with a sculpture garden in the middle as shown above.  I haven't gone to this year's event yet.  I decided to wait a couple more weeks before I venture out there.  The two photos above are from past visits.

Now for the reason I'm bringing this up.  Since I've been home so much, I've been slowly cleaning out drawers and file folders of things that have accumulated over the years.  I came across the artist's card that I have scanned and shown below.  I remember meeting this artist many years ago probably around 2006 or 2007 but he has never been back to the show.

The artist's name is Glen Plourde and he was showing a collection of fascinating surrealist art works that were incredibly well done.  I admired every one of his pieces in that show.  Finding the card made me curious about what he has been up to these days so I did some searching.  I found something about a showing at a gallery in Denver but that turned out to be an old posting and the gallery doesn't seem to exist any longer.  (Here is a link to it.).  I also found an old YouTube video featuring many of his works that I saw displayed all those years ago.  However, I can't find anything about the artist today.  There is nothing recent on line at all.  So that is the mystery.  What happened to this very talented artist?  I remember talking to him all those years ago and thinking he had such bright future ahead of him.  

As for the card I found, I'm going to frame it and keep it.  It will be a reminder that both time and talent are fleeting commodities.

Scottsdale's Old Adobe Mission

 

I've featured photos of this Scottsdale landmark before on my blog, most recently here.  However, when I saw this photo in my photo archives, I thought it would be a good one to post.  I always like shooting that stark white against a bright blue sky but that little splash of red from an aloe bloom added just the right contrast.

The mission is the oldest standing church in Scottsdale.  It no longer provides services but is open during the day to view or for quiet contemplation.  

Rusty Stagecoach and Cowboy

 

I took these photos back in September when I took a drive in the north half of the valley.  These were taken at a landscaping firm in Cave Creek Arizona.  Along with a huge variety of plants, they also sell lots of artistic ornamentations.  So if you are in the market for a rusty stagecoach this is the place to go.  

I always wonder if they have much luck selling these things.  However, I have seen things similar to this in a variety of places so there must be a market for them.

Ride'em Cowboy!

Theme Day: Smiles

 

I had to take a spin through the photo archives to come up with a photo that would fit today's City Daily Photo Blogger's theme of "Smiles".  These days, the only smiles I see are on TV.  Our pandemic numbers are so high here in Arizona that literally every person I encounter is wearing a mask and the few I see that don't have a mask on I avoid at all costs.  

This photo was taken a year ago back in February of 2020 just weeks before the world changed drastically.  I attended a fund raising event for a charity called "Pet Project".  A group that finds homes for pets that owners can no longer care for.  This lady was holding her cute dog who was a featured guest at the event.  Her smile indicates just how happy she is loving this shaggy fellow.

Last February was only one year ago but somehow seems a world away.

To see other "Smiles" from around the globe, click here.

On a Grand Scale

 

I've featured many of the huge mansions I walk past when I take a walk in my neighborhood before on this blog.  Here are two more. 

The yellow one above looks very east coast to me.  

The one to the left is a little more California style.  I do like the fountain with the birds in front. 

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm taking a drive along the southern coast of Maine.

Looking for Color

 

I was in need of some bright colors today so I searched through some recent photos to find a few colorful shots. These chilis are always hanging outside one gift shop in old town Scottsdale.  Years ago, I had one of these chili ristras hanging on my front porch.

I found this colorful wire-fish hanging outside one of the many Scottsdale galleries.  I thought it was a rather unusual artistic endeavor.  

I went to pick up some take out at a nearby Mexican restaurant and when I parked in back, I spotted this colorful door.  I had never noticed it before but I love the colors.

And, my last spot of bright color comes from this gorgeous poppy I saw it blooming in a decorative pot.  It's a pretty near perfect bloom don't you think?

An Inviting Spot

 

I visited this little strip of shops years ago when I featured the colorful doors to all the small shops.  You can see them here.  I was happy to see that the center is still looking as inviting as it had 6 years ago.

This is one of those places that has it's own charm.  

I'm just hoping that the businesses here are able to survive these hard times.

Rain in the Desert

 

We have so few days when we get rain that when the clouds do show up, it's a big deal.  That's why I have two more rain related photos today.  This shot is looking at Camelback Mountain with the clouds hugging it.

This shot of a pretty tree waiting for new leaves to sprout.  The rain will help to urge that process along.  I love everything about desert, winter rains except the cold temperatures.  It is certainly not cold by most of the country's standards but it feels pretty cold to me.

Sunshine One Day, Snow the Next

 

I have two photos today from guest photographers, my good friends Julie and Dave.  They have that wonderful broad view from their perch on the north side of Camelback Mountain.  I mentioned that we had cloudy skies and intermittent rain over the last weekend.  They texted this photo to me on Sunday evening when a break in the clouds lit up the McDowell Mountains to the northeast of the valley.  Usually they are just a blue line of mountains in the distance but this time they were glowing.

Then on Monday, they sent another photo of the same view after we had our freak snow storm.  Now the mountains are covered with a dusting of fresh snow.  Same viewpoint; two different looks.  Both are beautiful!  Thanks Julie and Dave for sharing these great photos.

Exciting Monday Weather

 

We had a cloudy and raining weekend and Monday started with grey skies and more rain.  Around 2:00 it got a bit crazy for a while.  Wild wind that was rattling my windows and then snow and ice started. The was even a bit of lightening and thunder. I snapped a few photos looking at the street behind me and the pile of snow forming on my balcony.

Looking out from my balcony I could see white covering the ground below and tire tracks in the parking lot.

Julie sent a photo from her house where snow was covering her extensive garden.

And, my friend Glenda sent a photo from her back yard.

It was pretty exciting for a while.  We don't get to see this kind of weather very often.  

Enjoying the View

 

This is the last of the three murals that I found across the street from the David Bowie murals.  I think this one is my favorite.  That bendable fellow seems to be enjoying the view of the valley below while playing his guitar.  It looks very relaxing.  You can also see a bit more of those mosaics that separate the three murals.  This one also has a signature that looks like Kenny V, but I haven't been able to find any information about a muralist that goes by that name.

A Little Variety

 

I have a little variety in my photos today.  Above is a colorful bus stop I saw in the city of Mesa a while ago.  I like the bright colors.

To the left is a fellow I spotted in a shop window in Scottsdale.  I took this back in April on one of my walks just after the first lockdown started.  I thought this guy was a funny parody of life during pandemic isolation.  Luckily, I never succumbed to sitting in front of the TV with plates of food.

Above is a set of spinner chairs that were on the Mesa Art Center grounds.  I wasn't sure what they were until a little kid came running over and jumped in one and started spinning.  I didn't try it.  I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get out without help.

The photo to the right was taken last January at this time when I met a friend at AZ88 for a martini.  Ahhh....one day we'll be able to do that again.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm visiting the 'other' Bellagio.