The Color Purple

 

I had plans to take an early morning walk at the garden yesterday because the last few mornings we've experienced some pleasant morning temperatures.  However, nature had other ideas.  At 6:00 AM yesterday morning the temperature was 88 degrees (31C) and we had some humidity in the air making it feel even warmer.  I decided that would be a bit too hot out in the sun. So instead, I perused my flower photos and made a couple of collages of some of the pretty purple blooms I've photographed.

There is something about purple blooms that appeals to me very much!

P.S. I forgot to check the spam file the last two days so I missed a whole bunch of comments.  Sorry about that..  I've been trying to check it every day but forgot all about the last two days.  I wish Blogger would get that fixed.  

Hard to Photograph

 

I think I mentioned before that this Chihuly sculpture was located in a spot that made it difficult to photograph.  In the mornings when I'm more likely to be at the garden, it was backlit by the sun causing deep shadows.

If I photograph it from the other side, the light on it is good but it tends to melt into the trees in the background.

I'm glad I got some night time photos of it.  That seemed to be the only way to enjoy the pretty colors of this sculpture.  

This one was called the Aqua Blue & Amber Chandelier.  

A Variety of Art Works

 

Doesn't this look like a scene I might have photographed in Italy or Mexico?  It's actually a painting and I don't even know who painted it.  I took this photo at an arts festival in Scottsdale and I failed to get the artist's name.  Shame on me.  Every time I see this photo in my photo file, I think I should really post this so, here it is.

While I'm at it, I'll post a few more art works that I've spotted recently like this jackrabbit sculpture I saw in a gallery window.  Judging from the fellow in the background, they must represent an artist who likes rabbits.

Next up is a painting by Svetlana Shalygina.  I really like the misty, abstract quality of the painting. It looks like you are seeing these people through a foggy window.

To the right is another painting I admired this time by David Michael Slonim. This painting is called "Orion".  I love the abstract lines and curves.  

Just a few artistic endeavors that I've enjoyed seeing while I've explored galleries and art festivals.

You Are Not Alone

 

Another new mural that I recently spotted is on the side of a building near Osborn and Central Ave.  I've always wondered what business was inside this building because the only sign on the buildings said simply "REN".  I discovered that stands for Recovery Empowerment Network.  It appears to be a type of mental health consulting business.  So the mural makes sense.  The sign on the side of the truck in the mural reads "Your story does not end here".  

Taking part in Monday Murals.

The Last Day for Chihuly

 

Today is the last day for the Chihuly in the Desert Exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden.  On Monday morning, the crews will arrive to start dismantling the sculptures.  It will probably take all week.  

When I went for that walk on Friday morning, I snapped a few more photos just for posterity.  

Above are the Blue Birch Reeds and Scorpion Tails that was located near the entrance.  To the right are the Paintbrushes that were located at the Cactus and Succulent Garden.

Above is a close up of the Lime and Lava Red Tower.  The whole thing is pictured to the left.  I took that photo about a month ago when the palo verde in the background were still blooming.

Of course, the Desert Wildflower Towers will stay right where they are.  The garden purchased these after the very first Chihuly exhibit at the garden back in 2008 and 2009.  Guests are greeted by these beauties right at the entrance to the garden.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm looking at the grand homes in my home town.

Thirsty Birds

 

I took a walk at the Desert Botanical Garden yesterday.  My first time there in June.  I was only there for an hour because it started getting too warm to be in the sun but, I was happy to see that the fountain feature in the Contemplation Garden was full of water again.  It was empty for repairs the whole month of May.

The birds were happy too.  I saw quail enjoying the cool water and this white-winged dove also stopped by for a drink. 

They were joined by a mourning dove who was thirsty too.  I enjoyed sitting there and watching all the activity.

Artistic Ocotillo

 

I found this house in the historic district called Willo.  The Willo district is located between downtown and midtown and contains some very beautiful houses that have been lovingly restored.  This one caught my eye because of those artistic "ocotillo" plants at the front.

By artistic, I mean they are not real.  They are made from metal rods with "blooms" on the ends.

I didn't get close enough to be able to tell if the "flowers" were also made of metal or they were sculpted from some other material.  From a distance, the "ocotillo" almost looked like the real thing.  So much so that I almost missed them.  

Cosanti Bells

 

There is a collection of Cosanti wind bells on display at the Phoenix Public Library.  These are very elaborate bells that would cost hundreds of dollars.  

The bells are the design of the late architect, Paolo Solari.  I've posted photos of his work in the past. You can see photos of his studio and other bells here. 

Odd Shots Around Scottsdale

 

Just a few random shots that I have accumulated from around Scottsdale.  The top of a building in Scottsdale indicating a "plaza" but as near as I can tell, there is no plaza around this area.  Maybe there was years ago.

One of the fancy Scottsdale storm and sewer covers.  

Wings painted on the wall surrounding a mall shop under construction.  A good place for a photo-op.

  A fountain located in a sort of hidden corner along the Scottsdale Waterfront park.  I don't think many people notice it but, I like the mosaic design behind the water spout.  

A Phoenix Iconic Building

 

It's a been a long time since I've featured this iconic Phoenix building located on Central Ave. and Osborn Road. The building is a very distinct looking building with this side that resembles an old piano-roll for an old player-piano.  The building is part of the Phoenix Financial Center complex that is composed of this tall building and two single story, round buildings located on the other side.  The other side of this building is also quite unusual.  You can see the other side from this 2012 post.  

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

 

I had heard about this new mural at Park Central Mall so I decided to drive over there to take a look.  The mural was commissioned to celebrate the hispanic heritage of the neighborhood and it was painted by Estevan Curiel and Jesus Gallo.  The colorful patterns represent the colors of a serape and the bee hives represent housing.  The sun is depicted by a giant marigold bloom.

My favorite park was the cactus bloom being visited by a busy bee.

Taking part in Monday Murals!

Red Reeds

 

Here is one of the Chihuly sculptures that I haven't pictured here before.  It's called simply, Red Reeds.

The reason I haven't shown this one before is because it is my least favorite.  For the longest time, I thought it wasn't done yet.  But it has stayed this way for the entire show.  To me, this one just doesn't have the appeal of all the other installations.  It appears to be lacking in imagination.  What do you think?

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm stepping back in time....way back.  

Just a Pretty Scene & An Update

 

I took this photo at my friend Glenda's house just two days before I got sick with COVID.  Thankfully, Glenda did not get sick but my friend Julie did and a week after that her husband Dave got sick.  

My doctor prescribed the drug Paxlovid which is supposed to shorten the duration of COVID.  However, one of the side effects is nausea.  In my case, severe nausea.  The sore throat and cough went away in 3 days but the nausea hung on and on.  It finally eased up last weekend but it left my stomach a bit queasy.  I  have to be careful not to eat too much or anything too spicy.  

So that's my COVID experience.  Not as bad as the poor souls who got it two years ago but, bad enough that I don't ever want a repeat.  

Young Acrobat

 

This young man's parents were waiting for a table at a Scottsdale restaurant.  While they waited, this lad was entertaining himself with all kinds of acrobatic tricks.  I was wishing I had his youthful energy and flexibility.  

Warm Waterlily

 

I don't see waterlilies in Arizona because it's just too hot here.  However, I did see this one located in a small man-made pool at a nursery a few weeks ago.  

I loved seeing these but I'm thinking they won't be lasting much longer.  Our temperatures have started their extreme measures in the past few days.  We are projected to exceed 110 degrees this weekend.  Did I miss spring?

Downtown Skyline

 

This was taken from the top floor of a downtown parking garage looking at some of the tall buildings in the heart of downtown.  The building with the "hat" on top is the Hyatt Hotel and that round part on top is the revolving restaurant.  We sometimes go up there for drinks after a symphony performance but I haven't been for about 3 years now.  

Friendly Lizard

 

These Desert Spiny Lizards are a very cooperative bunch.  When I encounter one, usually at the Desert Botanical Garden, they sit quietly while I take a few photos.  They almost appear to be posing. 

When I spotted this one, he was lounging on top of a stone bench.  He might have frightened someone taking a rest on that bench if they didn't see him when they sat down.  

Just a Glimpse of Glass

 

I'm peeking through the trees and yucca to catch a glimpse of one of the Chihuly installations.  This one is called Desert Fiori and it's composed of blue, orange and red glass pieces.

Here are two closer views of the Desert Fiori.  Such graceful curves and bulges.  They almost look like they are swaying in a breeze.

Between the Walls

 

My friends Julie & Dave have an atrium in their house on Camelback Mountain.  A few weeks ago, I snapped this photo out the atrium window and when I looked at it on the computer, I was amazed at how lush and green it looked.  The slight reflection in the glass even adds a misty look to the whole scene.  Not what you would expect in the desert southwest.  

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  Photos from the historic Mission Inn.

Yellow Glass

 

The Chihuly sculpture called Sol de Citron is another good subject for some close-up glass images. 

It looks like it's all yellow but there is a touch of green in there.

There is even a few orange piece in the mix.   

Lot's of Butterflies

 

This colorful array of butterflies was found on the wall of a local art supply store.  I'm not sure what they were made of but, they were designed to adorn walls and windows and other surfaces.  I thought they were very pretty.  

Right Next to the Tanks

 

I took this one several years ago when I met friends at a brew pub to grab a bite to eat.  This is how close our table was to those huge tanks.  I don't care for most beer but the food was good.  

Theme Day: The Road

 

I found this Welcome to Phoenix sign way out on the northern edge of town.  It always makes me laugh when I see it because it looks like there is no city ahead at all.  The city limits stretch pretty far north giving the city room to grow which it does, every year.

I thought this would work well for the theme "The Road".  

To see other interpretations of the road, click here.