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I like stormy weather

Posted by Photonstopper on September 2, 2014
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Gathering Storm 7244

Gathering Storm 7244

Stormy weather drew me to dash to the lakefront late this afternoon. I’d missed some amazing cloud formations earlier in the day and when a second opportunity presented itself, off I went. Flying down I-71 toward Lake Erie, I could see the weather front was making faster progress than I’d have wanted; I was missing another chance at some interesting cloud structure. Still, I pressed on… Lake Erie vistas rarely disappoint. Arriving at the shore I began shooting images.

Photo: Storm clouds over downtown Cleveland. Photo by James Guilford.

Stormy Skyline 7341

There were sights to be seen but looking toward the west, I could see rain coming in. After only a few minutes I dashed up the cliffside stairs and to my car, just in time to avoid being drenched. It appeared to me the western sky was brightening and my iPad weather radar app was showing the main part of the storm receding. I drove to another favorite location: Huntington Beach. No sunbathers there! I was free to stroll around watching dark clouds roll overhead and towards downtown Cleveland. Yes, plenty of drama! A couple of the shots are displayed here, along with another sight I saw.

Photo: A line of clouds over Lake Erie. Photo by James Guilford.

Cloud Train

As I was beginning my trip inland, I glanced across the lake: there, in a clearing sky, was a train of pretty cumulus clouds. Often, for picture taking, I like stormy weather.

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A lovely serene morning

Posted by Photonstopper on June 7, 2014
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Photo: Woman stepping on stones of breakwall with city in background. Photo by James Guilford.

Morning Stroll along the Breakwall

With clear skies and light winds from the south, Lake Erie this morning was a vision of placidity. Calm waters reflected morning sun and blue sky. People of early morning contemplated the scene, played on the sandy beach, or stopped to enjoy the moment. Here are two views from this day along the shore of Lake Erie on a lovely serene morning.

Photo: Kayakers on calm Lake Erie under a blue sky. Photo by James Guilford.

Kayakers Skim along on Placid Lake Erie

Good representatives

Posted by Photonstopper on May 23, 2014
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Photo: Flowing Clouds Move over Shadowed Cleveland Skyline. Photo by James Guilford

Flowing Clouds Move over Shadowed Cleveland Skyline

It was such a spectacular morning at the lake shore that it was difficult to tear myself away and go where I was supposed to be! The sky and the sun were changing minute-by-minute offering dramatic views of the sky, lake, and shore. I’d have loved to spend an hour watching and photographing the changing scene but I had only a few minutes. It was hard to choose from among the many shots I got but I think these are good representatives.

Photo: Sunburst over lake waters. Photo by James Guilford.

Sunburst

Bike ride with giant garlic

Posted by Photonstopper on August 29, 2010
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"rotaflora"
“rotaflora”

Today we did a bicycle ride of 20+ miles checking out a new section of bike trail. The new section, we thought, went into downtown Cleveland. It doesn’t and we somehow managed to get off course. Portions of the trail follow the course of the Ohio & Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River, all greener and more beautiful than one might expect. The big surprise of the day? We spotted a Bald Eagle perched atop the bare upper branches of a tree near the river! The trail emerges into neighborhoods and industrial areas where, in one case, we scaled a challenging hill on a road that was all bad news. We did survive, however, and made it to the northern end of the line –an eastern neighborhood area of Cleveland– where we discovered the large, whimsical sculptural piece we’d hoped to see. The piece, “rotaflora” by Jake Beckman, is in the form of a flowering garlic plant and the flower head is made from bicycle wheels!

Cycling Sculpture
Cycling Sculpture

Dinner at home tonight: vegan “ribs” with barbecue sauce (actually quite good), homemade sweet potato fries, and veggies, served with a nice pinon noir. Yum.

Back to work tomorrow…….

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A pleasant, aimless day

Posted by Photonstopper on August 15, 2010
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Atrium #0421
Atrium #0421

Too hot to do much outdoors but too nice a day to stay in, we made an early visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art. It was not a rushed visit and, with that early morning arrival, we received easy parking and quiet surroundings; often it was just us and the museum floor staff. The grand renovation is in full force so confusing detours still rule. While much of the CMA's permanent collection is off-exhibit (in storage) there is still much to be seen. It was a lovely spending the morning visiting old "friends," missing some others, and discovering new works. It was somehow reassuring to see some of the galleries of the 1916 portion of the building. For now, and unless I contact a curator with my avatar (profile) photo, the exact identity of the Asian sculpture will remain unknown to me… at least until the excellent Southeast Asian collection is once again put on exhibit. I viewed a local photographer's work in another gallery. He received a commission from a big local development foundation. Seeing those works hanging in a major museum, images which, to my eye, lacked composition, delivered no feeling, and were printed irritatingly flat (contrast-wise). Simply put, they were snapshots. Then my mind shot back to an earlier photographic exhibit I'd seen at the museum… a fellow got a grant from some organization and shot photos of fields of weeds. No composition. No message. No art (to my eye). Just overgrown fields, and possibly only a single field, picture after picture. High concept justified with many words explaining how it's art. Made me very jealous, even angry that my own work wasn't hanging there. Also disappointed in myself for not putting myself out there; how can it be in a gallery if one's art isn't put out for consideration? Much the way I felt today. I've been taking pretty pictures lately but I used to make art. I've got to get back to that place. Maybe I need an agent. Fortunately there were far more beautiful and inspired works of art to be seen and enjoyed, which we did. After the museum, a delicious lunch at the deli in Mustard Seed Market, Solon, then on to Hudson for a visit to a couple of favorite shops. Relaxed. Then home. A pleasant, aimless day.

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Wonderful to see

Posted by Photonstopper on March 14, 2010
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Pleasant Afternoon
Pleasant Afternoon

Torch in the Forest
Torch in the Forest

We weren't quite sure what to do on this chilly, damp, and dark Sunday. We talked about going to the art museum but She didn't feel like it. She came up with the idea of going to the The RainForest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. So after a quick shop and a nice lunch at Chipotle, we headed to the park. The RainForest was an excellent choice with its hot, steamy, green surroundings. The warmth and, presumably high oxygen level, felt great. Exotic live animals displayed in large enclosures and walkways lined with thick growth of green plants and colorful blooms were wonderful to see.

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A more ephemeral medium

Posted by Photonstopper on January 31, 2010
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Snow-Wing
Snow-Wing

It was a beautiful day. The weather was cold (it's January, after all) but sunny and blue skies have been mighty scarce this winter!

We spent the day running about: to the Cleveland Home & Garden Show followed by a visit to Legacy Village. We had hoped that, in a new venue, the Home & Garden Show would improve but were bitterly disappointed. Not only had the show itself declined in quality but its new venue was shoddy and unwelcoming. The owners of the Great Lakes Expo Center would have done everyone a favor it they'd have hired some of the exhibitors to fix the place up. The converted DIY retail facility needed wallboard, paint, plumbing, and light. The Show? Well let's just say there were no homes, few gardens, and way too many hucksters. We won't be going back any year soon and will likely skip any other show housed at the Center.

High point of the day was lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant followed by window shopping at other Legacy Village stores. She had the roasted vegetable salad and I enjoyed the simple margherita pizza. From there we strolled to the Joseph Beth bookstore where She sat in a warm, sunny spot and paged through baker Duff Goldman's Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes. I quietly perused the art, science, and bargain books.  A most pleasant way to spend a chilly, sunny, Sunday afternoon.

Back home She Who Must Be Obeyed pointed out interesting impressions in the snow next to our sidewalk. A bird or birds, engaged in some sort of struggle, had left body and wing marks in the dry, sand-like dusting. I grabbed the camera and recorded the scene created by birds in a more ephemeral medium.

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Great day for a safari

Posted by Photonstopper on June 2, 2008
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Lorikeet
Lorikeet

Today, Sunday, was a perfect day weatherwise for darned near anything we would have wanted to do. Surprising to me, She Who Must be Obeyed did not feel like cycling so we walked to breakfast and a quick trip to the grocery to pick up a couple of items. Then She suggested a visit to the Cleveland Zoo. We hadn't been there in a while and it was early enough to beat the crowds that were sure to come later. So off we went.

We had a splendid visit under nearly cloudless skies. It became a sort of photographic expedition. She had her most excellent Panasonic Lumix camera and I had my Canon Digital Rebel with Tamron lens. She and I shot lots of photos. She had spare batteries; I did not. So for about half the visit my camera was dead weight. No matter, really, we had a very pleasant visit. The animals were very active and the air was fresh and light.

Later, as we sought a spare battery, we discovered Cord Camera had moved its area "superstore" from a location near where we live to one near where I work. We zipped over for a quick look and were very impressed. I need to stay away from there as it awakens the desire to acquire more expensive gear!

It will be a clear night tonight but there will be no stargazing for this boy save, perhaps, a quick trip to the balcony with binoculars. I must get up and go to work and goodness knows Mondays are hard enough without adding fatigue to the mix.

So I leave you with my two best photos from today's zoo safari –Hers are better than mine, in general– and hope you had a good weekend and will have a fine week ahead.

Zoo Elephant
Zoo Elephant

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