MERRY@SYRACUSE

City Daily Photo Theme Day February 2012: Animals

2012-02-01T08:54:00.000-05:00

We live a mile from Rosamond Gifford Zoo. It's easy to go any day, even if only for an hour. Ours is a winter zoo. Many of the animals are northern, active when it is cold here in upstate NY. Many of the people around here are not active during the winter, so we often have the place to ourselves.

Beloved or not, zoos have become an important link in species survival. This is a snow leopard.

Visit City Daily Photo: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Then and Now: Lower Onondaga Park

2012-01-31T04:00:00.002-05:00

Then and Now: Upper Onondaga Park Grotto and Pond

2012-01-30T10:41:00.001-05:00

This somewhat hidden grotto-like area of Upper Onondaga Park is a treasure. It doesn't receive the care it once did, though there are some, your photographer included, who keep it picked up and replace rocks that have fallen out during the winter. The city continues to fill the pond and run the stream which originates at the top of the mountain.

Then and Now: Upper Onondaga Park Bathing Pavilion

2012-01-29T10:31:00.003-05:00

Women bathe on the Eastern half of the bathing area, men on the Western half. Note the guy on the roof. Staging this photograph was clearly an extravaganza! I love it!

Then and Now: Upper Onondaga Park Bandstand II

2012-01-28T10:26:00.001-05:00

Then and Now: Upper Onondaga Park Bandstand

2012-01-27T10:24:00.002-05:00

Then and Now: Upper Onondaga Park Island and Bathing Pavilion

2012-01-26T10:21:00.002-05:00

Then and Now: Gale Spring

2012-01-25T09:57:00.001-05:00

I've long been interested in postcards of local scenes. I have some of Syracuse, though my concentration is on the Oneida Community, Kenwood, Sherrill and Oneida, scenes of my youth and a decade in mid-life.

The best postcards, and the most expensive, are real photographs. Often only published and sold in limited editions, they are becoming rarer and dearer. I once had my hands on a photo postcard of a border collie on a tightrope. The dealer wanted $50 and this was 10 years ago. I felt that was just too much. I regret that decision.

Easier to find are hand tinted cards. These started out as photographs, they have a painterly quality which can be quite beautiful and they sometimes have interesting details.

Today I begin a project of posting park scenes in Syracuse and modern photos of the same scene. I have discovered that the greater challenge than finding the right spot to stand is finding the right lens. I believe the photographers also used step ladders on occasion.

Cooper's Hawk Drops By Our Feeders Every Day

2012-01-24T10:11:00.002-05:00

Stillwater: Rap-Shaw

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Stillwater: Sled on the Flow

2012-01-22T09:55:00.001-05:00

Stillwater: Thick Ice Over Low Water, Little Snow

2012-01-21T09:51:00.002-05:00

Weighlock Building and Erie Canal Museum

2012-01-20T07:33:00.000-05:00

What Glue...

2012-01-19T11:28:00.001-05:00

...could possibly be holding this leaf onto the oak tree in our front yard? The leaves came down practically in one night in November, and then there was the wind storm Tuesday night. Yet this morning it is still there, fluttering in the breeze.

Streetview From Glenwood Avenue

2012-01-18T05:45:00.002-05:00

Spain Posts Up to Date! and Elmwood Park: Red-tailed Hawk, Interrupted

2012-01-17T10:10:00.006-05:00

Spread throughout latter November and much of December are photos of our adventures in Spain late last year.

Enjoy! Go!

If you click on the label SPAIN at the bottom of this post, all of the posts will line up for viewing.

Also...

Ski at Baltimore Woods on a Crisp Afternoon

2012-01-16T08:34:00.001-05:00

Snowing in Upper Onondaga Park

2012-01-15T11:52:00.000-05:00

Finally!

2012-01-14T12:43:00.003-05:00

Heids in Liverpool

2012-01-13T12:45:00.000-05:00

Design Display Window at the Warehouse

2012-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, a Bald Eagle on Onondaga Lake

2012-01-11T07:56:00.001-05:00

Witch Hazel Blooms in January

2012-01-10T07:56:00.001-05:00

Love Me Comes to the West Side

2012-01-09T08:11:00.000-05:00

Creek Serpent Contented in Armory Square; Asks "Please Don't Climb On Me

2012-01-08T07:58:00.000-05:00

Flamingo at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

2012-01-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

Red Wolf at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

2012-01-06T08:05:00.002-05:00

Automobile Logos

2012-01-05T10:37:00.004-05:00

Can anyone guess (or know) where this combination of logos is located (on a commercial building near downtown Syracuse)? They are at the same location as yesterday's post.

The upper logo is Cadillac. How about the lower logo?

************

NOTE to seekers of Spain photos: Not all are posted yet (as of noon on Friday); those that are will be found scattered through November and December.

Tile Find in the City

2012-01-04T10:53:00.004-05:00

Do you know or can you guess where these beautiful tiles can be found?

They're at the same location as the logos on the January 5 post.

They're on a commercial building on the east side and not at eye level.

Adolescent Tiger Wants Mom to Play

2012-01-03T10:51:00.001-05:00

Adolescent Tiger Looks Mighty Small Next To Pa

2012-01-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

Auld Lang Syne and Finishing Up the Garden on New Year's Day

2012-01-01T22:01:00.002-05:00

Auld Lang Syne passionately sung by Eddi Reader and all assembled upon the occasion of the opening of the new Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood, Edinburgh in October 2004. Watch it on YouTube via the link.

Queen Elizabeth II looks quite dour, as well she might, for Scotland is on the rise.

Auld Lang Syne was originally written down as a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

May we continue to seek peace gladly in this increasingly complicated and difficult world. May we find peace for all and for ourselves.

Auld Lang Syne

Chorus.
And for auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,
1.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' auld lang syne.
2.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
3.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.
4.
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
5.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Three Kings Point to Syracuse Firefighters as Saviors; We Agree

2011-12-31T10:03:00.001-05:00

Christmas Lights in Madrid

2011-12-30T09:52:00.001-05:00

View from the Hotel, Granada

2011-12-29T09:49:00.000-05:00

Views of the Sierra Nevada from Granada

2011-12-28T09:39:00.007-05:00

Architectural Details, Alhambra, Granada

2011-12-27T09:32:00.003-05:00

Rosamond GIfford Zoo: Humboldt Penguin

2011-12-26T08:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas Walk at Labrador Hollow Natural Area

2011-12-25T16:36:00.000-05:00

Windy and raw by the new ice on the pond. A few yards away from the water, the wintery woods hold such beauty, little variety of color but bright.

Our Christmas Flower Basket

2011-12-24T17:20:00.006-05:00

Merry Christmas

Water is a Central Feature Throughout the Alhambra, Granada

2011-12-23T09:22:00.001-05:00

Decorative Elements of the Alhambra, Granada

2011-12-22T09:16:00.003-05:00

The View From Granada

2011-12-21T09:10:00.001-05:00

A Birding Day in Andalucia

2011-12-20T11:20:00.003-05:00

Due to Ed's inspiration and our very good luck that he was available, we spent the most interesting day of the trip with Peter Jones of Ronda, an internationally known bird researcher and guide. Peter took us along obscure country roads to impossibly beautiful sights.

Thanks to him we saw dozens of griffon vultures, a territorial Bonelli's eagle fiercely challenging soaring vultures who might like to claim her spring nest, many other birds, and ibex. We drove up a simple dirt track superseding an old drovers' road past ancient oak trees pruned by those drovers for abundant acorns to fatten pigs being brought to market, and through rough and stark limestone hills. We ate a hearty lunch at a local village restaurant where he knew the owners and patrons well enough, with fluent enough Spanish, for some friendly ribbing and a warm welcome.

"Bar Stop- Benaoján Estación: On the right hand corner opposite the station down in the ‘Station’ area below the village. More of a restaurant than a bar, this is very popular and has a large outside patio as well as an air-conditioned interior. Great food, simply prepared and well priced."

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Honey from J.M. and Kit Berry in A Shed

2011-12-19T10:40:00.002-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Flour City Pasta

2011-12-18T10:37:00.002-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Willis Poultry Farm of Manlius

2011-12-17T10:31:00.003-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Mu Mu Muesli

2011-12-16T09:55:00.005-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Wake Robin Farm

2011-12-15T09:52:00.007-05:00

Interlude: Two Days at Stillwater in December II

2011-12-14T09:40:00.001-05:00

Interlude: Two Days at Stillwater in December

2011-12-13T09:37:00.001-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Forty Weight Coffee

2011-12-12T09:34:00.002-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Syracuse Cultural Workers

2011-12-11T09:30:00.003-05:00

Favorite Local Producers at the Regional Market: Adirondack Beef Company

2011-12-10T09:09:00.004-05:00

Plaza de Toros, the Oldest Bullring in Spain at Ronda and Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda

2011-12-09T11:18:00.002-05:00

Scenes from Ronda

2011-12-08T11:00:00.003-05:00

Views of Ronda

2011-12-07T10:43:00.002-05:00

Ancient Ronda in southern Spain was built atop hills and cliffs for fortification. The views are spectacular. Four decades in the building, the New Bridge was completed in 1793.

If I were to return to Spain, this is where I would like to set up headquarters. Ronda is surrounded by deep valleys, tall mountains and good hiking, the complicated history of Andalucia, agriculture, healthy ecosystems, White Hill Towns, ocean and sea, North Africa close by, and great food and coffee!

Scenes from Andalucia

2011-12-06T21:08:00.013-05:00

Roman ruins

Andalucian cows

White hill town of Grazalema

Limestone pasture with cows

Two to three hundred year old oaks

Eagle and vulture country

Coffee in Spain: All Good

2011-12-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

White Hill Town of Grazalema in Andalucia

2011-12-04T13:49:00.004-05:00

Crossing the Mountains to Ronda

2011-12-03T13:36:00.003-05:00

Ed Greeted by La Taberna de Boabdil Owner in Arcos de la Frontera

2011-12-02T09:25:00.001-05:00

Alcazar in Sevilla

2011-12-01T13:18:00.011-05:00

Gaudi's Casa Batllo in Barcelona

2011-11-30T13:13:00.001-05:00

Antoni Gaudi's La Pedrera or Casa Mila in Barcelona

2011-11-29T12:52:00.001-05:00

Boqueria Market in Barcelona

2011-11-28T12:31:00.001-05:00

Interiors of La Familia Sagrada in Barcelona

2011-11-27T12:22:00.001-05:00

That Is 180mph on the AVE Train to Barcelona

2011-11-26T12:19:00.002-05:00

Ed, the Bear and the Madrona Tree in Madrid

2011-11-25T12:14:00.001-05:00

Santa María la Real de La Almudena in Madrid

2011-11-24T12:10:00.001-05:00

Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid

2011-11-23T11:11:00.000-05:00

El Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, even in November, is full of interest. Heavily shaded against the heat and light of summer, it contains a rich collection of plants from all over the world, tropical, temperate, arid and wet.

Calder at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid

2011-11-22T12:02:00.001-05:00

Central High School: A Treasure Needs a New Use

2011-11-21T11:48:00.001-05:00

New Centro Downtown Station Taking Shape

2011-11-20T11:44:00.001-05:00

Celebration and Thanks

2011-11-19T20:04:00.007-05:00

Louis Mariana Peace Garden at Sunnycrest Park

2011-11-18T19:51:00.003-05:00

Great Staircase at Clark Reservation

2011-11-17T19:47:00.001-05:00

Why Fancy Speedboat Owners Do Not Choose Stillwater

2011-11-16T19:43:00.000-05:00

Barn of Pleasing Proportions, Adams Center

2011-11-15T19:39:00.000-05:00

If one exits from 81N at Adams Center, as we do on the way to Rap-Shaw, this barn is directly across the top of the ramp.

The Short Season: Winter Lights and Fall Leaves in Hanover Square

2011-11-14T05:05:00.000-05:00

Kind Coffee Company on West Fayette

2011-11-13T06:54:00.001-05:00

Thank You A & J For A Delicious Lunch

2011-11-12T09:15:00.001-05:00

Geisha II in Utica for Lunch

2011-11-11T09:15:00.000-05:00

Ansel Adams at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica

2011-11-10T09:22:00.000-05:00

Ephemeral Leaf Installation at 303

2011-11-09T04:09:00.002-05:00

VOTE!

2011-11-08T16:08:00.002-05:00

Amur Tiger Pre-teen at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

2011-11-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

Snow in Lafayette Last Week

2011-11-06T11:00:00.003-05:00

Dinosaur on a Rainy Morning

2011-11-05T11:24:00.002-04:00

Mural on Stolp II

2011-11-04T11:20:00.002-04:00

Mural on Stolp I

2011-11-03T11:17:00.003-04:00

Labrador Natural Area

2011-11-02T11:14:00.000-04:00

Nightshade Leaves at Labrador Natural Area

2011-11-01T11:12:00.000-04:00

Boardwalk at Labrador Natural Area

2011-10-31T11:08:00.002-04:00

Dawn in Wanakena

2011-10-30T10:24:00.008-04:00

A Detour to the Top of the NYMO Parking Garage...

2011-10-29T10:10:00.000-04:00

Last Day For Freedom on Pearl

2011-10-28T09:54:00.002-04:00

Freedom of Espresso moves out of Pearl Street after today. Four others will continue and thrive. Regulars will suffer. It was unique, as they all are, and always comfortable. It will be missed by all.

Word on good authority is that there will be another at Butternut and Prospect, with an oven! O.K.

Creek Walk Continued...

2011-10-27T09:52:00.000-04:00

Crossing Fayette, the Walk enters new territory as it heads north between the creek and a one-story brick business building. Reaching a tall stone wall, likely an earlier basement, it turns up a ramp to reach Washington St. between the Warehouse and the NIMO parking garage.

The stone wall has interesting historical elements.

...and Greet the Creek Serpent Close Up.

2011-10-26T07:30:00.000-04:00

...Look to the Side to See the Rail Bridges Poetry...

2011-10-25T12:28:00.000-04:00