Going for Hot Chocolate in Westport, Ireland

Oscar Wilde in Dublin

The famous sculpture of Oscar Wilde by Danny Osborne in Merrion Square in Dublin. Wilde lived across the street from Merrion Park as a child. 

Loughcrew, Boyne Valley, Ireland

Loughcrew is one of several major Stone Age passage tomb sites in the Boyne Valley, a short drive and worthy day or more's explore west and north of Dublin. The area's ancient sites are extraordinarily interesting in understanding life during paleolithic time. 

The view from Loughcrew shows the typical pattern of Irish fields...no pattern, seemingly random, enclosed with stone over much of the country. The further west one goes, the more stone.

The tiny white dots? Hundreds of sheep.

The Stag's Head in Dublin

A beautiful, spacious, friendly historic pub that gave us refuge from the cold and let us rest and unwind from the effects of jet lag.

The Guinness is at room temperature, creamy and delicious. The barman takes 7 or 8 minutes to pull it correctly from the keg, pouring three times. Ask for "a pint" and that is what you will get. Perfection.

Aaro Saarinen's TWA Flight Center at JFK

Aaro Saarinen designed the TWA Flight Center at JFK, then Idlewild, which opened in 1962. It's been vacant for a decade and parts of the original complex have been torn down. It has an historic landmark designation now. Jet Blue owns rights to it and have not, as far as I can tell, determined how to use it yet. It is dwarfed by more modern terminals including Jet Blue's brand new Terminal 5.

We are on our way to Ireland tonight.

Progress on the Landmark

Tree Peony

Spirea in Franklin Square

Joli Says, "Maybe She Will Forget I Am Out Here"

High Water at Stillwater Reservoir

Tiarella: Foam Flower at the Center for Excellence

The choice of color...chartreuse...in paint and plant material works!

Whisteria

Cobblestone House in Liverpool

Freedom of Espresso in Franklin Square

NY State Thruway Official Bluebird Box

I believe this is the only remaining fully intact bluebird box with NY State Thruway marker. It is along the Thruway westbound between Canastota and East Syracuse. There was a time when someone made 6 or 8 of them and placed them in pairs along this stretch. 

There is another, without its roof, nearby.

Point Rock

Taken during the triennial spring garden rock poaching expedition to Fish Creek.

Two Baby Bald Eagles Flexing Their WIngs

These were taken on Friday, May 13 at the Lock at the north end of Seneca Lake near Montazuma National Wildlife Refuge.

 

Clock Tower in Corning

Reflections in Corning Glass' Headquarters Building

Merganzers on the Chemung River in Corning

The Indescribably Beautiful Transient Nature of Spring

Our Magnolia on a Dreamy Spring Day

Ottawa's Byward Market: Angel Saves Logger

If I knew anything more about this sculpture hanging in the center of the Market building, I would tell you. But I don't.

Tulip Cookies in Ottawa's Byward Market

Pipe Patterns on the Interstate

Marsh Marigolds

Apple Tunnel in Franklin Square

Florence Shelly Nature Preserve in Thompson PA

Florence Shelly Preserve is managed by the Nature Conservancy. It is a very diverse preserve with several interesting trails, old farm sites, two bodies of water, spring flowers, birds, and more! It is less than 45 minutes from Binghamton.

Bleeding Heart in Our Garden

Five Great Blue Heron Nests

Wake Robin Trillium at Sterling Nature Center