Monday, May 30, 2011

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. 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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.


Friday, May 27, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Tiarella: Foam Flower at the Center for Excellence

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

Friday, May 20, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

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.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Point Rock

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

Sunday, May 15, 2011

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.
 

Monday, May 9, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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.