More Windows, Oxford

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

These lovely windows that seem to combine Gothic and Baroque (?) elements can be found near the corner of Merton and The High Street, although the main facade is on the other side of the building.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Gothic on Turquoise

Syracuse (Siracusa), Sicily, Italy ~ April 27, 2004

Island of Ortygia

This canal separates the Island of Ortygia (far side) from the rest of Syracuse. The water really is an amazing shade of turquoise. The canal doubles as a harbor. Most visitors park in the large lot behind me and walk across the bridge, the Ponte Umbertino. Ortygia really is a wanderer's paradise. There is so much to be attracted by even in this small corner before my lens. Besides the boats and the colors, I was especially intrigued by the red Venetian Gothic building. Someone posted a shot on Flickr that shows its detail. I've already blogged a favorite photo of this scene taken from the bridge, and this link will take you to a map showing how Ortygia joins the "mainland" of Sicily.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Interesting Old Digs

Banbury, England ~ February 15, 2010

Whately Hall

We stayed in this former coaching inn from the 17th Century for a couple of nights. I loved the old building (and cheaper than most Holiday Inn Express Hotels). We got to chat about history with some of the staff, but I vowed to carry my own blankets next time. Under a featherbed comforter, you roast. Throw it off and you freeze. I'm used to layering covers, and I never got the hang of how to sleep Old England Style. Any hints?

By the way, I'm re-thinking my blogs, and I intend to make "Tapirgal's Daily" a daily blog again. Or close enough. It will help when I get my used photos re-named with the date first so I can tell quickly if I've already used a photo or not. Apologies for any you've seen before.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Westminster Abbey

February 19, 2010 ~ Westminster Abbey, London

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Big Ben in February

London, England ~ Febrary 19, 2010

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Cool Tropical Gothic

Kaua'i, Hawaii ~ September 20, 2005

I can't say I like the missionary thing, but I do love the Gothic-influenced architecture of some of the small wooden Hawaiian churches. I think they go especially well with the landscape, or is that just me?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Gothic Windows in Heidelberg

Heidelberg, Germany ~ January 2002

Scanned from a slide

If you enlarge this one, you can just see a touch of the setting sun on the underside of the balcony. This is a foray into the archives with my slide scanner. It's great to have a way to save the old photos to digital format, but still disappointing as far as the quality goes compared to looking at them with an Agfa Lupe. If anyone has suggestions for getting quality from slides, please let me know. I did tweak it some in Photoshop. I have an ancient version (6.0), mainly because it was free. I got the color about right, but it still seems grainy, and some of my scans have way too much contrast. Are the old slides really that grainy? Have our digital cameras just gotten that much better? Anyway, as I have the time, I hope to post more shots from the slide files. I'd love to hear about anyone's experience with this transformation.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Appearances to the Contrary

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalen

If you click the link, you will see that the church is a warm and thriving institution in the middle of Oxford. The photo (taken in the rain) makes it look old and neglected. I just loved finding this place amidst the more stately downtown buildings.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Two Worlds

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

The High Street

Every step we took along the pavement was a photo, and I fell in love with Oxford. The clock tower is part of The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Massachusetts Gothic

Cambridge, Massachusetts ~ May 5, 2006

Memorial Hall

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.