Sage advice

Yesterday I had to make a quick run to the Ink Spot to get some marketing materials printed. The Ink Spot is located directly across from the county courthouse. As I parked, I noticed this red car in front of me with a large message scrawled on the back window (it was pretty hard to miss!). Since it was right in front of the courthouse, it kind of made me wonder if a loved one of the car's owner was involved in an accident involving a drunk driver, and if that accident was now making its way through the criminal system. Well whatever the back story, I thought it was a great message.

Isn't she lovely?

I couldn't conclude my little Broadmoor series without at least one interior shot. You can see why I looooooooooove shooting weddings here!

The birds

On December 24th I had lunch with my mom and brother at the Broadmoor, and afterward we took a little stroll around the hotel. As we were walking back across the lake to leave, we noticed hundreds of Canada geese flying around in circles above us, squawking like crazy and refusing to land. I've never seen such a thing -- it was right out of a Hitchcock movie! They raised quite a ruckus! My brother and mom ran for it, wisely getting out of the way of any potential bird bombs raining down on the hapless humans below, but of course I had to stop and get a few pictures. (Luckily I avoided getting pooped on.) This picture really doesn't show the extent of the chaos and weirdness, so take what you see here and multiply it by about 20, then imagine the din of hundreds of squawking geese to truly get an idea of it all. It really was the strangest thing!

One for the road

On Christmas Eve, my brother Chuck and I had lunch with my mom at the Broadmoor. They have many restaurants at the resort; we chose the Tavern. We decided to take a walk around the resort afterward. There's a hallway alongside the Tavern that houses literally hundreds and hundreds of empty wine bottles along its walls, some of them dating to the early 1900s and beyond. I've always just walked through that hallway without stopping to peruse the bottles, but this time we took a good look. Chuck and I came across this one, and since it was autographed it caught our attention. As we peered at it, a Broadmoor employee walked by and took a moment to explain to us what we were looking at: the last bottle of wine drank by George W. Bush, who is now famously clean and sober. It was signed and dated March 16th, 1989. According the employee, Mr. Bush threw up in the pool that night and never drank alcohol again. It sure was nice of him to autograph his bottle to commemorate such an auspicious occasion (and it looks like he had good taste too).

Caramillo Street at Christmastime

Caramillo Streeet, just a few blocks from my studio and around the corner from my brother's house, is a very typical downtown residential street in Colorado Springs: it's lined with Victorians, Crafstman homes and giant trees. But during the holidays something magical happens on Caramillo between Weber and Wahsatch streets. All the residents collaborate to drape the entire block with Christmas lights strung back and forth across the tree branches, and almost every home is cheerily festooned with holiday decor. The effect, as you drive underneath the fairy lights at night in the snow, is pure magic. For years I've meant to bring a "real" camera and capture the beauty of Caramillo Street at Chrismastime, but usually I'm just too swamped with work to plan on an official photo foray. The other night Pat and I happened to be nearby as it was snowing, so we made a special point to drive down Caramillo and capture it with my little point and shoot. This photo simply doesn't do it justice, but I promise next year I'll try and get a truly fabulous one!

I also wanted to share with you this video that I shot with my brother Chuck last week. There's a house in his old neighborhood that really comes alive at Christmas. The owners must have spent years putting together all this stuff, and clearly none of it's storebought, so a lot of labor went into this! It's absolutely delightful and we never tire of driving through their alleyway every year to see the wonderful display they put on. BTW that's Annie Lennox on the radio, and Chuck drove very slowly so I could capture as much as possible. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Joyeux Noel!

Maligayang Pasko!

Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Feliz Navidad!

Milad Majid!

Glædelig Jul!

Feliz Natal!

Shinnen omedeto!

Buone Feste Natalizie!

Nollaig chridheil huibh!

Hristos se rodi!

Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!

Selamat Hari Natal!

To all my friends and loyal blog followers at City Daily Photo and around the world, Merry Christmas to you and yours! It's nearly midnight here, so this magical day is almost over. I hope you all had your version of a perfect Christmas day.

Tamera

Christmas Eve

On Tuesday night as the snow drifted down, Pat and I drove around downtown and enjoyed the beautiful old Victorian homes all gussied up with their Christmas finery. I managed to get a couple of nice pictures with my little point and shoot. Here's an example of one of our many fine Victorians. She looks lovely all lit up in the snow.

Trivelli's

The other night, Pat had a powerful a hankering for an Italian sausage sandwich. In an emergency situation such as this, the only truly satisfying solution is Trivelli's! This tiny sandwich shop has been located next to Murphy's Tavern (my home away from home) on North Nevada for over 30 years, and they serve up the best Philly cheese steaks, Italian grinders and hoagies in town, bar none -- always cooked up hot right before your eyes and served with a smile. They even deliver. I love Trivelli's. It's my go-to place when I'm craving a hot sandwich. Nothing else compares!

A favorite neighborhood

The day after Thanksgiving I did a family portrait sitting in Palmer Park, which is more rugged and "Colorado" looking than Monument Valley Park, my usual location for such portraits. Palmer Park is named after our city founder and is located pretty much smack in the middle of Colorado Springs, and it's huge. It's a great place for a drive or a hike and there's a fabulous view of the city from its highest point.

After my portrait sitting was finished, I took the scenic way home. This quiet road winds around the back of the park and borders some riding stables. In the summer, the trees form a green canopy overhead and it's lovely. I envy the lucky people who live in this neighborhood!

Mmmmm, coffee

A lovely, foamy cappuccino at La Baguette downtown. Does this picture make you crave a nice big cup of java?

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Thursday I was in Denver with Pat on business (plus Christmas shopping!), and on East Colfax I noticed this sign as we waited at an intersection for the light to change. I thought the grid and the bright red letters made such a nice contrast with the deep blue sky.

Mural in progress

On the way to my studio yesterday I noticed this mural in progress on the Ecumenical Social Ministries building on Bijou and Weber. I've never caught a mural in progress, they always just seem to just magically pop up overnight. This one's looking a little creepy at the moment! I promise to post the final result as soon as it's finished.

The final countdown

Yesterday Pat and I made our first serious foray into Christmas shopping, hitting three malls in the Denver area, and it was exhausting! I don't think that shopping has ever left me this pooped before. With only seven days to go until Christmas, let's hope I don't have to hit another mall and can accomplish the rest of my shopping online!

Here's a snap of a giant Christmas tree at a mall in Castle Rock (just south of Denver) last night. Isn't it pretty?

Thrift

Pat and I were driving down Academy Boulevard in July and noticed this big sign. I guess it's advertising some kind of thrift shop. I wonder how many people are keeping this word in mind as they do their holiday shopping? I sure am.

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I stepped outside my studio this evening to get something out of my car, and this is what I saw. I had to run back in and grab my camera so I could capture this beautiful sunset over Pikes Peak!

Happy birthday to me!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days. Sunday was my birthday and I took the day off from all things computer-related, and that means pictures too! Here's a snap of some of my presents. I had a great birthday :o)

I'll be back tomorrow!

Tamera

Michelangelo in the making

Last Saturday I helped judge an annual art contest for our largest local school district. I was in charge of judging the photography entries (go figure), and after I finished with my duties I wandered around looking at the other art. I was so impressed with this painting that was done by a six year old. In fact, all of the judges fell in love with it. At first I thought it was a painting of a goat, but after reading the artist's statement I learned that it depicts the family dog. Okay, maybe it doesn't look so much like a dog but take a close look at this painting! Look how prominently the dog is featured, and look at the horizon line and how it recedes naturally, just like it does in real life. Fantastic! I find it astonishing that a first grader can see, grasp and paint three dimensions so effectively. Needless to say, this painting was the big winner!

Automotive fashion trends

Check out this crazy car I saw on Monday at the post office! Huh? This is definitely a trend I'm having a little trouble comprehending.

Late afternoon light

Late afternoon is the best time of day to get those dramatic shadows! Here's another "through the windshield" shot (can you see my car's antenna?). It's the facade of Gallery Two Ten on Cimarron Street, on March 25th at exactly 3:52pm. I love the elegant row of shadows cast by the lights.

Where the deer and the antelope play

If you've ever wondered where the proverbial deer and the antelope play, here's your answer. The farther east you get from Colorado Springs, the more antelope you see.

Stay away!

Signage like this has the opposite effect on me than the intended. Instead of being repelled, I'm curious. What's on your property that's so fascinating that you must post multiple signs compelling me to stay away? As I took this picture, I could hear several vicious dogs inside barking at my presence. Whatever's in there, it can't be good.

The Watermelon House

For years, Pat and I have been fascinated by this watermelon shaped house that sits in the countryside between Fountain and Pueblo. Pat even incorporated it into one of his films! I've yet to get a decent picture of it (this was shot from our moving car), but I think it's so cool that I'm sharing it here even though this is a crappy picture! Isn't it an odd little house?

An even colder day!

It was only eight degrees (-13C) when I woke up this morning. It's supposed to dip below zero tonight! Here's a footprint in the snow on the sidewalk in front of my studio. I think the postman must have left it when he came through on his daily rounds.

A cold and windy day

It was only 18 degrees out (-8 Celsius) when I took this picture in front of my studio today. Brrrrr!

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I love red! It's my favorite color. What's your favorite color?