Whose Woods These Are…

On February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 By mvschulzeIn Back Yard, Color, Home, New Jersey, Photography, Pondering, snow, sunset, Weather, Winter4 Comments

I think we know, …Ours! And, as the sun sets, they’re full of snow.

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome! Click on, or finger stretch for a closer look. M 🙂

Snow on a Limb

On February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 By mvschulzeIn 2021, Back Yard, Home, New Jersey, Oakland N.J., Photo, Pondering, Spring, Telephoto, Trees, Winter1 Comment

Another “Outside My Window” photo! (2/8/21)

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome. M:-)

Got Snow? We do!

On February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 By mvschulzeIn Back Yard, Home, New Jersey, Observation, Perspectives, Photography, Pondering, snow, Weather, Winter4 Comments

Expecting about 1/2 meter – This image is .44m or about 17.5″ 6:00 PM, from NW Bergen County, New Jersey

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

NYC Sunrise – Perspective, Part Two

On March 2, 2020 By mvschulzeIn 9/11, Buildings, Dogs, History, Memorial, New Jersey, New York City, Photography, Pondering, Remembering, Skyline photos, Sunrise, Telephoto5 Comments

Sunrise Over Midtown – Lower Manhattan just left of Center

From Eagle Rock Reservation, N.J, a Rescue Dog looks right

**Perched on a remnant from the World Trade Center, his gaze is on lower Manhattan**

Thanks for Viewing, and comments are welcome.

Zoom in for closer view. M 🙂

Fun in Downtown L.A. Then and Now

On November 21, 2019January 10, 2020 By mvschulzeIn 1980's, Adventure, Airplanes, Art, Buildings, Cars, Curiosities, Daytrip, Exploring, Family, Hiking, Holiday, Photography, Pondering, Remembering, Skyline photos, Travel, Vacation7 Comments

Family Vacation, 32 years ago. American Airlines 747 from NYC’s Kennedy Airport to LAX. After the image below, is the story of “Early A.M. in L.A. on 11/10/87”

Twelve hours after landing, I would be exploring Los Angeles by foot before the morning’s rush hour, while the family slept off jet-lag in the Holiday Inn about a mile away. An awesome two hour adventure into an “architectually diverse” downtown, with parks and plazas, and… WHAT??? – a Giant Swiss Army Knife??? Yes indeed!

And, not far away, …Swinging Cars!hi

Years later, and of course living 3000 miles away, I wondered exactly where these two photos were taken. I searched maps, and photos where I could, without success – until now. Thanks to the remarkable 3D satellite image and orientation tools available on most any smart phone and/or computer, I “flew” between the buildings and first found the cars: W. Fourth street, and S. Grand Ave. See it below?

The Swiss Army knife was a lot harder. In fact, it’s not there anymore. BUT, by looking at the photo I took in 1987, and specifically for the glass pyramid in its background, I zoomed way in on the “Tom Tom” 3D map, and searched until noticing the glass pyramid structure. Below is from today’s mapping app, zoomed in showing that same glass pyramid. A “new” contempoary display is in the exact place where the knife was 32 years ago.

Below, another photo of downtown Los Angeles on that beautiful morning.

Thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome, and zoom in for a closer look. M 🙂

The Louvre, Paris – Just a Courtyard

On January 10, 2018 By mvschulzeIn 1700's, Art, Curiosities, France, Paris, Photography2 Comments

The Louvre Museum was one of the many highlights of our vacation to France back a few years ago. Here, simply, is a view of one courtyard, a small, un-pretensious treaure in itself, and only a few steps away from the “Mona Lisa” and so many other trully celebrated works of art.

(Nikon D80 – f/11 1/500 sec, 18mm, handheld on the go!)

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Treasure in Manhattan – Morgan Library & Museum

On January 4, 2017January 4, 2017 By mvschulzeIn Art, Buildings, Curiosities, Explore, History, New York, New York City, Photography, Pondering, Science8 Comments

Located on Madison Ave at E. 36th street, The Morgan Museum and Research Library containing the private holdings of financier J.P Morgan and other benefactors, is an incomparable collection of original manuscripts, books, paintings, sculptures, cylinder seals and other fine works of literary and imaginary art, accessible to the public in its grandiose historic setting.

**From the Rotunda, one enters the three-story Morgan Library, as also seen above.**

Thousands of books in pristine condition, date back centuries. One section contains tens of massive bibles, including the Gutenberg.

**Apparently no expense was spared, as attested in the detail of the ceiling and skylight of this 1906 Manhattan treasure chest.**

Below: A large collection of “Cylindrical Seals” are on display, dating back thousands of years. The cylinder, meticulously engraved, would render a relief image when impressed in a soft medium.

We enjoyed visiting this museum while in “The City” last week.

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Assisi, Umbria Region, Italy… Lookback Snippets

On January 20, 2015January 21, 2015 By mvschulzeIn Art, Boats, Buildings, Cruise ship, Photo, Photography, Pondering, Travel3 Comments

Captured in Italy some time ago, a few images from Assisi, birthplace of the Francician Order…

4-3-11 Italy, Day 10, Montecatnin to Assisi to Rome (69)_edited-1 — **Pidgeon in a pidgeonhole overlooking the Umbria region surrounding Assisi, Italy**

4-3-11 Italy, Day 10, Montecatnin to Assisi to Rome (54)_edited-1 — **Along “via S. Francesco”**

4-3-11 Italy, Day 10, Montecatnin to Assisi to Rome (67) — **Franciscian Friars**

4-3-11 Italy, Day 10, Montecatnin to Assisi to Rome (38)_edited-1 — **13th century Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi with statue of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of “animals and environment,” co-founder of the Order of Franciscians**

4-3-11 Italy, Day 10, Montecatnin to Assisi to Rome (53)_edited-1 — **Jeanne browsing along via S. Frsncesco. Note the brick cieling in this shop amongst the medieval alleys**

Posting snippets gives me an opportunity to explore some of our past experiences, images and places, in between more current travels and projects.

As usual, thanks for visiting, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

ROMANCING THE… SNOW – Travel Theme: Romance

On February 16, 2014February 16, 2014 By mvschulzeIn Cruise ship, Hiking, Mystery, New York, Pondering, Travel13 Comments

Cold, disruptive, slippery, dangerous and beautifully romantic! That’s how I “Picture” this exceptional winter’s snow and ice storms. Part one (of two) is here: “The icing on the snow,” (storm # 11, but who’s counting anymore!)

Above: A thick layer of ice coated one of the accumulating snow storms providing this glossy coating, as seen from Eagle Rock Reservation, East Orange, New Jersey. NYC is in view, about 13 miles (21 Km) to the east.

Below: 9/11 loved ones, are wonderfully remembered by this memorial.

Below: Snow and ice coated benches always present themselves well in the cold sunny days after a storm, and icicles confirm the brutal temperatures.

Below: Sandy Paws the dog is easily supported by the crusted snow, and a slight glimmer of spring to come is captured in the Rhododendron’s bud.

Alisa’s Travel Theme this week is “Romance.”

April In Paris … no, October In Paris – A Snippet from a Walking Perspective

On October 22, 2013October 23, 2013 By mvschulzeIn Art, Hiking, Photo, Science, Technology, Travel13 Comments

Last year at about this time, we had the pleasure of walking along part of the Seine. We explored the northern side of the Ile (island) de la Citi, upon which Notre Dame and other landmarks are located, …and across several downstream bridges, nearby

From the river’s edge, and as seen under one of the arches of the oldest bridge in Paris, (Pont Neuf, 1578,) is the Pont des Arts and Louvre Museum behind.

The bridge (pedestrian only) is one of several adorned with thousands of “love locks,” a fad started some years ago where-by lovers write their names on mostly brass padlocks, attach them to the wire railings, and toss the keys into the river. Another option, though seldom used, is tossing each other into the river! Some detractors of the practice would think that is the better option.

But perhaps one of the prettiest views in Paris is seen from Pont du Carrousel. Looking back from that bridge, are the two previously mentioned bridges and a world class autumnal view of the Ile de la Citi and surrounds including the Square du Vert-Galant, a wonderful little park on the very tip of the island (seen in the center with the trees in this image;) spires of Ste. Chapelle, (right of center;) and Notre Dame (far right, distance.)

After a sidewalk café lunch, our walk would take us to the beautiful Jardin (gardens) des Tuileries, a World Heritage Site, with this view typical of its prodigious, colorful gardens and sculptures.