Rooftop Warriors (IV), La Pedrera, Barcelona
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything from Spain, so here’s a picture of one of my favourite Barcelona subjects – the ‘Witchscarers’ of Gaudi‘s Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera). Looking at these imposing, austere figures it’s easy to understand why poet Pere Gimferrer called the roof of La Pedrera “the garden of warriors”.
For those new to Journey Photographic, you can see more pictures of Gaudi’s ‘Rooftop Warriors’ here.
Jefferson Memorial in Snow, Washington DC
Not long after I arrived in DC, the city was shut down due to a late-season snow storm. Despite a complete lack of snow-appropriate clothing, I took advantage of the opportunity and headed out to the Jefferson Memorial. I’d never been particularly satisfied with my pictures of the memorial in the past, but I had a feeling the combination of snow and moody skies would work well for the picture I had in mind – this is the result. I think it was worth the frozen limbs!
Ghost Gum, Central Australia
Two of the most striking features of Central Australia are the distinctive ghost gums, and the ever-present red rocks. Impressive on their own, they are stunning together, and create a picture I defy any photographer to walk past.
Skyeskyns Window, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Skyeskyns, a family business on the Isle of Skye, offers both tours of their traditional sheepskin tannery, as well as some impressive views of the surrounding landscape. As soon as I saw the beautiful window light falling on some of their wares, there was no way I could resist taking this picture.
(They also sell some really, really nice sheepskin rugs and throws, although one of them looked disturbingly like my parent’s labradoodle…)
Cherry Blossoms over Water, Washington DC, USA
Where does time go? It seems like only yesterday I updated Journey Photographic… in my defense, the last year has been a blur of major work deadlines, combined with an international move, so it’s been rather busy! The good news is that regular posting has resumed, and I’ve got quite a build-up of pictures I’m looking forward to sharing with everyone!
This picture was taken at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, an annual festival to celebrate the blooming of the Japanese Cherry trees that line the banks of the Tidal Basin. The original trees were a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington DC in 1912. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbour, four of the trees were chopped down by vandals. In the hopes of preventing further attacks, they were referred to as ‘Oriental’ cherry trees for the remainder of the war – I’m not sure how this was supposed to fool anyone, but I guess it worked, as the trees (and their descendants) survived the war without further attacks.
Hesitant Puffin, Lunga, Scotland
It may be a little less of a traditional animal portrait than my other puffin pictures, but I think this more environmental portrait is one of my favourites. I love the hesitant pose of the little puffin, contemplating making the leap up to the next ledge – maybe he forgot that he has wings?
Tying Lines, Liberty Clipper, Boston
I don’t normally post many pictures of the same subject one after the other – I would hate for you all to get bored! – but I got a special request to put up more pictures from my sail on the Liberty Clipper, and so I’m going to break that ‘rule’ today. This picture is for you, Dad!
Photographically speaking, the lens flare in this shot was unintentional (in contrast to the deliberate flare of the previous sailing picture), but I quite like the effect and the way it is contained to the bell.
