Afternoon in the Park

An early summer afternoon in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in Paris. The third largest park in Paris is located in a residential area of Paris in the 19th arondissement. You will find more Parisians than tourists here. The structure atop the hill in the background is the Belvedere (Temple) of Sybil, modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. 

Textures by Tim in Ohio and Shadowhouse Creations.

Saguaro National Park

This photo was taken on a fall afternoon in Saguaro National Park West, in Tucson, Arizona.
Textures by Jane Garratt and Shadowhouse Creations.

Fruit Boat, St. Lucia

This beat-up and colorful fruit boat, covered with the flags of many different nations, was a welcome sight to those swimming in the bay. Several people waded out into the water to purchase fresh fruit.
Textures by Ellenvd and Stephanie in Love

Cactus Corner

A grouping of potted cactus and succulents outside Webster Auditorium at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.
Texture by Paree Erica.

When Doges Were in Style

These shop manikins are cleverly carved doges. The doge was the chief magistrate and highest elected official of Venice. The last one abdicated in 1797.
Textures by Musymas and Shadowhouse Creations.

Shelf Life

Potted plants and watering cans line a shelf at the Center for Desert Living, an area within the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

November Monarch

This is one of the many monarch butterflies in the butterfly house at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.  This acacia flower is a favorite source of nectar for the butterflies.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Autumn in the Desert

We visited the Desert Botanical Gardens today and enjoyed the Four Seasons sculptures by Philip Haas. These impressive sculptures are 15 feet high and were inspired by Giuseppe Arcimboldo's Renaissance era paintings.
Texture: Boccacino

David Lost in Contemplation

Here's another image based on a photo I took in one of the eclectic rooms at Whitfil Nursery in Phoenix.
Texture by Jinterwas.

Vegetable Stand, Florence

Vegetables and flowers at a store front leading to the Piazza Signoria in Florence, Italy.
Textures by Lenabem-Anna and Paree Erica.

Cortona Doorway

This doorway, off a steep hill in Cortona, Italy, was blocked by colorful potted flowers and plants.
Textures by Shadowhouse Creations and Distressed Jewell.

Aqua Shutters

If I recall correctly this is the back of the Hotel Bartolini in Montecatini Terme, Italy. I walked past it daily on my way to get a cappucino and pastry.
Texture by Sienna62.

Early Morning in the Neighborhood

One morning I woke early and decided to walk through the neighborhood. The sky was tinged with pastels and the moon was still visible.
I've added textures from Lenabem-Anna and Distressed Jewel.                                                

Doorway, Montecatini Alto

I photographed this doorway during an early evening stroll in Montecatini Alto, the medieval town that sits above the spa town of Montecatini and is accessible by funicular.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

White Wash

This is another photo taken during my walk through the countryside near Monteriggioni in Tuscany.
Texture by Joes Sistah.

Venus and the Early Bird

A collection of items found in the outdoor warehouse area of Whitfil Nursery in Phoenix.
Textures by Shadowhouse Creations and Joes Sistah were added.

Tuscan Archway

While walking through the valley below Monteriggioni, we stopped for a quick break and I explored a few of the nearby buildings while others lined up to buy fresh fruit from a local farmer's cart.
Texture by Emma Cox

Portofino

This image was taken while cruising in the Mediterranean.  Due to the rough seas, our ship's captain decided not to attempt to take passengers ashore via the tenders. I had booked an excursion to the Cinque Terre and I was incredibly disappointed to miss this opportunity. Several years later, I finally made it to the Cinque Terre, but I still haven't had the chance to visit Portofino.
Texture by Paree Erica.

Across the Canal

A photo taken from across the main canal in Ghent, Belgium.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Church, Dubrovnik

The Jesuit Church of Dubrovnik was finished in 1725. Although striking on the outside, the interior is rather plain.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Colorful Corner

Flowers create a colorful border at a restaurant in a corner of the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Game Night

Another view of the many eclectic items found at the Whitfil Nursury's main building.
Texture is from Shadowhouse Creations.