Cold and White

December 26, 2009 ~ Bend, Oregon

On December 26, 2009, freezing fog in Bend turned trees and plants into a frosted world where everything seemed quiet and time stood still. I've heard from Lee that the same thing happened today in Bend. You can see another photo of that day in 2009 right here, and you can see this traffic-circle sculpture of mama deer and her fawn among late spring foliage here.

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ~ February 3, 2007

This guy's teeth and open mouth are supposed to make hotel guests feel welcome? Maybe so. It worked for me. Sorry about the terrible lighting. It was another case of subject over aesthetics.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hiding

Monreale, Sicily ~ April 29, 2004

Sometimes animal art can be sneaky.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Big Red

Houston, Texas ~ February 4, 2011

Houston seems to have a wealth of sculptures that have no apparent reason for existing other than fact that someone wanted to put it there. In other words, the big red chicken isn't necessarily advertising a restaurant or any other business. I'm sorry I didn't get a better angle, and yet it's too good not to post. I think I caught it "on the fly" out of the car window. My thanks to Barbara for taking us where we could see many, many unexpected sights.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Phoenix and Chimera at Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle, England ~ February 17, 2010

Designs of phoenix and chimera adorn this bold leaded glass window in an upper hallway of Warwick Castle.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Devil Dogs of Houston

Houston, Texas ~ February 7, 2011

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Tiger in a Roman Villa

Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, Sicily ~

April 28, 2004

Please click the photo to enlarge

Here a tiger strides through one of the rooms in the Villa Romana del Casale. Visitors tread on raised walkways under the watchful eye of a guide. All of the floors were covered in a thin layer of mud on the day we visited, so I imagine the colors of all of the mosaics are actually brighter than you see here. I've also posted a few photos of this Roman ruin on my Tapirgal's Daily Image blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.