Legion of Honor

One of the more unique buildings in San Francisco is the Legion of Honor fine art museum. It is a three-quarter scale model of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, except with a striking view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

You have seen a picture of its interior in my previous post and here is the museum's spacious courtyard with a replica of Rodin's The Thinker.

Many wedding parties use it as a backdrop for their photo memories like this happy couple and their entourage on the day I visited.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Fore!

I don't play golf, but if I did, I think I want to play here at the Lincoln Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
With such a nice view, I don't know if I can concentrate on the ball.

Night Lights

Photography in low light is different as night and day, literally. Our camera club visited the local miniature golf course and I composed this shot. I would not have been able to capture the concentric circles if I photographed this same spinning windmill blade during the day.

Here is the same object closer and from a different angle.
Both of these shots required long exposures (13-15 seconds in both of these cases), a tripod, and some patience.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Secret Entrance

Walking through the forest, this building with an open door comes into view.
How to access this discreet entrance? Where does it lead?
Curiosity and bravery will be the guide.

- Karen

Veterans Day

November 11th was declared "Armistice Day" in 1919 by U.S. President Wilson to remember the end of World War I a year before. In 1954, U.S. President Eisenhower renamed the holiday to "Veterans Day" to honor American military veterans of all wars.
Today was no exception.
Local firefighters draped a flag in the middle of downtown before the start of the parade.

As I doubt anyone from the American Revolutionary War is still with us, these representatives remind us of the sacrifices those soldiers made from centuries ago.

Same here with representatives from the American Civil War.

Most importantly it is a day to remember those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Rows & Columns

All columns and rows standing perfectly apart since 1924. They meet on the floor and they meet on the ceiling, but they never touch.

- Karen

A Dog's Duty

Whether chasing squirrels, burying bones, or battling fountains, a dog's work is never done!

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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Happy Halloween

One of the neighbors close to the pumpkin festival I attended a few weekends ago had this in their front yard. Mr. Pumpkin is up to his neck in dirt. I guess that's how he spends his weekends relaxing.

Have a safe Trick-or-Treat!

- Karen

Garden Life

Antiques waiting patiently to be purchased by an eclectic treasure hunter.

A rather intimidating table leg ornament. Dare you sit here for a moment?

Have no fear, griffins stand guard to protect all those who rest here from their wayward journeys.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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Recycled Flowers

These look real, but without the flowery scents.
They are created from what looks like paper, plastic, and foam, an artistic method to reuse material.

They will not wilt nor will they need water or sunshine. They will stay bright and cheery through the coldest winter.

Their leaves even speak to you in words.

- Karen

Doctor's Office

This is a nice statue in front of a doctor's office.
Everyone who passes by will see it and know it is his birthday.

- Karen

It's Heavy

Have you seen such gigantic pumpkins?
These were on display at the 40th Annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
I didn't realize it until I got home that a little girl was in my photo comparing herself to Gargantua.

Although not a record, this year at the festival a 1,535 lbs. (696 kg) pumpkin; nevertheless, took the prize as the heaviest.
The current world record pumpkin weighed in at 1,810 lbs. (821 kg).
I wonder what they feed it. I can't even get a single blueberry on my plant to grow. Sigh!

The winner and his/her pumpkin get to be in the festival parade.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Farmer Mike's Pumpkin, Part 2

After 4 hours, I come back and see Farmer Mike working deftly with his carving knife and created the MEGAMIND character from the new 3D animated movie.

He approvingly gives a thumbs-up when an onlooker asked him to pose for a picture.

- Karen

Farmer Mike's Pumpkin

No Halloween is complete without a pumpkin carving.
People initially heard of Farmer Mike in 1986 at the local Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival where he carved pumpkins in public for the first time and has now been performing this annual ritual ever since. For those not familiar with this area, Half Moon Bay is approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco.
What is Farmer Mike carving this year?
Find out what it is in my next post.

- Karen