Color Me Magenta

I love bright colors and this columbine comes alive with the magenta petals around the core yellow.  How does Mother Nature do it?

"Color Me Magenta"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Patriotic Pants

They may have been hanging in an Italian seaside town and who knows, they may belong to an American, or maybe a French man.  Perhaps someone from Great Britian or Australia.  Hmmm... How many other countries use red, white and blue for their flag?

"Patriotic Pants"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Orange Beauty

I can't explain it but for some reason I'm attracted to orange flowers every time I start to design a painting.  I suppose it's because of the virbancy and richness of the colors.  I keep saying I'm not go to paint another orange flower but here I go again!!

"Orange Beauty"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pink Umbrella

It's a unique place to hang an umbrella to dry but it works.

"Pink Umbrella"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Lotus Flower

They look a lot like waterlilies, they grow i water, have big pads and similar flowers except the stems are a lot taller and the centers of the flowers are very unique and when dried, they are highly prized for dried flower arrangements.


"Lotus Flower"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

The White House

It doesn't look white, but the upper cliff dwelling was covered in white at one time, hence the name.  This is just one of many cliff dwellings that dot Canyon de Chelly in north eastern Arizona.  Located on the Navajo Reservation, this is a unique National Park in that it is jointly managed by both entities. 

"The White House"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pumpkin Pumpkin

One more week until Halloween.  Are you ready?  Have your pumpkin carved and out to greet guests?  This guy was hiding under big leaves in the pumpkin patch.  I wonder whose home he'll wind up in.

"Pumpkin Pumpkin"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pasquali

I just love the name for this tiny car.  And I thought the Smart Car was small.  But this one person vehicle takes the honors.  I wonder what kind of mileage it gets. 

"Pasquali"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Santa Maria della Salute

Since we're doing church tops I thought I'd add another.  This one is in Venice, right on the point across from St. Mark's piazza and at the entrance to the Grand Canal.  I love the "curls" just below the dome.  John Singer Sargent did a wonderful painting of this church, as has many other great artists.  I haven't yet but plan to some day.

"Santa Maria della Salute"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Santa Maria della Scala

This is the dome of the beautiful duomo in Siena, Santa Maria della Scala.  The exterior is an architectural festival of green, white, pink and gold and dates back to 1215.  Inside you'll see the heads of 172, who've reigned from Peter to the 12th century peering down from above.  It's a spectacular church with many art treasures from Michelangelo to Bernani.

"Santa Maria della Scala"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pretty in Pink

The ruffles of a double hibiscus add to the beauty of an ordinary flower.  The deep color in the throat of this one adds another dimesion.  It's it fun to find all the ways Mother Nature intrigues us.

"Pretty in Pink"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Where's the Rain?

It was a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, and suddenly there were hoards of tourists with umbrellas.  It wasn't hot but this group of Japanese tourists were merely protecting themselves from the sun.  But seeing this mass of umbrellas as they walked along the basin near St. Mark's Piazza in Venice was certainly a sight.

"Where's the Rain?"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Afternoon Light

I love the way sunlight filters through windows and creates interesting patterns of light and shadow.  And when the location is a palace in Lucca that's even better.  It was an overcast day as we were visiting the Pfanner Palace in the old part of Lucca and when we walked into the main ballroom the sun decided to make a premier appearance. 

"Afternoon Light"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Traveling Salesman

I was surprised when I came upon this door-to-door salesman with the latest model of vacuum, at least I'm sure they think it's the latest.  Watching him try to convince the lady that she needed it was interesting to say the least, especially since it was all in Italian.  I was in the town of Portovenere on the coast above Pisa and had to do a double take as this was something I haven't seen in a very long time.

"Traveling Salesman"       © Kathy Dunham 2010

Lots of Onions

I love going to open air and farmer's markets.  It's not just about the fresh produce but for me it's the photo opportunities.  The colors and shapes offer a delight to a photographer's eye.

"Lots of Onions"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

One Red Boat

For days, the little harbor in Vernazza, Italy, was void of fishing boats.  I guess that's because the weather was a little dicey if you wanted to go out fishing on one of these small vessels.  But suddenly we had great weather and all the boats that were sitting on the streets around town were in the water.  Beautiful, well kept, clean fishing boats.  All ready for a day's work.


"One Red Boat"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Solitary Dew Drop

A friend invited me to see her garden today and this pale yellow rose caught my eye with this one, lonesome dew drop ready to fall.

"Solitary Dew Drop"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Fresh Anchovies

Mention anchovies to me and I cringe.  In a salad or on a pizza, no way!!  But on a recent trip to Italy a friend convinced me to try fresh, marinated anchovies.  I wasn't sure but agreed to be brave and give it a try.  Boy, was I surprised.  They tasted nothing like their canned cousins.  Marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and dressed with herbs they were good.  I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

"Fresh Anchovies"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Harvest Time

I live in the area that's considered the Date Capital of the United States and it's harvest time.  During the summer they cover the bunches of dates to protect them and keep them clean.  Now they're busy cutting down the large bunches and sending them to the packing sheds.

"Harvest Time"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Cracked Knocker

I'm always on the look out for unusual door knockers.  And Italy has lots of them .  I spotted this one in Siena.  But it's the first one I've seen that is actually cracked in half.  Not sure what kind of knocking  it would take to crack a piece of thick brass but here's the proof.


"Cracked Knocker"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Aphid's Lunch

If you look closely, you'll see several aphids on the stems busily enjoying lunch.  I wasn't trying to photography them, but when I looked closely at the image I discovered the little critters hiding in the shadows.

"Aphid's Lunch"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Me 'n the Bee

I love sunflowers and so do the bees.  This one was getting the last of what was the end of the crop in an almost vacant field.  Maybe it was the best.  As the old saying goes "save the best for last".

"Me 'n the Bee"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

It's Fall

The trees are turning color, the pumpkins are ready to pick and Halloweed will soon be here.  Are you ready for the ghosts and goblins?

"It's Fall"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Venetian Architecture

The Doge's Palace juxtapostitioned next to St. Mark's Basilica creates an assortment of architecture styles in Venice. 

"Venetian Architecture"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Desert Storm

I usually don't get up early, but this morning there was a wonderful lightening show and I sat on the patio enjoying the spectacle.  We don't get a lot of super storms here in the desert but this is the best time of year if it's going to happen.   I felt fortunate to capture some of what I saw this morning.

"Desert Storm"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Sunset on the Cinque Terre

Evenings on the water can be soothing and romantic.  Sunsets only add to the mood.  And a good sunset makes it even better. 

"Sunset on the Cinque Terre"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Rubber Duckies

Someone had fun with a fountain outside a local restaurant.  These rubber duckies were glued around the edge, enjoying a wet environment and feeling right at home.

"Rubber Duckies"    © Kathy Dunham 2010