Cee’s Black & White Challenge: This black and white challenge is topic related and this week the theme is Found in Nature.
One of the most amazing places that I have been to is Yosemite Valley. The incomparable scenery, soaring cliffs, spectacular views and cascading waterfalls moved me so much that I wrote this piece about my feelings.
(click any image to enlarge and see the details)
Valley View.
Here are a few photos from that natural wonder. I hope they make as much an impression on you as they did on me.
awiyah-pointRiver Merced in the SnowMount Watkins Reflection at Mirror LakeThe Swinging Bridge in Snow
Description: Every Tuesday I offer the “A to Z challenge”, walking step by step through the alphabet.
If you would like to join in then please click here
The Taj Mahal, still one of the Seven Wonders of the World, attracts millions of visitors each year. The traditional southern view of the white domed mausoleum doesn’t always demonstrate the sheer scale of the building, nor take into affect the remainder of the integrated structures on the complex and its harmonious proportions.
Jawab – facing west
At the far end of the complex, there are two grand red sandstone buildings that are open to the sides of the tomb. These identical buildings flank the main tomb effectively and help to present the white marble monument in an aesthetic setting and form an integral part of the Taj design.
At the western side is the mosque (masjid) facing east, reported to have been built by Isa Muhammed 1631-1648. More about this when we reach M. On the eastern side is the Jawab (literally “answer”; a building mirroring the mosque) and providing aesthetic balance to the site. At the time of my visit the Jawab was covered in scaffolding, so I wasn’t able to go inside.
Jawab
One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, the Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
This week’s photo challenge is about perspective: post a photo which is not what it seems to be.
For those who are looking for an extra bit of challenge, show us two photos, each one showing a different angle or interpretation of the same subject:
Well I am always photographing the same subject at different angles, especially with flowers, where the shape or texture changes.
Thistle flower from above – spherical and smoothThistle flower from the side – oval and spikySunflower – a bee’s perspectiveSunflower – the human perspective
and often with architectural details where distortion is inevitable
Looking up – Incised Geometric Painting inside the Main Gate (Taj Mahal)The Main Gate from a distance
or unusual
What do you see?Street Art – white paint on top of an advertisement
If you would like to see what others have come up with for this challenge then go to the Daily Post @ WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge
This unusual building is the ‘Pump Rooms’ in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, built and designed by William Cranston of Birmingham in 1861.
The tower is not really leaning that badly – blame it on parallax!
It was built in oriental Chinese Gothic style (oh really?) and is one of the earliest examples of prefabrication. The metal prefabricated sheets were made in Birmingham and assembled on site.
Inside the Pump Rooms
It was built to promote Tenbury Wells as a spa town after a saline spring was found in the grounds of the Crow Inn. The 58 ft well is situated below the octagonal tower. It was aimed for middle and working classes, but never attracted the clientèle. The building fell into disrepair and in 1939 the well was filled in. It was later restored by the district councils of Leominster and Malvern Hills with the help of English Heritage. It is now used as an administrative office, by the community for events and also for weddings.
(click to enlarge)
Door finger plate
Lovely tiled flooring
Unusual shaped windows
(source of information from Tenbury Tourist Information Centre and information plaque)
When you are out and about you might come across information maps of the area you are walking in. It’s often a good idea to take a look at these before you set off on your walk or you may find that 2 mile stroll you were thinking of becomes a 10 mile hike!
(above: the various routes in the Queenswood Arboretum, Herefordshire)
Pathway through the Arboretum
Watch your step in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve, Pembrokeshire.
Access to the Deer Park
Finding your way in Marloes and St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire with a lovely framed sign in the middle of the village designed by children from the school.
Marloes Clock Tower
Having a stroll around Penrose Park in Helston, Cornwall
and choosing the route to take:
Walking through Penrose Park
I hope you have some happy wanderings this spring 🙂
TRAVEL WORDS 