Postcard from Rome

Ah, Rome. The eternal city. For a thousand years, it was home to the most powerful empire on earth…the Roman Empire. For more than 2,000 years, it has been home to another empire of sorts…the Catholic Church. Both empires offer much to see in this city of 2.78 million people.

The Roman Empire has left remnants of itself all over town. The Catholic Church also has remnants, but it is mainly centered in the Vatican, a separate country of its own surround on all sides by the City of Rome. One day after spending some time in the Vatican, I decided to take a walk along one of the most famous rivers in the world…the Tiber.

I took this photo on that walk. The river at this point, flows very close to the Vatican and the famous Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Angels, formerly the tomb of the Roman Emperor Hadrian). So it was quite easy to take a walk along the Tiber.

Obviously it was winter time, and I was fascinated by the shape of the trees along the river. It forms a natural archway along the walk…it must be something to see in the warmer months when the leaves are full. But, I like this winter look as you can see the basic skeleton of the covered walkway.

While I most definitely enjoyed seeing the monuments of both empires, I also enjoyed quiet, undisturbed moment like this where I could wrap my self in the history of thousands of years. What momentous things this city has seen and endured…especially along the Tiber River, the very heart and soul of this eternal city, no matter who was in power at the time. 

The Tiber was extremely important to Roman trade and commerce, as ships could reach as far as 60 miles upriver from the mouth of the river at Ostia. That city became a major naval base for the Roman fleet, both for commerce and war. Ostia is about 20 miles west of Rome, so the distance was important to any defense of the city in times of war.

Like the Roman Empire, the river has a very humble beginning about 230 miles north of the city. It consists of two underground springs, about 30 feet apart, high in the Apennine Mountains. In the 1930’s, everyone’s favorite dictator, Benito Mussolini placed an antique Roman column topped off with an Eagle there. Inscribed are the words, "Here is born the river / sacred to the destinies of Rome." Mussolini was heavy into rebuilding the glories of the Roman Empire. It didn’t work out too well for him, but the Tiber flows on.

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To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

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Postcard from Tucson

This is another in my series of architectural photos, specifically of small elements that go into a structure. This staircase is from a building on campus at the University of Arizona. Over my time here, I found many such interesting architectural designs. Most look so much better in black and white. 

As I’ve explained here before, the distractions caused by color are removed in a black and white image. Now you can see all the intricate elements of the photo. See how the stairs go off in different directions…always up. The stairs are interlaced with bricks…and all are framed by the curved ceiling of the landing on the next floor. 

To be honest, when I do one of these photos, I am never 100% sure if it will turn out the way I want. Sometimes, it does not. When I am there, I am distracted by seeing in three dimensions, and, of course, by all the colors. I will admit, this photo turned out more provocative than I hoped. So, part of the credit must go to post processing. But, that is true for most photos these days.

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To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site.

Postcard from Venice

Only a few brave souls chose to ride a gondola on this rainy day in Venice…I was not one of them. I preferred to walk around this amazing city with my camera to find those once-in-a-lifetime shots that are hidden all over town. In a sense, it is like an Easter Egg Hunt.

Most of the gondolas were bedded down for the day in hidden harbors like this one all over the islands. The water buses and taxis were running, but it was not what you would call a heavy traffic day. But, no matter what the weather, Venice is a special gem on our planet.

I’ve been to Venice three times, this being the only rainy day I endured. Funny, but I have never felt the slightest inclination to ride a gondola. I would rather see the city on foot, traversing hidden streets and bridges with no particular place in mind. Just see where my feet take me. It’s the only way to explore Venice.

On this day, they took me to this safe harbor where about 25-30 Gondolas were tied up for the day. I got lucky with the way these 4boats lined up in a row.

And don’t worry about getting lost…there are sign posts all over town. If you make St. Marks Square your home base, you will never be lost. All signs point the way to that great landmark. And don’t worry about being run over by crazy Italian drivers…automobiles are not allowed here. Besides, they would not fit.

Venice is one of perhaps five places you should see before your time on earth is completed. Spring and Fall are excellent times to go…but never, under any circumstances, go there in the summer. It is hot, humid, and very crowded. OK…if you have to, you have to. Just go.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site.

Postcard from the Desert

This is a Cholla Cactus…also known down here as a Jumping Cholla. Why? Because if you get close, a segment of the cactus will jump off and stick itself into the closest part of your body. And trust me, it hurts. Not only that, but they are very difficult to remove.

Just look at the hundreds of needles on the plant. When it “attacks,” there is no way to grab hold of it to get it off…and the needles go deep. Each needle is very sharp and has hundreds of microscopic scales. The scales work like a fishhook. They go into your skin easily, but the scales expand making it hard to remove.

Static electricity is enough to detach the spikes and stick them on a passing animals or humans. Also vibrations of someone walking close by can cause them to jump.

A couple of years ago, I was attacked by one. I don’t believe I brushed against one…believe me with those needles I would have known it. All I know was there was one of them stuck in by side and another in my leg. I used a handkerchief to get them off me as that is all I had.

Veteran desert travelers always carry a comb or a pair of needle nose pliers. Using a comb allows you to have leverage over the needles and they will come out…but you will feel it for several hours.

A couple of weekends ago, my son was visiting here and we saw a young lady get stuck. Eric is a Border Patrol Agent and he is quite familiar with the nasty cactus from his desert patrols. He used his shirt to wrap around the needles and remove them from her skin.  

So why do they jump? Believe it or not, it is their way of reproducing. When you pull a segment out of your skin, of course you throw it on the ground. In the winter months, that segment will grow roots and become another Cholla. That is why you will often see a forest of Cholla plants growing together. Clever, eh?

They do produce a lovely flower this time of year, but it is neutral…it is not used for reproduction like most other flowers.

So take a good look at this photo…memorize it. When you come down this way, make sure you don’t get close to these buggers as you will pay a heavy, painful price. You’ve been warned!

Postcard from a Washington Beach

After the Storm

After the storm
the sea is calm
Once dark clouds,
threatening and cold,
separate and
the light again
shines brightly
over now gentle waters

Peace surrounds us
Fears fade away
Chill winds that stirred
and left us cold and shaking
are now at rest.
Life again fills with light,
calming fears of life's storm
that rise within oneself.

Beyond the clouds
the sun is always shining
the sky is always blue.
Clouds change and waves
rise and fall, come and go.
The unchanging is eternal.
Storms are but awhile
and so with faith I wait!

Peace, serenity.
Tranquil seas.
Light overcomes darkness.
The gentle breeze
awakens my spirit.
My soul is ready for the new day.
Beautiful is God's creation and love
and I embrace the Eternal embracing me!

N. Ellsworth Bunce - 1998

 

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To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site.

Postcard from Tucson

To paraphrase an old Broadway tune, “Spring is bustin’ out all over.” When I take my morning walks, that song pops into my head as I parade past the flowering cactus here in the Sonoran Desert. And yes, my walks are getting earlier and earlier as the temps start to rise. It won’t be long before I walk around sunrise at 5:30 to escape the overpowering summer desert sun.

As mentioned before, I live in the western foothills above Tucson. so I just have to go a few feet to see a variety of blooming cactus. I love this time of the year! Right now, the blossoms are mostly on some of the smaller and medium size cactus. But, it won’t be long before the giant Saguaro Cactus show their stuff. Nature saves the best for last.

Just down the street is a hill covered with hundreds of Saguaro. It’s like a forest, with each cactus having its own personality. After the first 100 years, you never know how the arms will twist and grow. It’s quite spectacular, to say the least.

But, for now, I will be content with the smaller variety, like the one pictured here. I found this little gem in a neighbor’s yard. Remember this is the desert here…we don’t have lawns. We decorate with rocks and cactus. You won’t find many power lawn mowers on sale at a Home Depot here. The only lawns are on the golf courses. When I lived in the northern climates, I always wondered about all the efforts we put into our lawns. So much work to keep them clean, green and trimmed. On that score, give me the desert every time. A lot less work.

I was disappointed this year when the hills here did not yield any ground cover wildflowers. I thought we had enough rain for them to come forth. But alas, it was not to be.

I remember a couple of years ago when I drove the 3.5 hours from Yuma to home and the desert was non-stop wildflowers all the way. That was spectacular. So this year, we must all be content with this year’s crop of cactus flowers…and I am.

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To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site.

Postcard from Tucson

You are looking at one of the five remaining aircraft known as the “Super Guppy.” Built by Aero Spacelines in the late 60’s and early 70’s, it took its name from the original smaller version, nicknamed the “Pregnant Guppy” by NASA. As you might guess, it is a cargo plane.

NASA used it to haul airplane parts and even a rocket or two. The last produced Super Guppy remains in service: an SGT flown by NASA (currently used to ferry components for the International Space Station and Project Orion). It is stationed in and operated from Ellington Field in Houston. The other three are mothballed in various locations in Europe.

When in service, the front of the aircraft swung out to it’s left, revealing a giant cargo section…and I mean Giant! In its heyday, it could haul 47 tons. Not very much these days, when you compare it to a C-5 Galaxy (122.5 tons) or the Russian Antonov-124 (150 tons).

As you might tell from the photo, the aircraft looks like a giant balloon that has been painted to resemble an airplane. When you stand in front of it, that resemblance is even more pronounced. So, of course I went around it and banged on the fuselage a few times.  Trust me…it is made out of metal.

When you look at it, you would swear that it could never get off the ground…but it did. In fact, many of the 300 aircraft on display here look like they could never get airborne.

My son Eric, his fiancé Maria, and I toured the Pima Air and Space Museum here in Tucson just yesterday, where I took this photo (with my iPhone camera). Oh yes, and it was 95 degrees outside. We alternated between walking outside and visiting the indoor hangers that are air conditioned.

I’ve written before this unique museum before and about some of the aircraft on display here. So I won’t bother to give you the written tour again. If you want to learn more, visit their Website. But, trust me…if you ever come to Tucson, you will want to see this place. Be sure and take the Bone Yard Tour to see the thousand of airplanes stored right next door at Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site.