Cactus Canyon

Seen on the island of Ilsa Danzante, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Spring Rain on Evergreen.

Could be a spring rain anywhere, and an evergreen anywhere, but this one was taken at Ann Van Middlesworth Park, Hillsborough, NJ USA.

A film capture from a few years back...

Momma, Don't Cry

мама, не плачь, or "Momma, Don't Cry" pub, Kiev, 2008. A victim of the financial crisis, maybe, it disappeared in September 2008, to be replaced by "Porter Pub".

St Michael, Independence Square

One of many statues and monuments in Independence Square, Kiev.

Welcome to Summer!

Here in Kiev, we're three weeks into summer already. Of course, that's based on traditional calendars going back many centuries, not the strict scientific based definition of summer. But it's all good.

Enjoy!

Don't worry, be happy!

Eat, drink, and be merry!

(Taken at the Kiev Flower Show, an end of summer event. Oh well)...

Matt

Bankova Street View.

Presidential Offices on the Right, House of Chimeras on the Left.

Founders of Kiev, #2.

No, this is not a replacement for the one shown two days ago. This is a different "Founders of Kiev" statue, this one in Independence Square, Kiev. Seems the Founders of Kiev are so good, they deserve two statues.

Early in the century, during anti-Kuchma (president at the time) protests, Independence Square was abruptly shut down for reconstruction. One of the pieces of the new Independence Square is this statue.

This is also in a more central location and more likely to be seen. Yesterday's statue is between a river and a major highway. This one is on Ukraine's Main Street and gathering place.

Founders of Kiev #1.

This statue is the original "Founders of Kiev" statue. It was erected in 1982, during the late Soviet period. It broke in two February 2010.

Because of cost overruns incurred from the 1980 Olympics, a costly war in Afghanistan, and a economy that struggled even in the best of times, local government authorities were directed to find ways to cut costs wherever possible. it's generally agreed that this statue fell victim to these cost cutting efforts.

Over the years, the statue had become very popular among newlyweds seeking healthy lives together and good fortune in the future. What does it say about your marriage when a statue that was supposed to bestow healthy lives together and good fortune in the future breaks in two?

Local authorities have presumably finished restoring the statue for Kiev Day activities.

Children's Memorial, Babi Yar, Kiev

Something much more somber today, from WWII. Click below for more information.

Babi Yar, Kiev

Can You Hear Me Now?

I was out around Kiev the May Day weekend, taking a few planned shots and a few at random.

I downloaded this later and liked this. It's not a deliberate try at a random shot. It just happened. But when I looked closer, I saw this woman gabbing away while walking two steps behind this guy, maybe a boyfriend? The combination of this man with an exasperated look and the woman talking the whole time reminded me of the Verizon slogan "Can you hear me now?"

President's Office, Kiev, Ukraine

You have to step back a way to get this picture, even with a 10mm lens. But you can get a lot closer to look, if you want. You can, in fact, go right up to the front door and pose right next to the building, lean on the door, stand next to the sign saying "Offices of the President." On a weekend, at least.