Wanted Sign in Greenfield Park, NY

Wanted sign billboard in Greenfield Park, NY

I was driving around and exploring various towns in Ulster County (New York), when I noticed this billboard on the side of the road near Greenfield Park, which is a hamlet in the town of Wawarsing. As you can see here, it says “Wanted: Girls,” with the stenciled word “boys” crossed out. It’s a bit … Read more

Uncle Sam in Danbury, CT and Troy, NY

Uncle Sam sculpture in Danbury, CT

I was on a weekend day trip up into Connecticut, checking out some things in Danbury, when I saw this tall Uncle Sam sculpture, seemingly in the middle of several roads. I was driving and in the midst of traffic, so I didn’t get a good luck (although I took one of these pictures at … Read more

The Head in the Window on Calle de Aniceto Marinas, Madrid

sculpture in window as seen in Madrid, Spain

My plans for Day 4 in Madrid included visiting the hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida in Madrid, where Goya’s tomb is located and his murals fill the church. The art inside is quite stunning, but they don’t allow photography – the nuns are in their office but keep an eye on things via … Read more

The Seventh Street Bridge in Pittsburgh

The Seventh Street Bridge in Pittsburgh

One of the things I like visually about Pittsburgh is the yellow bridges; there’s a variety of suggested reasons for them all being the same color. One, for safety and visibility, as they stand out in fog and rain. Two, for maintenance ease, as it’s easier to spot flaws on a light surface. Three, for … Read more

Brown-throated Parakeet: a cactus eating bird in Bonaire

Brown-throated parakeet on a cactus in Bonaire

I was exploring a beach in Bonaire when I noticed a bird atop a cactus, eating something. It was unexpected, since one would think the prickles on a cactus would discourage any animal from resting on it, let alone eat it. What is this bird? The colors and markings indicate that it’s a brown-throated parakeet, … Read more

The Tama County Freedom Rock

The Tama County Freedom Rock by artist Ray Bubba Sorensen

I was looking through some old photos that my mom had saved, and came across this: The Tama County Freedom Rock. I haven’t seen it in person myself, but she was there with other members of our family to check it out ten years ago and took these photos. This specific painted rock is part … Read more

Standing where El Greco stood outside Toledo, Spain

El Greco painting and my photograph of Toledo in Spain

I received a book as a Christmas gift titled “Spanish Art in New York,” which acts as a guide book to the museums, libraries, and other public spaces in New York City that have art works by significant Spanish artists. As I was flipping through the book, I happened upon El Greco’s well-known painting “View … Read more

A King in CDMX, but not Burger King

mojiganga large puppet in Mexico City

I was walking down Calle Simon Bolivar, a pedestrian thoroughfare in Mexico City (CDMX), when I noticed this tall puppet-like figure with a crown walking down the street. I didn’t realize this until after I took the photo that this “king” with a crown was walking past Burger King just as I took his picture, … Read more