April 24, 2010

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The Lofts

Not sure why I liked the repetitiveness of these balconies in the downtown loft apartments.


This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at The Monochrome Weekend

April 23, 2010

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Toledo Traditions

So it was a bit chilly, and the Mud Hens lost, but we had these sweet seats right behind home plate, thanks to my friend Diane for scoring them from her workplace. With a beer in one hand, and a hot dog in the other, we endured the chilly girls' night out at the ball game!

The other tradition - Tony Packo's - famous for its Hungarian hot dogs. I think it got on the map when Klinger, from M*A*S*H made mention of the restaurant in several episodes (for that matter, he wore Mud Hens baseball shirts on occasion too). I couldn't resist snapping the neon - and although this pretty sign beckoned me, I did resist eating a Hungarian gut bomb at Packo's after the game; I wouldn't have been happy tomorrow.

This particular location is a newer restaurant - the original restaurant is across the river on the east side.

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April 19, 2010

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Rails to Trails

The University/Parks trail is part of the parks system here in Toledo - it's about a 10 km trail open to bikers, walkers, skaters, runners. This path used to be the tracks of a local railroad. When the railroad abandoned their right of way, this trail was created (rails to trails). The trail also hooks into one of my favorite parks, Wildwood, where I stopped for lunch.

Another day breaking in my new bike! Thanks to my husband, who encouraged me to get some new wheels, and helped me to pick it out. This is the first time in over 25 years that I am riding a bike that is suited for my size. I've always ridden bikes that were too tall.

Feeling good and the weather is fine. Tomorrow starts a new round of radiation treatments... ugggh... 5 weeks. Hoping the side effects won't get me down!

February 23, 2010

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The March of the Penguins and the kicking of the Ducks

I am continuing the zoo animal theme today - I had a lot of shots from the zoo, but for the past day or two have been unable to get out and shoot.

The penguins and the ducks... somehow they co-exist with each other, as odd as it seems. The ducks don't seem too bothered by other zoo animals, and they are quite content sharing their space, and in some cases invading spaces. Here they were enjoying a nice rest on the penguins' deck. The penguins came out of the water, and carelessly waddled their way past the lying ducks, casually kicking them out of the way as they passed by. The ducks were annoyed, but just got out of their way to let the penguins move through. It was very funny to watch this! The ducks were good sports...sweet little things!

February 20, 2010

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High Level Bridge

I liked this one in color, the bridge is blue. The sky was blue. I had to take advantage of blue :) Don't get to see this color too often!

Tried a different angle in monochrome for the Monochrome Weekend.. see next post!

February 19, 2010

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Weekend Reflection in Architecture

I have my architecture theme still going here... Today there was sun - oh glorious sun! The temps were balmy in the 30's! I had to get out to show my friend the sights of Toledo. This prompted a trip to downtown. We drove all over - the waterfront, old factories, the art museum, historical neighborhoods - we saw it all. Of course, I was on a photo shooting mission which had us in the middle of abandoned factories with "no trespassing" signs, under bridges, and in some undesirable places. Good for me, not so good for her sight-seeing mission ;) But nonetheless we had little adventures.

On the way out of town, I was at a stop light and came face to face with this reflection - the epitome of Toledo - the Toledo Edison building with a reflection of some old architecture in its glass structure. The light was perfect, and since I was at an intersection, I dropped the window, put camera out and began shooting. Of course the light turned green, and I was still shooting. The pickup truck behind me grew very impatient and laid on the horn for at least 8 seconds, and proceeded to aggressively speed around me to my left. I smiled and gave a friendly wave and just laughed and laughed. He was angry... but I got my shot ;)

February 17, 2010

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Toledo Architecture

I am very much enjoying a visit this week from a good friend of mine from Washington. It's nice to have a familiar face spending time with me in Toledo. Unfortunately, it's not the best time to have any decent sight-seeing or fun activities, between the predictably snowy and gray weather, and the fact that I'm not at the top of my physical game at the moment.

For the meanwhile, we are happy to drive around and appreciate the architecture, while also indulging into a little rest and relaxation indoors.

February 14, 2010

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The street sculpture outside the Toledo Mud Hens stadium

I just loved this brass sculpture on the street looking inside the ball field - so realistic and nostalgic. The fact that it is winter, with snow on the ground - the farthest we can be from baseball season - just made this shot even more curious. A baseball field in the winter seems so desolate.

So what do they see when they look through the wall?

...certainly not a baseball game on Valentine's Day :)

February 12, 2010

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A door in downtown

A little reflection for the weekend... Walking through downtown Toledo there are so many old buildings, so many have such great architectural character. Unfortunately, there is a suffering in Toledo's downtown - a lot of abandoned buildings, boarded up windows, and glimpses of urban decay.

I think that there are a lot of great photo opportunities with urban decay - images that evoke a feeling, an emotion or a story. Not every image has to be visually pleasing, and not every image has to tell a happy story. I do find urban images to be visually interesting with textures, colors, imperfections, and much like the human spirit, even old buildings go through their metamorphoses and transformations - sometimes falling victim to collapse and failure, and sometimes an incredible revival!

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

January 27, 2010

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A Trompe L'oeil

Is it really trompe l'oeil, or is it the real thing? If you look closely, the sky above the building is actually blue. That is right... my eye wasn't fooled by this colorful mural, there actually WAS sun and blue sky today for a while.

I must admit that I was inspired to borrow this colorful building mural idea from Don and Krise of Olympia Daily Photo who have been featuring colorful buildings with beautiful murals all around Olympia, WA. I saw the back of this building on my way home, and thought it worthy of a post. This building, of course, is not in the PacNW, but in Toledo, Ohio up the block from home. The back door is that of a BBQ place called City BBQ - which I have yet to try. Until then, I will enjoy my moments of sunshine whenever I can get them!

January 21, 2010

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Where is the totem pole in this picture?

The answer is... standing behind the camera. Yes, I am the totem pole today. Long story, but my body is pretty marked up after my radiation treatment, with some brilliant colors resembling tribal war paint (sharpies)! I looked in the mirror and thought I looked like a totem pole.

Anyway, first day in battle - I'm still standing, war paint and all. Still strong to fight another day - bring it on. I stopped off at this pond nearby the pharmacy - it made me want to go ice skating. The light was disappearing, and it was getting extremely cold! Maybe I'll be able to practice my triple axles on a nicer day - and when I'm not feeling so much like a totem pole.

January 15, 2010

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Continuing on my path...

Yes, today's post is an extension of yesterday's post. Turns out the weather was awful today, and I was feeling very much under the weather myself, and I didn't get a chance to get out and shoot today. So since I got a number of decent shots yesterday in the outdoors, I thought I'd continue the thought for today.

Today I met with a lovely doctor and made a big decision about my treatment plan. And today I finally feel like I can see the light at the end of the..... bridge :)

January 14, 2010

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A walk in the park

Today's photo was inspired by a fellow photo-blogger toledonative and the beautiful black and white taken at Wildwood MetroPark in Toledo, Ohio.

I went to Wildwood today - the sun was out for a little while, but by the time I got there, the clouds came in. There are wonderful photo opportunities in this metropark - especially on a day like today, when not too much of a crowd. It was very peaceful, and full of wildlife. I believe that coming here after a fresh snowfall would make for some beautiful scenery!

My stock lens 18-55 came out with me today. Light was a little flat, so I spent a little time in PP to warm up this shot.