Friday, April 15, 2011

Philadelphia Blues (Weekend Reflections # 82)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (City Hall, buildings, blue sky and a man reflected in the puddle) The man and the statue of William Penn (on top of the city hall tower) seem to be walking in the same direction. To give a little perspective the statue is 37 feet tall and weighs 27 tons.

Four and a half years ago Vicki and I left Orange County, California to experience other parts of the country. We spent a little over two years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and then two years in Newtown Pennsylvania. Our original plan was to return to California after four or five years, but we like this part of the country so much that we began to think we were going to stay. However, after lots of prayer and consideration, we will be moving back to Orange County (Newport Beach) next month. We had an amazing time meeting new people, learning new things and exploring new states and countries. I don't think I would have discovered photography if we hadn't taken on this adventure. Sometime in May I'll change the name of this blog to Weekend Reflections and I'll be doing my every day or every week blogging at my Something Sighted blog. May 20th is the day I depart on my cross-country trip back to California so Weekend Reflections will be on auto pilot for a few weeks during that time. However, I hope to post photos and updates from the road on my Something Sighted blog as much as possible. I would love to share my adventure with you all at Something Sighted as I photograph across the country and then re-discover and photograph California. If needed, please click the link in the top right corner for Weekend Reflections instructions. Now, lets have some fun with Weekend Reflections!

54 comments:

Carolyn Ford said...

You have an "over the top" GREAT reflection! Love the blue, the white, the black!!! Couldn't be better!!! Hope you are feeling better this week...

Kathryn Dyche said...

What an amazing image, I love this shot. Have fun rediscovering california, hope the move goes smoothly.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic capture as always, James! I do hope you have smooth, safe move and trip back to California! Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear James and Vicki,
You know that our hearts will be always with you.
We wish you love and lights and I'm so happy for you both.Cali is a dream, I love that!
The important thing is always be together, our family unity and love inside our heart.
*** your picture is magnificent!
God bless you
Léia

Olivier said...

superbe reflet dans l'eau

Karen said...

A great adventure ahead for you James. Best of luck on your journey.
A fabulous photo! I love puddle shots, haven't yet captured one.

Luis Gomez said...

Gorgeous shot James. Really beautiful.

snowwhite said...

James, this is an amazing reflection!! In such a samll puddle
huge buildings,a man and vast sky. Incredible!!
Have a great weekend.

'Tsuki said...

I was having exactly the same reflection than snowwhite in fact... I'm always amazed by this magical effect of puddle reflection : such a little surface for an infinity of huge possibilities...

Great shot indeed.

Malyss said...

Your picture is fabulous, and sounds like a kind of Au revoir..
I liked to discover Newtown through your eyes ,I'm sure I will like to follow you and Vic to California.Hope the kitties will endure the travel..:)
"To make an end is to make a new beginning", said one of your big men..All my thoughts are with you!

'Tsuki said...

Oh and I wish you well with the moving next month : those things are so stressfull... I hope you'll be careful with your back, though !

Gemma Wiseman said...

A story seems to be evolving from this reflection! Very interesting parallel of figures! Great shot!

Enjoy your new journey!

Gerald (SK14) said...

Gret reflection - good look (typo I meant luck but maybe I mean look too) with your move back to OC. We had a few days in Tustin in 1999 - nice place - there was a glass church there if i remember which must be good for reflections!

Simon said...

I absolutely love this shot James. I'm sorry for my sake that you're leaving Newtown. I have enjoyed seeing my old home town in your photos....but I'm excited for you to be on a new adventure. Can't wait to see the next part of your world thru your eyes.

NatureFootstep said...

to be a "puddle" shot it is really great. :)

EG CameraGirl said...

How exciting that you are returning to California!


Neat reflection this week!

Alexa said...

Another fabulous puddle pic! Hope you find lots of lovely puddles in California.

Thérèse said...

A great picture!
Have a nice and swift move to Newport Beach. 6 1/2 hours drive from here. We have done it quite a few times in the last years...

Anonymous said...

How wonderful. Fantastic :) Have a great weekend.

Ms. Becky said...

wishing you all the best on this new adventure. a road-trip? I'm thinking - road photos! have a fun weekend, and thanks for hosting.

Dina said...

Wow, this is big news. Moving clear across the country. It's nice that you take us with you.

The man adds a whole new element to your already-great photo. Nice!

Jeannette StG said...

Welcome back to California! Beware, CA has changed since the recession. Hope all is well with you now and when you have the move!

Gerald (SK14) said...

Thanks for reminding me of the Crystal Cathedral - have dug out an oldie to post on my Ackworth-born blog

Beth Niquette said...

I think this must be one of my all-time favorites, James. This clever reflection fills my eyes.

Gine said...

Trop beau - presque incroyable. Bravo !

Anonymous said...

I love it James. Great juxtaposition. Ever been to the top? I went up there many years ago. The elevator ride was scary but the view is spectacular.

Anonymous said...

Me thinks Billy needs to go on a diet, 27 tons, that's a lot of tastycakes ;-)

You might be leaving PA, but you're never far away! Have a great and safe trip!

Lew said...

So, you can go home again! May the road be smooth on your way and the sun behind your camera. Be safe! And I will be following your journey westward. Thanks for bringing us Newtown and and PA (and also Europe).

Maude Lynn said...

What a fantastic shot!

F R E J A said...

Quite a story telling piece, uniquely framed.. spot on!

Joanne said...

What an amzing shot, so much going on! Have a great move looking forward to seeing your new photos from your new home:)

jennyfreckles said...

What a story in one puddle. And what a story you will be able to share with us as you travel and resettle. Best wishes for the adventure.

Carola said...

That's a great photo.

Sorry, I made a mistake with my link. The no. 69 is an old post.

Gina ~ Peace, Love, and Homeschool said...

Wow, wow, wow! I'd give almost anything to move back "home" to the OC! (My hubby grew up there but I did not.) We are far away in East TN. We love it here too but miss home. I'm glad to have found your blog. I'll be following along on your trip home.

I love the shot you have for this week! Amazing!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

have a wonderful, safe and only slightly adventurous trip back home.

Margaret Gosden said...

A very interesting perspective, James! Good capture - great that he was passing by when you did that!

Stickup Artist said...

That's pretty amazing. Looking down to look up! An intriguing equilibrium.

I will miss seeing your excellent photos from the east coast. But hey, it's hard to top Newport Beach! And the cross country drive is something everyone should get to do at least once. Can't wait to see you photos from the road...

dianasfaria.com said...

at first I thought that was a reflection of William Penn & I wondered how you did that!
Then I noticed the figure didn't have a hat on & of course read the text. great shot James.
Forgive my curiosity James, but did the East coast Winter weather affect your decision to move back to sunny Cal? It is quite cold, grey & windy here today & I am daydreaming about moving to a warmer climate myself!
I am looking forward to following your travels.
All the best to you & Vicki as you make your journey back West.
: )

Marie said...

The water in the puddle must have been clear and clean... The tower would certainly not look so "white" in my area :-(

Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA said...

Can't wait to see your trip photos!

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Superb photo. Makes me think of ghostly images and Alfred Hitchcock.
Melbourne Daily Photo

Unknown said...

Philly puddles will never be captured so prodigiously of superbly after you leave! Newport Beach can use your talents to show off its beauty. Safe return west trip!

Unknown said...

Lovely capture and enjoy the trip. Sounds wonderful!

Kaori said...

The photo is beautiful! I hope you and your wife have a safe trip to Newport Beach! Look forward to your photos :-D

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Molto particolare questa foto...
Mi piace molto la prospettiva !
Buona giornata :)
Myriam

Unknown said...

Great photograph. The dark shadow makes the photograph even more interesting to look at.

Dimple said...

Neat shot, I really like the real man as a contrast to the statue!

I hope your move goes smoothly!

Francisca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Francisca said...

I like this reflection shot with a story, James. And I wish you and Vicki a painless move... Later this summer my hubby and I will be moving only to a new house in the same area (we hope), but I dread the packing!

Leovi said...

Excellent perspective that you get with the reflection in the pool, very good and imaginative. Regards,

Unknown said...

What a very cool shot, James!

Suburban Girl said...

I think your photographic eye is amazing!

Ebie said...

I hope to meet you and Vicky here in SoCal. Wishing you the best of luck and health in your move!

Hugs to the kitties~

imac said...

Love the colour blue and white reflections here James.

Having trouble with my net connections at the moment, keeps popping on and off a lot.
Got Virgin coming out thurs, hoping to have it fixed and working all the time.