Pages

▼

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!

at

54 comments:

  1. Carolyn FordApril 15, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathryn DycheApril 15, 2011 at 11:12 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sylvia KApril 15, 2011 at 11:19 AM

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

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cezar and LéiaApril 15, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  5. OlivierApril 15, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    superbe reflet dans l'eau

    ReplyDelete
  6. KarenApril 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Luis GomezApril 15, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Gorgeous shot James. Really beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. snowwhiteApril 15, 2011 at 11:50 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. 'TsukiApril 15, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MalyssApril 15, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  11. 'TsukiApril 15, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    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 !

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gemma WisemanApril 15, 2011 at 12:22 PM

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

    Enjoy your new journey!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gerald (SK14)April 15, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Simon April 15, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  15. NatureFootstepApril 15, 2011 at 1:15 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. EG CameraGirlApril 15, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    How exciting that you are returning to California!


    Neat reflection this week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AlexaApril 15, 2011 at 1:29 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. ThérèseApril 15, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    How wonderful. Fantastic :) Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ms. BeckyApril 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. DinaApril 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jeannette StGApril 15, 2011 at 3:30 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gerald (SK14)April 15, 2011 at 4:23 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beth NiquetteApril 15, 2011 at 4:35 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  25. GineApril 15, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Trop beau - presque incroyable. Bravo !

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  28. LewApril 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    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).

    ReplyDelete
  29. Maude LynnApril 15, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    What a fantastic shot!

    ReplyDelete
  30. F R E J AApril 16, 2011 at 1:27 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  31. JoanneApril 16, 2011 at 3:05 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  32. jennyfrecklesApril 16, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  33. CarolaApril 16, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    That's a great photo.

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gina ~ Peace, Love, and HomeschoolApril 16, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  35. aspiritofsimplicityApril 16, 2011 at 7:16 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  36. Margaret Gosden April 16, 2011 at 9:48 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. Stickup ArtistApril 16, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  38. dianasfaria.comApril 16, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    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.
    : )

    ReplyDelete
  39. MarieApril 16, 2011 at 6:05 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. Sara Chapman in Seattle, USAApril 16, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Can't wait to see your trip photos!

    ReplyDelete
  41. BlossomFlowerGirlApril 16, 2011 at 9:39 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  42. UnknownApril 16, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownApril 16, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Lovely capture and enjoy the trip. Sounds wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  44. KaoriApril 17, 2011 at 2:12 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  45. giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•.April 17, 2011 at 3:18 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  46. UnknownApril 17, 2011 at 3:27 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  47. DimpleApril 17, 2011 at 1:48 PM

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

    I hope your move goes smoothly!

    ReplyDelete
  48. FranciscaApril 17, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  49. FranciscaApril 17, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  50. LeoviApril 18, 2011 at 7:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  51. UnknownApril 18, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    What a very cool shot, James!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Suburban GirlApril 19, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    I think your photographic eye is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  53. EbieApril 20, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    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~

    ReplyDelete
  54. imacApril 20, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete