Pops Digital
Christ of the Ozarks
On a recent trip to Eureka Springs, we stopped to see a popular tourist attraction. This is Christ of the Ozarks.
According to Wikipedia…
Christ of the Ozarks statue is a monumental sculpture of Jesus located near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, atop Magnetic Mountain. It was erected in 1966 as a “Sacred Project” by Gerald L. K. Smith and stands 65.5 feet (20 meters) high. The statue was primarily the work of Emmet Sullivan, who also worked on nearby Dinosaur World. He had assisted in the work at Mount Rushmore. The statue is modernistic and minimalistic; there is little facial detail or expression, and the lines and forms are generally simplified. The arms are outstretched straight, suggesting the Crucifixion; however the cross is not overtly depicted.
It shows up as #6 on the list of 10 Most Famous Jesus Statues In The World
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Troubadours of Basin Spring Park
Colorful street musicians entertain visitors to Basin Spring Park in the heart of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
I rarely engage in “street photography.” This couple offered themselves as easy targets and the resulting image, in my mind, is priceless. I realize, most people wont find anything special here – it doesn’t reveal the awesome light of a landscape sunrise, the intricate design of a floral macro or the wonder of a well crafted nature photo. Still, it is special to me because, within its frame, I find so many interesting elements. The more I stare at it, the more I see. Let me start a list…
The musicians, themselves; an interesting couple to say the least. I find their expressions and attire intriguing. I wonder if they are romantically engaged or simply musically engaged. (By the way, as musicians and singers, they were quite enjoyable.)
Then there’s the instruments. These something highly appealing to me about an aged, well-worn guitar. Zooming in, I couldn’t tell the brand, but the fret board has “125th Anniversary” printed with pearl inlay.
The upright bass shows comfortable wear, but what grabs my eye is the rosette (made of terrycloth, or some similar material) on the head.
The gal’s knee brace reveals something about injury and personal struggle.
Her boots are an interesting match with the Under Armor knee socks.
The banjo on the bench. An interesting accessory.
The banjo case at their feet – a collection point for appreciative patrons (a couple dollars visible) with the “Hobo Knife” bumper sticker.
Both have some interesting tattoos on their arms.
That’s a good start. I purposely left out a few other items that I find interesting, to give you a chance to point them out. If you see something that catches your eye, leave a comment below.
You’ll want to examine the details in the larger version, available by clicking on the photo.
Down by the Creek
Early Morning Oats
Flash of Brilliance
Ladies Dancing
In my mind, the blooms of this fuchsia plant remind me of beautiful ladies dancing – arms raised, skirts twirling and a wry smile on their faces.
I discovered this fuchsia plant (and a few other varieties) at the West of the Lake Gardens in Manitowoc, WI. The fuchsia is a very unique plant species.
According to Wikipedia…
Fuchsia /ˈfjuːʃə/ is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees. The first, Fuchsia triphylla, was discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (present day Dominican Republic and Haiti) about 1696–1697 by the French Minim monk and botanist, Charles Plumier during his third expedition to the Greater Antilles. He named the new genus after the renowned German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566).
There are currently almost 110 recognized species of Fuchsia. The vast majority are native to South America. The fruit of all fuchsia species and cultivars is edible, with the berry of F. splendens reportedly among the best-tasting. Its flavor is reminiscent of citrus and pepper, and it can be made into jam. The fruits of some other fuchsias are flavorless or leave a bad aftertaste.
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Rare Atmosphere
Life of the Party
This fireworks burst certainly provided a festive atmosphere. It was part of the fireworks show that is the traditional finale of the Shanty Days celebration in Algoma, WI.
This year’s event was added fun because I was joined by a other photographers, sharing tips and techniques. All came away with some great shots.
This is one of those photos that it pays to view the larger, full-screen version. To do so, click on the photo.
Poolside Perch
A Little Squirrelly
A tiny red squirrel enjoys a meal of seed dropped by the bird feeders above.
This was a rare sighting at our house. We don’t have squirrels around our place. Our home is surrounded by large farm fields, so any critter making it to our property had to travel quite a way with little cover – except this time of year where the crops are up. Still, when they get here, there’s no natural food source – no nut trees.
When this little guy showed up, he was the immediate center of attention. I noticed him when I looked out the window to see what the racket was all about. What I saw amazed me. This little guy was circling the trunk of a tree as quickly as his nimble legs would allow, with bluebirds in hot pursuit. The birds were relentless, dive-bombing him at every turn. Whenever he would venture out of thick brush, the birds would be on him. He eventually caught a break and was able to grab a quick meal; cleaning up under the bird feeders.
When I spotted him I, naturally, wanted to get a picture. I knew, if I went outside, he would run and hide. To get this shot, I stayed inside, opened the window, removed the screen and cautiously held my camera out the window.
This was the last time I saw him. He must have gone on to a friendlier neighborhood. I don’t blame him.
To get a better, larger view, click on the photo.