Shadow Shot Sunday 102 - Seattle

Art objects can produce some of the most beautiful shadows and end up being some of my favourite shots. These beautiful sculpted pieces of glass were on display at Vetri Glass in downtown Seattle; a city which has a strong tradition of glassblowing as an art form.

Many of you may recognise the signature statement in these pieces as belonging to one of the most famous artists in this field and local to this area, namely Dale Chihuly who has exhibited all over the world and is from Tacoma, Washington State. The sensuous curves, vivid colours, and shell like structures are often key features of his work.....

Another well known and much loved exhibitor of coloured glass and their beautiful shadows, is none other than our very own fellow blogger Sylvia Kirkwood who lives in Seattle, and who many of you visit regularly at Shadow Shot Sunday, My World Tuesday, and other parts of the blogosphere. Sylvia is famed for her warm, positive comments and loyal following of many of our blogs. I had the privilege to meet her last month when I travelled to Seattle as part of a West Coast train trip. Here we are having lunch together in Wallingford.....

Join me in wishing her all the very best of luck as she moves into her new home this week!! This post is for you, Sylvia - check out her blog with the amazing headers, plus all the other fabulous shadow shots that constitute the weekly meme Shadow Shot Sunday. You won't be disappointed!!

Springtime in Seattle....

The temperatures may have been freezing, the wind gusting bitterly, and the rain constant, but wrapped up in a thick winter coat and red woolly scarf, I was dazzled by the beautiful blooms of Springtime in Seattle... I have not seen spring flowers like daffodils and tulips for six years, so strolling through Pike Place Market, it was the stunning spring displays of flowers rather than the salmon slinging fishmongers that held my attention...

It was also cherry blossom season, and these white frothy blossoms were gracing Green Lake...

Whereas these majestic pink creatures were strolling the walkways of the University of Washington campus...

Venturing over to Volunteer Park, the Asian Museum was sadly closed, but these gorgeous orchids in the Conservatory were more than adequate compensation...

More on Seattle and my West Coast train trip in subsequent posts...

Shadow Shot 101 - Oaxaca

Another slice of typically vibrant Mexican colour from the beautiful city of Oaxaca which sports some of the most amazing colonial architecture in the country. I am returning from the States this week to start posting again.... In the meantime check out more global photography at Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here....

Shadow Shot 100 - Oaxaca

A very typical Mexican shot for my hundreth contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday!! I am away travelling down the West Coast of the States right now from Seattle to San Francisco....More posts when I return, and look forward to catching up with all your blogs when I get back..... In the meantime check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here.

Shadow Shot 99 - Oaxaca

I am a fan of folk art - especially Mexican folk art, and here from Oaxaca are the delightful alebrijes - animals often fantastical, carved from wood and painted in vivid bright colours.....Each year there is a parade of giant alebrijes down the streets of central Mexico City before they take up residence in Reforma for a week long exhibition....

For more shadow shots from around the world this week, check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here...

Xochimilco - why stay on land??

It looks like a scene from Tarantino's Lord of the Flies or a ghastly reminder from Swine Flu and Face Mask Days, but in fact this is a welcome to one of the most fascinating markets in Mexico City - namely Xochimilco. Most people flock to this far southern barrio to buy plants at the numerous nurseries or go for boat trips on the extensive network of canals, but it is worth staying on land awhile to browse around these particular market stalls. One of my favourite areas is the dried goods with chillis, frijoles, mole, jamaica leaves and all sorts...

Of course it has all the expected glorious displays of fruit and vegetables...

And tasty dishes cooking in giant ceramic pots....

but it is also the market closest to truly wonderful ones in the city of Oaxaca seven hours away...

So if you do venture all the way south to Xochimilco, don't forget to stop awhile and look at the beautiful church and browse the market stalls here before heading to the embarcaderos for the boat trips...

Check out what is happening in the rest of the world this week by clicking here for My World Tuesday postings. Xochimilco is easily reachable by public transport with the tren ligero from Tasquena, but it is a 90 minute journey from the city centre.

Shadow Shot Sunday 98 - Oaxaca

Welcome to the beautiful world of Oaxaca this week the very heart and soul of Mexico....and the Acapulco Armchair which provides very welcome solace and relaxation on the shady patios of "Las Golondrinas" which happens to be my favourite place to stay in town....

Who could resist this friendly pension with grapefruit trees aptly overhanging the al fresco breakfast tables, and all those beautiful lush plants and flowers blooming so vibrantly in all the courtyards....

Why visit Oaxaca? - Look at the images below and there will be no question about it.....

Check out Shadow Shot Sunday for more global photography....