Horses

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,

Friendship without envy,

Or beauty without vanity?

Here, where grace is served with muscle

 And strength by gentleness confined

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.

 

There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.

There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.

Ronald Duncan

The Horse, 1954.

Dog Walk

Every afternoon around 4pm, if you are lucky, you get a chance to see foxhounds go on their daily walk.

It is quite a sight to see this pack of scent hounds coming up over the rolling hills and pastures of this primarily equestrian community.

Even the horse’s take interest in this event. Some may even be experiencing the excited feeling that they get participating in the seasonal hunt with the hounds.

But for now the season has ended and the hounds are still exercised and trained in this daily ritual.

The hounds must stay in a group. They must listen, and stay focused. The older ones are there to teach the young hounds and some are even leashed together to enforce this process of learning.



The American foxhound is a descendant from the English hounds.

They have great stamina for running and giving chase and known for their distinct bay.

Housed in a kennel and living in a pack, it is essential to field walk the dogs. Because of their need for long walks and stimulating exercise, these well cared for hounds can enjoy miles of trails, ponds, dirt roads, hills and fields to stretch their legs and overload their senses! Quite literally!

A Splash of Color

Soon will be Spring, but it's hard to imagine all this dull color outside will soon be transformed into vibrant growth.  I anxiously wait, but in the meantime I will produce my own intense hues!

Submerged in water, household items can make for an optical fantasy of color, shape and form.

With a lightbox illuminating the background, the light penetrates the objects and beams from within.

The colors saturate the scene with in a pure white environment to accent.

Yes, Spring will soon be here - maybe next time I will fulfill my desire for color in the outdoors.

Cat's Eyes

Fascinated by cats eyes? I am.

They are unlike human eyes in many ways. Sometimes they are round, slanted or almond shaped.

Their large pupils, intense hues and curved lens are striking, but a couple of these features enable sharper focus, long distance sight, and amazing peripheral vision.

Their uncanny ability to navigate in the dark is partially due to their whiskers! They use them for feeling around in the dark and rubbing up against objects to help them see.

Yes, I do find cats eyes fascinating. Do you?

Chaos

Chaos - any confused, disorderly mass.

Sometimes on a "photo walk-about" you come across a scene of peculiar interest.

It might be the primary colors, or unique arrangements that captures your attention and draws you in.

What to focus on? Confusion and disorder abound.

But for some reason it works all together.

I take the image away with me and continue on.

Knowing that I've acknowledged this arrangement, and will spend some time there again.

(If only through a photograph.)

.

Hanging Tree of Jaffa

As I explored and enjoyed my journey through Jaffa, I was quite surprised by a sight I came upon in one of Jaffa’s courtyards.


I can only best describe it as a Hanging Tree.

This solitary tree is suspended by cables and encased in a type of pod that provides its nourishment and contains its roots and support.

I had heard that the neighbors living in this courtyard desired a view out their windows to look out on to. Since it would be impossible to destroy the stonework that makes up this historic neighborhood, the residents devised a method to still have their view as well as preserving the courtyard!

I honestly cannot tell you how to locate this exact spot in Jaffa, but the true beauty of it's discovery is the adventure of finding it!. 

Details from Jaffa

The ancient city of Jaffa is an incredible place and just a short two mile walk along the Mediterranean seafront from Tel Aviv’s city center.

Jaffa, or Yafa in Arabic, was founded by one of Noah’s sons having historic importance as well as its famous port.

Built on a hill overlooking the old port, Jaffa offers amazing views of the Mediterranean coast and its neighboring city.

Surrounded by lovely gardens, filled with sculpture, flower and lush greenery, it is all assessable through pathways and staircases built along the hill.

Exploring Jaffa, allows one’s self to focus on the winding alleyways that make up the artist’s community that is established here. Appreciating all the details that expose themselves during your journey.

Galleries, artist’s workshops, vibrant paintings lining the backstreets become a large exhibition to explore.

Stylish, exotic, quaint, and interesting are just a few words used to describe this charming place that takes one away from the hustle and bustle of modern Tel Aviv.

.