Big Ben

A walk across Westminster Bridge takes you from the east to the west bank of the River Thames to the Clock Tower and House of Commons.  The name "Big Ben" was originally the name of the largest bell in the Clock Tower, but now the Clock Tower is more commonly called Big Ben.

Turandot

The sculpture "Turandot" by artist Douglas Warnock which was on display in Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis for a few years.

Canada Geese Over the South River

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral

On the banks of the Seine, Notre Dame du Paris, Our Lady of Paris.

Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse 1

Until the sky above the horizon began to lighten, it was pitch black.  I found my way towards the light house from the parking lot and a wooded trail by its beacon and the sound of waves.  

Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse 2

Built in 1883 on the western end of the Chesapeake Bay, its beacon flashes every 6 seconds.

Garita of El Morro

Walking along the ramparts of El Morro in San Juan Puerto Rico, I spotted this garita, or sentry box.  I entered and respectfully shared the space and the view with long-dead sentries.

Ancient Venice

Away from the hordes of tourists by the Grand Canal lies a labyrinth of centuries-old alleyways carved from even more ancient stone.

It Was Over 100°

The gypsum crystals of White Sands in New Mexico, unlike desert or beach sand, is actually cool to the touch even with the high temperatures.

Shark Teeth from Brownie Beach

Below Calvert Cliffs is a stretch of sand known as Brownie Beach, wherein the Chesapeake seems to deposit fossilized shark teeth with every receding wave. 

Ponies of Assateague

Wild ponies relaxing and enjoying the surf on Assateague Island.  Keyword - WILD.  Do not pet or get too close.

Iguana in St. Thomas

I was relaxing on a patio overlooking Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas when this green iguana ambled by.  Beautiful creature.  Iguanas socially interact with a series of head bobs.  I responded in kind :)

Autumn At Quiet Waters Park

The merging of autumn colors

Cloud-Veiled Moon Over Annapolis

Photographed from the Eastport Bridge, the link between historic Annapolis and the equally quaint and historic Maritime Republic of Eastport.

"When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the Creator" ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Ocean City Fishing Pier

Taken early one morning slightly before sunrise.  Ocean City is on Maryland's eastern shore, known for blue crabs and wild ponies

Three Coins in a Fountain

Trevi Fountain - Rome.  A common sight to see are tourists tossing coins into the fountain.  They are supposed to be thrown with the right hand over the left shoulder.  The first guarantees your return to Rome, the second leads to a new romance, while the third will lead to marriage! 

Croatian Cat

I like cats.  I like their independence, their sense of adventure and wandering.  This one in Croatia seems to be coming home after a night of exploring the medieval alleys of Dubrovnik.  A saucer of milk welcomes him.

Eiffel Tower at Night

Who can go to Paris without soaking in the lights of the Eiffel Tower?  Standing by the Seine, I positioned my camera, waited for the right moment, then realized my shutter did not fire.  My battery was dead.  Luckily, I always carried an emergency camera as back-up.  (This was before smart phones)  But this was an old 35mm film camera, and until I had the film developed I did not know if I got it.  I was happy with the results.

Before Cell Phones

London, England.  Red phone booths are still a familiar sight along the sidewalks of London.  It was exciting to see them, like some rare, close-to-extinct animal actually right in front of me.  

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio spans over the Arno River in Florence Italy.  It is mentioned in a beautiful aria by Puccini, "O Mio Babbino Caro"

Annapolis in the Snow

The steeple on Main Street on the left belongs to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, founded in 1692.  On Francis Street on the right is the Maryland State House. 

A Cherub in Mariensaule

I was in Munich in July 2014, a week before Germany won the World Cup.  I took this picture at the City Center, the Alstadt.  In the main square of the City Center is the Mariensaule, a column dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  On the base of the Mariensaule are 4 cherubs. This one fights the dragon, which represents hunger.