Spying on a couple

...and then there was sunshine...

Walking tree

The water level of the rivers and lakes in the Piedmont region has risen drastically due to the heavy rainfall of the last weeks. No sign of sunshine yet in our area.

Natural pearls

Even the little white spider has closed himself up against the rain...

Still asleep

I made an early-morning walk along the lake this morning before posting these sleepy sailing boats. It had just stopped raining after weeks of continous rainfall in this area. Further rain is foreseen during the forthcoming days in this part of Italy, while in the centre and south temperatures have rises as far as till 39° Celsius. Nature's thermostat is not working properly any more, which is surely also our own fault.

Design

Before I left London I took this snapshot (without flash) of a Hotel in Chelsea, just because I liked the design of this part of the building.

Victorian London

Ben...!

Manipulation

I have photographed a dull London hotel-room vase and manipulated it, turning it into an "exotic fruit". I am sure that if I would continue manipulating, I could turn it into...an "exotic pinguin".

London

View from Tower Bridge

Encounter between two worlds

One evening in Trafalgar Square...

Nature: a perfect designer

This little dragon kept quitely on basking in the sun (some days ago) next to me, while I was waiting for the water taxi. I find the details of his skin amazing.

(I will be absent for the whole of next week, attending the London International Wine&Spririts Fair. I will drink to your good health!)

Horse

This wonderful sculpture was made and given to me by a very talented cousin with a great knowledge of horses. He used to make stunning sculptures of horses in no time, just by adding pieces of clay to an anonymous initial lump, while conversing pleasantly with whoever was present in the room. He still is horse-mad and sometimes still mad like this one.

City bird

City bird on city light...

(There was a small cloud behind the city light which I preferred to eliminate to give this picture a more abstract touch)

Busy bee

This busy bee is trying to get the utmost from this fading rose...

Taxi stand

One of the taxi stands in Arona...

Acoustics

In this vertical wine-storage facility, which dates back to the early nineteen-hundreds, acoustics are exceptionally good, which is why the owning winery holds also concerts for music as well as wine lovers in this “wine-tower”...

Evening glow

Impressive mid 17th century “Mauritshuis” in The Hague contains an important collection of paintings of Golden-Age painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals. Especially Vermeer's “View on Delft” is stunning. Right in the City Centre, next to the Houses of Parliament...

The Hague - "Beelden aan Zee" Museum

There's an amazing museum of sculptures (modern art but not only) on the coastal part of the City called "Beelden aan Zee" (literally: Sculptures on Sea). The exposing part of the building has entirely been dug into the dunes. Only natural light comes in through parts of the roof and windows giving the sculptures (in bronze, marble, alloy, steel and other materials) an extra touch. From the main windows you just see sand while overlooking the North Sea. Their enormous collection in stunning and is worthwhile a visit. Just take the tram from the city-centre which brings you close to it. Afterwards have a stroll along the windly shore for some really fresh air but try to avoid crowdy July and August.

Simple City Art

In beautiful The Hague, my original hometown in The Netherlands, that particular atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th century has remained perfectly intact in many parts of the City. Even anonymous but functional objects like street-lights are here and there transformed, giving them more identity...

Ariel

She stopped the car standing in the middle of the road,

skin over bones.

She hopped in and mutual understanding decided

that she would stay.
She is fine now and everybody loves her

but she is very discrete in returning affection.
Her eyes seem to have seen it all...

Arona

They are always there to welcome you...

Trees

Cathedrals

Cathedrals built by nature...

San Graziano

The square I see from my windows

is magical when covered in snow...

The last tree

Sit down under the last tree,

in the silence of a remote past.

Sit down and contemplate,

but keep still, for not to break

the thin thread that binds you

to an uncertain future...

The Eye

The thunderstorm did not break loose...

Trees

Trees have always been one of my true passions but have only recently become an important source of photographic inspiration. Having chosen to retire from work and living on wonderful Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, in the small town of Arona, available time has now given me the opportunity to have a closer look at these silent wonders and create particular photographic atmospheres, thanks to misty backgrounds and to some photoshop-effects to accentuate colours and proportions.

Sometimes in winter, while walking around Lake Maggiore,

it seems that you are stepping inside a late 19th century painting.