Sunday 31 January 2010

Waiting for all of you...

...in summer.
Pallanza Verbania,
at 40 minutes north of Arona, always on the same lake.

Friday 29 January 2010

Integration

Correct integration with reciprocal respect for each other is the right trampoline for a brighter future together.
(Oh...I could not resist posting and patronizing)
Arona harbour

Thursday 28 January 2010

Wednesday 27 January 2010

Old historical buildings are being restored...


...not substituted by new ones.
The main buildings in the historical part of Arona date back to a long period between the 11th Century (the main two churches) and the 18th century. More and more of the smaller houses in the narrow streets and alleys in this art of the city have today these warm and sunny colours which in summer form a vibrant contrast against the blue waters of the lake.
Square of the Municipality of Arona

Tuesday 26 January 2010

The fake one is...

...being ignored
Lake front, Arona

Saturday 23 January 2010

Much a do about...

...food.
These are my fellow-swans, who come to me nearly everyday, knowing that I have bread with me. One in particular lays down on my foot, to make sure I do not go away, until I have given the last piece of bread.  He bites softly in my knee if I do not give him the bread he begs for. Then all accompany me to the road and let me go away...till the following morning.

Thursday 21 January 2010

No traffic jams in the morning...

...for these people going to work
Arona

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Tears for those who lost their lives in Haiti...

...and all the help for those who remained behind.
Arona

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Lake gulls, swans, ducks and...boats

The lake found its quietness again towards the evening, after the earlier preparations for a tense territory battle between the lake gulls and the black waterbirds, which was resolved in a peaceful way.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

The mystery of the birds (without the bees)

Hundreds of black waterbirds of the same species had arrived a few days ago taking possession of the harbour of Arona. This had evidently caused upheaval in our large colony of small lake gulls which usually share these waters only with swans and ducks. No high-pitched screeching sounds begging for bread these last days. Only some silent trials of fly formations diving onto the compact group of the invaders. This very afternoon, on the third and last day of their stay, the black waterbirds had moved towards the middle of the lake between Arona and Angera, forming an even more compact group than they had done before. Then, while I was walking along the lake, looking at these waterbirds, a large number of lake gulls suddenly arrived and positioned themselves on the long wall and on the pavement of the lake front. One next to the other. There were about sixty of them staring towards the waterbirds, as in this photo. No sound to be heard. A few lake gulls flew into the direction of the black waterbirds landing in the water in front of them but remaining at a safe distance. Then, about ten waterbirds made the same sort of move towards the lake gulls. A group of lake gulls suddenly flew from one of the lake front trees and landed behind the group of waterbirds and moved nervously backwards and forwards. It was fascinating to see these silent preparations for what looked like to become a territory battle. Then, suddenly one of the waterbirds flew up from the water and was in a few seconds followed by all the other ones and in their turn by all the lake gulls which seemed to accompany them out of sight. After a few minutes I saw them returning to their usual dominion: Arona's harbour. Intense moments indeed.

Monday 11 January 2010

The walking tree is still there

I will post my photos under my real name from now on, so no more Blognote any more.
Arona

Sunday 10 January 2010

Still life...

...on sunday morning
Arona

Friday 8 January 2010

The world on a thread...

...we'd better take good care of our planet in all its aspects, before it is too late.
composed in photoshop
Arona

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Sunday 3 January 2010

The winter...

...we were not used to any more,
causing delight and despair
Arona

Saturday 2 January 2010

A simple landscape

Casei Gerola,
on the way back home to Arona after the New Year celebrations.

Friday 1 January 2010