Poinsettias at the Phipps...

Happy Holidays!



The poinsettias are out in full force at Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, PA. I was able to visit recently during the Winter Show and was amazed at how many different varieties were on display... So festive!

Here are a few of them! Click on the SLIDESHOW to see them all!

AUTUMN in Pennsylvania...2009

It is autumn here in Pennsylvania, and after a dreadfully dreary summer with rain and/or clouds almost everyday, October brought a welcome reprieve... Indian Summer that lasted for weeks! Here are a few of the hundreds of photos I snapped during the warm fall days...


The "V" was a lucky catch I spotted on a country road. It flashed in the corner of my eye and I was able to stop, put the car in reverse, then pause to snap! I was overwhelmed with the result!


Cucumber Falls are part of Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. This shot was take with a long shutter exposure at dusk. I used well-placed rock as a tripod.

Early signs of autumn seen above the falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

These branches stretch over the North Cemetery in Butler, PA.

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The Kalachakra Mandala

See this set here.

Arizona Friends of Tibet sponsored the creation of this mandala along with the University of Arizona Bookstore. The sand painting was created by the Venerable Losang Samten, a former Namgyal monk and attendant to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I tried to visit the mandala at least once a week over the four weeks it was being constructed. Here are some of the photos I got over five visits, including the very moving dissolution service held Sunday, March 15th.

"The dismantling of such an exquisite work of devotion and purification of obstacles is a special ritual considered to be supreme offering for WORLD PEADE rather than just the simple destruction of an art installation. After the dissolution, the colored sand from the Kalachakra Mandala will be offered to the water...In the Tibetan tradition it is believed that through the medium of all penetrating water, the power of peace, love and kidness which is bestowed in the blessed sand of the Kalachakra Celestial Palace, will reach innumerable beings all over the world.

Peace on Earth.

Enjoy!

Vimala

SPRING in Tucson...

Spring is happening here in Tucson and I've been out and about snapping photos of the desert in bloom. There's plenty of new blooms in town too. Here are a few of my favorites:

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Two Vim Photos Recognized...

...by Flickr peers! All thanks to everyone for the fun! None of the awards are official but it's fun to put a photo out there and get some feedback. Here they are:

Rainbow Shade

&
U of A Balloons


...but one of my favorites is this one. Even though it is always "summer" in Tucson, there's just something about seeing spring flowers that makes the heart go 'ahhhh'!

Spring In Tucson

Javalina Been Here! H.V.D.!

Greetings from Tucson! They say these little hearts form in the aftermath of a javalina snack! The porcine creatures take a bite out of the prickly pear [ouch!] and then the cacti heal up into these very cool heart shapes. May all of our little wounds heal into such loving hearts.
Love to all on this loving day!
Vimala

For the Birds

I have been planning for a long time to publish my bird pictures. After a visit from Dai and Becky in January, and our trip to the Sonoran Desert Museum, I finally had enough bird photos and inspiration to let 'er fly!

So, from the magistic...



...to innocent cuteness...



...here they are in all their perfection!

For the most part...

When I could get them to cooperate, that is!



Oh well... I hope you enjoy!
Here's the link: BIRDS



For the rest of my photos click here: COLLECTIONS