Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Fleur-Ange and the Fig


Fleur-Ange and the Fig
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

The Bearded Fig Tree (Ficus citrifolia) sends down hanging roots that attach themselves to the ground and grow in diameter. These trees can grow very large as one can see by the size of Fleur-Ange in the photo. She was doing some sketching and other art work in the shade of this tree. Yes, that is all one tree.

It was really nice to find this park and spend a couple of hours away from the noise and hustle of Havana.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Earth Day


Earth Day
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Earth day was cool in temperature this year. Our high was only + 6 and there was a sprinkle of rain several times making photography not too pleasant. Nevertheless, I found Horsetails, Goldfinches, Wild Strawberry flowers, and an unknown species of moss to be of interest.

Music on the Malecón


Music on the Malecón
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

On one of my many rambling walks in Havana, Cuba I found this street musician. I thought, naive person that I am, that he was playing for his own pleasure. After some conversation I found that he was interested in money. I enjoyed the music so I gave him some of my Cuban change. When will I ever learn?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Careful !


Careful !
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

It takes months of planning, special fire fighters, traffic control, etc. to do a safe burn on prairie properties at the RBG to encourage prairie plants and discourage invasive plants.
I was quite happy just taking photos . . . from a distance.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Thread Work


Thread Work
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

So, what can one do with 1200 spools of thread? Just ask Devorah Sperber. This is one of her works that was exhibited at the Havana 10 Bienal. She is a New York artist. Have a look here for more information:
www.devorahsperber.com/index.html

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Roberto Fabelo - Art Installation - Havana


Roberto Fabelo - Art Installation - Havana
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Fabelo's installation on the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes for the 10th Bienal was large and wonderful, if you like cockroaches. Fleur-Ange really fell for this bit of work. I enjoyed it too!
www.flickr.com/photos/eglantine/3442439018/sizes/m/

Friday, April 17, 2009

Emerging


Emerging
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I believe this is a White Ash Leaf starting to come out of it's winter bud. Time will tell for sure. More Cuba photos will appear on my Flickr account, and maybe here too, but spring at home in Ontario is too good to ignore.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Bamboo


Bamboo
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Some bamboo species only flower one time in their life. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. After this species blooms once, it dies. Some bamboo species live 130 years before blooming. I don't know how old this was but the main "trunk" was about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Hiroshima/Siesta


Hiroshima/Siesta
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This Remix project was "inspired by the once customary practice of painting white outlines of people lying on the ground to commemorate the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in August 1945.

These white outlines, or "shadows," symbolized how many of the bomb victims were vaporized leaving little traces of themselves.

The shadows also represent people asleep. Hiroshima/Siesta is about remembering the disasters that human beings inflict on one another. The piece is about sleep, and about the hope that we discover in our dreams."

Quote from the Artist - Bryce Kanbara

The work was done on March 25, 2009 in front of the cafeteria at Cienfuegos University in Cienfuegos, Cuba.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Meanwhile In Ontario . . .


Meanwhile In Ontario . . .
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

+35 in Cuba - 4 with wind chill of -11 in Ontario. Somewhere in between would be nice. Maybe today?

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Seaside


Seaside
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

An old palm frond, large rocks, the bay, the distant mountains, sky, and cloud make up this double exposure. I still cannot predict what the camera will do or make it do what I want with these double exposures. Happy accidents seem to be the flavour of the day.

This was the result of about a dozen attempts at this location.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Flower Found in Cuba_1


Flower Found in Cuba_1
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I am just back from two weeks in Cuba and have many photos. This plant was found in the Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos. The botanical garden is one of the largest ones in Cuba. I hope to have names for plants soon.