Purple Strand

As the sun began to dip behind the main entrance

of the Indianapolis Museum of Art,

someone seemed ready to make their entrance;

This strand of purple blooms stood tall 

above their green leaves, like an amethyst necklace 

set off against a dark green gown.

IMA Model

It hasn't yet been two weeks 

since the Indianapolis Museum of Art welcomed

Roy Lichtenstein's sculpture, Five Brushstrokes 

to the Sculpture Garden on the east lawn.

As I was leaving, I saw that one of the pieces

was already being used as the backdrop

for a fashion photo session. 

Families were all about, many with small children 

in strollers, happily exploring the grounds, 

and taking the time to lounge under 

the tree-lined promenade.

On one of the park benches, I saw 

the model's accouterments, 

shopping bags full of fashionable clothing

and her own, neatly folded and piled.

The nice young woman taking the pictures 

told me her name was Evelyn Binkley, 

while the pretty model's name 

was Ciera. I doubt I've spelled their

names correctly because I didn't

write either down until after 

I left the Museum grounds. My bad.

Lavender Moon

Just before the sun went down Monday night,

 the sky was almost turquoise.

The breeze had pushed out most of the cloud cover, 

giving us chiffon clouds.

The sun turned them pink, orange and lavender --

a wispy gown blown in the night air.

And, to the south, a half moon shown 

like a pearl button, half undone.

Summer Days with IAM

With the Natatorium closed for the next two weeks

 due to meets held there, I swim at the Riviera Club. 

The sounds of running water and children's 

chatter in the background make the sessions more 

relaxing - for me, anyway. There are wooden lounge

chairs pool-side, occupied by middle-aged 

matrons, gossiping among themselves

as they basked in the late afternoon sun,

while a couple IAM members put in some

additional laps. Their fins and kickboard contrast 

with the pool toys left on a nearby bench.

It's a Rainbow

The apparel shop that closed a month or so back

has reopened as Rainbow Fashions.

This seems appropriate, given the brightly

hued garments on the mannequins

and hanging on the racks in the background.

Pink and White

I don't know what these little pink flowers are called, 

but I love the delicacy of both their color

and structure. Here, they dance lightly against 

a backdrop of snowy hydrangeas,

a flower whose presence will remain well 

into winter, a dried, papery shell of its spring beauty.

Theme Day: Celebrating Summer

For the Town of Speedway, summer began 

last May with the inaugural Indy Grand Prix and

the Indy 500 on Memorial Day.

As for "celebrating summer"?

Shoot, if you can't find something in this

town to interest you, then it's you that has a problem.

We're already in the throes of numerous athletic

events - cycling, swimming, running;

food festivals from the innocuous church ladies

and their strawberries and cream, to what seems

to be any excuse to down buckets of beer

and myriad deep-fried foods on a stick.

There's church league softball and 

minor league baseball, as well as the city's

new professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven.

Musical performances ranging from genteel classics

performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

to raunchy pyrotechnics of last gasp middle-aged

hard rock bands will dance their way

through town, with the Indy Jazz Fest spreading

into an increasing number of venues later

in the season. Yep, there's plenty to do. 

Some mornings though, I just like to get up early 

to enjoy summer's golden light.

From the added glow to the little window display 

in a Speedway shop, and to the fiery reds 

of this homeowner's house and car, summer's

colors are celebrations all by themselves.

This blog is a member of the City Daily Photo 

portal, a loose gathering of folk from all over the world

who each day post images of the cities where they

live. To see their interpretations of today's theme,

click on the link above, or on the CDP badge in

the right hand column.

All the Same

As I approached the Speedway Public Library 

on Saturday, I noticed that the Japanese maple 

at the curb was nearly the same shade of red 

as the car parked alongside. I really liked the way

the sunlight filters through the red leaves

and tried to get a picture of that effect against

the red car, with limited success.

For whatever reason, the way my eye 

registers the bright red created by the sun

is not duplicated by my camera.

However, I was surprised by what caught my eye next:

all five cars (four shown here; the one at the front of the line 

was a small Nissan) parked outside the library, 

each a different make and model, were all 

virtually the same shade of red. Huh. 

Here Be Dragons, er, Dragonflies

It's been a long while since I've seen a dragonfly.

They were always my tiny companions

when I was fishing off the side of the boat,

green ones, blue ones, and little fiery-red ones.

With their big heads, they reminded me 

of helmeted helicopter pilots.

This one, however, nearly smacked me in the head 

this morning as I walked to the store. 

I looked in my dragonfly book 

but couldn't find one like him in the pictures,

so I can't say what kind of dragonfly he be, 

but I bet he's not from "uncharted territory." 

Sky Mosaic

The fact that the J.W. Marriott Hotel is called "Big Blue"

is probably no surprise. The glass-clad building

is slightly curved, so it is not just a big box on the skyline.

Its surface looks more like a mosaic than

it does a mirror, showing us the beauty of the sky

rather than just reflecting it back at us.

It's as though a skilled tile setter installed 

the expanse, his hand adding 

an artist's touch to each piece of glass.

On this day, we got a watercolor sky. 

Last Roses

Just when you think they're done, the weather came up 

with a respite for roses. These are outside a nearby church, 

but similar brethren can be seen all over town. 

The bushes hold tight, unopened buds, newly bloomed

flowers, as well as tired and faded blooms.

I liked the range of color, and the way the flowers 

were set off against the brick wall.

Gold and Salt

Last night, I left the Natatorium after a swim and 

came home with nada for today's post. For the past couple weeks, 

the weather has been hot. In the mid-90s hot. 

The light is funny, too, sort of bright and flat most of the day. 

I haven't found many nice pictures to take as a result 

and have passed opportunities because of the light - flat with little contrast. 

This morning, I took some shots of the parking lot a couple blocks away. 

At this time of the season, the trees are beginning to tire, their leaves fading 

and drooping a bit from their earlier rich, robust green selves.

Some are starting to fall away. Their tasks are done and they

cast their golden selves upon the ground, sometimes

creating little highlights on cracks in the pavement.

More Pretty

I keep thinking that, one day, I will find one of these 

flower stems full of orderly, tightly packed buds 

that will provide the sort 

of rib cage design I keep imagining for it.

I want to see them radiating from the stalk, 

leaning like a phalanx of golden horns 

playing music to celebrate the summer day.

So far, no luck.

Textured Tuesday: Rough Leaves and Little Yellow Flowers

There are myriad reasons why these two plants, being placed 

so closely to each other pleases me. First, the rough texture of the  leaves

against the field of tiny yellow flowers just contrast so well

with each other. The big leaves sometimes catch the sun, appearing

almost like jewels in the light, framed by 

the small, lace-like blooms.

Fun! Not.

I watched the people on this ride for several minutes 

and took a lot of shots, trying to make certain that 

at least one of them might be in focus and fill up the screen 

in a semi-interesting manner. I was surprised that any 

came out. As for sitting in a little chair, suspended

by chains at the end of an arm connected 

to a central, motorized rod? Nope. Not a chance.

My enjoyment of the rides at the Indiana State Fair

is limited to looking at the bright graphics 

and colorful lights.

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

We've had our share of cloudy days this week, 

but the cooler temperatures are a welcome relief , 

being 20-30 degrees cooler than at this time last year.

This morning the fir trees had crystal drops 

of rain hanging from their needles, adding the

only sparkle to the gray morning.

I did happen to find a bit of sun, though.

Right at my feet, fissures radiated from a divot 

in the asphalt of a parking lot, creating

a sunny spot in the drab morning.

Spotted

In addition to teeming with people walking, jogging and 

cycling along the Central Canal, urban wildlife 

has found the place attractive as well.

Bumblebees are always hovering in and around

the flowers planted along the canal.

 A few years ago, the canal was drained for cleaning, 

with careful attention given to the safe transfer 

of the resident goldfish. The fish were not meant to 

inhabit the canal, having possibly been put there by people 

who released their pets into the water.

"Live free, little Buddy!"

Apparently, they have returned, restored

to their habitat by similar means.

This school traveled together, adding an attractive

flash of contrast to the green water.

This mallard duckling was one of four that remained 

of the original flock. When I first saw them, they were sleeping,
huddled together against the canal wall while

mom preened and groomed on the nearby walkway.

One warning quack from her though, and they

quickly swam to her side and followed her away from

the source of the perceived danger.

Later, the little guys ranged the width 

of the canal, looking for food.

Pretty Blue

A Speedway neighbor set this little bit on a small 

wooden table in their front yard.

Though plain and small, I found something

charming about the gesture

and, most of all, I just loved the blue glass.

Ol' Pollen Butt and Late Summer Orange

It's about one week to the beginning of Autumn.

The temperatures are beginning to cool and,

even as the weather is finally reasonable, 

the plants that remain are on their own schedule,

one that seems written in their DNA.

They'll give us one last burst of color,

then fade and wither in compliance

to Nature's plan.