Glimpses of South Pasadena: Change of Scenery

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Change of Scenery

I couldn't resist posting a shot of another crape myrtle tree in full bloom. Here, the bright flowers blast away everything noir about the South Pasadena library and turn the place into a technicolor extravaganza.

12 comments:

Dixie Jane said...: For every dead and dying lawn here, grass turned brown everywhere, there is a crepe myrtle lifting its head high with glorious blossoms. I'm glad there is at least one something that delights in our Texas' 60 days of 100+ temperature days. It's good that you have that luscious color too, without the accompanying heat blast.; August 25, 2009 at 4:06 AM
Judy Williams said...: I love the person in mid-stride (but I always do). We have two white myrtles in our back yard planted by the original owners, but they just aren't doing well. The candy cane one we planted out by the driveway in front was doing well until a young buck used it for rutting, and he shredded it to the ground. :~(

The vivid pinks make a beautiful canopy for the lamps, bike rack and trash can. I love the arch of the windows.; August 25, 2009 at 5:44 AM
Anonymous said...: Lovely!; August 25, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Yakpate said...: This shot illustrates what I love about these trees, aside from the color... the canopy is almost always horizontal.

In addition to the striding student in orange, I also love the horizontal pavement below, tinted a lighter shade of the extravagant color above.; August 25, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Laurie Allee said...: It's such a joy to present photographs here. You guys always pick up on the things that I love about a shot. This one is not an exceptional photo by any means -- in fact, it's more of a snapshot than anything else -- but I loved the complementary colors on ground and tree, and the pop of orange from that walking person. All of it livened up an overcast day. Since I mainly shoot the library from the other side (the older part of the building) and at night in all its shadowy glory, it was nice to show this light-hearted view with a scene-stealing tree.

Anyway, thanks for your wonderful observations!; August 25, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Ken Mac said...: let's see the noir side!; August 25, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Anton Elohan Byers said...: I don't quite get the pop of technicolor; I get more of the chalky tones from an old b&w photo that has been hand-painted over and turned into a postcard. Perhaps something from the 20's or 30's.

Which side of the library is this? I don't immediately remember this angle.; August 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Hilda said...: Lovely!; August 25, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Hi everyone,

Anton, it's interesting that you thought of this as a colorized black and white -- that's how I often see the library. All those muted warm tones really do feel like old photographs. I took this shot from the South side of the library, the main entrance.

Ken, I do hope you clicked on my link to the noir side of the library... :-) That really is how I see it, and I constantly night prowl for more studies in dark and light. In fact, it's been a while since I've posted any of my night images so I believe we're due...

Thanks for everything, all. Until tomorrow.; August 25, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Anonymous said...: I was right where that fellow in orange is today. Switch him out to a homeless guy propping his book against the return container. He gave me the strangest look. I couldn't figure out why; August 26, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Skrip said...: Crepe Myrtle trees can be so beautiful this time of year... I was in La Verne last week and they had some of the brightest hot pinks along the sreet! The only problem with these trees is if your car is parked under them in the summer. They reap sap drips that spot your car all over! Other than that they are great drought tolerant trees!; August 26, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Laurie Allee said...: PA, the hubby and Little Bit were at the library today. I wonder if you passed one another.

Hi Skrip! I agree about parking under these pretty trees. Yuck! Not as bad as jacarandas, though.; August 26, 2009 at 11:39 PM