Our nephew Matt discovered a new obsession while he was wandering the streets of Sevilla. The macro lens. Lindy (our niece-in-law) is an exceptional photographer and she long ago perfected her close-up skills. She has even enlarged some of her images onto canvas, creating some truly incredible "abstract" art. After all this time, the Macro bug finally hooked Matt. The Dynamic Duo from Dakota (South) roamed the streets, zooming in on birds, leaves, flowers, bricks, shadows.
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| ZOOMING IN ON MACRO MATT AS HE ZOOMS ON A HIBISCUS. |
I'm more the storyteller type of photographer, so I only got hooked on the macro lens temporarily. My favorite subjects to zoom in on, however, were Matt and Lindy.
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| LINDY GOT SOME FASCINATING VIEWS OF BRICKS. MATT DECIDED TO TRY IT. |
I wish our roving photographers could have stayed all winter (or longer). I drowned my sorrows (in two tiny beers) this afternoon with Albert and Lola. We haven't gotten together since before the holidays and spending a few hours in their wonderful company definitely helped. Street musicians outside the main post office are also a great distraction.
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| AN AMAZING PARTNERSHIP. |
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SELECTING A PAINTING OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS.
(LINDY: IF IT DOESN'T FIT IN THE SUITCASE, I'LL CARRY IT FOR THE REST OF OUR TRIP.) |
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A GROUP OF WILD PARROTS IN MARIA LUISA PARK.
THEY'RE ALL OVER TOWN, BUT NEVER FOR A CLOSE-UP. |
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| NO STORY. JUST A CLOSE-UP OF A HIBISCUS. |
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| NO TRIP TO SEVILLA WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT CHURROS Y CHOCOLATE (FROM VALOR). |
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| GRAFFITI ON A WALL ALONG THE RIVER IN TRIANA. |
And another day goes by with no progress on the leak and assorted problems at home. I did however speak with the insurance rep. He promised to see to it personally tomorrow. Ha! I followed up this afternoon with a very kindly yet clearly worded ultimatum email to "F". We'll get there... Sooner or later.
Love that graffiti.
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteSo do I!
Those parrots - we have them here too. Usually they seem to disappear in the winter but on Monday I heard them in the trees along our avenue. They fly about in groups screeching a fair bit don't they.
ReplyDeletePS
Isn't the Internet wonderful? Here I am laying on the settee in dark and grey Kaiserswerth but am able to watch a video you made of some street musicians in Seville!
Kirk:
DeleteWe've got those parrots on our plaza regularly, but they fly in quickly and hide in the palm trees while they chatter away. We saw five of them together in the park the other day, in plain view. They were just a little too far to get a sharp photo.
I agree about modern technology. Sometimes I marvel at what we take for granted.
Don't know what I like most... the parrots, the graffiti or the music (okay... it was the street music)... AND... our flight to Spain is just 3 weeks away. YES! (the churro looked pretty good too)
ReplyDeleteOdd Essay:
DeleteThose musicians are apparently from Barcelona. I've only seen them here at Christmas/New Year's (last year and this). Their energy is contagious. They look like they're having a great time (and they are definitely appreciated by the crowds).
At Valor, the churros and chocolate are all about the chocolate. So good.
Love the graffiti art too! Not to mention the parrots and that street band!! Did you all get that step 'down'?
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteI can do that dance in my sleep (well, ONLY in my sleep). I'm now growing dreads so I can join the band.
Ah, such great music, reminds me of Venezuela when we visited so long ago....it's the beat! Macro lens...love this option maybe Matt will become totally hooked like Lindy!
ReplyDeleteRon:
DeleteI don't think Matt will become totally hooked but he was definitely hooked during our walks. He joked that things look really good to him until he downloads his photos. Lindy's, on the other hand, are works of art.
What a wonderful city, even the graffiti is spectacular. I agree with you and Kirk about the wonders of modern technology...here I am on my isolated hilltop with no other humans for miles, enjoying a Spanish street band!
ReplyDeleteJudith:
DeleteAnd I'm surrounded by Spanish streets bands while still enjoying isolated hilltops!
Is that the cup of chocolate so thick you can rest your spoon on it? I've seen it on travel shows and got to get me some o that.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteYes, the chocolate is that thick. Valor's is especially rich, dark, and thick. And you can get it with fresh fruit instead, too, of churros.
Ahh... so nice to have nice family you enjoy, there for a good visit, eh?
ReplyDeleteJudeet:
DeleteMatt and Lindy are two of my favorite people in the world. What a gift!
Dear Mich
ReplyDeleteYour Neice, and friend are so cute.
Must be such a fun visit.
Do the street musicians play the "Lady of Seville"?
The coco shoppe looks devine..
yvonne
Yvonne:
DeleteI know "Lady of Spain" but I'm not familiar with "Lady of Seville." Can you hum a few bars?
What a lot of energy those musicians put into their offerings! I'm a bit tired watching, but entranced, too........I think I appreciate your blog even more these gray wet northeast Ohio January days when I can look at the amazing life of sunny Seville here.
ReplyDeleteKristi:
DeleteWe certainly do have a lot of sunshine here. We complain if we don't see the sun for an entire day. Glad to share some with you.
How sad that they can't get your plumbing back in order--your apartment's, that is. That faulty water heater situation sounds scary. I'm glad you're getting out and having a good time in spite of it all.
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteThe plumbing situation has reached the level of the absurd now. I didn't write about it today, because I think it's just boring! Will let you know when/if things change.
modern photography intrigues me < with everyone having a 'camera' in their phone, every one takes photos of everything, and people feel less intimidated by photo takers
ReplyDeleteI'm for photo taking in the locker room .
Spo:
DeleteI always hated taking photos and now can't go anywhere without my camera.
I'm getting good at sneaking photos with my phone (sometimes even my good camera), but I don't know if I could manage to get away with it in the locker room. A bit too obvious.
I I love this collection of photos. I had churros on my last trip to Mexico and they were soooo good!!!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteI never liked churros in Mexico or Southern California. I'm not a huge fan of donuts and churros, to me, were always just greasy donut sticks. Good churros here aren't greasy. But, really, it's all about the chocolate anyway.