The symbol of the Kingswood Oxford School -- which I showed a couple of times last week -- is the wyvern, a legendary reptilian creature with a dragon's head, wings and a barbed tail. A pair of wyvern sit atop brick columns at the school's West Hartford main entrance on Trout Brook Drive.I couldn't decide on black and white or color, horizontal or vertical. The answer appears to be "It doesn't matter."
If I ran a school, it would not occur to me to pick "wyvern" as the mascot . . .
So that's what the legendary Wyvern looks like, thanks Jack!! I constantly have the same struggle B&W versus colour, and you've done exactly what I would do, one of each. I think I'm going to get brave very soon and do a totally B&W post, it's coming..btw I do so love your sense of humour, there have been a number of times when I've seen your comments on other blogs and laughed out loud, excellent!
ReplyDeleteI also would not have thought to pick a Wyvern as a mascot, but then I do not have a Kingswood Oxford School education.
ReplyDeleteAll those kids who went to that school are burdened with having to remember how to spell Wyvern whenever a computer program asks them the name of their high school mascot as a security question.
And I thought I had gotten tired, as a Georgetown University graduate, of explaining to people what a Hoya is.
Thank you Jack, I hadn't seen one. I like the color image here.
ReplyDeleteI love the mascot, Jack! Very original and fierce. I must admit I didn't know what a wyvern was prior to reading your post. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the shots, I prefer the angle and crop of the first one. I typically think vertical shots are stronger, but in this case the angle of the first shot shows the wyvern better (IMO). I can't say for the b&w or the color. I like them both!
Wasn't wyverns also part of the Dungeons and Dragons game? I think it's a wonderfully clever mascot. Ours was "Spartans" and it was a heavy burden to bear at times.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Jack. I like both of them equally, especially when I clicked to enlarge them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe wyvern seems rather Harry Potter-esque. In the top pic, it looks distressed rather than fierce, to me. But, this comes from someone who had the ever ferocious cardinal as her mascot in high school.
ReplyDeleteI've seen images of these creatures but, never knew their name. And....what a name it is! For some reason it makes me think the word might be Welsh. Probably the lack of vowels gives me that idea.
ReplyDeleteGo Wyverns! Must make for an interesting pep rally and cheer! I always think of wyverns on a coat of arms... a fierce dragon.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast of the blue sky against Wyvern's bold stance is perfect. He looks none-too-happy!
Bises,
Genie
I think that colour always works best for subjects that are almost black and white - just a personal thing. The Wyvern looks as though it is viewing the latest intake of scholars with the kind of distaste that my old headmaster used to display every year.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always -- I do like the blue sky for a background, but it does make a great B&W! That being said, the Wyvern -- in both shots looks just about like I feel this morning!! Hope your week is off to a great start, Jack!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
It would not occur to me either. I would rather have a sculpture of a running shoe...or maybe a kayak.
ReplyDeleteNice blue though:)
Have a good day Jack!
(heading to Florida for your golf trip yet?:)
Never heard of this fierce beastie! I do like him with the blue sky though.
ReplyDeleteIn France, wyverns are more as snakes than as dragoons..To choose such a beast makes people think and talk, so it may be a good choice to make the university famous.I'm wondering what you would choose?..
ReplyDeleteI prefer the colour photo and it's a great detail.
ReplyDeleteWyverns are so often used in coat of arms but I never realized what it really stands for. Power? Strengh?
On the other hand, I bet they don't run into many other schools with a wyvern for a mascot, so at least it's original! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think the photo has more depth with the blue sky. It sure is an interesting looking critter.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I'm trying to figure out what kind of expression that is on his face.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard before of this creature...
ReplyDeleteThis was a new word I learned today. He looks like he's seen the hoardes from afar and is somewhat dismayed ('Young people today...!')
ReplyDeleteI to had not heard of one of these before, but then I had never heard of a tarheel either (something I would never want to be : ) ) l like the black and white.
ReplyDeleteLove the color version.
ReplyDeleteWyern?????? Oh darn, I thought it an eagle and was about to burst into , " War Eagle fly down the field....." but I guess not.
ReplyDeleteV
What? A mythical beast I've never heard of?! Me thinks its worth remembering this name for a suitable moment in a cutthroat game of Scrabble. I vote for color. p.s. What does the school cheer sound like? Go Wyverns!!
ReplyDeleteB&W is also beautiful but I prefer the amazing blue sky!The symbol of eagle for the school is a wonderful idea.I love eagles!
ReplyDeleteLéia
Interesting! Looks like it could be right out of Hogwarts.
ReplyDeleteSuper photos. The pair look like the could be in a cartoon. Seriously mean expression but of little might.
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