Thursday, August 31, 2023

Out of the Jurisdiction: Basalt Columns

We have seen basalt columns all over Iceland.  They form after volcanic eruptions when the magma cools.  Most often the cooling takes place from the top down, creating vertical basalt columns.

But in the Vatnajokull National Park, there are remarkable formations in which the basalt crystals formed circular patterns from magma that cooled from all sides concurrently,

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Out of the Jurisdiction: Cod

 We visited a small fish shop in Haugenes, a very small village on a fjord in the north of Iceland.

The owner is the third generation to operate the fish shop.  He gave us an excellent -- and often humorous --  history and explanation of the ways in which cod fishing has changed in Iceland over the years. 


His brother carved a cod in front of us while the owner explained the process and were the best markets for each part of a cod.  Nothing is wasted!  Nigerians love soup from the head.


His brother went out back and returned to show off a 50 pound cod he had caught two days earlier.


The visit ended when the owner carved out a cod eye and went to show it to one of the guests on our trip.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Out of the Jurisdiction: Dettifoss


Here is the huge waterfall I told you yesterday that I would be visiting.  Dettifoss is in north Iceland.  It is 330 feet wide and the cascade drops 150 feet.  Dettifoss is the second biggest waterfall in Europe. 
Very impressive.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Out of the Jurisdiction: Godafoss

Godafoss is one of Iceland's best waterfalls, a short but wide waterfall fed by the glacial Skjalfandaflioti River.  Impressive as Godafoss is, we are told that the one we will see tomorrow is much higher and wider.  I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Out of the Jurisdiction: Two Waterfalls

 First full day in Iceland.  We visited two nice waterfalls in the southeastern part of the country.

Seljalandsfoss looks pretty standard from the distance.  But, get closer and you can see the force with which the water smashes into the pool below.  And this waterfall's special feature is a small cave behind it, which permits visitors to have the unusual experience of seeing the falls from behind.


Skogafoss is a much wider waterfall, further east.  Some climbed a trail to see the falls from above. 

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Friday, August 25, 2023

Keeler Tavern

 I have shown the 18th century Keeler Tavern a couple of times, most recently in 2022.

This is a simple straight-on image from across Ridgefield's Main Street.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Blue and White


 This 1890 house for Ebenezer Hoyt might be my favorite Ridgefield house.  It is a short walk into town and high enough above Main Street that I suspect the traffic noise is well muffled. 

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Tudor


 In July I showed the Tudor-style carriage house of Jesse Lee United Methodist Church on Ridgefield's Main Street.  There is an even more substantial Tudor-style building attached to and at the rear of the church's main building.

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Friday, August 18, 2023

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Silver Lining

 

You find the most unusual things at antiques/consignment shops.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Police Headquarters


 Many police headquarters are just functional.  Not Wilton's.  Looks like a college, a town hall or a library.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Gallaher Mansion

 

Sometimes you turn down a random side street and run into a mansion.

Norwalk, Connecticut.

Monday, August 14, 2023

Gull


Mural of a seagull by @javiereastman in the Wall Street area of Norwalk, a city along the Long Island Sound in southern Connecticut.  Linked to Monday Mural.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Abandoned

A Baptist church on the Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7) in Wilton, Connecticut, fell victim to declining attendance.  It closed in 2021.  When the closure was announced, it was under contract to be sold, but it looks like that transaction must have fallen through.

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Clock

 The clock at the south end of Ridgefield's Main Street business district had not worked for a decade.  Some in town wanted it taken down.  More wanted it fixed.  


A law firm, an automotive business and individual residents made donations.  The town found a guy who grew up in Ridgefield who was capable of fixing the clock.  It needed a new motor and light fixtures but mainly it needed a thorough cleaning.  It is looking good and working again.

Friday, August 11, 2023

Sandra


 Sandra worked in fashion.  These days she refinishes furniture and takes water color lessons.  Sandra and her husband moved to Ridgefield from New York state just before the pandemic.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Italianate

 


A beautiful example of Italianate architecture in the Waccabuc neighborhood of Lewsboro, NY.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Mead Memorial Chapel

 The big Mead family has lived in the Waccabuc neighborhood of Lewisboro, NY,  since 1776.

After the death of the family's head in 1899, his wife commissioned a family chapel, begun in 1905 and completed in 1907.

In the middle years of the 20th century, many of the Mead children began moving elsewhere.  

In 1970 the trustees suspended regular services.

Since that time, the Chapel has continued as privately-owned, available to family, friends and members of the nearby community for christenings, weddings, memorial services and occasional secular events.

The chapel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Monday, August 7, 2023

Sunday, August 6, 2023

Ambler Farm




 A farm and farmhouse preserved by the Town of Wilton, Connecticut.

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Whale Watch

An amazing afternoon of watching whales off Provincetown.

We saw 25 humpback whales, 4 fin whales and 5 minke whales.

Feeding is a team activity.  One whale goes low and starts blowing bubbles through its blowhole.  The bubbles lift the plankton.  Other whales circle the rising plankton to keep it together in a "bubble nest."

When the whales are down below, stirring up their feed, birds gather in hopes of getting some of the fish that the whales' bubbles also drive to the surface.


 Instead of teeth, baleen whales like humpbacks have strainer-like baleen on the top.


Two whale mothers had calves with them.


Naturalists identify specific whales by the distinctive patterns on the underside of their tail fins. 

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Salad Nicoise Royale


 My law school roommate and friend for nearly six decades is quite a cook.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Elizabeth Park


 I was fortunate to live two blocks from Elizabeth Park for 40 years.  I loved it then and I love it still.

The theme for City Daily Photo bloggers on August 1 is "garden."