A Final Look - Magnolia Blossoms, Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

These folks planted tulips the same colors as the magnolia overhead - a stunning choice.

This is my final round of pictures from this year's magnolia extravaganza in Boston (on April 18th). Three consecutive weekends have provided a wealth of nice images this year. I think the peak was during this past week judging by the fallen petals on the sidewalk.

It's still a popular location for portraits.

And for locals to walk the dog.

Or push a carriage.

Goodbye - until next year.

Now that magnolia season has ended, it's time for the tulips!

Magnolia Blossoms, Part 2 of 2 - Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Each blossom, it's very own jewel.



It was like being in a living museum - so many people out looking and taking pictures of nature's magic.



Mom and daughter pose for a picture to treasure in later years.



With camera smartphones, everyone is a photographer now.

What a show this year! And beautiful weather on at least one of the two weekend days. (These moments were captured on April 10th).

Magnolia Blossoms, Part 1 of 2 - Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 

It is magnolia blossom season on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.



Lots of people strolling, making pictures, and enjoying this annual show of nature (on April 10th).



It was intermittently cloudy and sunny which made for variable lighting conditions.































Magnolias weren't the only variety in full bloom.

But magnolias were the most beautiful. What a day in Boston!

Out and About, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Wandering the Back Bay neighborhood streets treated me to these springtime views (on 4/3).

Most of the magnolias are beginning to blossom.

Hopefully, my next weekend visit will capture the peak blossom explosion.

A Black and White View - Part 2 of 3, Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Many folks were out and about on the Commonwealth Mall in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston on a gray winter day before the rain arrived. The French-looking building in the background - it is named the Vendome - was originally built in 1872 as a hotel, now as luxury condos. 



A sculpture on the mall of Phillis Wheatley who was the first African-American author of a published book of poetry (in 1773).



A memorial to the nine fallen fire-fighters of the 1972 fire at the Vendome.



Walking the dog - always popular along the broad walkway.



Around the corner on the parallel Beacon Street.

A Black and White View - Part 1 of 3 - Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

A gray winter day nearly always brings out the black and white photographic urges in me.  Above, alfresco dining in winter time along Newbury Street. The snow has already melted from the last storm.



Outdoor lighting for alfresco ambiance at night.



No thanks and - no comment.



Trinity Church main tower viewed against the background of the John Hancock building.



Behind the upscale streets of the Back Bay, narrow alleys support the infrastructure needs of the citizenry - fans and compressors, fire escapes, private parking, trash and garbage receptacles. Not quite so fancy - but necessary.

Newbury Street, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 

On this visit to the big city, I wanted to take a stroll out and back on Newbury Street (sort of the "5th Avenue" of Boston), but the winter wind was so strong from the west that I took a different approach.

I decided instead to catch a Green Line subway train at the Park Street station and ride it west to the Hynes Convention Center stop and then walk back along Newbury Street so I'd have the wind to my back.



There were very few folks waiting for the next train.



And when I got onboard..........



....there were very few people in the seats.



Just a few station stops later, I was walking east on Newbury Street, both the wind and sun to my back as desired.



It was a perfect day for outdoor dining (if you don't mind the chill) or just strolling along.



Or sitting on a stoop reading the paper in the direct sunshine.



I am not sure if these partial mannequins are an art installation or an advertisement - or both.



The Boston subway system (the oldest in the United States) is not exactly the Paris Metro but, this station does have some nice fancy ironwork at the entrance. (And not on Newbury St.)



Though also not on Newbury Street, I made a detour here to Copley Plaza to gaze at the Trinity Church and the nearby John Hancock Tower skyscraper (the tallest building in Boston at 790') designed by the late world renowned architect I.M. Pei.



As usual, a delightful visit to an always great city.