Out and About, Centro, Seville, Andalusia, Spain

Anyone who has ever shared their life with or studied a dog carefully will recognize the sideways lean against the wall by this shopkeeper's pooch enjoying a spot of morning sunshine.



And speaking of morning sunshine, another red Vespa is standing in it along my path.



Later in the day, we went to the river hoping for a great sunset but, the clouds didn't cooperate so I turned my attention to experimenting with the pan-blur technique. This is when you select a shutter speed (in my case between 1/15 and 1/30, and pan the camera in time with the motion so as to create a sharp subject with a blurred background.

Getting more background blur without blurring the bicyclist proved elusive.

Try and try again.

This one seems to be the sharpest - maybe, like reading text, I can pan better from left to right than right to left.



A brief passing shower in a quiet neighborhood of Arenal.



I passed this shop on the way home where this man was agreeable for a photo as he was busily slicing paper thin pieces of pig's leg (jamón) for the evening tapas orders.



And a last look back from San Pablo toward the Triana Bridge as the sky made a pretty blue hour image to close out another great day in Seville! (The yellow edge stripe has been freshly re-painted in preparation for the upcoming Semana Santa processions through the streets).

Lunch and a Walk, Maria Luisa Park, Plaza de España, Centro, Seville, Andalusia, Spain

This is going to be a very high step count day. Perfect cool temperature, blue skies, puffy cumulus clouds, another beautiful day in wonderful Seville.  We walked past the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes which is on the east side of the Cathedral enroute to the 100-acre Maria Luisa Park to check out a particular photo opportunity. (The red fencing at left is beginning preparation for the upcoming Semana Santa celebration.)




Lunch was along San Fernando across from the University. This is the first roasted corn-on-the-cob I have been served here in Spain.  I don't know where it was grown but, it sure was good - and the asparagus - thick as my finger but tender as if fresh from the garden today - neither stringy, chewy, nor tough. I want more!



The park is huge with many walking paths and water features. These ducks were hanging out at one of the many ponds playing that ever-popular duck game of "my wings are bigger than your wings."



Palm trees, blues skies, puffy clouds - yep, I like that.



A park bench without a back makes a much better spot for a sunny nap for these tired tourists.



A lovely reflecting pool in the park - not the one we came for but beautiful in any case. By the way, here's a link to the image we were chasing on this trip to the park. Too bad the weeds had grown up blocking the reflected view and the water was a bit dirty. Oh well, I'll settle for the image above of a different pool and also, the images that follow in Plaza de España!



Oranges, with lots of green, and blue skies together - my kind of place.



Since the park turned out to be a bust for the photo we wanted, as a consolation prize, we stopped by the always spectacular Plaza de España. It never disappoints.



The light, shadows, lines, curves, angles, and grandeur of this space are awesome.



Sometimes it takes a while to wait for the right random person to be my silhouette.



This is my favorite from this visit to the plaza.



Seville continues to amaze and enthrall with it's unending beauty, music, sights, and friendly people.

A Walk Through the Neighborhood, La Macarena, Centro, Seville, Andalusia, Spain

I explored another new area on this walk and was struck by many creative garage door treatments.



This owner is longing for the countryside instead of the hustle and bustle of downtown living.



Or this one, perhaps a reminder of a nearby orange tree farm.

Or perhaps a tropical garden.

Or, leave it to random chance and just let the graffiti people use what I call the "bulging thigh" font.



Continuing to walk, I saw these men heading to midday Mass but, through a doorway to the left an even bigger crowd was moving.....

....to see one of the pasos (float-like scenes adorned with gold and silver and portraying Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other biblical persona). It was being readied for the upcoming Semana Santa procession. This paso will be carried on the shoulders for many hours through the streets of Seville by 20+ costaleros hidden beneath the surrounding lower drapes. Each paso weighs more than a ton - imagine that - carrying a car around on your shoulders for the better part of a day through the narrow streets. That is truly religious commitment and sacrifice.



A neighborhood produce store. I don't know if the awning is crooked to drain rainwater efficiently or, just because it's crooked. And it doesn't really matter anyway.



Right next door to the market, is a Taller de Luthería. I don't ever recall seeing one of those in the United States.



It is a repair shop for stringed instruments. Another proof of the musical passions and presence in this town that it supports a neighborhood business like this.



Strolling down another narrow street.....(I really like the compressed perspective effect of this zoomed image).... and speaking of narrow..........




....I am accustomed to seeing signs with height restrictions on roadways - not accustomed to seeing signs with width restrictions, too!



Walking through many of the streets of Seville, I am often struck with a vague scent of oranges, and chocolate, and pastry, and butter, and fruit, and sweetness all rolled together on the breeze.



This is a doorway within an archway, within a courtyard within a gate, within an entryway within a door, within a doorway within an arch.  Whew!




Another narrow and beguiling street in fascinating Seville.

This man in a bar/restaurant is trimming the razor-thin pieces of cured ham for a tapa. He has some very sharp knives! Note the shiny stainless steel device that holds the leg in place. I have seen different models of them for sale in the department store housewares section costing anywhere from 20-100 Euros depending on the model. I guess people buy them for home use, too.  They do love their jamón in this country. Not many are into the vegan concept for living.

Fields of Shadows and Light , Medina Sidonia, Andalusia, Spain

At the end of a long and tiring day walking up and down the steep streets of Medina Sidonia, I settled into the driver's seat for the hour-plus drive back to Seville. I don't usually like to be diverted on the way home but, on this occasion, a brief glimpse from the highway called out too strongly to ignore.  Off we went onto a side road to explore these plowed fields where cloud shadows danced across the ground, shifting the light in compelling ways over the already varied surface.























My favorite of the bunch.



The road less traveled - indeed.

Giralda Tower, Centro, Seville, Andalusia, Spain

The Giralda Tower (tallest portion at right) is attached to the Seville Cathedral. This is it on a cloudy day from ground level....



....and on a clear day after sunset from a half mile away.......



....and in the darkness from across the river in Triana. But, what's it like to climb it in the daytime and look out? I must seek out the high ground.



It is pretty spectacular! This view is looking down at the rooftops of the adjacent Cathedral.



More Cathedral roof and part of the flying buttress structures.



A plaza filled with orange trees makes up the garden immediately adjacent.



The nearby buildings of the Centro neighborhood begin right across the street - shops, bars, restaurants, residences - all the elements of a vibrant city with this dramatic structure as its anchor point.

Turning eastward, the sprawl of Seville stretches to the horizon. The afternoon shadow of the tower where I'm standing is in the center foreground. The Barrio Santa Cruz neighborhood is at right.

Only a very few stair steps were built to get to the top of this 100 meter structure (about 300 feet). Instead, access to the top is via 35 inclined ramps that were originally designed to allow a horse and rider to climb up the original Moorish tower.



And at the top, wow, the tower bells were loud when standing right underneath as they rang out! No longer manually rung but instead, a complex series of chains and gears and pulleys and electronics. And no more horses, either!