Philly Fall

What makes photographing fall foliage so challenging

is that you have to get a really sunny day

 at just the right moment

 in order to get the best photographs. 

These photos are from

one of those very special days

 in Wynnewood, PA.

just outside of Philadelphia.

The sunshine made the leaves look like

they were on fire.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Embroidery: Lions & Tigers

My apologies for not posting this on Sunday...

This piece from the Figures collection is named for the lions and tigers I included in it, all of whom may be found in the lovely dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History.

Enjoy!

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Kiku

I’ve never been a big fan of traditional mums.  

I find the regularity of their mounds and the lack of variation in their flowers boring.

But what I discovered when I attended the Kiku exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx

 is that there’s a lot more to mums than I realized. 

For instance they come in many different forms, not just the standard one. 

And some of the variations have beautiful shapes,

while others have lovely colors.  

So I have revised my opinion and decided that I do like some chrysanthemums –

especially those that are carefully grown and styled in the Japanese manner

by the experts at the Botanical Gardens.

Enjoy!

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

New York City Marathon

Today is marathon day – also known as New York City’s finest hour. 

In honor of the occasion the entire city becomes one big street party and good will reigns supreme as everyone joins in to encourage the runners. 

Last year the event was cancelled due to Superstorm Sandy.  And this year they took all the garbage cans away on Wednesday night.  But at least the party is on.

We live on mile 17 where the crowds of spectators are so boisterous that First Avenue becomes a canyon of noise. 

Most of the crowd is actually there to cheer on their friends and relatives. 

They usually arrive in time to see the leaders run past and then cheer everyone else on as they wait. 

When the person they are waiting for arrives, it’s a hallmark moment. 

They exchange hugs, take a few photos and before too long the runner heads off again.  It is truly charming. 

But one year stands out as the most memorable because a couple, who had met at the marathon the year before, actually got married across the street. 

 Then they ran off to complete their run.   

Only in New York!

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer