A River Runs Through It ~ Stillaguamish River ~ Arlington ~ Washington ~ U.S.A.

Featured Photographer
Sharmagne Leland.St. John


Firenze from San Miniato al Monte ~ Firenze ~ Italy


San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Firenze,
central Italy, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been
described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of
the most scenic churches in Italy. There is an adjoining Olivetan Monastery.

We go up there frequently to catch the sunset or to shop in the monestary's
"Herbalista" shop. I purchase my handmade soap there, as well as natural
curatives for colds and flus. In the evenings one can listen to Gregorian
chants emanating from the basilica's crypt.

San Miniato is the best vantage point from which to photograph the panorama of
Firenze.


Winter in Firenze ~ Tuscany ~ Italy


Across from San Miniato al Monte is the Piazzale Michelangelo with its huge
replica of the statue of David. It is one of the best views to capture photos of 4
of the Arno's bridges, including Ponte Vecchio and heading west to Ponte Santa
Trinitá, Ponte Carraia and Ponte Amerigo Vespucci. This is another favourite
favourite spot to enjoy the setting sun behind Fort Belvedere.


Santo Spirito from a Window in the Palazzo Pitti ~ Firenze ~ Italy


The Palazzo Pitti is the largest museum complex in Firenze. I go there often
for special exhibits and to stroll in the Boboli Gardens, which represent one of
the first and most important examples of the "Italian Garden." I particularly
enjoy the sights from the windows of all the galleries. Recently, while looking
for the Giambologna's “Venere Bagnata,” (Venus Bathing) I happened to glance
through a doorway into an adjoining gallery and beyond to this view of the dome
of Santo Spirito through the window.


Linden Tree in Brigitte's Winter Garden ~ Porta Romana ~ Firenze ~ Italy


While visiting my friend Brigitte on a stormy Monday in December, I stepped to
her window with its view of the city, to photograph Il Duomo. Unable to open the
sliding doors, I shot the photo through the glass. So enthralled was I with the
scene, I failed to notice until later the reflection of a lamp behind me inside
the living room. These are what I call "Happy Accidents".


Mosaic Designs ~ Museo Diocesano di Monreale ~ Palermo ~ Sicily


Upon returning from the States in October, we decided to catch the last 2 weeks
of thesummer weather in the South of Italy, so we travelled to Sicily. Our first
stop was 3 days in Palermo. Victor was keen to visit Monreale. We have been
creating a lot of mosaic art by recycling broken dishes and discarded tiles we've
found on our sojourns. We were very pleased to be able to see the incredible
mosaic work that decorates this Baroque Chapel and Bishop's Palace Museum.
Just as we were leaving the top floor I glimpsed this view of the decorated
pillars and their reflection on the marble floor and adjacent wall.


Old Prince's Bridge ~ Marina di Pietrasanta ~ Versiliana Park ~ Lucca ~ Italy


Last year we stopped in Versiliana Park on the way back from lunch with my
friend Marilyn in Forte dei Marmi, near Viareggio.

I enjoy photographing bridges because of the reflections of sky, clouds, trees
and the arches of the bridges themselves.

There are beautiful yellow irises on the left bank of the Fiumetto River flowing
beneath this bridge. Sadly, they were not yet in bloom on the day we took our
photo journey.


Ponte Santa Trinitá and Ponte Vecchio from Ponte Vespucci ~ Firenze ~ Italy


I probably photograph this bridge more than any other in the world, because it
looks different every time I see it, depending on the time of day, the season or
the weather.

I always try to capture a bird in these photos. Can you spot him in this image?

(This is one of a set of 6 images we have printed into note cards for sale.)


Pescaia di Santa Rosa ~ Santa Trinitá Bridge ~ Firenze ~ Italy


This weir is an artificial barrage on the river that properly channels and
conveys water to produce hydraulic energy for factories and to stabilize the
riverbanks.

(This is one of a set of 6 images we have printed into note cards for sale.)


Valle dei Templi ~ Agrigento ~ Sicily


Agrigento on the southern coast is one of Sicily's oldest towns, christened with
many names and resurrected on many ruins. It was founded in 581 B.C. by Greek,
Rhodium-Cretan colonists. We saw a model of one of the temples and decided we
had to try to find it the following day.

Great fans of photographing sunsets, we made certain to be in the Valle di Templi
at the perfect hour to catch this glorious sunset.


A River Runs Through It ~ Stillaguamish River ~ Arlington ~ Washington U.S.A.


Each time I visit my fly fishing lodge in Washington, I make a point of traversing
Haller Bridge on foot, usually at sunset, to photograph the reflections of the trees
in the Stillaguamish River. This time I stopped to photograph the view where the
south fork joins the north fork, and this was the result.


 

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