Just...

...one of those days.

Shoe Tree

Yes, it's that tree again. On principle, though I do it from time to time, I have a little resistance to posting photos of the art works of other people because it seems a little derivative. But the Superior Cafe's installations are so unusual and entertaining it would be a shame not to share them. This one, as you can see by the explanatory sign at the left, is to raise funds in support of W.I.N. (Women In Need, a Victoria non-profit). If you're in the neighbourhood (James Bay) drop in to the Superior for lunch in the garden, throw your shoes up into the tree and make a donation to W.I.N.

Saxe Point Revisited

Before I leave Saxe Point Park here's another shot from nearly the same place that I photographed in January. One big advantage of photographing your own environment instead of travel shots is that you can revisit the same places at different times of day and in different seasons. Though it is much different, this little cove is just as beautiful now as it was in winter.

Saxe Point Park

This photo is not actually Saxe Point Park; it's taken from Saxe Point Park looking east towards Fleming Beach. We've been having beautiful sunny days lately and I just love the colors and shapes of these houses and their location on the rocks overlooking the ocean. The tide was very low when I was there so you can see the kelp beds in the bottom right hand corner of the photo.

Johnson Street Bridge Sunset

It seems appropriate to post a photo of this bridge at sunset because its life is probably nearing an end. It's 85 years old and it seems that upkeep and maintenance costs may soon exceed replacement costs. Plans are afoot to replace the bridge with another during the next couple of years. While I am in favor of preserving heritage construction, I don't find this bridge particularly appealing. To me its design appears purely functional with no attempt to make it attractive. Since I've been doing this daily city photoblog and looking at others from around the world I've seen many really remarkably beautiful bridges. Bridge design has come a long way in the last 85 years and I hope Victoria decides to erect a bridge that will add to this city's beauty.
*******************************
Update August 4, 2009.
Since I wrote the above I've found that there is a lot of discussion around this issue, and much better informed discussion than you will find here. For a start, check out the article, "Blue Bridge Blues," by Yule Heibel in Focus Magazine. Secondly, take a look at the "Johnson Street Bridge Victoria" website that explores the issues and controversies and has many links you can follow to other sources of information.