Angell Memorial Plaza

This post is dedicated to Brattcat of Brattleboro who requested a photo of the entire lion fountain, which I posted a couple of weeks ago. The Lion Fountain is really a memorial plaza dedicated to George Thorndike Angell, a noted animal rights activist and founder of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) in 1868. As you can see in this photo, when the weather is not cold or rainy, the plaza is a coveted spot in the Financial District to have lunch.

Monochrome Monday

A second photo of the Mennonites singing on the Common. Their voices were heavenly.

You can see more monochromes hosted at Aileni's Home of Mononchrome Maniacs.

Are you ready?

A group of Mennonites on Boston Common singing and evangelizing.

Bicycle

Seen on Otis Street, which changes into Devonshire Street at Winthrop Square. What initially caught my eye was the architectural details of the block long building, and then the bicycle chained to the No Parking sign. Here is a picture of the front of this building.

The Thinker

No this is not Rodin's Thinker, neither is it Kermit the frog. It one of the frogs at the Frog Pond at Boston Common, which opens today. Kids of all ages are welcome.

The Boston Common Frog Pond is privately funded and operated by the Boston Common Frog Pond Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

Iron Lantern

Wednesday Doorway

White wine, please

A customer at one of the temporary bars set up at Symphony Hall during intermission.

Monochrome Monday

This week's Monochrome Monday entry is different a view of the Old State House on State Street. I posted a view of this famous building from the other side yesterday. The benches leading your eye to the Old State House are brand new and made of mahogany and are quite elegant. In the background you can see the Custom House Tower peeking through the buildings on either side.

Many more Monochrome Maniacs can be found here. Please visit as many as you can and leave a comment or two.

Old State House

The Old State House is an historical landmark in Boston on State Street, (nee King Street) and the oldest public building in the country. It was superseded as the State House when Bullfinch's new State House was completed in 1798. It was also Boston's City Hall from 1830-1841. Other years it was rented for commercial use and was almost torn down in the 1870s to make way for more street traffic. Chicago offered to move it brick by brick to Chicago, but luckily for Boston a plan was developed and the building saved. It is now a museum and houses many documents and artifacts of the nation's early history.


The Old State House was also the first picture I ever posted on this blog.

Big Al

Big Al is one of the drivers for the Old Town Trolley in Boston. So if you have ever visited and taken one of these tours you may have met Big Al.

Below was a line up of tour buses in front of the State House when I met Big Al. His bus is the first green and orange bus.

Skywatch Friday

For my first ever Skywatch Friday post, I thought I would post a picture taken in the Rose Kennedy Memorial Rose Garden.

Many people in different countries post skywatch pictures of their part of the world too. For a full-listing click here.

Custom House Tower

The Custom House Tower, which long dominated the Boston skyline to the waterfront, is now a hotel. The 16 story tower was Boston's first skyscraper and was built in 1915 by Peabody and Stearns. The original structure, built in 1847 and designed by Ammi Burnham Young is surrounded by 36 monolithic Quincy granite columns, each weighing 42 tons. The entire structure sits on filled land and is supported by 3,000 wooden piles driven through fill to bedrock. The Customs House was originally at the edge of the harbor to facilitate inspection and registration of cargo, but because of additional filled land now sits one quarter mile from the harbor.

Here is a partial view of the Custom House Tower.

Wednesday Doorway

This week's doorway is the front entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts on Huntington Avenue, which recently re-opened after extensive renovations. Below is a close up of the front doors.

Lion Fountain

Fountain at the Angell Memorial Plaza.

Monochrome Monday

You can visit other participants of this theme at the home of Monochrome Maniacs.

One of Boston's Finest

Edward is a member of the Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS). I met him while he was on duty at the Scooper Bowl fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund on Thursday. While his pose here is serious as befits his calling, I found him to be easy going and quick to laugh, great assets for an Emergency Medical Technician.

Scooper Bowl

On Tuesday through Thursday this week there was an ice cream fund raiser for the Jimmy Fund which supports cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event was spoonsored (sic) by FedEx and took place on City Hall Plaza. It was billed as the nation's largest all-you-can eat ice cream festival. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and we had cool and showery weather on those days.

Painting

Painter in the Public Garden about a month ago when there was sun in Boston.

Remembering

Yesterday there was an attack by a gunman at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and a security guard was killed. These are some of the stones and pebbles left at the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston. Leaving stones is a tradition meant to honor the memory of the deceased. Today another stone will have to be added to the memorial.

Wednesday Doorway

This week's doorway is on Park St. near the corner of Beacon St. near the State House.

Yellow Roses

Yellow roses from the Rose Kennedy Memorial Garden. I had never visited this garden before. It has 103 rose bushes in honor of Rose Kennedy, one for each year of her life.

Monochrome Monday

It's Monday and time for another round of monochrome madness. I've heard the only thing that doesn't change is the cemetery; but one thing I'm positive doesn't change is the devotion of b&w enthusiasts. Their pictures may be viewed at the home of Monochrome Maniacs.

Are You Sure You're Going to Heaven?

A modern fire and brimstone tirade about going to hell in Harvard Square. I was struck by the irony of the sensual backdrop: a painting of a semi-nude woman looking over his shoulder as he draws and shouts through his wireless microphone about the perils of modern life and going to hell.

The backdrop is an advertisement for an exhibit of Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice at the Museum of Fine Arts. A great antidote to the perils of modern life and a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

In a pickle

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You never know what you might see in a city park. I don't think I would have the courage to dress up like a human pickle like this guy, but he does seem to attract the girls.

Granite Reflections

Building reflections in granite wall and fountain. Another look at this spot I took almost two years ago.

State House

View of the State House Dome from the Ashburton Street entrance, which is on the back side of the State House. I have taken this shot from slightly different angles before: here is a view of the iron gates. The gates alone are magnificent, but when combined with the view of the dome against a dramatic sky is one I never tire of.

This frontal view is my favorite picture of the state house.

Wednesday Doorway*

This week's doorway is on Rowe's Wharf.
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* Accidentally posted on Tuesday

Swan Meets Dogs

A swan, some curious dogs and an indifferent collie.

Theme Day: Feet & Monochrome Monday

This month's theme for City Daily Photo Blogs is feet. I captured these feet at the National Archives in Washington standing on a raised glass platform over a map of the Gettysburg battle field. View thumbnails for all participants in the Feet Theme.

It's also Monochrome Monday! To view other Black + White photos, please visit the Home of Monochrome Maniacs.