Not just any old iris but an iris reticulata by the name of “Edward”.
The “Schau- und Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof” (trial garden) is in itself a speciality: a garden that is at once a garden showcasing plants and presenting them to the public as well as being a scientific institute which valuates plants in a natural environment regarding their position and growth and compatibility with other plants.
More information about the Hermannshof can be found here.
Linked to One Word Sunday: Speciality.
From Koblenz there is a cable car across the Rhine leading up to the fortress Ehrenbreitstein. For an even better view a huge viewing platform has been constructed up on the hill plateau.
And contrasting this rather large construction, here is a little detail on how to beautify rails – also close to the Rhine but in Düsseldorf.
Linked to the Friendly Friday Photo Challenge: Rails.
This sculpted group stands in Lampertheim, a salute to the asperagus farmers and sellers right in the centre of the traditional asperagus growing regions. I stress traditional because with the advent of plastic covering on fields (and a bit of help from global warming) white asperagus is farmed in many areas of Germany. In the wide Rhine valley the climate was always favourable and in combination with the sandy soil which has come on southerly winds from the Sahara dessert for aeons it became ideal for this spring vegetable. Germans eat “Spargel” with a passion and the season is from early spring until traditionally 24 June in order to give the plants time to recuperate before the next season. To this day more than half of the German asparagus is sold on roadside stands and in open markets.
Linked to Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Tables, Chairs, Picnic Tables, etc.
The epitome of naughtiness are these two rascals, called Max and Moritz.
The poet and illustrator Wilhelm Busch brought their story to paper with his characteristic drawings and accompanying rhymed couplets. To this day their mischievous pranks delight children and adults alike. Many Germans can quote part of the story.
It is undisputed that Busch was a direct ancestor of all comic books. Max und Moritz inspired the cartoon strip Katzenjammer Kids in the US and from there his influence spread.
Many shops and restaurants are named after them. Here it is a pharmacy.
And here a restaurant which is fitting because their first prank involved first killing and then stealing and eating the chicken of a widow.
However, chips weren’t invented yet in 1860 when Busch wrote and illustrated the story.
Linked to Friday Fun: naughty.
This copper beech stood for 200 years in the abbey garden of Kloster Neuburg near Heidelberg. When it died, its wood was made into this sculpture.
For Six Word Saturday. More six word musings can be found there.
As I live at least 400km away from any coast I have to rely on old holiday photos and pictorial representations of sea creatures. In all cases, these were “out of their element”.
Linked to Friendly Friday: Sea Creatures.
Clouds – rain – spring – river – sea – evaporation – clouds – rain – – – the circle of life.
Can you see the newborn Lion King?
Clouds over hills and dales –
Clouds over the empty festival grounds which are home to the world largest beer festival once a year, the Münchner Oktoberfest.
And one big thick cloud and not nothing else.
A host of clouds behind a silhouette of trees.
And again stretching over hills
offering a peephole into the sky.
For Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Clouds.
“Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame. When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts.”
Garry Winogrand
Step through the frame and find out (Leazes Park in Newcastle).
And he stepped through the frame.
In Ladenburg they have these signs all over town to show how the landscape was changed to make paths and parks more inviting. On the left are photos of what it looked before and it can be compared with the reality today. It was found that just putting up the photos wouldn’t be enough, so a frame was offered, similar to the frame of the old photograph to make the views comparable. Because a frame changes things.
A frame also helps to focus the attention. Or possibly, it allows people to cope with nature if they are used to seeing things only framed ?
Linked to Travel with Intent. More photos inspired by the quotation by G. Winogrand (what a wonderful name!) are collected here.
The landmark of Heidelberg – the castle above the historical town – was destroyed during the 17th and 18th century, by war and fire and fires caused by war. It has been partially rebuilt but its fame is founded on its pictorial decay. Yet even this decay now needs care. The castle is hardly ever without some kind of scaffolding. A few years ago it was even advertised in the local newspapers that it would be free of any kind of visible building activities for a whole of two weeks. On the next rain-free day my sister and I went to take pictures of this unusual event. Alas – look closely:
Linked to One Word Sunday: Restoration.
pictures imperfect blog 