Favourites of the week: 9/3-15/3

I'm going to start doing a "Favourites of the week" blog, and will post my favourite pictures that I have taken during the week. People who look at my Facebook photos will have seen these already, but I wanted to get some of the photos out there more, plus it's a good place to look if you only want to see perhaps 20 or so pictures rather than the dozens that I post some weeks.

Sometimes there will be more photos, sometimes less, depending upon how many pictures (and how many good pictures) I've taken during the week.

The best photos thing isn't really up for argument. You may not like some of the pictures I post, but they're the pictures that I happen to like the best.

Enjoy!

 

 

Sunset during a walk one of my first evenings here. Sunsets tend to soften things, making even the city look beautiful.

 

This dog was so relaxed, sitting in the median in the middle of the road. He seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts as he pretended nothing existed around him.

 

Right after this picture was taken, I walked past this lady, and she stopped mid-purchase, and turned around to watch me as I walked by. I don't think she even noticed that I took her picture (I was a ways back, and used the zoom), but she definitely noticed me.

 

I guess I just liked the bright colours of this temple. It looked freshly painted, and contrasted with the bike repair shops and things of that nature that surrounded it,

 

There were so many of these little old ladies sitting alongside the road begging. It's almost harder for me to see that than to see the kids begging. For the kids at least there is a chance of hope. For these women, you do not see any hope in their eyes.
 

This one was kind of an accident. These eagles, or hawks or whatever they are, were playing around on the thermals rising off the rocks. They swooped and spun, not hovering as raptors often do. I don't think they were looking for food, I think they were just having fun. I was bummed when this one flew just out of the screen, but when I looked at the pictures later, I was very happy with how it turned out. I like the accidental composition
 

I'm not entirely sure why I chose this picture. I rather like the detail in the stone wall, and the colour contrast. I think that's pretty much my reasoning. 

 

 

This little guy couldn't decide if it was more important to hide or to figure out what on earth I am. His Mom chose a brilliant place to hide her puppies. There's water, food, privacy, sunshine, and shade. They live right next to a spring, which it protected by great boulders like the one he is hiding behind. I wanted to cuddle with him so bad, but Mom wasn't real thrilled with my presence there.
 

Do you see him? Such incredible camoflage

 

 

 

It took a few shots to get one that focused beyond the rock wall, but I'm glad I took the time. This might be my absolute favourite of this week.

 

 

 

Everyone complains that pigeons are gross and dirty, but I love the colours in their feathers, and the way they shine in the sun. And in my opinion, they are some pretty darn elegant looking birds. Also, I really don't care about statues, so if pigeons want to crap on them, that's fine by me.

 

This man was here when I went up the hill, but he was sitting, and the cat was laying well away from people. I guessed it was a typical street cat who had no interest in humans. And then I came down and saw this. They aren't really snuggling, but simply giving each other companionship. Moments like this, between a person and an animal aren't that common here, but when you see one, it often makes for an eye-catching photo  

 

 

I just like how clear his feathers turned out. I really don't have a good reason for this one either. It caught my eye, so I chose it.

 

These horns always make me think of my Dad. And the way this one was tied to the mirror, and the vivid colours... I don't know. I guess most things come down to colour for me here.
  

This was outside of a shop, and all three of the females in the picture are so different. You have the little girl, waiting for her Mom. Many would probably say that she is too young to be alone near a busy road, even if the lady inside is her Mom. Too much of a chance that she could be hit by a car, or snatched, or who knows. The woman in the advert, and the one in the store, are about as different as can be. It still startles me when I see these underwear ads here. For a culture so mindful of modesty, it seems strange that they would post huge pictures of scantily clad women on the walls of buildings.
Will this little girl grow up to be more like the woman in the ad, or the woman in the shop? Will she go more for the modern, or the traditional? Modesty, or wearing what is popular? I'm not saying that she would necessarily be an underwear model, but what will her values be as she grows up?
 

This dog seemed bored with life, as though guarding these ads was just too much for him. He didn't even shift when I walked up to take the picture. He may have glanced up, but even that was half-hearted. His eyes struck me though. I've always loved pale coloured dog eyes. Absolutely stunning.