Deux amoureux

Jardin du Palais Royal

Hold on, sweet lovers.

Spring is coming!

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

City Daily Photo Theme Day - "Abandoned"

Jardin des Tuileries

"Abandoned"

If you are not familiar with this popular and historied Paris garden 

the photo above might appear as just a "park photo."

This shot was made on the day after the November 13, 2015 

terrorist attacks. 

On this beautiful, crisp November Saturday, the

garden was closed, an eerie sight.  On a typical weekend,

you would not see any empty green chairs, and the paths would be 

filled with families, children, couples, and people enjoying life.

Jardin des Tuileries, abandoned.... and silent

Jardin des Tuileries

75001, Paris

Today I join other City Daily Photobloggers

around the world on Theme Day - here.

Jardin du Luxembourg - Tai Chi

Jardin du Luxembourg

A serious group engaged 

in Tai Chi exercises...

Love the lady in the background 

with her red fan.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Jardin des Plantes - un perroquet vert?

Jardin des Plantes

One would think that this green parrot (?) had escaped

from an enclosure, a pen.  However, we sighted 

an entire flock of them, numbering 12 or more.

They enjoyed the November berries immensely.

Is Paris temperate enough to support

what I imagine to be a tropical species?


UPDATE:
"If you have ever spotted apple-green birds the size of a turtledove with bright red bills during one of your strolls around Paris, you are neither colorblind nor sleepwalking. You merely sighted one of the many rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) that have made Paris and its vast suburbs their home."
You can read more here. 

Jardin des Plantes

75005, Paris

Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée

Paleontology Museum

I have seen the photographs and peered through the impressive 

windows, but sadly I have never been inside to see the skeletons

It is on my list to accomplish this year

Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée

Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle

Jardin des Plantes

75005, Paris

Métro Gare d'Austerlitz

Jardin de l'Acclimatation

This pigeon house (pigeonnier) in Jardin de l'Acclimatation

was used during the siege of Paris in 1870

to send messages by carrier pigeon.

I do not know if pigeons are in

residence there today

Jardin de l'Acclimatation

Bois de Boulogne

75116, Paris

Le Jardin de Hôtel Biron - une rose

In the garden of 

Hôtel Biron, we found a rose

in the lilting rain of autumn.

Can you tell what is seen in the

background?

Hôtel Biron - Musée Rodin

79, rue de Varenne

75007, Paris

Jardin des Plantes - la Bruette

Jardin des Plantes

the wheelbarrow

Well-used and caked with mud,

this wheelbarrow has had a place in

Jardin des Plantes for many years.

Jardin des Plantes

75005, Paris

Jardin des Tuileries - Fermé

Jardin des Tuileries

The gates were closed for a few days

and the emptiness beyond was absolutely eerie.

Jardin des Tuileries

75001, Paris

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Ephemeral

Jardin du Luxembourg

The autumn bloom of chrysanthemums are ephemeral 

but our memories are imprinted with the many shades of gold and orange.

On the first day of each month, the City Daily Photobloggers

from around the world interpret the "theme" and November's

theme is "EPHEMERAL."  Take a look here.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

 

Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Tuileries

It is impossible to visit Paris 

without sitting in one of the green chairs around a park fountain.  

Sometimes you have to bundle up a bit 

if there is a chill in the air.

Jardin des Tuileries

75001, Paris

Square Henri-Collet

Square Henri-Collet

the gardener...

Square Henri-Collet

75016, Paris

Le petit garçon et son billet

the little boy and his ticket

Strapped in to ride on an imaginary creature 

in the fanciful carrousel

Dodo Manège

Jardin des Plantes has something for any age,

including photographers

Jardin des Plantes

75005, Paris

Les premiers rayons de soleil printaniers

The first rays of sun each spring...

a dry windless day, morning sunshine, 

the green chair of the garden,

and the warmth soaking to the skin

Do I detect a smile of contentment?

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Trop de pigeons!

Too Many Pigeons!

I wonder if she had been reading a book or a newspaper 

rather than playing with her phone

if she would have noticed the green shrubs,

the purple iris, the roses, and...

the overabundance of pigeons!

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Le Parc de Bercy

Le Parc de Bercy

La Maison du Jardinage

In late March one can only see 

the slightest promise of a spring and summer.  

The old vines cling to the house season after season, 

and the new growth comes to life in verdant green.

La Maison du Jardinage

Le Parc de Bercy

75012, Paris

Métro Bercy ou Métro Cour St. Émilion

Jardin du Palais Royal - en hiver

Jardin du Palais Royal

The lovely fountain was sealed in ice - December 2010

The red and white rope was a signal to stay out of the fountain,

a suggestion lost on these young boys.

I hope that Paris did not get that cold this year, 

but regardless, we will all be glad to see winter go.

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Palais Royal - les ombres

Galerie de Montpensier

The gold of the wrought iron fencing and the lamps 

are easy clues to the location of this photo

One of my favorite spots for photographing...

the architecture, the seasons, the light and shadows, 

the fountains, the allée of trees, the flaneurs, the people.

It is also a great spot to find a quiet place to read 

or to watch people.

Jardin du Palais Royal

Galerie de Montpensier

75001, Paris

Theme Day - What Would I Miss Most...

Les Enfants de Paris

What would I miss most about Paris if I were never to return?

How can one even think in those terms?

...the people of Paris,

the children, the parks and gardens, the green chairs,

the music, the churches, the architecture, the history, the Seine, the bridges,

the Métro, the secret little spots discovered over 20+ trips, the food,

ex-pat friends, Parisian friends, the grand views from Paris landmarks,

sitting on green grass when it is permitted, dancing on Rue Mouffetard, 

and so much more.

No matter what the future holds, I will always have a bit of Paris, 

and all that it is, in my heart.

(and tens of thousands of photos, if I forget)

What Would I miss most?

75000, all of it, Paris

Le petit dans le jardin

The small boy in the garden

He was bundled against the elements and ready for the day.  

Paris children seem to play outside no matter the weather.

It is difficult to call le Jardin du Palais Royal

just a "garden."

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris