Elephant Scratches Her Toes

While I was looking through the pictures that I shot at the zoo, I noticed that the elephant in this one is 'scratching' her toe.

I took the picture because she was eating (notice the hay in her curled trunk).


How do I know it is a female? Most zoos will not have male elephants. They are so strong and can be very aggressive. Apparently, there are not enclosures that can hold them.

I managed to get some video of the elephant.

Baby Giraffe at the Zoo

Just wanted to post some other pictures that I took while I was at the Cleveland zoo.

This giraffe was much closer to the fence than the rest of the animals in the enclosure. It was pretty cool because he had been sitting in the grass eating, and then stood up. Unfortunately, I was not able to capture it on video.

Ostrich says Hello

While we were waiting for the tram at the zoo, the ostrich came over to the fence and peeked it head over the fence.

It was super sweet, so I snapped a quick photograph.

Eating Lunch at the Zoo

Today, I had the day off. I went to the Clevleand zoo with my brother, his wife, her family and kids. We had a great time seeing all of the animals.

Since it was hot, a lot of animals were napping in the shade. Luckily, this primate was eating her lunch, and I was able to snap a shot.

I loved that she was using her feet to hold the brand while she was eating.

Yellow Flowers

Apparently, I am on a flower jag. I can't help it. The world is in full bloom. I shot a ton of cool pics in my brother yard, but have been seeing great flowers on my walk to work.

I really need to start learning the names of these flowers.

Herb Strawbridge Memorial Plaque

On my walk to and from work, I see a plaque for Herb Strawbridge on the hill into the flats. I wasn't sure who he was. Oddly, he is NOT listed in wikipedia. However, I did find his obituary on a few websites.

Since I am not a native Clevelander, I had never heard of him. Apparently, he was central to the redevelopment of the Flats area of Cleveland and deeply involved in other civic organizations including the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Ballet and Greater Cleveland Growth Association.

From what I read this morning, he seems like an pretty incredible man who really loved the city and viewed it restoration and growth as a personal passion.

Blue Flowers with Morning Dew

The other day, I posted a photo of a tiger lilies I shot on Sunday morning. I really liked this flower as well.

I don't really know what it is because my brother's yard has so many flowers and blooming bushes.

I really love how you can see the yellow anther on the stamen. Yes, I looked it up on the Flower Anatomy page.

Tiger Lilies in Morning Bloom

This morning, I was at my brother's house and we were taking photos of flowers in the yard. I snapped this photo of the tiger lilly in the front yard.

I was really excited to go out later in the morning and see that the flower had opened and that I could take another shot.

I photographed a few other photos of flowers that were around the house. In the early morning, there was dew on a few flowers and the photos came out pretty well.

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Another Sign Guy Sign

In early May, I posted a photo of a Sign Guy sign. Since that time, I have discovered his myspace account. There was also a recent article about him in the Free Times.

I really enjoy finding his gems all over Tremont, and the sense of humor he often brings to a situation.

Barge Unloading on the Cuyahoga

The part of the Cuyahoga that runs through the flats is often trafficked by barges that load and unload raw materials for companies. This morning, I managed to catch one in the act.

I also realized that I haven't posted a photo of a Cleveland bridge since early May.

Sololowski - It's Exciting to be Polish

On my walk into work, I pass Sokolowski's University Inn every day. It is not only a local icon, but has been featured on shows such as Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.

If you keep watching the video, it is an interesting moment when Bourdain says "Cleveland does not suck." Doesn't he know that Cleveland Rocks.

At any rate, I shop this photo of the sign (it was in the video as well) that is outside of Sokolowski's.

Oh - the saying in the title "It's exciting to be polish" is from a display inside the restaurant.

Flowers in Tremont - Redux

The great thing about the spring and summer are the flowers. Admit it, nothing is better than some lovely flowers to great you in the morning or surround you on the porch in the evening.

Even better are the wild flowers that seems to pop up on the roadside during this time of the year. I shot a picture of some flowers in the Tremont Flats. I keep spotting new varieties every day.

I spied some Queen Anne's lace growing this morning, so I think that might be something to shoot on the way home.

Graffiti Girl in Tremont

I think that when you are exposed to something every day, you start to miss the beauty of it, or you stop thinking of it as unique. Every morning on my walk to work, I pass two cement cylinders that are tagged with these faces.

I have posted other graffiti images that I have seen around Tremont. However, I had been much more aware of this particular piece and never posted a photograph of it.

It almost seems to me that this isn't really graffiti. The work is so extensive that is it should be considered an art installation.

Flowers in the Tremont Flats

As Lady Bird Johnson said, "Where flowers bloom so does hope."

I think when I was taking these photos that I was really thinking about how amazing it is that so close to the industrial valley and a steel mill, nature will not be denied and manages to grow such lovely flowers.

It is one of the really nice things about walking to and from work. I would never have noticed these flowers if I had driven by them. I probably wouldn't have noticed them with just one trip. It is only by walking the same route every day and seeing what springs and grows that I am privileged to catch such natural beauty.

Young Adam and Old Joe

Ok - so Joe isn't old, but I liked the synchronicity of the two terms. Some of you might have seen Young Adam before this post. However, Joe is making his first appearance at Enthusiastic Noise.

Joe Kubic is the CEO of both Adcom Communications and Optiem. He was a great sport about posing with Young Adam.

It is a little shocking how closely the two are dressed. I guess this type of thing happens when you are snappy dresser.

Good thing Joe wore pleated pants to work, or you might not be able to tell the difference between the two.

The Flower Shadow

I was working late at the office yesterday. As I was walking down the hall, I noticed this shadow had fallen on the conference room door that is directly across from my office.

It was incredible to me how lovely the vase of flowers looked, but interesting in contrast with the shadows from the horizontal blinds.

Since I only had my cell phone, the picture didn't come out as well as I would have like, but I think it was an interesting photo none the less.

Needless to say, I made sure I packed my camera today.

Cleveland Skyline and Tower City Reflection

I have been shooting a fair amount of reflection photos lately. I guess that is the advantage of living in a city where there is both equal parts rain and sunshine. On my walk in this morning, I was thinking that I had left my camera at home and really didn't know what I would take as a photo.

Due to the heavy storms yesterday, there was a mini lake on Scranton Road. It was large enough that I could get a reflection of the skyline - specifically Key Tower and Tower City.

Unfortunately, I had to take this picture with my cell phone, so the sky is a bit blown out and the detail isn't the greatest. You get the idea though.

Graffiti on the Tremont Pedestrian Walk

In my neighborhood, there is a walkway that spans US490 and bridges two parts of Tremont. I really like this graffiti because it seems more like art.

This particular graffiti reminds me of the drawing with the heart that I had mentioned earlier in my blog. The overall style of the drawing feels similar. However, there are enough difference that I think that this is a different artist or an earlier version of the same series of people that are around the neighborhood.

Cleveland's Federal Court House Statue

As I was coming back from lunch with Young Adam, we walk through the Federal Court House complex. I snapped this picture of the statue that is above the main entrance to the building.

Young Adam informed me that there was some controversy about the statue. I couldn't find any information to confirm this online, but I did find out some detail about the statue.

The statue is entitled Cleveland Venus, a 37 foot tall bronze sculpture created by Ohio artist Jim Dine. The headless and armless statue is one of the sculptor's variations on the Venus de Milo.

Skydivers in Debonne Balloon Festival

This weekend, I went to the Balloon Festival at Debonne Winery in Madison, Ohio. Part of the festivities included two sets of sky divers.

I snapped this photo just as the first one was landing. It was amazing to me how quickly these guys were coming down and landing.

Hooper Farm - Directions in Tremont

Today, on my way to Steelyard Common, I ventured over the W 11th pedistrian bridge instead of my normal walk down West 14th street. As I crossed over the bridge to the south side of 490, I came across Hooper Farm and this sign.

It reminded me of something you would see in New Orleans either at Jazz Fest or some other local music festival, Chazfest. It was such a nice suprise.

My thinking might have been influenced by the fact that it was 82 degrees and super humid - typical N'awlins weather. When I stopped to talk with Mr. Hooper, he told me the signed has been inspired by M*A*S*H.

Reading the Race Card on the RTA

Today, I took the rapid home after a work meeting. While I was riding, I noticed the man in front of me was looking very closely at his newspaper. After I got done with some reading of my own, I noticed that he had switched to a race card from Thistledown.

In this photo, he has his program open to the Belmont Stakes page. It was fitting since the last leg of the triple crown is this weekend.

I noticed he had Big Brown and Dennis of Cork circled. Probably a good bet!

Creepy Baby

At Enthusiastic Noise, I am dedicated to publishing all type of photographs. My one requirement is that they are meant to represent my world and the things that I see during my day.

Yes, I came back from a meeting and I had the creepy baby propped up behind my laptop. I am sure my co-workers thought it was funny. Well, it is a creepy baby, but it isn't going anywhere.

Cleveland Skyline from Carter Road Bridge

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have been walking to work. Yesterday, I stopped on my way home and took a picture from the Carter Road Bridge that I cross on my way into Tremont.

The bridge has a nice view of the river and skyline. You can see Progressive Field (previously know as the Jake). Most skyline photos tend to either just show the city or are taken from the perspective of the lake. Cleveland is very fortunate to be on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River.

As you will note, the sky is blue and the river is NOT burning.

Mother Duck and Her Ducklings

As I was walking to work, I headed down the hill into the flats. As I passed the trestle bridge, I noticed some ducks walking on the road. Even more interesting was that she was waddling along with a few of her ducklings.

Now, I often see animals in Tremont, but they tend to be more like squirrels or maybe the occassional ground hog, but the river is far enough away that it is strange to see ducks.

I did see a deer the other day (probably the same one they reported on the news that was downtown). That was strange, but understandable.

At any rate, it was a nice surprise on my morning commute. The thing I find a bit sad is the blue plastic bag in the photo. The litter along my route is a little unreal sometimes.

West Side Market

A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of the inside of the West Side Market. I thought it would appropriate to show what the outside of the building.

The summer is a great time to hang out in Ohio City. The square across from the market has music and vendors in the summer. It is also great to just ride my bike there and get fresh veggies and groceries for the week.

There are so many great characters who work and shop there. It is always an interesting trip when you go to the market. Ohio City also has a lot of great places for lunch such as Great Lakes Brewing, The Old Angle or Bar Cento/McNulty's Bier Market.

Not a bad way to spend a sunny Saturday in Cleveland.