La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Today’s photos begin below withmy welcome back to the City of Córdoba during my walk the other day, followed by the best (not very good) zoomed shots I managed to get with my iPhone of the dragonflies enjoying the water garden across the street. The garden is currently teeming with them. I wish I could have captured shots of the action. They were zipping around in every direction and never settled very long. I hate to consider what the water garden is breeding to make them so happy, but I’m glad they’re there.
One of the many things I love about Andalusian homes is the fact that there’s usually a surprise behind the front doors. So many homes are built around central courtyards. A friend, Alberto, in Seville told me that if the door is open you’re welcome to step inside the vestibule and admire the garden through the iron gate. Although I’m still hesitant, I sometimes do so. I’ll just blame Alberto.
I have to return to Western Union this morning. I received a message yesterday that there was a problem with The Kid Brother’s bank and the deposit could not be made.
Las fotos de hoy comienzan a continuación con mi bienvenida de regreso a la ciudad de Córdoba durante el paseo que di el otro día, seguidas de las mejores (aunque no muy buenas) fotos con zoom que logré sacar con mi iPhone a las libélulas que disfrutaban del jardín acuático al otro lado de la calle. El jardín está repleto de ellas en este momento. Ojalá hubiera podido captar la acción; revoloteaban en todas direcciones y nunca se quedaban quietas mucho tiempo. No quiero ni pensar qué es lo que se está criando en ese jardín acuático para que estén tan felices, pero me alegra que estén allí.
Una de las muchas cosas que me encantan de las casas andaluzas es que suele haber una sorpresa tras la puerta de entrada. Muchas casas están construidas en torno a patios centrales. Un amigo de Sevilla, Alberto, me dijo que si la puerta está abierta, puedes entrar al zaguán y admirar el jardín a través de la verja de hierro. Aunque todavía me da un poco de reparo, a veces lo hago. Simplemente le echaré la culpa a Alberto.
Tengo que volver a Western Union esta mañana; ayer recibí un mensaje informándome de que hubo un problema con el banco de El Hermanito y no se pudo realizar el depósito.
• Un primer plano pésimo. Un macho de Orthetrum chrysostigma (libélula de hombros amarillos) y tal vez una Crocothemis erythraea (libélula escarlata). Necesito llevarme la otra cámara, la que tiene mejor zoom, cuando visite el jardín acuático.
• Si los juntas, podrías obtener una libélula violet epaulet darter planeador. (Aunque no se van a juntar).
• Fíjese en la primera puerta a la izquierda. La casa no parece nada del otro mundo…
• … hasta que echas un vistazo más allá de las puertas abiertas.
• Por lo general, lo que se encuentra tras las puertas cerradas es un exuberante patio interior.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
What pretty water gardens………Good shots of dragonflies/very difficult to ‘catch’ them.
Very intriguing entry to a beautiful garden beyond. Yes, who would have thought ?!
Jim,
The courtyards are such a surprise. The patios of Cordoba.
A longer lens and more patience than I have for the dragon flies.
David,
Yes. The dragonflies try one’s patience.
Love the walkabout.
I have always loved, and wanted, a house with an interior courtyard. I’d love walking through a great ornate door to a garden and fountain; it just screams peaceful … though peaceful shouldn’t scream.
Bob,
We knew someone who had a home on top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla. Behind the wall was a fabulous garden and swimming pool AND orchid house.
Oh-oh, on Chuck’s bank account. I wonder if someone’s hacked it and keeps withdrawing? Maybe via a skimmer. Hmm.
I love the private courtyard idea. My own home you can see straight through to the patio and beyond from the front door. I’ve wondered about hanging an inner curtain in the hallway so as to have a privacy screen. Your elegant photo has triggered a humble response. Boud
Boud,
Appparently nothing suspicious. Just not enough money. Still trying to determine, however, how he spends it in less than 2 weeks. But after paying his mobile service
, there’s not a huge amount left. Maybe we’ll just start paying for that.
After we kids grew up and moved out of the family home they sold it and had a Spanish/Mexican house built, u-shaped around a courtyard but because this is Texas the fourth side in the back was open to a bigger back yard.
If you see a dragonfly slapping the surface of the water with it’s tail, it’s a female and she’s laying eggs.
ellen abbott,
I had no idea about the female dragonflies. Haven’t seen that.
I just read Ellen’s comment and I had no idea that’s how female dragonflies lay their eggs.
What beautiful water gardens.
But the courtyard! I want a house with a courtyard. I always have. Growing up in the part of Florida I did, I was exposed to many Spanish-style houses and architecture in general. At this point in my life I doubt I’ll ever achieve the dream.
Why is there ALWAYS a problem with the bank?
Mary Moon,
The dragonfly behavior was news to me. Now I’ll have to be aware of that. I would love a house with an inner courtyard.
I live in a suburban townhouse. Zero architectural features. So I salivate on the screen every time you take a walk!
Bonnie in Minneapolis
Bonnie,
We’re in an apartment building from 1983. Nothing interesting in the architecture. Nice to be able to experience it all around us.
Love the shy little pink lotus. As I recall, some 300 million years ago, dragonflies had a wingspan of 30 in. I’m glad they’re smaller now.
Wickedhamster,
Dragonflies are beautiful now. But not with 30 inch wingspans.
I love courtyards!
I think my ideal home would have to have one.
Dragonflies are fabulously magical to me.
XOXO
Sixpence,
I too love courtyards and get to see so many during Patios Of Cordoba season.
Wow, your final photo is GORGEOUS! And not simply because of the garden view — it’s the AMAZING wrought iron gate, tiled wainscotting, and marble floor!
Debtor,
Yes. That was an elegant entry and I love that gate.
Having small courtyards behind walls is so charming, like little secret gardens! I agree with DSWS: your last photo is GORGEOUS… great composition, Scoot!
Tundra,
Aw, thanks. I’m having so much fun exploring.
The courtyard is beautiful and I like the tiled entryway, too. Those scarlet darters (if that’s what they are) are impressive! WTH is up with KB’s bank? What is it with banks these days?!
Steve,
I’m tempted to phone the bank and ask why, but I’ll probably just get more disgusted.
If ever I win the Euromillions, I would definitely have a house in Spain with a gorgeous courtyard garden! I can dream, can’t I?
Dragonflies are magnificent and resilient creatures. I was at the bus stop outside our local shopping centre in Wood Green [despite its name, not very green at all] just yesterday, spotted something out of the corner of my eye, and realised it was a large dragonfly, blithely hunting away between the buildings, above the traffic! They go where the food is, so I assume there must have been a glut of flies around that area… Jx
Jon,
I keep thinking I should buy a lottery ticket once a week just for the momentary fantasy. I wonder how many mosquitoes that standing water is breeding.
Oh, no. More banking problems. I’ve been told mine are solved, but they aren’t. *grimace & groan* I love that last photo. The gate has such beautiful embellishments and I’ve already said how I long for iron gates and a courtyard. Not happening in this life time, but maybe karma will be good to me in another life and I’ll have dogs in my beautiful courtyard.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug,
Banks have become the bane of our existence. I had you in mind with this post after your recent comment. Don’t forget the Patios of Cordoba every year. You’d be in heaven.
At the UU church I go to, there’s this ritual where you can pick a small item and drop it in water. Most of these items are either stones or artificial flower petals, but there’s also a cool-looking plastic dragonfly that I always go for if somebody else hasn’t.
Kirk,
What a wonderful tradition. I’d go for the dragonflies, too.