Respect
Beijing, China
2016

Roof Mosaic, Forbidden City
Beijing, China
2016

Pear #3
Beijing, China
2016

Pear #2
Beijing, China
2016

Pear #1
Beijing, China
2016

Our hotel was very accommodating to this photographer. Twice during our stay there they delivered fresh still-life subjects to our room. They tasted good too. Perhaps I should have called this one “Having Your Cake and Eating It Too.”

Ancient Tree
Beijing, China
2016

In the local tourist literature (that which is in the English language anyway) describes all the trees in the Forbidden City as “ancient.” I’m not sure what they mean by that, although one thing I saw on the internet mentioned a 400 year old tree. They also describe these as being pine trees when I believe here they would be considered some form of cedar or perhaps juniper. Nonetheless, I really liked some of the shapes, this one in particular.

Under Cover of Night
Beijing, China
2016

The smog was typically worse at night than during the day during our stay in Beijing. But a little darkness does a good job of camouflaging the issue, as seen in this shot compared to the daytime view from the same location that I posted two days ago.

Lectio #67
Beijing, China
2016

Smog As Art
Beijing, China
2016

I spent our last day in Beijing at the China National Art Museum. They have a very impressive collection of both traditional and contemporary Chinese art. As usual when visiting an inspiring art collection, it energized my own quest for artful photographs. I took this one out the window when I returned to our hotel room. The smog (“only” rated as very unhealthy today as opposed to the hazardous level that has been more common this week) created a lovely yellow filter effect, making for a very painterly image. I don’t know if it’s China National Art Museum worthy, but it pleases me.

If the Amish Lived in Beijing
Beijing, China
2016