Watchtower to Watchtower
Huanghuacheng, China
2016
The view from one quite ruined watchtower to another one that was more intact. The section of the wall that we hiked was by design (i.e., we planned it that way) one of the least restored sections in that area. I wanted to see it with all the ravages of time fully evident.
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No Protection
Huanghuacheng, China
2016
A slightly, but only slightly, exaggerated view of the smog at the Great Wall of China the day we were there. (It’s effect on the view was accentuated due to the long distance view through a telephoto lens and then I darkened the edges of the image for more drama.) Note the wall crawling up the spine of the front line of mountains to the watchtower at the top. Apparently the wall was great protection from invasion back before the days of gunpowder anyway, but it’s certainly offers zero protection from smog. A smog wall (as opposed to a wall of smog); now that’s something I could stand behind!
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Dragon at the Wall
Huanghuacheng, China
2016
The dragon as a symbol has a long history in China. Traditionally it was a symbol representing imperial power. So seeing one sketched in chalk in a guardhouse on the Great Wall of China, seems appropriate. But, being the consumer of modern media culture that I am, it of course mostly reminded me of the Game of Thrones–which of course also ties it to power. Given the graffiti surrounding it, I had to wonder if the dragon was drawn by a resident of China or a visiting westerner.
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Beneath the Wall
Huanghuacheng, China
2016
Looking down on the village of Huanghuacheng from the Great Wall.
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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.
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