The Big Clean Up -- Superbowl style

So there we were, pushing our way down Bourbon Street after the big Superbowl game Sunday.   The crowds were so packed, forget about moving, it was getting hard to breath.   Were the streets dirty?  Every once in a while you could catch a glimpse below you and it was not a pretty sight.  Most of the time, you were lucky if you could see your shirt pocket with the crowds being so packed sardine-like.

Then the next morning you walk out and the streets are shining -- slightly damp from a night time hosing, but clean and fresh smelling.  This is a shot from Royal Street as we walked down to breakfast.

New Orleans is the best in the world at three things:  the Superbowl, Mardi Gras, and cleaning up after the big party.
--steve buser

Superbowl, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, French Quarter

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Jackson Square performers evoke the feel of the French Quarter

I was just having fun in Gimp with this French Quarter scene I shot a some time back.  I was using some of the filters.  THis is an old vintage picture photo filter with a frame filter.

I'll show you another version of the same shot on my next post --see which one you like the best.
--steve buser

New Orleans, Jackson Square, Jazz

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Garnish Grows near Gargoyle Guards

Built in 1871, the magnificient St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans is adorned near the top with these gargoyle guards. Originally gargoyles on churches were for water runoff spouts. I don't think these serve that purpose.

Notice the green plan growing on the left of this 40-some-odd high creatures. On the right, and even on the top, if you look closely, you can see some new sprouts, trying to get hold. They are totally white, which to me, does not signify they have got a good lease on life yet.

--steve buser

Gargoyles, Church

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Standing tall

One of the most photographed buildings anywhere is St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Tourist from everywhere come to shoot the standard photos from across the street in Jackson Square, or to find that one unusual but striking angle.

Here, our grandson, Sullivan, proud of how tall he has become, sees how he stacks up against the cathedral's spires. In the movies they used to call this the American hero shot -- shot from very low to make the hero seem more legendary.

--steve buser

St. Louis Cathdral, churches, French Quarter, Jackson Square, New Orleans, kids, tourists

N'awlins Icon

St. Louis Cathedral by twilight.  The grand ole Cathedral is the de-facto visual icon of New Orleans.   It is fun to take pictures of the church from different angles -- plenty easy to do, because it sets across from Jackson Square and you can easily see it from the Moon Walk, along the Mississippi River.

I thought that I had posted more about it.  I suppose I forgot to add a label here and there. But here are a couple of old posts with more photos and/or information on the cathedral.

Hot time in the Quarter
Strike up the band. Draw near the crowd.
Fading
Holy ground

-- steve buser

PS.  I picked up on a new blog  New Orleans Vacations.  It's really well done and well written.  I added it to my blog list (on the column to the right, down a ways).  Check it out.

Holy ground

St. Louis Cathedral, maybe the most recognized image of New Orleans faces the Mississippi River from behind Jackson Square. In the foreground, in the middle of Jackson Square General Andrew Jackson forever rides his stallion, recalling the Battle of New Orleans where a rag tag assembly of troops defeated about 12,000 British soldiers on the battle field of Chalmette.

St. Louis Cathedral which is actually a Basilica, was established as a parish in 1720 and since that time three churches have stood on this spot giving it the distinction of the oldest Cathedral in the United States.

The Cathedral was designated as a Cathedral Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997, shortly before his history-making visit to the United States in October of 1999. Be sure to read it's rich history here

--steve buser

Lagniappe


It looms large in the night spreading its glow around the city. On the frequent misty nights it's a romantic glow that permeates the air. Whence comes this "night piercing armour?"

Today on Pixel Eyed

Guardian gargoyle

This little fellow guards the upper reaches of St. Stephen Church (follow this link for more incredible photos) in New Orleans. Seems to be pretty happy about it. I love this church because of all this ornamentation -- the corner stone for this spacious old church was laid in 1871. Maybe I need a guard gargoyle.

--steve buser