Near the West End
When I travel I look more often for images that intrigue me rather than for ones that only document. Let your eyes explore the various textures in this early morning shot just off Kings Wharf on the west end of Bermuda.
Hamilton, Bermuda: Victoria Park #1
A study of red with green for backup.
Hamilton, Bermuda: Victoria Park #2
Green and yellow green.
Hamilton, Bermuda: Victoria Park #3
In the early 1970’s I completed an internship in clinical psychology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. I never tired of my morning walks through the neighborhoods of that subtropical city to take in the front yards filled with rhododendrons (like these) and azaleas.
Hamilton, Bermuda: Victoria Park #4
I have never seen a more inviting city park!
Palm Trees, Sky, and Clouds
On Cedar Street in downtown Hamilton.
Hamilton Coat of Arms
This is on the north side of City Hall as viewed from Church Street. I find the over-the-top busyness of this particular heraldic design oddly fascinating. The Latin motto suggests that Hamilton has brought together the scattered. Even the mid morning shadow of the overhanging eve adds to the image.
Limestone Roof
Rainwater is the sole source of freshwater in Bermuda. All structures are covered with terraced limestone roofs that capture the rainwater which is then stored basement tanks. The paint on the limestone purifies the water. If one runs low on water, $100 will bring 1,000 gallons by truck.
Closeup of Terraced Limestone Roof
Our guide regaled us of the ongoing conflict between him and his teenage daughter who enjoys lengthy showers.
A Street in the Town of St. George
The few citizens of this town whom I was privileged to meet struck me as remarkable well balanced in their approach to life. These Bermudians neither tried to impress visitors nor were they impressed in return. I found them remarkably similar to the citizens of Ely, Nevada of all places.
The Center of the Town of St. George
The coat of arms in involved, although not nearly as much as that of Hamilton. The writing says in archaic English spelling: A Towne Antient and Loyall.
St. George’s Harbour
A lovely summer afternoon!
Near Butts Beach
On the south coast of Bermuda. Just of few hundred meters to the east (left) bathers are enjoying themselves on Middle Beach. On just this section of the Bermuda coast alone, more than five kilometers of pristine beaches await. For a photo I chose this limestone outcrop for its rough texture and illusion of isolation.
The Great Sound
This is the view from the base of Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse looking NW across to what is known as the west end of Bermuda. If you look to the far right, you will spot two cruise ships. Ours, Anthem of the Seas, is the one farther to the right. The distance from Gibb’s Hill to the ships is 5.1 mi (8.2 km) as the crow flies.
Southampton Parish
This is the view from the base of Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse looking east across part of Southampton Parish. I wanted to capture a scene of primarily residential neighborhoods. Please notice the white limestone roofs.
Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse
Of course the lighthouse actually dwarfs the flagpole, but perspective is everything! The guy wires, dark blue sky and cirrus clouds, mystique of the lighthouse, and metal sheen of the pole all contribute to this paradoxically simple and complex image.
Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse
My motivation for this photo was the limestone collecting slab for rain water. This is the upper half. Notice the downspout from the lighthouse visitor center.
Lighthouse Water Collecting Slab – Lower Half
An opening by the garden hose directs the water to storage. Island societies are always confronted by one sort of natural resource limitation or another. Here on Bermuda, it is water as I have already pointed out.
Lizard
The shadow of the leaves caught my eye. It seems that I also caught the eye of someone.
National Museum of Bermuda
On the very western end of Bermuda as seen from our stateroom balcony aboard the Anthem of the Seas.
Bermudian Seawall
This a close up from the previous image. I like the colors, texture, and various ways in which the two hundred years of water have transformed the stonework.
Seascape of Leaving Bermuda
We are sailing south along the eastern edge of the Bermuda Triangle for our next destination of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, almost 48 hours away. The low lying islands of Bermuda are still visible. My mind wants to interpret the cloud bank on the far horizon as a mighty mountain range, but it’s not. I left Bermuda with two thoughts: 1) The citizens’ intelligence, humanity, and lack of ostentation and 2) their ability to thrive in the face of geopolitical isolation and limited freshwater.
Bermuda Triangle Sunset
A beautiful end to an amazing day!