Urban graffiti art

All over the world, urban artists have transformed abandoned and neglected spaces in cities. What once may have been a decaying concrete wall along an empty weed-choked lot is now a modern-day canvas that reflects life in the city as seen by creative, often counter-culture Picassos.

This photo journey is through some of Bangkok's main streets as well as vacant lots. In one instance, I happened to peek over a tin sheet fence into a vacant field whose concrete wall had been brightly painted by the unseen artists, but which very few people have seen. I had to squeeze through a small opening in the fence to access the art.

Following the Bangkok art are photos of similar art in Chicago.

All photos © 2014 by John R Stiles

CHICAGO

Chiang Mai, Thailand: An intimate look

Returning to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand for a visit, I had seen most of the "must see" sights. However, as I walked through the streets in the Old City and into the courtyards of some of the more than 100 temples, I began to look a little more closely at the details. As a result, I came away with a more intimate look at Thailand's second largest city.

Following are glimpses into the everyday scenes in Chiang Mai, nearly all without identifying features that give away their location. My intent was to document the city and its people up close. I hope I have succeeded, and invite your comments.

All photos by the author, all rights reserved. Copyright © 2014 John R Stiles. It is illegal to use the images without permission.

Monk vestments drying near the dormitory at a temple.

Colorful decorations hang across a temple prayer hall.

Puppets in traditional Thai dress

A senior monk strolls down a street, shielded from the hot sun

This delicate glassware contains relics of various important Buddhist monks. One (higher, out of sight) is purported to contain a relic of the Buddha.

Thais do not have cemeteries so most temples have memorials like this for families to remember their departed loved ones. 

Temple altars have a variety of Buddha images

Weathered wood of temples has wonderful texture

Bodhi trees (it is said Buddha attained enlightenment under one in India) are considered sacred in Thailand, thus many are wrapped in colorful lengths of fabric.

Intricate reliefs are common on temple windows and doors

This colorful shed caught my eye

An artist paints on a temple's grounds.

Temple altar. The lotus-shaped decorations are made from dried flowers. Beautiful and intricate.

At night, Chiang Mai is quiet, with scenes like this along small side streets.

Street vendors work late into the night. This one is near my hotel.

Akha hill tribe woman near Chiang Mai

Lost in translation. The Thai is not any more understandable, according to a Thai friend. This was written by a monk at a mountaintop temple near Chiang Mai.

Steps on a pagoda that enshrines a Buddha relic, built by local kings circa 1840.

A senior monk blesses the devout.

There are many al fresco paintings on temple walls. Unfortunately, I cannot read the teachings written beneath each one. You will just have to use your imagination.

This is an exception to my unidentifiable location guideline. Anyone who has been to this temple will know it immediately. But I liked the contrast and unusual perspective of this view. Most visitors take photos of the grand vista within the temple grounds. This one makes me feel like being on the inside looking out.

I liked the serene face and gold leaf on this Buddha statue in one of the temples.

Life size concrete elephants surround a chedi (pagoda) at a temple

Kitchen at a riverside restaurant

Autumn glory

Maples lead the way as the days grow shorter. Trees stop production of green chlorophyll and as it fades, the yellows, reds and oranges that have been there all spring and summer appear.

All photos © by the author. All rights reserved. It is illegal to use them without permission. 

There is no season in New England that is not beautiful. Yet, when one thinks of when it is at its most alluring, it has to be autumn. Whether one has been in New England or not, the reputation of the dazzling display of red, yellow, orange and purple on the oaks, maples, birches, ashes, butternuts and even the muted yellows on the pines are well known iconic images of America's northeast, seen in innumerable posters, calendars, greeting cards and post card set in the mountains and fishing villages along the craggy Atlantic coast.

Typical granite walls and fall colors of New England

For those who have visited during autumn, and especially for those who live in New England, the march of colors beginning in mid-September and fading by late October is unforgettably spectacular. It is a bittersweet time, as the colors are amazingly beautiful, but herald the nearing bitterly cold winter.

Typical autumn scene along U.S. Highway 1 in Maine

For those of you who have not been to New England in autumn, this post is a tour of some of the glorious colors that can be seen. For those who live, or have lived in New England, this is a celebration of the beautiful place you are from, seen through my camera lens during October in Maine.

As the days shorten, the air is cooler and as it passes over the still relatively warmer (but still very cold) waters of the Gulf of Maine, a fog known as "sea smoke" forms, producing an ethereal quality.

Oranges and reds appear, enhancing nature's palette. 

Shrubs also join the colorful display. Here, bittersweet, which has been in plain sight all summer, stands out in bright yellow. The root and bark is used in herbal medicines, but the berries are poisonous.

A boat leaves for open water in the bright early morning Maine sun.

The large gray pine trunks add contrast to the beautiful maples and ferns.

Ferns also lose chlorophyll and add to the autumn colors for a short while before withering away.

Pine trees also drop needles (their type of leaves) in autumn, but do not shed them all.

All over Maine one can find quiet lanes to wander and enjoy the changing colors.

Clam digging with a lovely autumn backdrop

A beautiful fall carpet.

One of the most stunning effects is bright yellow leaves and
wet, black bark.

Eventually, long sections of woods burst forth in continuous colors, giving a gorgeous scene for passersby to enjoy.

Fog mutes the colors, lending a ghostly cover to a cemetery

What New England autumn post would be complete without a picturesque seaside village nestled in brilliant foliage? This beautiful scene is of Blue Hill, Maine.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Maine in Autumn, and if not a New Englander, come see autumn. It is an amazing experience you will not forget.