Greensboro Daily Photo

(Bull)dog Day Afternoon

Sunday afternoon, people were out walking, enjoying the break in the weather. These dogs, their owners, and curious bystanders were all talking in front of Friendly Pets at Friendly Center. Bulldogs are gentle people lovers who enjoy daily walks and lots of human interaction. We had to chuckle at this picture because the dogs really did visit with each other. Lots of sniffing. However, by the time of this photo, they looked as if they were saying, "OK! Enough! Can we go now? Why do our people always have to stand around and talk?"

Thanks to that bright red leash, we're skidding into Ruby Tuesday , where people celebrate the color red.

 

got PIGEONS?

Walking downtown the other day, we spotted a feral pigeon hunting for food on the railroad tracks. Greensboro doesn't seem to have a pigeon problem and, in true pigeon character, those that are around seem to live downtown. If you love pigeons, chances are you know that the National Pigeon Association just held their national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah at the end of January! Seeing how fancy some of the specialty breeds are, our little old park pigeon would not garner much interest! Did you know that pigeons drink by suction and so, ideally, their water source should be at least an inch deep. Also, while pigeons are grain eaters, the feral/park pigeons have learned to eat just about anything humans toss out.

Pigeons and doves constitute the same bird family: Columbidae. Many people use the term interchangeably. However, North Carolina has a great tradition of dove hunting but not pigeon hunting-- at least not for food! Finally, the main differences is not in the birds but in the word origin.  "Dove" comes to English via German, "Taube," and "pigeon" comes from French, "pigeon."

 

Indu Convenient Store & Fanta City

Indu Convenient Store is located at the Fanta City, the Triad's International Shopping Center at 4925 West Market Street. Fanta City is a large complex for ethnic goods, foods and activities from saris to Colombian coffee, bubble tea and rice to Tae Kwon Do. Approximately 3 years old, Fanta City is one-stop-shopping for many different ethnic groups. The complex is truly a pan-global conglomeration of cultures. Additionally, Fanta City is a place to gather with family and friends and holds many different meetings and events. The red roof, arched doorways, and light stucco walls remind us more of Florida or California than Greensboro. 

We will feature other photos of Fanta City at a later time. Today, we chose this outdated calender at Indu Convenient Store to share with our Weekend Reflections friends and our friends over at Camera Critters (see the parrots?). The cars in the reflection were waiting patiently for Indu Convenient Store to open the day we were there! If you are from elsewhere, likely, you will feel a little nostalgia when walking through Fanta City!

 

Merry Chihuahua Christmas

Merry Chihuahua Christmas! Today, we feature Sassy the Chihuahua decked out in her Christmas garb. If you frequent Greensboro's Arts and Crafts festivals, likely, you have met Miss Sassy. She loves dressing up and traveling with her owners who sell wonderful vintage jewelry. We got tickled when we noticed that the fish necklace was as big as Sassy.

The chihuahua is a centuries-old breed originating in Mexico. It was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904. The AKC prefers that chihuahuas, the world's smallest breed, weigh between 2-4 pounds and Sassy is indeed within that range. If you attend a local craft show and see Sassy, please stop for a visit. Her owners are very nice and she loves the attention! Who knows, next time we feature her on GDP, she may be dressed up as a lepechaun, an Easter bunny, Uncle Sam...........

We are delighted to share her with the pet loving world on Camera Critters!!!

 

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Continuing our adventure on Wendover, this may well be one of our favorite photos on Greensboro Daily Photo; it captures the flavor of Old Greensborough in conflict with New Greensboro. This rooster lives in a little house on Wendover Avenue at the corner of Bridford Parkway, one of Greensboro's busiest retail corridors. Mr. Rooster shares a yard with tethered dogs, dog houses and roaming cats. On a quiet Sunday morning, he and his free range buddies can be heard for miles around, "cock-a-doodle-doo..."

The vehicles in the background are zooming along Wendover and the little brick house is a neighbor of the Sapp Road house (featured Thursday). The white strip on the right is a roof at the shopping center. We have to chuckle because, little does Mr. Rooster realize, he is making a beeline into the parking lot of Greensboro's Spay and Neuter Clinic!   Oh, and why did the rooster cross the road?......

to get away from the camera-crazy Mrs. Greensboro Daily Photo, of course! Some of her best friends behave the same way! Visit Camera Critters to see more animal photos!

 

Double C Farm Equine Facility

This Saturday, if you get out and explore Greensboro and Guilford County, you will be amazed at what you find. Here we see one of the ponies at Double C Farm and Equine Facility at 2111 Pleasant Ridge Road. This tethered pony was saddled up and resting in between rides during their recent fall festival. He seemed very gentle and accommodating as child after child was hoisted on his back for the jolly ride around the ring. 

Let us know what you are up to this weekend in your neck of the woods.

Happy Halloween Greensboro!

Meet Trick and Treat! They're staying inside this Halloween and waiting patiently by the window to see who will stop by. Time to stir some witches brew and get the candy ready for the little ones.

Halloween on a Saturday is good for teachers as students don't come to school the next day with excessive sugar in their bloodstream. Unfortunately, weekend Halloweens allow more time for tricking. Keep your house well lit. Drive safely and watch for pedestrians!  What was your favorite costume this year? What is your favorite Halloween candy? Which neighborhoods have the most festive houses?

Our favorite Halloween memory is the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird where Scout is traipsing through the woods in her Halloween costume. Another is visiting the NC Zoo's "Boo at the Zoo." Another is the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad; finally, there is the "Zoo Boo Bash" at Greensboro's Natural Science Center!

Today, we are participating in Camera Critters-- the home of adorable animal photos!

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, located at 4301 Lawndale Avenue, is a tremendous community resource. In addition to the engaging permanent exhibits and the zoo, the center continually offers special programs. The current traveling exhibit is, "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss."  

In the photo above, you see three of the taxidermied animals on display in the hallway of the museum. Within the past year, the museum acquired a privately-owned, local collection. The collection is reminiscent of the efforts in the 19th century to provide specimens. The taxidermied animals were studied in an era when living, exotic, zoo animals were not widely available.  

If you haven't been to the Natural Science Center lately, and you live in Greensboro, you really must stop by and see how the place has transformed in the last few years!

Carolina Tattoo Company

As fall semester gets underway at local universities, we have many new faces in Greensboro. For parents of incoming freshman, likely, it has been hard to let go and trust that their children will thrive independent of the family unit. Here we see one of the ways students announce their newfound freedom: tattoos. Carolina Tattoo Company, located 1029 West Lee Street, just a block away from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro was established in 1993. It is the oldest tattoo shop in the area and has seven tattoo artists. Likely, many a student will cross the threshold this fall.

While some of us will be gearing up to spend Labor Day weekend out of town, many people will be coming into Greensboro for the 15 Annual NC Tattoo Convention to be held at the Downtown Marriott September 4-6, 2009. At least 70 tattoo artists will be available to provide tattoos and body piercings. Little John's Tattoo shop sponsors the event. Little John was known far and wide for his amazing tattoo artistry. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago. However, his store is still going strong and many people still sport his tattoos. Next time you see an interesting tattoo, ask the "owner" about it. Often, there are fascinating stories about a tattoo's meaning and symbolism. By the way, is tattooee a word?

Flora and Fauna Around Greensboro

Today we celebrate the fleeting summer in Greensboro with this simple photo of a hydrangea and a lily. A friend brought us lily bulbs from Holland and they grow every year, in spite of the fact that we put no effort into them. We leave the bulbs in the ground to winter over. The Greensboro soil has been kind to them.

In front, you see a white hydrangea that suffers a little bit because it is still in a container and, every time we turn our head, in constant need of water. On the right, you see a bumble bee. He was acting like a puppy clinging to your heels in the kitchen. The bumble bee would not leave. Finally, I realized that the photo would actually look better with him in it. So, here is Mr. Bumblebee, mid-flight in his determined adventure to land on the hydrangea head. 

By the way, thanks to all of you who commented on yesterday's post. It was a fabulous day of substantive comments, the kind we were hoping for when starting this blog! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please accept this virtual bouquet if you are a regular reader and/or commenter on GDP. Oh, the bumblebee is optional!

Honey Bee Colony Saved

If you read the News & Record, this is old news. However, the story is so fabulous, we want to share it with the world. People like Diane in Texas and Mark in Korea, just might appreciate a little hometown news!

Last week, part of this giant oak tree, located on Cypress Street, on the campus of Aycock Middle School, came crashing down. Inside was a colony of 50,000 honey bees. The local community worked together to save this thriving colony and relocate it to beekeeper George Sudderth's farm in southeastern Guilford county. Fellow beekeeper John Sabat was instrumental in getting the bees out of the tree by using a vacuum cleaner. Nobody was stung; not even once, and you can be sure those bees were HOT about the loss of their habitat! However, word has it that they are happy in their new home. Also good news... the remaining part of the tree is healthy and it shouldn't need to be removed. 

We took the above photo on Monday, the day before the bee relocation. That dark spot at the top is where they were living. If you want to see more photos, you should be able to access them through the News & Record. They got some great ones in a series of photos they've dubbed, The Lost Colony. Click on the little icon of squares at the bottom of the black screen to access the pictures. It is worth seeing these photos! They are so thorough that teachers could use them to teach expository writing and sequencing! Thank goodness for newspapers like the News & Record and photojournalists like Nelson Kepley.

Canada Geese of Greater Greensboro

While on a photo shoot at Mann Motor Sports, we stumbled upon this group of Canada Geese en route to the little pond near Mann's business. Our local Canada Geese should be renamed "Geese formerly known as Canada" because they no longer migrate. Since humans feed them and provide plenty of man-made watering holes, the geese stay year-round in Greensboro. Frequently, they are seen crossing highways with their offspring. They are famous for stopping traffic on busy Battleground Avenue.

We have slightly better feelings about the critters after reading the Wikipedia entry on Canada Geese. Featured above are two different families. According to Wikipedia, Canada Geese mate for life. Could these goslings be cousins? Double cousins? 

Putt Putt Golf on High Point Road

Those of you who have lived in Greensboro since the early 1990's and before will remember when putt-putt (or minigolf) was in all its glory on High Point Road. All that remains of this entertainment destination is an abandoned building and these two fiberglass animals. This giraffe and elephant have been relocated from the original Putt Putt Golf & Games, across the street, to the American Furniture Warehouse.We are convinced that, some night, the life-sized animals are going to walk back across the street to their original location.

North Carolina is said to have developed the first commercial, mass-produced courses, originating in Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1916. As a state, we are still known for our fabulous, 18-hole golf courses and tournaments; however, the little, putt putt game is quickly becoming a sport of the past. Have you ever played miniature golf? Do you have a course in your community? The last time we played was at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Downtown Hounds

If you know the location of Downtown Hounds, you really know our city well. The business, located at 308 Church Court behind the Wrangler Bldg., bills itself as "the canine social club that cool dogs dig." The grooming and daycare facility takes care of canines while owners work. The building is hard to miss with its lime green and royal blue facade. When is the last time you've seen a building painted this color? 

A Fold of Kyloes

If you are from Scotland, you will know that the animal in this picture is a breed of cattle developed in the Scottish Highlands and western isles of Scotland. These cattle, known as kyloes, have thick, wavy pelts to protect them from windy, cold winters. Their beef tends to be lean since they rely on hair, as opposed to fat, to keep them warm. A group of them is known as a fold, as opposed to a herd. The fold in this picture lives in Greensboro, in northwest Guilford County.  Our goal is to interview the farmer and find out just how he came about raising this breed of cattle in North Carolina!

Today' we're participating in Monochrome Monday, even though color photography is really our strength!

               

Horses on Alcorn Road

We did a photo shoot in Northwest Guilford County last week so many of our photos this week were taken between Greensboro and Oak Ridge. As stated in a previous post, Guilford County has the most horses of all 100 North Carolina counties. The horse farm above has not only beautiful animals but also an amazing amount of new white fencing. The two horses in the picture above seemed to be posing for the camera, first looking up, then, simultaneously, bending back over to continue grazing.

               

Purple Martin Houses Scattered throughout the South

Gourd houses line southern fields in the hopes that purple martins will inhabit them. Native Americans carved gourds for martins long before Europeans arrived in North America. The purple martin is the largest swallow found in the USA. Farmers love them because their diet consists of insects exclusively. Swallows eat (and drink) while flying. These beautifully-maintained gourd houses were photographed on Pleasant Ridge Road. If you want to hear what a purple martin call sounds like, follow this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They describe the purple martin's sound as "a series of musical chirps interspersed with raspy twitters." Below, you see some fancy purple martin "condos,"  alternatives for people who don't want to mess with gourds!

            

Living near Guilford Courthouse National Military Park @ Lincoln Green

Advertising in Greensboro can get very creative and whimsical! En route to photograph Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, we noticed this sign advertising apartments across from the park. The creation and placement of this sign is brilliant. Perched on the edge of a tree-lined ridge, the finches look so happy. Don't those cute yellow birds make you want to drop by and check out the LincolnGreen apartments? From the photo, you have no idea that the billboard is located on busy Battleground Avenue nestled between strip malls.  

We'll post on the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park soon-- keep stopping back.

            

                              

Horses in Guilford County

In 2005, North Carolina was rated 8th in the nation in total horse numbers and Guilford County was ranked near the top. However, on average, North Carolina loses 3 acres of farmland a day to development; a statistic that affects opportunities to board and ride horses.  Nevertheless, places to ride in Greensboro abound and are available through public and private organizations. If you are a local rider and have a good horse story, add a comment.