Photo of the Day (9.1.10)

by Julie Gerstein on


You can schedule yourself into oblivion when you travel and tick off every major sightseeing spot in your guide, but sometimes it’s the quiet moments that are the most memorable. This tranquil scene of Florence at dusk — shot by Flickr user Justin Delaney — reminds me that it’s important stop and take a good look around every once in a while. After all, isn’t that why we travel, anyway? It’s not just about checking tourist spots off a list: It’s actually getting a different viewpoint.

Have any travel photos that prompt whimsical musings? Upload them to our Flickr pool and we just might select one for our Photo of the Day feature

Photo of the Day (08.30.10)

by Mike Barish on
One of the hang-ups I used to have was eating alone. I thought it was sad. Eventually, however, I realized that there’s one meal in particular that is really pretty wonderful when enjoyed with nothing more than your food and a newspaper: breakfast. Sure, you can slurp ramen by yourself or grab a slice of pizza and sit down next to the antiquated arcade games, but both of those experiences lack the serenity of enjoying some greasy eggs to start your day. And there’s no better place to do it than in a classic diner.

When eating alone in a diner, it’s always nice to sit at the counter like the gentleman above. This image, captured by Flickr user Paul Brady (whose musings can also been seen here), shows the quintessential diner experience for a party of one. Some might say that it looks depressing. I think it’s fantastic. Sitting at the counter lets you contemplate things like, “What do I have to do today?” and “I wonder how long those desserts have been rotating in that display case?” These are the important questions of our time.

Have any pictures of people eating alone? Or just some of the meals that you’ve had while unaccompanied? Upload them to the Gadling Flickr group and we might just use one for our next Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day (8.27.10)

by Alex Robertson Textor on


According to this image’s creator, I Am Rob, this blurry, even distorted, photograph of a rain-splattered windshield was snapped in Southern California. I believe him. Everything about this image suggests Los Angeles in the late winter: the rain, the palm trees, and the darkness in what I can only assume is late afternoon. I love this photo for its Angeleno atmospherics, its bright horizon, and its lack of crispness.

Got an atmospherically-charged image of a favorite city? A snap of one or another fragment of Los Angeles that reveals more grit than gloss? Add it to the Gadling Flickr photo pool. We might just feature it as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day (8.26.10)

by Meg Nesterov on

County fairs are full of good old-fashioned fun. Where else can you see a tractor pull, eat nothing but deep-fried foods, see carnies in their native habitats, and admire the area’s finest livestock, all in a day? This photo from the Nicollet County Fair in Minnesota by mlmartense is titled “the surly llama” but I get more of a coquettish, even cunning, vibe. It’s as if the llama alpaca has big plans for me to follow. Actually, llamas and alpacas are quite docile and gentle creatures often used as therapy animals as they have a calming effect on people. Looking into this fella’s eyes, I can see how an hour of feeding and hugging a llama or alpaca could be an excellent form of therapy.

Have you taken an evocative animal photo in your travels? Upload it to our Gadling Flickr pool (make it downloadable, please!) and it could be a future Photo of the Day.

UPDATED: It turns out this charming creature is, in fact, an alpaca and not a llama. Apologies to any pack animals offended by the mix up.

Photo of the Day (08.23.10)

by Mike Barish on
We send a lot of mixed signals to kids. We tell them not to talk to strangers, then we encourage them to “tell the nice lady how old you are” when some random old bitty on the street approaches us. Or we give them a dollar to tip the creepy street performer who smells like garbage and Axe body spray. How are kids going to learn that all strangers are serial killers just waiting to snatch a child (most likely an attractive white girl under the age of 12 for maximum national news coverage)?

The poor child in this photo by Flickr user Marisoleta was probably pushed towards that blowhard by his overbearing mother. Now he’s deaf in his left ear and terrified of brass instruments thanks to confusing child-rearing methods. The poor bastard never had a chance to enjoy the music of big bands. Though, you could make the argument that he’s better off having an aversion to the rusty trombone.

Have any pictures of bad parents? Or just some amazing travel photos? Upload them to the Gadling Flickr group and we might just use one for our next Photo of the Day.