April in Paris

Yes, I am aware that it's May. I'm behind, and Count Basie just didn't write the song for any month but April, now did he.

The weather in April is a bit manic- we get these really sunny bright days that the wind will be incredible, and a constant barrage of rain and hail will catch you by surprise, because the sun will be shining the entire time. Ah, Paris. A crafty vistor will have an umbrella at their side the entire time they are here.

The gardens become lovely places- the hidden courtyard at the Petit Palais is one of my favorites, if only because you can run in and use the bathroom if you are in the need.

My favorite thing about the Louvre is going on a Friday night. They are open late, and it's as quiet as you are going to get in the most visited museum in the world.

But Paris is really the greatest city if you love walking around and exploring. I'm still surprised at what I find.

At night, the area around the eiffel tower swarms with tourist and pushy souvenir-hawkers with their glow-in-the-dark handfuls of nighttime wares. You see dozens of them, like fireflies, darting from one group to the next with their wares.

A sure sign of spring: Swarms of Beekeepers in the gardens.

And the models in very little clothing posing for the camera:

Another place to catch a free view of the city is the rooftop of Galleries Lafayette.

Le Soleil!

The sun does occasionally poke through the dreary gray. I grab my camera and run outside. While Paris is truly one of the most beautiful cities on earth, when the light hits it just right, it is pure sorcery.

Seeing l'Opera Garnier for the hundredth time or the first, it matters not. It becomes a whole new scene for me when there is light and shadows to play with.

And, oh, reflection! You kind of need sunlight for those to show up as well.

It's a tough place to photograph, this Paris. I'm generally hesitant to bring out my camera in a downpour or a day of heavy rain as holding an umbrella over my head while getting my exposures right is just painful at best. For the most part, camera has been staying at home while I pout over shot after missed shot. I should just shuddup get a cheap-o point and shoot to have in my pocket on those occasions.

I have never had to clean my lenses as much as I have had since moving here. They are sumdge city at the end of every day. Even with a lens hood on, the rain still gets in.

Getting my requisite dose of Vitamin D.