Magical Bell Tower in Mexico is a photograph by Mark Tisdale which was uploaded on April 6th, 2013.
Magical Bell Tower in Mexico
There are some moments that photography is truly a magical art. On my last afternoon in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was wandering down one of the main streets... more
by Mark Tisdale
Title
Magical Bell Tower in Mexico
Artist
Mark Tisdale
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
There are some moments that photography is truly a magical art. On my last afternoon in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was wandering down one of the main streets in the historic city center. The light that afternoon was phenomenal and it felt like everywhere I looked some beautiful piece of Spanish Colonial architecture was bathed in a beautiful light.
When I looked up I spied this beautiful bell tower. I loved the crisp gold and red colors and the great sky that lay beyond it. I framed this picture in my view finder and fired off a couple of shots. I had no inkling that the second shot would capture this completely different scene with a flock of birds fluttering into the sky around the church's bell tower. Isn't it a magical moment? Literally, the shot before this is a pretty photo of a beautiful piece of UNESCO quality architecture, but the next shot.. This is the one that people always remark on when they see it. I don't know what set the birds in motion. I certainly don't think my shutter click was loud enough at that distances. Yet whatever reason there was, I appreciate the magic of that moment.
It was only when I got home that I started trying to uncover any history of this old church. Most of Oaxaca's city center is quite historic, being listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. And this church is quite old, built in 1689 and named the Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo. I believe it must have been freshly renovated near the time of my visit as none of the pictures I found of it online matched the crisp stucco and paint on the day I visited.
Uploaded
April 6th, 2013
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Comments (22)
Doug Kreuger
Excellent shot and description Mark! I know just what you mean... Love what thie flock of birds adds to this artwork! L&F
Ann Horn
Marvelous work of art, Mark. Great composition and color, to which the soaring birds add so much. f/l
Christina Rollo
Great composition, beautiful colors, and the birds are a superb touch!
Mark Tisdale replied:
Thanks Christina! One of those wow moments for sure! Granted I'm not above taking artistic license, but there is just something magical about that flock of birds doing it for me! :-)