The Bridge Of Lions

Jack'll do

Two views, two treatments. Tom (aka Black Mamba) tells me that the bridge was recently restored and in order not to disrupt traffic flow, a new bridge was built along side it. Once the restoration was complete, the new bridge was torn down.

DaddyO

Nice bridge. Neatly imaged. Seems to have an HDR thing going on. Looks good either way. Is it just me or is there a slight slant right? Intended?

Jack'll do

DaddyO wrote: »

Nice bridge. Neatly imaged. Seems to have an HDR thing going on. Looks good either way. Is it just me or is there a slight slant right? Intended?

Thanks for pointing that out Michael. I have fixed now however doing so introduces a slight left tilt to the large support columns (to my eye). This is however less noticeable and objectionable than the original right tilt to the lamp posts.

Yes they are both HDR with the first having a little warmth added.

TonyCooper

But where are the lions?

Last time I was up in St Augustine the lions hadn't
been put back in place on the west end of the bridge.

If you are going to have a Bridge of Lions, you have to have
lions. Or, as in this case, statues of them.

black mamba

I like them both, Jack. I probably lean toward the warmer version....purely a personal choice. The tilt correction was spot on.

I'm still amazed at the political pork-barrel situation that allowed for a new bridge ( and I mean a modern, big one ) to be built, used for a couple of years, and then torn down. It might....might....be understandable if the Bridge of Lions was a historic feature, but it was built in 1938....nothing historic about it.

SusanG

The lions are back now! http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2011-03-15/lions-return-guard-bridge

Jack'll do

TonyCooper wrote: »

But where are the lions?

Last time I was up in St Augustine the lions hadn't
been put back in place on the west end of the bridge.

If you are going to have a Bridge of Lions, you have to have
lions. Or, as in this case, statues of them.

I guess Susan's post above explains the mystery. I took this image on 3/8 and the lions returned today. I knew I hadn't seen any lions and was mystified by your post.

TonyCooper

SusanG wrote: »

The lions are back now! http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2011-03-15/lions-return-guard-bridge

Now that would have been a great photgraphic series: the return of the lions and putting them in place.

A note to "Black Mamba"...the bridge was opened in 1927, not 1938.
(1938 was a good year, though, since it was the year I came on the scene)
The bridge replaced a wooden toll bridge built in 1895. In 1904, an
electric trolley line was added to the wooden bridge.

It may not be as historic as, say, Castillo de San Marcos (the fort in
St Augustine) which was completed in 1695, but millions of tourists
have had their pictures taken beside the lions. In this undated family
photo, here's my grandfather and grandmother standing by the Castillo.
Judging by the outfits, the photos were taken before the lions were there.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/cooper213/castillo.jpg

black mamba

TonyCooper wrote: »

Now that would have been a great photgraphic series: the return of the lions and putting them in place.

A note to "Black Mamba"...the bridge was opened in 1927, not 1938.
(1938 was a good year, though, since it was the year I came on the scene)
The bridge replaced a wooden toll bridge built in 1895. In 1904, an
electric trolley line was added to the wooden bridge.

It may not be as historic as, say, Castillo de San Marcos (the fort in
St Augustine) which was completed in 1695, but millions of tourists
have had their pictures taken beside the lions. In this undated family
photo, here's my grandfather and grandmother standing by the Castillo.
Judging by the outfits, the photos were taken before the lions were there.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/cooper213/castillo.jpg

Hey Tony,

Thanks for the correction. I meant to type 1928....glad to know it was actually 1927. I've got a photo of my dad driving across the old wooden bridge.

Tom

Jack'll do

SusanG wrote: »

The lions are back now! http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2011-03-15/lions-return-guard-bridge

Thanks for that info Susan. It certainly provides an excuse to return to Saint Augustine (as if I needed one).

Dogdots

Nice looking bridge. You photographed it beautifully

Jack'll do

black mamba wrote: »

I like them both, Jack. I probably lean toward the warmer version....purely a personal choice. The tilt correction was spot on.

I'm still amazed at the political pork-barrel situation that allowed for a new bridge ( and I mean a modern, big one ) to be built, used for a couple of years, and then torn down. It might....might....be understandable if the Bridge of Lions was a historic feature, but it was built in 1938....nothing historic about it.

Thanks Tom. I prefer the warmer version as well. Ahhh the eficiencies of gov't.!

Jack'll do

Dogdots wrote: »

Nice looking bridge. You photographed it beautifully

Hi Mary
Thanks for the nice comment.

Stella7d

Very cool shot!!

Azzaro

Hi Jack....My vote is for the first one, I like the warmer feel to it.... You did a great job capturing this image.......

rwells

Nice capture Jack,

Only time I've seen that bridge, it had 4th of July fireworks over it!