At the Tri-Rail station at the break of dawn, the sun reflected wonderfully off the clouds. Image detail: 1600x1200 pixels, 24-bit depth, 67 KB |
Viscaya is within a short walking distance from the Metro-Rail station. However, pedestrians and cars both get funneled through this narrow entrance. Image detail: 884x914 pixels, 24-bit depth, 167 KB |
The walk into Viscaya is lined with a number of interesting and graceful statues. Some of them are set quite far back from the road, and are easy to miss. Image detail: 600x1200 pixels, 24-bit depth, 96 KB |
This character is way back from the road, and had the light not been shining as it was, it would have been very easy to miss. Image detail: 600x936 pixels, 24-bit depth, 61 KB |
Some of the statues are REALLY strange. There are quite a few of these around the front of the house, but not so many out back and elsewhere on the grounds. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 91 KB |
Note the detail sculpted into the eyes ... Image detail: 1600x1200, 24-bit depth, 170 KB |
The gardens are accessible by travelling underneath one of two gates. Both are fascinating marvels. This picture focuses on the detail of the arch. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 75 KB |
This shot was taken from atop the walls of the Secret Garden. To the left is the start of the central portions of the gardens, while almost directly across is one of the many pools found in the garden. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 110 KB |
Drought conditions prevented the fountains from being active. I imagine this must be a splendid sight. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 83 KB |
This is the same fountain, but shot from a distance. Image detail: 1024x576 pixels, 24-bit depth, 73 KB |
The south side of the villa is shown here. The bathtub-looking device in the picture is actually a fountain basin, but again, drought conditions prevented it from flowing. This picture was taken from the Center Island. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 118 KB |
The east side of the house, facing the docks, allows you to read the current wind speed, measured directly from a wind gauge atop the peaks. Of course, being hurricane season, the gauge has been disconnected, lest a 40+ knot wind gust the gears into oblivion. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 45 KB |
The Tea House allowed guests of the villa to watch the comings and goings of other guests. The location is perfect for picking up cool breezes from the Intercoastal. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 72 KB |
No picture tour of Viscaya would be complete without a shot the Great Stone Barge. This magnificent piece of art also serves to break the waves from the Intercoastal, allowing smaller boats to dock safely at the mansion. Image detail: 1024x768 pixels, 24-bit depth, 68 KB |
Statues of a number of mythical and legendary figures line the walkways in the garden. Image detail: 1200x800 pixels, 24-bit depth, 102 KB |
Statues of people are not the only form of art on display in the garden. Important animals are also immortalized in stone. Image detail: 800x761 pixels, 24-bit depth, 79 KB |