Stones that speak

On Friday I showed you bits of my neighbourhood, which was created during the days of working class housing- and food shortages that followed World War I and the breakup of the Habsburg Empire.  But of course this problem extended to all of Vienna, and the cooperative garden settlements that were built in the 1920sContinue reading “Stones that speak”

Close to home

Like many of us, the COVID-19 spread prevention measures for me have meant a lot of time spent at home, where I can fortunately continue to work (in home office), enjoy culture (via innumerable streams from the wonderful world of cultural institutions), exercise (with regular live streams of Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes), and takeContinue reading “Close to home”

Zones of Life

What could be better than a photo trip to the Vienna Zoo on a rainy day?  No, I am not crazy.  That´s just what I did a couple of weeks ago, on a mission to capture people interacting with nature – even if captive nature.  And I did not even get wet.  😉 As aContinue reading “Zones of Life”

“Genusswandern” – hiking and wine at the Wiener Weinwandertage

“Genusswandern” is an Austrian word invention that does not really translate – it means something like “pleasure walking”.  Instead of wining and dining, this weekend you can wine and hike in Vienna.   The annual vineyard hike has become a traditional “must do” for me and my family.   This is the 12th time the City ofContinue reading ““Genusswandern” – hiking and wine at the Wiener Weinwandertage”

A river runs through Vienna

Of course, in Vienna, there´s the Danube, and its various side arms.  But there is also the Wienfluss, or simply Wien (“Vienna River”), which, for the most part, is less than impressive, imprisoned as it is in its concrete bed.  Over the past week I went to explore (photographically) some of its more natural sections. Continue reading “A river runs through Vienna”

Dog days of summer – where to cool off together

OK, I admit it: I´m a dog person.  I love them.  I have a “dog radar” – if a dog passes by in the street, chances are my heart will beat a little more joyfully.  I follow several dog feeds on Instagram, and my heart bleeds for every adoptable candidate from a shelter, even thoughContinue reading “Dog days of summer – where to cool off together”

Call of the wild: biodiversity days in Vienna

In a couple of days, it´s time to visit Lainzer Tiergarten.   On 8 and 9 June this lovely forest park in Vienna´s West will be hosting the 17th Vienna Biodiversity Day.  This event  is co-organized by the Vienna Environmental Protection Department (MA 22) as a contribution to the “GEO Day of Biodiversity“. (Actually, theyContinue reading “Call of the wild: biodiversity days in Vienna”

Abstracting nature – variations on a photographic theme

Something a little different today.  Last Saturday, in glaring sunshine, I participated in a thematic photo walk along the Donaukanal near Kunsthaus Wien – Museum Hundertwasser.  From time to time the museum offers photo walks based on themes in their current exhibitions.  “Some Plant Volatiles” by Hamburg-based photographer Jochen Lempert provided the foundation for Saturday´sContinue reading “Abstracting nature – variations on a photographic theme”

I (never) promised you a rose garden

But here it is…   Spring sprang fast this year.  Before we knew it, the lilac bloom came and went.  But there is compensation:  an explosion of colorful roses all around Vienna.  This merry month of May, which at times feels like summer, seemingly everywhere your eye roams it is met by exuberant red, pink, whiteContinue reading “I (never) promised you a rose garden”

Grow your own: gardening fun in the city

The garden season is definitely upon us in Vienna.  Not only is everything blooming at the same time, we are experiencing crazy summer  temperatures in April, and the fresh meadows are already full of wildflowers.  I love being in green spaces, whether it is a garden, a park, or the woods.  Growing at least someContinue reading “Grow your own: gardening fun in the city”