Autumn blooms.

Four of these seven foot tall perennials greet visitors here, their blooms arriving with cooler autumnal days.

Nikon D700, 200mm f/4 Q Nikkor at f/5.6. Forget about fancy zooms and AF and OIS and aspherical elements – when it comes to a perfect, simple, unbreakable four element fixed focal length lens set in a gorgeous all metal, engraved mount, the 200mm Nikkor is an all time classic, and it’s hard to spend more than $30 on a good used one. Balance on a FF DSLR Nikon body is perfect. The image is SOOC.

Downtown Phoenix.

Completed in 1929, the Orpheum Theater underwent a 12-year restoration, completed in 1996, and is in perfect condition. The intricate Spanish Revival murals are really special.

You can read more about the theater here.

Nikon F100, Kodak Ektar 100 rated at 160ASA, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 AFD Nikkor zoom.

Downtown Phoenix.

Nikon F100, Kodak Extar 100 at 160ASA, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 AFD Nikkor zoom.

Last gasp.

The New Windsor Hotel in downtown Phoenix, AZ is the last 19th century hotel still operating in the city.

Built in 1893 at the corner of Adams and 6th Avenue, it’s a sad sight today and you can only think the wrecker’s ball beckons. But there are signs of its former glory galore, and the architecture is a throwback to a gentler time.

You can read more of the hotel’s history here.

In 1981 the Chicago rock group Styx released a double album, Paradise Theater, which chronicles the rise, fall and abandonment of a fabulous theater in Chicago, an homage to changing times and the demise of the American downtown. The art work on the large 12″ LP sleeves was exceptional:

The music is as haunting as the art work and I flashed back to that album when snapping the above.

Nikon F100, Kodak Ektar at 160ASA, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 AFD Nikkor zoom.

Downtown Phoenix.

Nikon F100, Ektar 100 at 160ASA, Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 AFD Nikkor zoom.