Mirror

The Casino on Hoyt Lake

The little lake at the center of Frederick Law Olmsted's masterpiece was named Mirror Lake.
That was no more a coincidence than any other detail of the 376 acre park. This treasure rivals his Prospect and Central Parks not only for its uniqueness but for its connection to the parkway system. The ingenuity of interconnected parks and parkways was not just a foray into design of natural public spaces but of neighborhoods. That design drew people out of Buffalo's downtown waterfront, at first to visit and then build the eclectic neighborhoods that now ring the park. At one of the pinnacles of Buffalo's great history, the 1901 Pan American Exposition, the lake was centerpiece. On a lovely evening in June this jewel is central to a myriad of activities that abound within and around the park. Take a moment to appreciate the insight that grew our city, fortified resident's souls with beauty, and stands as the framework for the Queen City to evolve once more.

The Bard

Shakespeare in Delaware Park 

"Pray you sit by us and tell's a tale.", requests the character Hermione in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale". Shakespeare in Delaware Park is telling that tale, now in its first week of performances. The hill below the Rose Gardens off Lincoln Parkway becomes an amphitheater welcoming lovers of The Bard. With blankets for chairs and stars for footlights, pack your picnic baskets for tragedy or comedy. Isn't it romantic? 40 years after first performing "The Winter's Tale", SIDP is set to sing poetry into our hearts once more, with another summer of great performances 6 days a week and free to all. Donations are welcome and if a thespian with an old-timey change purse approaches you, be a love and toss them a sovereign. Two great productions every summer. "Taming of the Shrew" starts July 28.

The Beat

The English Beat at Ironworks

A band on a sultry night downtown. Ironworks, in the historic Cobblestone District, was hosting some rude boys-a little band called The English Beat. Dave Wakeling, the undisputed king of 2-Tone Ska, loves Buffalo, always returning to get love from a place that probably reminds him of his Birmingham home. It's the first week of summer in Buffalo and we've had The Dead Kennedys, Public Enemy and The Beat. One thing in common, besides coming out of the 8o's time machine, they all say Buffalo had the best crowd of their tour. Do you think they say that to everybody? The don't.

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Mondays

Metro Buffalo 

So you have a case of the Mondays and you're late for the train. Who could blame you for dragging your feet after our first weekend of summer, a spectacularly beautiful weekend, I might add. Just remember one thing. Your city has been voted #1 city in the world. O.k., in America, on too many lists to mention. America today, tomorrow, the world. It's possible. Have you seen the price of chicken wings in Paris? Just sayin'.

Summer

Elmwood and Bidwell 

Now that summer has arrived, take a little time to absorb your city. This little gem in the Elmwood Village has so long been a part of the landscape that people pass without appreciation. Many hard working artists, engineers and natty dressers are out there trying to bring a little beauty to our city. If your'e not one of those, at least be one who stops to smell the roses. It's the summer of Buffalove, baby.

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Ship Canal

Union Ship Canal - Outer Harbor

http://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1M6K_the-union-ship-canal_Buffalo-NY.html

At the far end of the Outer Harbor Parkway,  there lies a 22 acre park framing a canal built 117 years ago. The Union Ship Canal was central to Buffalo's glorious past as America's steel maker. The waterway allowed ore freighters to feed the furnaces and steel mills that ringed that area of Lake Erie. Remediation of the canal began in 1999 and today, the only vessels allowed on the canal are kayaks and canoes. Now, fathers and sons fish, hoping to catch some memories, not necessarily fish. From the pathways of the park, one can see the white windmills that stand at the lakes edge, where once furnaces fired around the clock. A bike path cuts through the grounds and will take you as far as the Tonawandas. Historical placards adorn artistically placed iron beams, as an homage to the workers and history of that tremendous, industrial achievement.

Marshall

Federal Courthouse 

No, it's not a Hollywood backlot. It's downtown Buffalo. HMIs sit atop cherry pickers illuminating an interior scene at the Federal Courthouse along Niagara Square. Marshall will be filming here throughout the summer, utilizing many unique features of the area,  recreating the early career of the young attorney who would become the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. The biopic of legendary lawyer and civil rights advocate is just the latest big production to grace the Queen City. Sorry, NYC and Toronto. Don't hate us because we're beautiful.

Thursday

Public Enemy at Canalside 

Carlton D. Ridenhour and the rest of PE spitting wisdom at Canalside in a renaissance of their own.
Young and not so young finding release through the anti-materialist, anti-establishment poetry of Chuck D. accompanied by the unstoppable Flavor Flav, et al., instructing everyone to cast off the metaphorical gold chains. Why, you say?  "'Cause it's played out!"

Richardson Complex

Path to Richardson Olmsted Complex

H. H. Richardson's Romanesque Revival masterpiece stands waiting to emerge from it's shadowy 140 year old past. A place surrounded by Victorian ghost stories and tales of questionable treatments for many poor souls who passed through its sprawling rooms and corridors. But, one of the more compelling stories is the the hard fought effort to preserve the building from general decay and the wrecking ball. The spectacular copper-clad towers of the former State Lunatic Asylum loom like a magnet between Elmwood and Grant, drawing in those that spy this architectural treasure. Now, after almost a decade of restoration, one can stroll park grounds and get a closeup look at this beautiful, albeit ominous building.

Larkinville

Food Truck Tuesday 

Just another Tuesday in Larkinville. Folks from all over the city come to this square to sample some of the region's finest food on wheels. Camaraderie, music, eclectic cuisine and new friends to be had. No worries if you didn't make it. The trucks shall return. See you next Tuesday.

Summer Solstice

Canalside 

The Solstice is the start of the other season Buffalo is known for. In ancient times, the first day of Summer was marked by offerings to the sun god. Today, sun worshippers gathered at Canalside in a myriad of seasonal rituals. So many things happening canal side, we had to go with a collage.

Father's Day

Darwin Martin House

I was taking snapshots of houses in our Parkside neighborhood today. One such home was designed by a man known as the father of "organic architecture". Frank Lloyd Wright's vision has stood the test of 111 years with some wonderful restoration in between. The Darwin Martin house was reminding many on Father's Day that some home improvement projects are really worthwhile. 

Renaissance

The Electric Tower - Pan American Exposition 1901

Welcome to Buffalo Daily Photo! A day to day visual celebration and exploration of all things Buffalo.

      As I tool around the city, the trees and flowers aren't the only things flourishing. It's official. We are in a full blown renaissance. The view from the newly opened Tewksbury Lodge in the Old First Ward reveals a reborn Buffalo River. The brand new River Works complex booms, flanked by Buffalo's grain elevators that have stood since the 1800's.

View of RiverWorks and the Michigan Avenue bridge.      E. Connolly