World Lion Day

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I was busy photographing some lion cubs at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium when I heard this massive roar behind me. It was lunchtime for this young male lion, and he certainly let the whole area know. I was fortunate enough to fire off a few photos for a stunning portrait session. I just love the deep gold of this lion’s eye. Lion imagery is so important in the texts I interpret, and simply visiting the local zoo from time to time helps give me a deeper appreciation for this creature.

Tel Aviv is Where My Heart Is

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No, don’t worry Mom or Michelle, it really isn’t, but I did have a great weekend in Tel Aviv on my recent trip to Israel. I was there for the Christian Leadership Initiative, a Jewish-Christian dialogue seminar sponsored by the Shalom-Hartman Institute and the American Jewish Committee. We travelled to Tel Aviv to spend Shabbat there, and it was quite the lively, colorful city.

One of the highlights of the trip was the Shabbat service on the Tel Aviv pier, with this amazing sunset.

One of the highlights of the trip was the Shabbat service on the Tel Aviv pier and this amazing sunset.

All sorts of guests showed up to the service.

All sorts of guests showed up to the service.

The next morning, we walked in nearby Jaffa to see the development of this coastal town.

The next morning, we walked in nearby Jaffa to see the development of this coastal town. These crows ended up thieving some pretty good baklava from our group.

"Gaining Ground." A little attempt at street photography in Joppa.

“Gaining Ground.” A little attempt at street photography in Jaffa.

This market was closed for Shabbat, but bustling the day before. Alas, we didn't have much time to explore that day, though.

This Tel Aviv market was closed for Shabbat, but bustling the day before. Alas, we didn’t have much time to explore that day, though.

Another shot of the produce market.

Another look of the produce market. I shot this as part of a photo assignment with The Arcanum on “balance.”

Our walking tour of Tel Aviv on Saturday brought us to this monument. The three mosaics in front of the modern building depict three biblical stories concerning Tel Aviv. The from mosaic tells the story of Jonah that is set in nearby Jaffa (Joppa in English Bible Translations). The center mosaic tells the story of building the temple, and the furthest mosaic depicts the transportation of cedars to Jerusalem. Around the fountain, there are more mosaics depicting the history of Tel Aviv throughout the ages into modern times.

Our walking tour of Tel Aviv on Saturday brought us to this monument. The three mosaics in front of the modern building depict three biblical stories. The front mosaic tells the story of Jonah that is set in nearby Jaffa (Joppa in English Bible translations). The center mosaic tells the story of building the temple, and the furthest mosaic depicts the transportation of cedars to Jerusalem. Around the fountain, there are more mosaics depicting the history of Tel Aviv.

There was a lot of graffiti in Tel Aviv. Some of it was political and some pure art.

I appreciated a lot of graffiti in Tel Aviv. Some of it was political and some simply art.