Sunday, August 28, 2011

Red-Eyed Gargoyle

Gargoyle Statue, Village of Lewisburg, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


We associate gargoyles with towering medieval cathedrals in Europe. These stone sculptures were designed as waterspouts to transfer rainwater away from buildings, or used sometimes as grotesques to scare away evil spirits.

So it was a little surprising to find, on our second, most recent road trip to Ohio, a pair of tall gargoyles guarding the entrance to an old Victorian home in the little town of Lewisburg. These two ferocious lions came equipped with glowing red eyes as well. Perhaps this is an intimidating sign to neighbors to beware of trespassing, or simply another version of local mid-American kitsch.

With my commitment to unadulterated journalistic reportage, I decided not to use the red eye function on my camera.


at

27 comments:

  1. Marie LCAugust 28, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    Very impressive gargoyle... and beautiful sculpture.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Nice photo about this really scary gargoyle. I wonder are its eyes lighting in the dark? :)
    Have a good Sunday Doug!

    ReplyDelete
  3. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"August 28, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    Well, it would scare me away! Just what kind of people live inside?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    The photo inspired me.Great job.:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joop ZandAugust 28, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    Good composition and strong colors.. good shot.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Traveling HawkAugust 28, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    I like gargoyles and this is an interesting one, as I have never seen one in chains! It is like it is owned by somebody, and THIS might be scary! Possible the first owners of the house have been impressed seeing such creatures somewhere in Europe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoeAugust 28, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    Gargoyles are fascinating. The sculptures must have enjoyed making them and they certainly make terrific subjects for photos. Nicely done Doug.

    ReplyDelete
  8. FriedaAugust 28, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    That's a very well composed shot. I saw the gargoyles of Notre Dame in Paris some weeks ago - it's great to see another version from Ohio, too :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownAugust 28, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Scary :-) well done, love the Eye!

    ReplyDelete
  10. DomLOrthaAugust 28, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Impressive with this angle and terrific with the red eye! Nicely done.
    Have a nice day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. brattcatAugust 28, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    good decision on your part.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Good work Doug!

    ReplyDelete
  13. BirdmanAugust 28, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Perfect angle. Love gargoyles.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Love the red eyes - I'd be intimidated :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. VPAugust 28, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    The perfect finish for a gargoyle...

    ReplyDelete
  16. donAugust 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    The angle upward does wonders for showing us this scary creature with the red eyes. I'm glad you didn't use the red-eye feature! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. john4jackAugust 28, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Superb POV and composition. Love those red eyes. Did Irene have much impact in your area?

    ReplyDelete
  18. RandyAugust 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I agree with Birdman on the angle. Not too crazy about the red eye but hey to each his own.

    ReplyDelete
  19. MarcieAugust 28, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Michael RowlandAugust 28, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Are you taking your gargoyle for a walk again today?

    ReplyDelete
  21. ArashAugust 28, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Love details and blue sky in a beautiful composition, Doug, and good idea to avoid red eye function ;)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Luis GomezAugust 28, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Great colors and beautiful composition Doug! I do love the red eye!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Marius BarbuAugust 29, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    I have never seen before a red-eyed-gargoyle. Very impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Andrew Graeme GouldAugust 30, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Ha, ha! That really is a case of red eye for anyone who wants to do a little Photoshop practice! Scary, too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. franzAugust 30, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    the red eye definitely adds the final touch here! i've seen lots of gothic gargoyles on our cathedrals, but they didn't have red eyes at all! it obviously took some inventive american genius to come up with this additional horror ... ;-))

    ReplyDelete
  26. Rae WalterAugust 31, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Fantastic image Doug. Love the red eye!

    ReplyDelete
  27. rianSeptember 14, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    excellent work managing the shadows for this one.. great shot.. :)

    ReplyDelete