What's up doc?

Isn't it nice to be able to pass by geese while walking in the park? This one was quietly following me, chewing its grass, and looking right into my camera.

By the way, if you want to enjoy Bugs Bunny in the original What's up doc? scenes, click here!

The Hague Daily Photo is taking one week off. See you next Friday!

The Hague logo

I have not shown yet what the city logo looks like, maybe because I don't like it so much! So here it is, hanging inside our city hall. This new logo was released at the end of 2006, and provoked many hostile reactions as many people found it extremely ugly . It is designed by Anton Corbijn, a well-known artist, photographer (among others of musicians such as U2 band), videomaker, graphic designer.... Corbijn wanted his design to "express feelings of security, life, progress and playfulness." For the story, the project costs were €190k (!). The mayor wanted a logo that would reflect The Hague as the International City of Peace, Justice and Security.

But where is the stork, official symbol of the city?
Does your city also have a logo?

Travel building

This nice building can be found right in the shopping part of the city. It is a good example of the local architecture built around the beginning of this century, typically in the style of all the buildings in the city centre. This one was probably one of the head offices of the Dutch Railways, as indicated on the front.

Realism in the city 2/2

I find those street murals so nice I thought I shared them all with you! I only spotted four houses in total in this small neighborhood displaying the murals from Hermanus Berserik (see yesterday's post). Click on the photo to display it large.

Realism in the city

Everybody in The Hague knows the wall paintings situated on the back of a couple of houses next to The Hague HS train station. They have been painted by Hermanus Berserik (1921-2002), a local artist, member of the Royal academy of Arts, who lived in this neighborhood as a child. His paintings were very realistic; still lifes with nostalgic subjects, selfportraits, landscapes.

Sick trees

I spotted this open wound on this tree in the haagsche Bos the other day. Many trees in the city are suffering from this kind of haemorrhage caused by a new bacteria. The same sympoms have been reported around the country on chestnut trees, beech trees and maple trees. A specialised organisation is working on studying this bacteria and is trying to find a solution to this problem. So far, we regularly read in the local news that sick trees need to be cut down, a sad ending story.

The dolfinarium in Harderwijk (110 kms from the Hague) is a nice place to go with kids to spend a day watching dolphins, walrus, seals, sea lions... Kids love it, especially because you can see them so close. The park would benefit from some renovation as it looks a bit oldish. And it's not cheap! But....what wouldn't we do for kids?!

Skyline III

The "Iron Blade" (strijkijzer in Dutch) is the latest tower that has been completed in the Hague at the end of 2007. It is inspired by the Flat Iron building in New York (hence, the name).

It is located outside the Holland Spoor train Station. It is built on a very small piece of land (30*35m), but is 130m high (among the ten highest buildings in The Netherlands). Most of it is inhabited by young people (300 one-room units) as well as 51 luxury flats. Apparently there is a panoramic terrace on the 41st floor, but I still need to check whether it is open to the public.

Criss-cross of bikes

When I stepped out of the train today, I couldn't help but take a picture of this tangling of bicycles! I always wondered how bike owners could easily and quickly find their bike! The likely trick: a distinctive plastic bag on the saddle, or red flowers on the handlebar!

Architect Olthuis

I had to stop and park my car to make a picture when I saw this building fro the first time today. It is located Laan van Meerdervoort 215, and for a second I was transposed in Gaudi's world in Barcelona (Spain)! It is for me one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in The Hague. This house is one of the 13 houses built on that location by J. Olthuis (1851-1921) in 1900-01, and is typical of the French-Belgian Art Nouveau style. All the 13 houses are not in the same style.

This house of 375m2 was for sale last year for an approximate €0,9m.

Green beetle

This is a new way of advertising for a boring product, ie carpets and other floor protections! Wouldn't you love to drive around in this sexy covered in synthetic carpet car? I guess it's also comfortable to sit on it.... on the hood!

Watertower

The Haagse Duinwaterleiding company (DWL, now DZH) began to collect drinkable water from the dunes surrounding the Hague in 1874. The construction of this 49 meter high water tower dates back from that year. It was designed by L.A.Brouwer in the NeoRenaissance style. It stands on the list of national monuments and historical places.

It was renovated not long ago, and is still in use. The sign on top of the tower is still the landmark of DZH company.

If you've always wanted to know how a water tower works, then you must read this.

That's why!

Yesterday a pic of a frog in a park, today the probable explanation : the yearly walk (between February and April) of amphibians after the winter towards the water, their breeding place! Because the asphalt pavement keeps the heat, frogs often stand still on surrounding roads, hence the traffic signs ("Drive Slowly, toad/frog track")!!! If you want to have a look at what it looks like, click here (don't forget the sound!), and if you want more details on the external fertilization of the frogs on this page.

Red frog

Look at this pretty frog looking at me this morning in the Haagsche Bos. She was terrified as my kids were trying to touch it with... a leaf! Nice colors, and nice leg position! Enjoy your Sunday!

Safe coast

Zirfaea is one of the ten ships owned by the Ministery of public works. The complete fleet of the north sea can be looked at on this page. She is a 63 meter long boat used to investigate the seabed, measure the waves, inspect pipelines, detect wrecks of the sea, etc... It is also used if containment in oil spills. It is also equipped with ROHP II, an underwater robot needed for all kinds of inspection ant taking of samples from the seabed. It must be very interesting to visit this kind of boat and understand how they work.

Duindorp

Duindorp is another district of the Hague built between 1915 and 1930 for the fishermen population of Scheveningen. It was a milestone in the social history of the Hague as for the first time some houses were built for fishermen in accordance with the law. It counts around 2.700 houses built in the dunes South of the harbour of Scheveningen . Two thirds of the houses are so-called "social" houses and can offer low rents.

Eight years ago the city house started a renovation plan of this rather low-income neighborhood, with the rebuilding of old and small houses, as well as the construction of 1,000 new houses before 2010. Duindorp was labelled a couple of years ago as being one the problem districts of the city. One of the features is a very closed community, where new residents find it sometimes difficult to integrate.

Nice and warm terrace

I found this terrace outside the Carlton Beach Hotel on the seaside of Scheveningen. It was in the middle of the afternoon, which is probably why there was nobody sitting there. Have a look at the terrace heaters placed on the wall, they are working and a proof that the weather keeps being very cold!

Reflection

Just a nice reflection of trees in water in my favorite park in Clingendael. I can,t wait for the temporary Japanese garden to open at the end of this month to show you more natural beauty.

Leisure harbour

Many pleasure boats are moored in Scheveningen port. This part of the harbour is at the moment the centre of much attention, due to further expansion plans from the Town Hall detailed here that are creating many discussions, especially related to the proposed construction of two high towers as a flagship to the port entrance. The overall objective is to combine commercial, residential and recreational activities to attract more inhabitants and more tourists. The flats seen on the photo are part of the Havenkwartier, development project detailed on this page.

Many horse carriages!

Do you want one of those? Click here, and you can have a brand new one for an average €3,000! I'm sure you never thought of this kind of leisure time! In case you wonder, the horses were resting, and the owners were having a big pancake for lunch in the nearby pancake house. This is in Meijendel of course, a favorite week-end destination if you live in The Hague!

Colorful scaffolding

Isn't it a good idea to bring colors to boring scaffolding? It looks like the panels were specially set up for some street mural. This is located along the harbour in Scheveningen , which is why you can see on the mural the pier, and fishes.

The Muzentoren

This octagonal tower of 73 meters high is a design from Robert Krier, a Luxembourgian architect and urban designer. The use of black bricks gives a very special effect, especially because it is not very common in the city. It was completed in 2001 and is the entrance to the new Resident real estate compound. It is an office building.

Market day

Thursday is market day in the Stevinstraat, a weekly small market that exists since 1975. On the picture, the typical Dutch vegetables: onions, , sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, leeks, green endives. Note that you cannot see any potatoes as they have a special stand on the market!

Handy bike (2)

The only nice spring day of the week! I couldn't help talking this photo of this "bakfiets" again as I found the setting very colorful. Though those bikes are wonderful to carry more than one kiddy, they remain very expensive as they can easily top €1,500 depending on the brand and the options fitted on the bike...More photos of this kind of bike here.

Month theme : " Water"

I could not choose this month between..........the foam from the sea and the reflection of the sky. Let me know which one you prefer!

Take some time to visit some of the 178 cities around the world who are posting today snapshots of what "Water" inspires to them:

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,