czech it out

Prague through my eyes.
Marybeth Schmidt 

Feathered Female

Noticed | 30.5.19

Day two of Prague.

Flocked but not frightened, this woman sat on a tree trunk at the edge of Vltava River welcoming any and all pigeons with pieces of bread. Just below her were people flocking to and posing with the famous white swans. Yet this woman chose to sit with the less beautiful and otherwise called, “rats with wings.”

Every second a new pigeon entered her realm, she gladly opened up her lap for them. She sat there feeding the birds and gave extra love to the ones that glided into her lap. They sat calmly as she caressed the backs of the birds. She later picked up the birds and moved them away to make room for the next winged creature.

She brought smiles to many of the people surrounding her. Kids laughed and wanted to help her while older people tended to be more hesitant as they fearfully saw the pigeons as for what they were.

Although Prague is a city of 100 spires, its skies are still ruled by birds. Wildlife is able to flourish so well in Prague due to due to diverse urban habitats and the Prague basin and the Vltava valley. With the help of large amounts of land, parks and woods, about 130 species have been confirmed to breed in Prague.

I enjoyed the way this woman pictured the way people should see everyone. Equally and lovingly. That is why I wanted to capture this moment.

Just Around The Corner

Noticed | 29.5.19

Day one of Prague.

Finding a cafe to sit down at in Prague is the opposite of finding a needle in a haystack. One thing that I couldn’t help but notice was how almost every street corner housed a couple of tables, drinks and good conversations.

The cafes in Prague are numerous and each uniquely designed. Prague’s long history has given every cafe its own story and feeling. Architecture design and art blend with businesses to create a unique experience for each visitor.

This particular cafe, Café Alfredo, was decorated with fresh little flowers and colorfully tiled tables. It sat just at the edge of the market, Havelské tržiště. This market is unique in that it has been around since 1232 and is now urbanized with stalls selling local fruits & vegetables, plus art, crafts & souvenirs.

The couple pictured above sat still, enjoying a mid-afternoon drink as the crowds from the market roared beside them. Straw hats hung above them, as empty glasses lay beside. One could only guess what they were talking about, your Czech is as good as mine.

My favorite part of visiting cafes is getting to witness all the different types of people and conversations that are taking place. Singing or silence, angry or nostalgic voices. Kissing or yelling, wrinkles or frowns. Each table at a cafe holds its own inviting story, one that only few would ever hear.

I enjoyed the symmetry and colors of this moment. You can tell the woman might be drowning out the sound of her husband with the sounds of the busy market just beside her.