The Seagull's Water Bowl
I don't know the language - perhaps Russian? Many Russians and Brits are buried in the old cemetery of Menton. The seagull obviously knows water collects here after rain and I like to think the person buried here in 1897 is happy to be of service.
I suppose the gull is drinking water, but it's an unsettling image at first glance.
ReplyDeletecela va en faire une mouette mutante.......beau coup d'œil...il est comment le cimetière russe, avec des petits bancs et des bougies autour des tombes ?
ReplyDeleteGreat pic!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to agree with Saretta!
Looks a bit Russian. Nice catch.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Saretta. At first I saw the seagull as eating flesh from the tomb - very unsettling.
ReplyDeleteBut your explanation is very nice though.
The bird was definitely drinking water. I'd not think there'd be much flesh left seeing as the person died in 1897! But I do see it could be an unsettling image Confess, it didn't occur to me at the time tho. Isn't it fascinating how photographs, paintings, books, etc affect us all differently. But then I was there and saw him drinking.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo! My mothers side of the family is Russian and my fathers side is French. Makes learning my genealogy very difficult with the language barrier! Actually, now that I say it together, it sounds like a salad dressing lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those serendipitous momenst us photogrphers love so much. It is a little odd. I had no idea so many of the russain fraternity were buried here.
ReplyDeleteThe cemetery in Menton is one of the most serene spots in the world that I have visited.
ReplyDeleteOn grave monument in particular that I remember, is worth the visit to this site.
A hunched over angel weeping over the grave site.
This person died the year my grandfather was born. The markers are in good condition for their age.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique picture.....and it looks like Russian but could it be Greek?
ReplyDeleteDo the gulls in the south of France have no respect for the dead? I'm sure those are Cyrillic characters but I can't read Russian. I have a hard enough time with French. It all gets too confusing. I've been listening to French lessons in the car in anticipation of our visit next spring. When they ask questions, i sometimes find myself answering in Japanese.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jilly. I like this photo, and have often taken lovely photos in cemeteries. My Russian friend says this inscription translates something like "Farewell (adieu) until we meet again."
ReplyDeleteIt's russian :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a sweet photo Jilly. A seagull in search of fresh water. The inscriptions still look in very clear after all these years.
ReplyDeletepriceless!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYes, this is russian language. and means "goodbay, farewell meeting soon".
Here the funeral of a doctor.
I love this picture. I am going through your old cemetery ones since I love hanging out in cemeteries.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think it's a sweet photo Jilly.
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