I'm not quite sure how I came up with the idea to take pictures of all of the pigs displayed throughout the greater Cincinnati area. The first time I saw them was on a June evening. I was driving home from work (I work in Kentucky, in Covington, just south of the Ohio River); I had to take I-75 north instead of I-71, as the stretch of I-71 was closed due to construction. Instead of taking I-75 all the way home, I diverted myself through Fifth Street (the heart of downtown Cincinnati) to get to the open part of I-71. As I drove by the Convention Center at Fifth and Elm, I saw my first pig (I'm pretty sure it was Pigskin, although I could be mistaken).

Then I saw more. The ones that really caught my eye were the one that looked like a Bengal tiger (When We Win the Superbowl) and one with wheels and a silver paint job like a snazzy miniature car (MerSOWdes). The pigs left an immediate impression of beauty and creativity; immediately, I knew that I wanted to see them all. I soon conceived the idea of taking pictures of each, so that I'd have a visual reminder of the pigs. (Little did I know that there were over four hundred of the beasts...)

Note: Pictures without backgrounds are taken from the website, as they did not develop from my rolls of film. Argh.

Armed with a list taken from the official website and accompanied by my ex-boyfriend, Eric, I embarked on my quest, little knowing how far it would take me.

DAY ONE: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Pig

We started on a Friday afternoon -- August 11th -- at Union Terminal with half a roll of film. I'd been idly talking about getting pig pictures for weeks, so I don't think Eric quite believed that I would actually start doing something about it. Oh, ye of little faith... I had an inkling of what to expect, but in no way was I truly prepared for the diversity of pigs that awaited me.

Union Terminal is a refurbished museum that was once the terminal for trains coming in and out of Cincinnati. One line, Amtrak, still actively operates there, but the rest of the place functions as the Natural History Museum, a children's museum, the Omnimax Theatre, and a museum for the history of Cincinnati. The inside is particularly gorgeous; clamshell-shaped, with mosaics running around the upper level to a beautiful ceiling design, and science buffs can play with the whisper dishes on either side of the clamshell. Outside, a long, straight driveway leads up to a horseshoe at the entrance, and that's where the first pigs appeared.

After parking, we walked back to the first pig: Ham 'n Eggs. Next we saw Alphapigabet. Further up is Cosmic Swine; then there's Ms. Puercozilla Pigita Pigglesworth (A.K.A. Suee Eleanor Pigsby), Newpig Aquarium (a reference to the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky), Ms. Penciline, and A Pigirl Scout's World. Upon seeing the Periodic Pig, I had to take pictures of both sides; the elements with which it is marked are just too funny.

In the central garden area of the horseshoe-driveway, we snapped Pigment of Our Imagination, Hamlite (no, the flag isn't growing out of his head), There's No Place Like Ham, and The Arts Will Make Your Pig Fly. Then we crossed to the other side of the horseshoe to get the artistic Hi! I'm Artie de Oink, see me at Art Links!, celestial The Pig Dipper, spooky Frankenswine, Native American Spirit Dancing Pig, and the woolly Pig on a RAMpage. We also snapped Angel, but her picture didn't come out; we'd eventually make a return journey for that.

PIGS CAUGHT: 17

DAY TWO: Saturday in the Pork... er, Park

The following day, I decided that we should try and get all of the pigs at Eden Park, one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. It's close to Mt. Adams, a posh residential area, as well as the Playhouse in the Park and the Cincinnati Art Museum, and has a pair of manmade "lakes".

We went to the first, Twin Lakes -- actually a double lake, joined in the middle and spanned by an antique-appearing stone bridge -- to have lunch first. Once that was out of the way, we started snapping. First up was Sown Miro; next we found Pig 4 (sponsored by the Ohio Lottery Commission), Jimmy Boar-fett (no doubt a tribute to the many Parrotheads living here), Dare to Dream, Cooking With the Pig at bigg's (bigg's is a local hypermarket chain; I love the silvery Ohio River in the background of this shot), and Porkus Welby, M.D.. We also conferred with another pig-shooter who told us to look out for Pigtoria's Secret.

We drove up to Krohn Conservatory to snap Metamorphoswine and Eden Pork: Eden Park (whose hat was being adjusted by the artist; a component of it had been stolen by vandals). Next, we went to Mirror Lake, a wide, flat lake higher up in the park, to get Dandelion Swine, Plantapigamongus, and Little Drummer Boar.

Finally, we hit the Art Museum to see if it was open -- or if not, if any of its pigs were outside. It was closed, and there was a pig outside -- but so strange that I wasn't even sure what it was. It turned out to be Pigletxander Calder, though there was no plaque, so the "pig-mobile" remained unidentified for quite some time. Part of his large frame is visible in this picture.

PIGS CAUGHT: 12

DAY THREE: Porkin' Around

Still feeling vigorous, we decided to try again on Sunday, aiming for the Covington and Sawyer Point pigs. Driving into downtown Cincinnati was difficult, due to the ongoing construction; we found out as well that the annual Seafood Festival was taking place at Sawyer Point (I developed an immediate craving for lobster). Due to an inadvertant bridge-crossing, we ended up in Covington, and went after those pigs first.

Outside the Embassy Suites, I nabbed Circlepork; in front of the Convention Center, Uncle Ham; at Covington Landing, This Lit'l Piggy Went to Remke Market (Remke is a local supermarket chain). Then it was back to the Embassy for Boar-tender, Pig in a Blanket (which became a recurring theme), Pig in a Poke, and Pig Iron (notice the stripes on his haunches; is this the porcine Tiger Woods?). At the corner of 2nd Street and Scott, we encountered Pork-Opulence, which seems to be one of those pigs that people love to touch. Gold-hued appliques adorn its entire surface.

At the Mainstrasse Village -- a charming area of Covington populated primarily with small business and bars -- we stumbled on an antique show/sale, and browsed through the wares while snapping Blues Brother (whose sunglasses had been vandalized), Miss Patchwork Pork, Piggin' Out on Art, pINKY, and One Swine Day in May. I also snapped the WB64 Frog Hog and Austin Sowers, but their pictures didn't come out. Finally, we made a quick jaunt up to Madison and 11th to get A Pig's Tale: History on the Hoof.

Heading across the river again, we parked and made our way into Sawyer Point -- a long park-like area which abuts the Ohio River, with a bandshell, various historical plaques and even a sidewalk that doubles as a historical timeline (you can walk back to the Jurassic Era and even further). We encountered Hog Wired almost immediately; then we headed into the festival and ate. Afterwards, we wandered around to find Armored Hammer, High on the Hog, Sow Spring, Michaelhamgelo, Key Lardo, Known From Roast to Roast, Hamingway (whose book collection includes "Frankenswine", "The Swine Also Rises", "Pig on a Hot Tin Roof", "To Kill a Mockingpig", and more), In the Piginning (another one so unique that I had to take a picture of both sides), and Hoosier Hampshire.

As we walked back to the car, we came upon Jiggin' Piggy (sponsored by a local Irish pub, the Dubliner) and Oinkapella. Limping home, we agreed that it had been a most productive weekend.

PIGS CAUGHT: 26

DAY FOUR: Come Fly With Me...

Actually, this wasn't an official picture-taking day, but I went to visit my parents in North Carolina on Saturday, August 17th. As I headed to my gate in Concourse B of the airport, I saw the Toyota Hamry, enshrined on a pedestal in the middle of the concourse. Unfortunately, said pedestal was being used to lean on by a woman who was too busy using her cell phone to move out of my picture. I have yet to find the other two airport pigs, but they will be mine... oh yes, they will be mine.

PIGS CAUGHT: 1

DAY FIVE: It's Like Shooting Pigs in a Barrel.

Sadly, I neglected my pigs for a few weeks after that. I was determined to rectify the situation, aware that my deadline was creeping up on me, so, on Thursday, September 7th, I dashed from work to the Cincinnati Library. By the time I arrived in a propitious parking place right in front of the library, it was 3:50, and I only had ten minutes to occupy the space (as there was no parking there between four and six p.m.). I only had about twelve exposures left on that roll of film, though; I ran to the entrance to get Pig in the Sky, Hand Over 'Da Pig!, Hogtoberfest, The Pigamore Aviator, and Piggy in Pajamas. Inside, I snapped Taking Flight on the Silver Knight, Pigasaurus, I Squeal, You Squeal, We All Squeal For Ice Cream, Hermes: Messenger for the Gods, and Pig in Space; then I went out to the Walnut Street entrance to get The Liboary Pig: Pig Out on Books and The Three Little Pigs: House of Sticks (whose picture didn't come out). At that point, I ran out of film and time, so I ran to the car and headed home.

PIGS CAUGHT: 11

DAY SIX: Pigs on the run, pigs on the run...

The following day, I arranged to meet Eric at the library after work. I parked in an adjacent lot, and as I walked up to the library, I saw and took a picture of A Swine of Signs (whose picture didn't come out). I met up with Eric; we proceeded into the library, where I discovered another 'new' pig, Shazham. We went out to the Walnut Street entrance to get The Three Little Pigs: House of Bricks and The Three Little Pigs: House of Straw, as well as Sow Power; then we began making our way around the library to get the multitude of pigs on the surrounding sidewalks. On Walnut Street we found Pigtales and, on the next block up, Pig O' My Heart; then we encountered I Spy Pig, another that required shots of both sides. Further down 9th Street, we found King Millie, and then this lovely lady, whom I later learned is Posie Pig. She was the first pig not on my "official" list.

At the corner of 9th and Vine, we snapped Pigture Success; then we crossed the street to get The Pig Bang Theory. We went back into the library and to the Children's Reading Courtyard to get Hogwarts from the Harry Potter Books (one of my personal favorites; he has the lightning-shaped scar between his eyes, and suspended above his head is the Golden Snitch) and Hog Tied; then we had to come back outside to get The Great Cincinnati Pig. We were one short; the list showed another pig at the library, but we couldn't find it, so we decided to call it a day.

Walking back to the car, we snapped Wake Up and Smell the Bacon in front of the Garfield Suites, on the corner of 8th and Vine. It would be a while before I realized that we had walked right by Piatt Park, where many more pigs were located.

PIGS CAUGHT: 15

DAY SEVEN: We've got pig sign!

We didn't get back to the pigs until Sunday, September 17th. Eric and I hit Union Terminal again to get Angel; I also took another picture of Frankenswine, as he was sans his garbage-bag cloak this time. After that brief stop, we went to Music Hall to get Sow-ciety for the Preservation of Music Hall, Maestro Porko, and Pigliacci.

Driving around, we had a hard time finding parking; it wasn't until we saw Walnut Street blocked off that we realized this was due to Oktoberfest also going on. I was ready to give up when, as if by Providence, we discovered a space on Court Street, which is also where quite a few pigs are located. We parked and began snapping.

First up was David HOGney, followed by Typigraphy and Ham Salad (another whose pic didn't come out). I changed rolls of film as we walked down Court Street to Walnut, where we snapped A Pigture is Worth a Thousand Words (pic didn't come out) and Inky Stinky. Further down on Court Street, in front of the Cincinnati Post building, we got Foodie Tootie in the Land of a Sowsand Foods; and at the end of Court, Phat Pig. That black thing hanging down below his ear is actually the earpiece of a pair of sunglasses; the lens part was apparently stolen.

We crossed to the Courthouse to get Bringin' Home the Bacon, then walked up to Central Parkway to get Digital Swine and e-piggy.com, a unique pig made of a wire mesh suspended above the street (to represent the World Wide Web). Next we walked down Main Street, where we found Until There's a Cure and Porkopolis Patti, the Pizza Purveyor (it's hard to see from that angle, but she's carrying a pizza in her right hoof).

Finally we reached the Aronoff Center, the new musical center of the area. The first pig we encountered there was His Dreams Took Him On a Colorful Journey, followed by GoVeg.com. We walked down Main to Sixth Street, where we found Juicy Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (surrounded by police tape) and the infamous Pigtoria's Secret. Walking back up Sixth towards Walnut, the cry of "Pig!" became more frequent; we found the fantastic Phantom of the Slopera, Sparkling Swine (which a woman approached and began fondling just as I was about to take the picture), and the inspiring Swine Lake. Individually, these pigs are Odette, Porkiskaya, Odile, Swine-Hilda, and Hoofanova. On these last two, you can see a mark on their rump: that's the 'USDA Prima' stamp. This arrangement has to be one of my favorites; I was upset with the light marring the group picture. Grr.

We crossed the street to the 580 Building to get Only in America and this blurry picture of Maisownette, itself a parody of the locally famous restaurant La Maisonette. Then we went to the opposite corner to get Reginald, Dressed to the Swines. Walking back up Walnut, we captured Goldie Hocks - How Great Sow Art, Stage Hams, CyBOARg, and, finally, Piglit. Exhausted, we decided to call it a day.

PIGS CAUGHT: 33

DAY EIGHT: Are you out of your mind?

Eric and I went to Newport, Kentucky, on Tuesday, September 26th, to find as many pigs as we could. We discovered the World Peace Bell and its plethora of pigs first. Amazingly, they were all there. First up was The Peaceful Pig, followed by Pigplant, Mr. Meatless, Montesso(w)ri at the New School: Pig in a (Peace) Blanket (continuing the 'pig in blanket' theme), Pigture Perfect Smiles, World Peace Pig (painted with quotes about peace), and finally Queen Pigtoria's Guard.

We were going to try to get the pigs at the Newport Aquarium, but I didn't want to pay for parking there when we weren't planning on going inside. Instead, we found Sencorp and its two pigs -- Pork of Entry and The Messenger. Then we drove down Riverboat Row until we found Hamela Lee, Star of Hogwatch (fake boobs and all) and Flower-Power Pig. We also discovered a parking area with steps leading up to the Aquarium, so we walked up there to snap A Pig For All Seasons - Winter, Jake Swiney's Boarvette (Jake Sweeney is a local car dealership), Pig Bird, and one that really made me laugh: The CEO, sponsored by coolsavings.com. The note on his side informs the general public that his money box is emptied every night (he accepts donations for the Aquarium).

We went back to Mainstrasse Village next, intent on recapturing at least one of my pictures that didn't come out; first, though, we found one that hadn't been there last time: Risin' Swine. Then I snapped Austin Sowers, and thus ended the day.

PIGS CAUGHT: 17

DAY NINE: PiGallivanting Around.

On Thursday, September 28th, I drove from work to Covington, where I'd determined to start the next round of pictures. I started at the Carnegie, a small art gallery, where I found Swine Art, AHIMSA (Non Injury to Any Being), and Uperse Igpe, the Pig Latin Pig (as well as Hamingway, Michaelhamgelo and Key Lardo, all of whom had apparently been moved from Sawyer Point). Next, I found the Covington Retriever at Scott & 11th, and the Celestial Swine at, appropriately, the cathedral on Madison.

At George Rogers Clark Park, a place I'd never known existed before my explorations, I found Swine and Roses, Poinky Pig (whose right wing was sadly drooping), Highland Lassie (I had to refix her pompom; the other one was missing), and Pizza Pignic (the picture didn't come out). Next I went over to park illegally behind the Coach & Four so I could get the Construction Porker, A Pig For All Seasons - Summer, and Piggy Max. I stopped to get something to eat, then headed over to Cincinnati and parked under the Westin Hotel; my target: Fountain Square.

There are several pigs in the Westin's large atrium; the most noticable is a 'choir' of pigs dancing around a Maypole. I took individual pictures of the Sowprano, Altoink, Tenorloin, Chorusow (on whose ribbon is music from the Hallelujah Chorus), and Boaritone. Before heading up to the upper level to get a group shot, I snapped the other atrium pigs: sHOGun, Piggish on America, and violinist Anne-SOWphie Mutter. Upstairs, I found The Puccini Pig; then I snapped the whole choir. About to leave, I noticed a hint of color further down Skywalk, and investigated; it turned out to be Pigaletto.

I went back downstairs and outside to find the CinSOWnnati Pig; didn't realize at the time that it was a two-sider. This side shows Cincinnati in the 1800's. I crossed the street to Fountain Square, encountering first Pork Rules and Sownd Investor. Next I snapped Pig Boy, who has a slingshot in his back pocket, the Styler Davidson Sow-tain (a tribute to the Tyler Davidson Fountain, longtime occupant of the Square), Pig Out... Often, and Cupig. In front of the Fifth Third building, I found Stainless Squeal; inside resides Patsey - the Phenomenal, Prancing, Paisley, Piano-Playing Porker and Big Nutcracker Boy. Outside again, I took pictures of Non-Profit Pig, Bjorn Boarg (I snagged a picture from the website of him before his tennis racket was broken off), She's a Honey, and Deadline Swine (again, his picture didn't come out).

While changing rolls of film, I fielded a question called down to me from Skywalk about when the pigs were going to auction (November 2nd) and where (Music Hall and eBay). Then I was off again, shooting Animal House and Media Hog (two more whose pics didn't develop), Salvador Pigali, Sow von Carpenter, Pig-Tac-Toe, Kahn-versation Piece, SNORT-OINK-EEL, Sowlestial Chariot (another who wasn't on my list, also plaque-less), and A Slide of Ham (the insignia on his sleeve is like the Reds', except with a pig's face instead of a baseball). I crossed the street to get All Aboard!, then came back for Oink, Sugar Creek's Sugar Fine Swine, Hog Tide (also not on my list; his name will make sense when I put up the pic of his other side), Pig of Possibilities, A Pig For All Seasons - Spring, A Pig For All Seasons - Autumn, and When We Win the Super Bowl. Another "two-sider", Dual Porcineality (named by Lee Ann Buskirk) had me laughing out loud. Cincinnati is long known for being a city of two personalities; its east side is very hoity-toity, while the west side is more... um... relaxed. Jim Borgman, a political cartoonist for the Cincinnati Enquirer and artist of the comic strip "Zits", did this pig. Each feather of its wings has the name of a neighborhood or important locale. Vine Street divides the two halves, and never the twain shall meet.

I crossed the street again to get Un Cochon Dans le Jardin, then walked back to the Westin, stopping on the way for MerSOWdes. By then my feet were killing me, but I felt I'd brought in a good day's work.

PIGS CAUGHT: 51

DAY TEN: More Pigs.

A few days later -- Sunday, October 1st -- we went out again for the most productive day yet. After some driving around downtown, we realized that parking would be difficult due to the Bengals game also taking place. We ended up paying $6 for a parking garage that turned out to be ideally located.

We immediately sighted pigs on Main Street, where we'd parked, at the PNC building: Alan Greenspam and Porkfolio by PNC, who's actually coated in 24 karat gold leaf. Then we found Pig Latin, after which we went across the street to get Certified Pork Accountant. We wanted to get into the Federal Reserve Park to get the pigs there, but it was closed. Darn.

On the corner of Fourth and Walnut, we encountered the Equine Swine II and Equine Swine III; they were plaqueless at the time, so it took us a while to identify them. Then we walked back along Fourth Street to capture the Cheshire Pig, Leonardo's Whirly Pig, and Swinephony (whose picture didn't come out). Further down the sidewalk we encountered Mudgellan, the Pig Red Machine, and Homer. Then we crossed to the corner to get Divine Swine, whose halo is stained glass.

Our next stop was Western Southern Park, where I'd seen my first two pigs: Wonderful Wilbur and Hog Wild. Also there we found Hamanities, Winged Pigtory, and the adorable Pig-cretely Yours. Continuing the walk down Fourth, we snapped Sheakin' Bacon, Squeaky Clean, and Turpin Swine and Sister Sows. Finally, we reached the primary goal of the day: Lytle Park.

A small patch of green that has had to fight to maintain its place in busy downtown Cincinnati, Lytle Park is lined with flags delineating the history of the United States, as well as beautiful floral landscaping and a playground. In quick order, we took pictures: A Fly in the Oinkment, In a Pig's Eye, It's Pigementary, Leader-Hogen Cincinnati, These Little Piggies, Sowmwhere Over the Rainbow, Hams Across America, Squeal of Fortune, Franc Pig Yen Dow, When Irish Styes are Smiling, Yellow Submarine, Sowmerfair, Pigasus, The Button Glutton, Pig Dreams I, Amelia Pigart, Ham Sweet Ham, Senator Pig, and Marbelized Pigment.

We walked down to the Taft Museum, where I walked on the grass to get this image of Porcine Porc-elain; then we went up to Fifth Street, to the Proctor & Gamble Pavilion, to snap Pig-a-Lily. Further down Fifth, at the Chiquita Building, we grabbed Freqoink Flyer, piggEY.com, and Carmine Swine.

Across the street, we found Boarrister at the Chemed Center. We went back to Fourth Street and the Atrium One to get Link, and then further up Fourth to get Romulus, the Mason Dixon Swine, Hot Pig in a Blanket, Fine Swine, and Sow Jones. At the Provident Park, we found Porkhos, Cow-abunga, and DAAPig - Swine Design. Our spirits were starting to flag by now, but when we saw the Olympig, we were inspired to continue.

Further down Fourth Street, we encountered Pig Works, Hamstrings (the ribbon on his neck says "If music be the food of love, play on"), and Typigraphic. In a window we saw Hammibal Crossing the Rhine; unfortunately, I couldn't get a better picture than this one. Next was Mr. Chops, followed by Queen Piggy of the West; we were getting worn out by this point, so we ended at the corner of Fourth and Elm by getting A Walk in the Pork, Cincinnati Coney, and Oinkitecture. As we walked back up Fourth, we spotted O Sowlo Meeeeeo (pic didn't come out) and Ryley in the window of Federal Express; these were our last 'catches' of the most profitable day yet.

PIGS CAUGHT: 63

DAY ELEVEN: Still More Pigs.

I didn't get to start taking pictures again until Thursday, October 12th, when I was working briefly downtown as a temp. As I had an hour for lunch, I was able to go to the Federal Reserve Park (I was working right across the street) to get the pigs there. First up was Erectheham on the Porkopolis, followed by Porkupine, CPA (Certified Piglet Accountant), Slam-Jam Suey, and The Sacred Sow. Then I spotted a glimpse of pig-wing across the street, and went there to get the Smog Hog. Then I realized that I was only across the corner from the CinSOWnnati Pig, whose other side I wanted to get a picture of, and then there was Fountain Square, where I'd seen another new pig that morning...

So I headed down Fifth Street, stopping first at the CinSOWnnati Pig: this side shows Cincinnati's skyline as of 2000, suspension bridge on the left, Cinergy Stadium (which no longer exists) on the right. As I continued towards Fountain Square, I encountered two new pigs outside the Westin: the Propulsion Pig and the Contemporary Arts Centerloin. Then I went up to Fountain Square to discover the "new" pig there: Being John Piggigovich. With the references to Being John Malkovich, this one is definitely one of my favorites.

As I still had time on my lunch break, I decided to go into Carew Tower (the tallest building in Cincinnati) and get as many pigs there as I could. My flash was taking a very long time to light up, so I was only able to get two: Piggy-Go-Round (whose picture didn't come out), and Babes in Toyland. On my way out, I stopped to get new batteries for my camera, and resolved to come back the next day. I managed to get another picture of O Sowlo Meeeeeo as I headed back to work.

PIGS CAUGHT: 11

DAY TWELVE: Pigs On Parade

The next day, Friday, October 13th, I went back to finish what I'd begun at Carew Tower. First I snapped Pig Out on Plastics, then Chamboar of Commerce, Hogging the Market, and Pig Brother's Watching You. I went further up Fifth to Saks Fifth Avenue, where I found the Saksy Babe and 2 Sowsend. It's always just one more; a little bit further down was Orange Barrow, the Road Hog; then Andy Warhol-steiner and Go Veg Piggy. I wound up at the Convention Center, where I snapped Pigskin; on the way back, I noticed a different pig at Fountain Square (again), and got the Vicboarian Crazy Quilt. Then it was back to work.

PIGS CAUGHT: 11

DAY THIRTEEN: Museum Pigs

We were back at it on Sunday, October 15th, when we headed up to the Cincinnati Art Museum to get the pigs there. The museum thoughtfully provided maps with the pigs' locations, and we started snapping -- starting with Pigtisse, just inside the door. Next up was CAM HAM, then Pigall, Pigasso, Roy Lichtenswine (Sorry, Roy), Pop Pig - Andy Warhog (I didn't use my flash in this one, oops), and Paganini Pig (a.k.a. Piganini). We stopped at the Playhouse in the Park to get Pig-malion, then drove through Mt. Adams, looking for the two pigs there. Only one was found, though: Leonardo's Flying Pig (shown here with the fountain burbling merrily behind it).

Somewhat directionless at this point, we drove downtown and up Main Street to see which ones on Upper Main we could find. I did a lot of stopping, jumping out of the car, and running to grab the picture to get these: Pork Chopper, Sow What Ye Reap, Wings of Hope, AdBuster Pig, and Painted Pig (the other that was supposed to be in Mt. Adams). We also tried Findlay Market, but couldn't find any of the three there.

PIGS CAUGHT: 13

DAY FOURTEEN: Back on the Chain Gang.

Back at work on October 16th, I spent my lunch hour playing a bit of catch-up, getting Swinephony again. Then I went down to 312 Walnut -- the Cincinnati Enquirer building -- to get ScrippSOWard, the Road Hog, Vincent Van Hogh, Technical Sow, Sow's It Goin', Cincinnati?, Pignata, and Paddle Squealer. Something made me go back to the Westin, where I found a pig that hadn't been there before: Auto Oinktion. Then I headed over to 525 Vine, at the Skywalk level, to get Going For Boaroque, Ms. Sow Jones 2000, and the Duke of Porkopolis.

I went over to Sixth Street to the Commerce Building, now the Convergys Building (they change this stuff when I'm not looking!) to get Ham & Swiss on Rye to Go, Hog Wash, and Pig Appeal, then stopped for lunch. Walking back up Sixth towards Main (already late), I found Swine Stein, which hadn't been on the corner of Sixth and Walnut before. I got a better picture of Maisownette and also picked up I'll Cook When Pigs Fly before finally getting back to work.

PIGS CAUGHT: 17

DAY FIFTEEN: A slow day for pigs.

It was raining for my last day of work downtown, October 17th, so I only sojourned as far as the Skyline down the block to get lunch. I did stop at P&G Plaza, though, to snap Freedom Pig - Pig in the Blanket and Ivory Sow.

PIGS CAUGHT: 2

DAY SIXTEEN: The penned is near.

On Thursday, October 19th, Eric and I went back to work. At City Hall, we snapped Hamlich Maneuver, To Save Drowning, Choking, and Asthma Victims, Goetta Edubacon, Pig Pals, Pig in the Park - Park on the Pig (decorated like Eden Park; the gazebo and Mirror Lake can be seen on this side), Joink Miro, and a cluster of three, Preservation Pig, Porky Play'a, and Hamri Matisse.

We walked over to Piatt Park, enjoying the warm afternoon; there we found Chef Pigerre and Roger Bacon (a nod to a local elementary school of the same name). We stopped for lunch at my favorite place in the whole world for corned beef, Izzy's, and planned out our attack for the afternoon. Then we continued through Piatt Park, getting The Park's Potted Pig (beautifully inlaid with a mosaic of ceramic tiles), Jewelia Pig (covered with shiny stones), Peddler Pig, Topigary, The Baby Pork With Another Special Delivery From Good Samaritan Hospital, Hip Hop Hog, and O'pen... the Pig Idea! (complete with bubble wrap in their box). Crossing the street to the library, I got another picture of A Swine of Signs; we then headed around to the other side of the library to get another picture of Three Little Pigs: House of Sticks (not a great picture, but it's the only one I've got).

Also on the same day, we got Bench and Boar, another picture of Ham Salad, Porkopolis (which shows a relief map of downtown Cincinnati on its back; the side view shows off the height of the buildings), Ecco: Pig On Earth, Sporky, Hamlet (the silver "trim" on his outfit is actually written lines from the play), JC Ham, Glimmer Glimmer and Swine, Swinescraper, and Porcus Triplicus (Pig of Three Voices).

DAY SEVENTEEN: The end.

On the final day of shooting, we nabbed another picture of Swine Lake, as well as Art Springs Internal, Pigspective, Cincinnati Coney (reshoot), Oinkitecture (reshoot), Piggy-Go-Round (reshoot), One Thousand One Arabiham Nights, Hog Tide (now the name becomes clear), Animal House (reshoot), Deadline Swine (reshoot), Duke of Porkopolis (reshoot), Don Pigiovanni, Elvis Pigsley, Choice Cuts, Ham & Swiss on Rye to Go (reshoot), Unknown, A Pigture is Worth a Thousand Words (reshoot), Piglenium (reshoot), and Pizza Pignic (reshoot).

I had a lot of fun taking pictures and finding parts of the city that I'd never even known existed prior to the great pig hunt. The pigs were a unique and utterly fun project and I'm glad I got to participate in my own way.

And it's never truly over -- five years later, I finally got The Spirit of Pigcinnati at the airport!