Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 08/23/2026: Posted photo — Name in Stone.
Name in stone on the summit of Wachusett Mountain.
Monday, 08/24/2026: Posted photo — Mums.
Mums that I saw today.
Tuesday, 8/25/2026: Posted photo – Gazebo on Academy Hill.
The gazebo at historic Academy Hill in Westminster. Stopped by to take this photo after I dropped off ballots at Town Hall.
Wednesday, 08/26/2026: Posted photo — White Wood Aster.
Some white wood asters from our yard.
Thursday, 08/27/2026: Posted photo — Dam at Little Beaver State Park.
My family took a quick hike around the lake at Little Beaver State Park in WV. This is actually the spillway since the water was low.
Friday, 8/28/2026: Posted photo – Bridge to Sandstone Falls.
This is the bridge that we walked over to get to Sandstone Falls in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in WV.
Saturday, 08/29/2026: Post photo — Sandstone Falls.
The largest waterfall on the New River, Sandstone Falls spans the river where it is 1500 feet wide. Divided by a series of islands, the river drops 10 to 25 feet.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” — Richard Avedon
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 08/16/2026: Posted photo — Altar Cloth.
The color of an altar cloth is normally the same as the priest wears during Mass.
White, the color of joy and victory, is used for the seasons of Easter and Christmas. It is also a reminder of the resurrection and can therefore be used at funerals.
Red is used on the days when we celebrate the passion of Jesus, Passion (Palm) Sunday and Good Friday. Red recalls the Holy Spirit and is used on Pentecost and for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Green symbolizes life, anticipation, and hope and is used during Ordinary Time.
Violet or purple are used in Advent to help us to remember that we are preparing for the coming of Christ. Lent, the season of penance, repentance, and renewal, also uses the colors violet or purple.
Monday, 08/17/2026: Posted photo — Focus Check.
I needed to check the focus on my phone’s camera. I thought it was getting better, but it has not. I wonder why it stopped working. Need to do more investigation.
Tuesday, 08/18/2026: Posted photo — Mushrooms.
This might be a gilled bolete mushroom. I do not know my mushrooms or like to eat them. All I know is this one is not edible.
Wednesday, 08/19/2026: Posted photo — Roses.
Another week, another photo of roses. I keep trying different settings on my phone to see if I can get a good photo. All I know now is that I can take a good photo at one set distance. My zoom does not work. I need to either purchase a small digital camera or find my old phone and use that as my camera. I might have traded in my older photo, so wish me luck.
It has been a while since I took a photo at this location. When I was on my way to work today, I had an urge to take a slight detour to take this photo. There was a slight mist off the pond, and I was trying to capture it. Looks like I had no luck. Better luck next time.
Friday, 08/21/2026: Post photo — Cemetery.
Is it cemetery or cemetary? There is some debate about the spelling of the word. I like, and many other people like, the spelling with three “e’s”. I have seen posts on different signs at cemeteries spelled with the “a” and not the “e”. Doing research this week, the consensus is that the word has three “e’s”.
Saturday, 08/22/2026: Post photo — Turkey Feather.
We have had a rafter of turkeys in our neighborhood this week. There is a family of about a dozen little poults. I do not know if they are Jakes or Jennys.
I attempted to get a photo of them later in the week, but I did not find them. They have been in our neighbor’s yard for most of the week. The only day I did not see them was when I had my camera with me to take their photo.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
This robin has a nest at our cottage. This is the third year in a row that it used this nest.
Wednesday, 08/13/2026: Posted photo — Partial Solar Eclipse.
There was a partial solar eclipse today. We had only about 18% coverage. When I woke up the weather was predicted to be partially cloudy. I glad it was not at the time of the eclipse. I stepped out of the office to take this photo.
Thurmond Station is in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in WV. Thurmond was once among the greatest railroad towns along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. The historic Thurmond Depot has been restored by the National Park Service and now serves as a park visitor center.
Friday, 08/14/2026: Post photo — Acorn.
This 10-foot-tall, 1, 250-lb. copper and steel sculpture was commissioned for Raleigh’s bicentennial in 1992. Dedicated to John Watkins, it is located at Raleigh City Plaza.
Saturday, 08/15/2026: Post photo — Ocracoke Lighthouse.
The Ocracoke Lighthouse is in Ocracoke Village at the southern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 08/02/2026: Posted photo — Votive.
The word votive describes something offered, given, or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow, prayer, or expression of devotion. The word votive comes from the Latin word votum, meaning a vow or a promise. These candles are in the vestibule of our church. They are dedicated to a good friend and his wife who have both passed.
Monday, 08/03/2026: Posted photo — Abstract.
The topic for my photo project this week was abstract. I took this photo as an abstract photo. It served two purposes. The first is to take a photo for my project. The second is to test out the focus on my phone’s camera. The class on my phone spontaneously broke. I am not the first owner of this brand of phone that this happened. Since the glass broke, my phone’s camera does not focus in the distance.
Tuesday, 08/04/2026: Posted photo — Black Eyed Susan.
The black-eyed Susan symbolizes encouragement, motivation, resilience, and justice. The name comes from the flower’s dark central disk surrounded by bright yellow petals, paired with a popular 1729 English ballad titled “Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-eye’d Susan” by poet John Gay.
Wednesday, 08/05/2026: Posted photo — Avocados.
Though once they roamed wild on the island, the Ocracoke Banker Ponies have been penned for their protection and cared for by the National Park Service since 1959. Legend has it that the “Banker” horses of Ocracoke were left here by shipwrecked explorers in the 16th or 17th century. These horses, often referred to as Ocracoke ponies, have been documented on Ocracoke Island since the first European settlers came to stay in the 1730s.
Thursday, 08/06/2026: Posted photo — Sunflower.
Sunflowers universally symbolize happiness, loyalty, adoration, and longevity. The sunflower got its name from its bright, round shape that looks like the sun and its habit of turning to face the sun.
Friday, 08/07/2026: Post photo — Still Eating.
This is the same rabbit as the last few weeks. I did not see it all week until today. I had to use my DSLR to get this photo. I wanted to take its photo this week using my phone, but as stated earlier, the zoom does not work.
Saturday, 08/08/2026: Post photo — Wright Bothers Memorial.
The site of the first flight in Kitty Hawk, NC in the Outer Banks. The wooden rail in the photo is what they used to keep the plane straight during takeoff. I did not realize how much influence their sister Katharine had on them. She is the forgotten sibling in this incredible feat and should have some credit. Glad to see that her name is in the Memorial.
Flight Details on December 17, 1903 First flight: 120 feet (36.5 meters) in 12 seconds, piloted by Orville Wright. Second flight: 175 feet (53.3 meters) in 12 seconds, piloted by Wilbur Wright. Third flight: 200 feet (60.9 meters) in 15 seconds, piloted by Orville Wright. Fourth (best) flight: 852 feet (260 meters) in 59 seconds, piloted by Wilbur Wright.
Looking at the flight markers, I could just imagine what went through their minds during that fourth flight. It was a relatively long way from the first three. It took some time to walk to it in the North Carolina heat.
When I was walking from the location of the fourth flight to the Big Kill Devil Hill Monument, I heard a teenaged girl tell her mother, “I do not know why so many kids do not like going to a place like this. This is such a historical event in history.” There is some hope with the younger generation.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” — Don McCullin
Here are some animals that I have seen over the last couple of weeks.
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Snapping turtles are large, long-lived freshwater reptiles known for their powerful jaws, long tail with a saw-toothed appearance, and aggressive snapping defense when on land. This snapping turtle has been living in the fresh water on the property that I work. I know it is the same turtle I have been seeing for years by the deformity in its shell. I have also seen her laying her eggs.
A Common Snapping Turtle delivers a force closer to 200–250 psi. I have seen this snapping turtle snap a broom handle when someone attempted to move it out of the driveway.
Monday, 07/27/2026: Posted photo — Deer.
Here are some deer that were hanging around our campsite in West Virginia. They were roaming the area and were not afraid of people. The deer in the photo kept looking at us and had an expression like “Are you looking at me?”.
Tuesday, 07/28/2026: Posted photo — Snake.
Just a snake we saw at a water crossing in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virgina. I like this photo because you can see that the snake is sticking its tongue out at us.
Though once they roamed wild on the island, the Ocracoke Banker Ponies have been penned for their protection and cared for by the National Park Service since 1959. Legend has it that the “Banker” horses of Ocracoke were left here by shipwrecked explorers in the 16th or 17th century. These horses, often referred to as Ocracoke ponies, have been documented on Ocracoke Island since the first European settlers came to stay in the 1730s.
When I went to the island, I was looking forward to possibly seeing the horses running on the beaches. That might happen at a different time of year.
Thursday, 07/30/2026: Posted photo — Barn Owl.
This owl was just after a trailhead on Wachusett Mountain. We heard the owl for many weeks and saw it at a distance once. This was the closest to the trail that I have seen it.
Friday, 07/31/2026: Post photo — Bunny.
This rabbit was eating some of our grass when I came home from work today. Most of the time when I see a rabbit, it flees. This one just looked at me and kept eating. It allowed me to take my camera out of my camera bag and to take its photo.
Saturday, 08/01/2026: Post photo — Golden Silk Orb-weaver.
Females are among the largest non-tarantula-like spiders in North America and are perhaps the largest orb-weavers in this country. This is one of two Orb-weavers that were hinging out all week at our vacation rental in the Outer Banks.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“What makes photography a strange invention is that the primary raw materials are light and time.” — John Berger
Thumb drive is still missing. Here are some photos from this week. Need to find my thumb drive soon.
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 07/19/2026: Posted photo — Roses.
Here are some colors for today. I went out shopping today to pick up a few items. I post many rose photos without comments, so I am posting again.
Monday, 07/20/2026: Posted photo — Name in Stone.
Sometimes I wonder how long it took for people to carve their names in stone. This is on the summit of Wachusett Mountain where a hotel once stood. The Hayward family was a big furniture family in our area. Solon was the middle and troublesome son.
Tuesday, 07/21/2026: Posted photo — Tiger Lily.
Tiger lilies are covered with black or deep crimson spots, giving them the appearance of the skin of a tiger. If I take a photo of a Tiger Lily at the correct angle, it almost looks plastic.
Ginger root provides major health benefits, specifically easing nausea, reducing inflammation, and supporting digestion. Ginger Ale contains a very small amount of ginger, usually in processed ginger extract rather than fresh ginger root. It still is used to ease nausea. I drink Ginger Ale to help prevent kidney stones.
Thursday, 07/23/2026: Posted photo — Mushroom.
I do not know much about mushrooms, except they are a type of fungus. Since I spend many hours or days outside hiking, I should. The only drawback is that I do not like the spongey taste of them.
Friday, 07/24/2026: Post photo — Bunny.
This rabbit was eating some of our grass when I came home from work today. Most of the time when I see a rabbit, it flees. This one just looked at me and kept eating. It allowed me to take my camera out of my camera bag and to take its photo.
Saturday, 07/25/2026: Post photo — Shell.
This is the first of many photos I plan on posting from our latest trip. I just need to find my thumb drive. If I cannot find it this week, I will have to redo my posts. This shell was on the beach in the Outer Banks.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann
This is a repost since I left my thumb drive with my last three weeks of posts at work. I hope I did since I cannot find it here at home.
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
For this post, I am showing you a few of the mountains and other geological formations that I saw during my vacation.
Sunday, 07/12/2026: Posted photo — Badlands National Park.
Here are some of the formations in Badlands National Park. Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.
Monday, 07/13/2026: Posted photo — Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in North Dakota and is one of the lesser know parks. After visiting the park, I have been in all 50 states! There was a stamp at the park that is a map of North Dakota and stays, “Saving the best for Last”. What a great stamp to put in my National Park passport.
Tuesday, 07/14/2026: Posted photo — First View in Yellowstone.
For a few weeks we were concerned about going to Yellowstone. As you may know, there were floods in the northern part of the park. The northern section of the park was closed when we were there. Some of the northern section opened about 3 days after we left the park. This did not disappoint up since we wanted to explore the southern section more during this visit.
Wednesday, 07/15/2026: Posted photo — Tetons from Yellowstone.
Grand Tetons National Park as seen from the West access road at Yellowstone National Park. We did not visit the Tetons this time. We have visited the Tetons in the past.
Thursday, 07/16/2026: Posted photo — Good Morning View at Yellowstone.
Good morning from Yellowstone. This is what I looked at when I came out of my tent the first morning in Yellowstone. What a great view to wake up to see. Just for your information, the temperature was in the low 30s F when I woke with frost on my tent. Some nearby campers had their water frozen.
Friday, 07/17/2026: Post photo — Mount Baker.
Mount Baker, also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is a 10,781 ft active glacier-covered andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington in the United States. Mount Baker has the second-most thermally active crater in the Cascade Range after Mount St. Helens.
Saturday, 07/18/2026: Post photo — The Sisters.
From left to right North Twin Sister, South Twin and Little Sister. The North Twin is the second highest point in the strikingly jagged ridge known as the Twin Sisters Range, 10 miles southwest of Mount Baker. Pyramid shaped; the North Twin has three ridges which connect directly to the summit area. One to the northeast, one to the southeast which is joined by a saddle to the South Twin, and finally the west ridge. The South Twin is the highest point in the Twin Sisters Range. Little Sister is the lowest and most northerly of the Three Sisters and is in Canmore, Alberta.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” — Richard Avedon
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 06/14/2026: Posted photo — Rose.
This is a rose that is growing in our flower bed. I am happy to see that both my rose bushes have survived the winter. This might be the first time this has happened.
Does anyone know if I need to have a trellis to support the roses as they grow. The roses are drooping under their own weight, and I want to get the right support for them.
Snapping turtles are large, long-lived freshwater reptiles known for their powerful jaws, long tail with a saw-toothed appearance, and aggressive snapping defense when on land. This snapping turtle has been living in the fresh water on the property that I work. I know it is the same turtle I have been seeing for years by the deformity in its shell. I have also seen her laying her eggs.
A Common Snapping Turtle delivers a force closer to 200–250 psi. I have seen this snapping turtle snap a broom handle when someone attempted to move it out of the driveway.
Tuesday, 06/16/2026: Posted photo — Old Steel Wheel.
I normally do not take still life photos. Hope you like this one. This steel wheel is located at our cottage at the edge of the lake.
Wednesday, 06/17/2026: Posted photo — Lightning.
I wanted to try out long exposure photography. I saw a storm out at sea and started shooting.
Thursday, 06/18/2026: Posted photo — Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park MT.
This is from the start of a trip I took a few years ago. We started at Glacier National Park. The parks we visited were Glacier National Park, MT; Northern Cascades National Park, WA; Olympic National Park, WA; Mt. Rainier National Park, WA; Grand Tetons National Park, WY; Yellowstone National Park, WY; Wind Cave National Park, SD; and ending with my first trip to Badlands National Park, SD.
Friday, 06/19/2026: Post photo — Moon over Cape Neddick.
This is the Nubble Lighthouse, in York ME. This lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world due to its location. This photo was cropped to fit in this poster, so it seems out of proportion.
Saturday, 06/20/2026: Post photo — Waterton Lake Sunset, Alberta.
This is one of my favorite photos from our travels. This is from Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta Canada.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
Any of my photos are available in poster format. These photos are formatted for 18” x 24” posters.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” — Richard Avedon
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Short captions this week since I am preparing for audits at work and had the ACS RFL this weekend.
Sunday, 06/07/2026: Posted photo — Lupine.
Some lupine that I saw today at church. These are located just off the church parking lot.
Monday, 06/08/2026: Posted photo — Rhododendron.
Rhododendron from our yard. Took this photo before the bloom goes past.
Tuesday, 06/09/2026: Posted photo — Loon.
This loon swam close to shore at the lake. It was the closest to shore that I have seen a loon in a while, so I took out my cellphone and took this photo. Too bad I did not have my DSLR close to me.
Wednesday, 06/10/2026: Posted photo — Falls.
Falls at the Old Mill. We lost power at work, so we had to go home early. That gave me an opportunity to take this photo.
Thursday, 06/11/2026: Posted photo — Monochrome.
I borrowed a camera to teach someone how to use it. It was on the incorrect setting, monochrome instead of auto.
Friday, 06/12/2026: Post photo — Mountain Laural.
The mountain laural is starting to bloom in our yard.
Saturday, 06/13/2026: Post photo — Goose.
Today was the second day of the Relay for Life. The RFL is a 20 hour walk, used to be 24 hour walk, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I took this photo a day early to post just in case we were overtired from the RFL. I did camp out last night and had very little sleep.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
Photo by Joseph Ciras 