Monthly Archives: September 2021

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September 26, 2021

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/19/2021 to 09/25/2021

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” — Ansel Adams

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 09/19/2021: Posted photo — Trail Marker.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/25 s, 31 mm.

This is an old trail marker on Wachusett Mountain. There are a few trails on the mountain that have the trail name carved into stone. When I see these markings, I wonder how long it took for someone to carve the marking.

I took this photo to show how the trails were marked many years ago.

Monday, 09/20/2021: Posted photo — Harvest Moon.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/13, 1/100 s, 1250 mm.

I take many moon photos. The moon is my primary subject matter and is very difficult to photograph. Many have tried but have not gotten a good photo since the moon is very bright and is moving very fast. I have taken hundreds of moon photos and decided to change my setting slightly for this photo.

For this photo, I changed the focal length of this moon photo to 1250 mm to see if I could get a better focus on this subject.

From space.com: “Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal (fall) equinox — which is most often in September. On average, October Harvest Moons come at three-year intervals, although the time frame can be quite variable, and there can be situations where as many as eight years can elapse (the next such example will come between 2020 and 2028).

At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Usually, the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice — indigenous staples in North America — are ready for gathering.”

Tuesday, 09/21/2021: Posted photo — Wachusett Mountain.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 79 mm.

Today I needed a quick photo, so I took a photo of Wachusett Mountain over Round Meadow Pond.

Wednesday, 09/22/2021: Posted photo — Heart.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 135 mm.

People see items in ordinary item in the strangest places. This weekend I saw this rock looking like a hike at the trailhead of the Hancock’s in the White Mountains.

Seeing familiar objects or patterns in otherwise random or unrelated objects or patterns is called pareidolia. It’s a form of apophenia, which is a more general term for the human tendency to seek patterns in random information.

Thursday, 09/23/2021: Posted photo — Mushroom.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/7.1, 1/30 s, 87 mm.

Have you noticed that there are many more mushrooms this year then in the past? At least here in north central Massachusetts and in the mountains of New Hampshire. The photo I took today was on one of the trails on Wachusett Mountain. I took this photo on my way to the summit. I was planning on taking a sunset photo tonight but there was cloud cover at the summit. I was happy that I took this photo so I would have something to post today.

Friday, 09/24/2021: Post photo — Abstract Painting.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/8 s, 31 mm.

Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead use shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. Abstract art is made up of six basic elements: Line, Texture, Shape, Form, Color, and Value. You can go online to find more about these elements.

Saturday, 09/25/2021: Post photo — FaceTime with Daughter.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/5, 1/100 s, 57 mm.

My uncle turned 92 years old this week. We had a party for him this afternoon.

During the party, his daughter from Maine called him to FaceTime. He was figuring out how to talk to her. It was difficult to hear them on the phone due to all the noise from the party.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com/ or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

COVID is real! Be safe out there, keep your social distance, and remember to always wear your mask and wash your hands. Get your vaccine!

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September 19, 2021

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/12/2021 to 09/18/2021

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” — Elliott Erwitt

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 09/12/2021: Posted photo — Trail Mix.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/10 s, 135 mm.

Trail mix is typically a blend of cereals, dried fruits, nuts and often sweets, trail mix can be a mixture of crunchy and chewy, salty, or sweet. My trail mix is a mixture of different types of M&Ms, nuts, and Chex mix.

I snack on trail mix off and on the trail. I like the mixture of the different textures and tastes of the food. Trail mix may not be the most nutritious food to eat, but it does cut down on my hunger and keeps me energized on my hikes.

Monday, 09/13/2021: Posted photo — Sunset from the Summit.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/3200 s, 135 mm.

Every sunset is different, and none disappoint. Some are more spectacular and colorful than other. The anticipation of how the sunset will look is one of the great things about them.

This is why sunsets are so colorful according to Brian Resnick in an article in Science and Health “Sunset colors are created by a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. It is the same phenomenon that makes the sky appear blue during the day.

Sunlight contains all the colors of the rainbow. But not all the colors reach the ground in the same concentration. Nitrogen and oxygen molecules in our atmosphere act as little mirrors for blue and violet light. That means not as much blue or violet light reaches the ground. Instead, it bounces around in our atmosphere, creating the blue dome of sky we’re all so familiar with.

At sunset, light must travel through a greater distance of atmosphere to reach our eyes — so even more blue light, and even some green and yellow light, gets filtered out. That leaves us with the warmer hues of the visible light, the reds and oranges, and it’s why many sunsets look like fire.”

Tuesday, 09/14/2021: Posted photo — Maggiore Fun Flame.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 100, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

A Maggiore Fun Flame is a stunning dahlia with huge, fiery red and yellow flowers. Its tall stems are perfect for cutting. It Reblooms effortlessly all season long. The dahlia is an eye-catching, fuss-free summer accent for containers, beds, and borders. The flower needs to be watered regularly — twice-weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. It also is good at attracting butterflies.

I saw this flower on my shopping trip this evening. I took a photo of it because I just liked the way it looked. The colors and textures caught my eyes.

Wednesday, 09/15/2021: Posted photo — Tent.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 1600, f/7.1, 1/160 s, 26 mm.

A tent is an important piece of equipment if you are going on an overnight hiking trip or just camping in general. This is the tent that I use when hiking and/or camping when I am not using my roof top tent. This tent is lightweight and very easy to set up. It is well ventilated when the rain cover is not installed. My son was camping the last two weekends and borrowed my tent. All my hikes in the White Mountains were either day trips or I stayed in my brother’s condo. Setting up a tent is not as easy as one my think. You need to be aware of your surroundings to make sure that you will not get washed out in case of rain, or have blood rush to your head if you are setting up on a slopped surface.

Thursday, 09/16/2021: Posted photo — Mount Hancock.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/400 s, 47 mm.

This photo was taken a few years ago when I hiked Mount Hancock (4,403′) along with Mount South Hancock (4,278′) for the Flags on the 48 event. The event was sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. I was the peak coordinator, while senior members of the AMC were leading and sweeping the hike.

Hancock Mountain is a 4,380 foot mountain in the Pemigewasset Wilderness area of the White Mountains between Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. The mountain is named after John Hancock, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The mountain used to be the most remote and inaccessible peak in the White Mountains, before theKancamagus Highway was finished. Today, the trail begins on the well known hairpin turn on the Kancamagus Highway at the Hancock Overlook Parking area.

When I hiked it for the Flags on the 48, I hiked with the person who blazed the original trail up to the summit, Hancock Notch Trail. He showed us photos of the trail being blazed and would tell us stories of how they decided to make the trial were it is located. There is a landmark rock in the woods near the summit. We did some exploring to see if it was still there since it had been many years since he blazed the trail.

The weather is looking wet for my hike on Saturday. If I do not make it to the summits, the mountain will still be there. If I do make it to both peaks, I would have a total of ten 4,000 footers this year. 4,000 foot mountains my not seem difficult to some of you. I have heard from people that live and hike in the taller, younger mountains, in the western United Stated that the mountains in the Whites are more challenging. I have hiked a few mountains out west and agree with their assessment. The prominence of some of the mountains in the Whites is more than the prominence of the mountains out west.

Friday, 09/17/2021: Post photo — Foggy Hike.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 100, f/1.7, 1/120 s, 4 mm

Went on a group sunset hike tonight through Leominster State Forest. As you can see, it was foggy and misty, so I did not see the setting sun tonight. The hike was almost three miles long and easy. It was a good warm up for my hike tomorrow, weather permitting.

This tree is one that I have photographed a few times before. I just like the way that it is isolated in the middle of the pond.

Saturday, 09/18/2021: Post photo — Mount Osceola.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/640 s, 41 mm.

Mount Osceola as seen from the Mount Hancock trailhead this morning. Today I hiked Mounts Hancock and South Hancock with a few people associated with the group that I hike with on Monday nights. Rain was in the forecast for the later in the afternoon. The weather held up until the last 1.8 miles of the 9.8 mile hike.

Mount Osceola is one of the 4,000 footers that I have climbed.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com/ or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

COVID is real! Be safe out there, keep your social distance, and remember to always wear your mask and wash your hands. Get your vaccine!

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September 12, 2021

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hiking, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts, water

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/05/2021 to 09/11/2021

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” — Matt Hardy

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 09/05/2021: Posted photo — Angel.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/100 s, 67 mm.

This is a statue in the flower garden near the rectory of the church I attend. I have never noticed this angel before, so the new priest could have put it in. It is a welcome addition to the grounds.

I like the black-eye Susan’s that blanket the statue making the statue stand out.

Monday, 09/06/2021: Posted photo — Playthings.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/60 s, 24 mm.

Today is a holiday, Labor Day. Labor Day is an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. “In the wake of this massive unrest and to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law.” according to the History Channel.

Even though today is a holiday, I still planned on going on my Monday night hike. My in-laws called me and wanted to know if I wanted to go to the cottage to visit and to have some food. I only had a couple of hours between the call and the hike, so I went over. I noticed a new picnic table for my grandniece and liked the color contrast with the wet ground. The slide in this photo was in the water for many years, until she wanted to play on it. We took it out of the water and cleaned it the best that we could for her to play on.

Tuesday, 09/07/2021: Posted photo — Cannon.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/125 s, 25mm.

This cannon at the Westminster town common. The plaque states: “Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women from Westminster who have served their country in time of war and peace.” This cannon is not on display year-round.

I ran a few errands today and drove by town common on the way back looking for something to photograph. I saw the cannon and took this photo. The town common is being cleaned up with old trees being removed and new trees being planted.

Wednesday, 09/08/2021: Posted photo — Handheld Falls.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/20, 1/4 s, 36 mm.

It was getting late today, and I was trying to decide what to photograph today. As I have stated many times in my blogs, I take photos of items during the day and decide later what photo to post. When I drove by one of my favorite locations to photograph, I wanted to test out how steady my hand can be. I practice long exposure photography a few times a month. During some of my hikes, I see flowing water and need to practice holding still while taking photos.

I did take many other photos today and liked this one the best. This is one of my favorite spots to photograph and it is one of the favorite locations for people looking at my photos.

Thursday, 09/09/2021: Posted photo — That Time of Year.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/15 s, 135 mm.

Some trees are changing, some trees are not changing. Our sugar maple is one of the first trees on our property to change colors in the fall. Because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible.

Friday, 09/10/2021: Post photo — Red-Tailed Hawk.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/800 s, 135 mm.

This morning this red-tailed hawk was spotted on campus at work. First, we thought it was a rabbit and then an owl. I took my camera out to get a closer look at it and to photograph it. I was surprised to see that it was a red-tailed hawk. The hawk did not move from its position and allowed me to walk very close to it. I kept my eyes open and was very alert that the mother of this hawk could have been around, and I did not want to be attacked by her. It did not look like it was injured but it stayed in the same location for over an hour. Someone saw it walk across the lawn so I could have been injured.

I took many photos if it and like these the best. I did not know what one to post so I made a collage out of them to post as one photo. I liked the look of the closed eyes showing its eyelids and I like the profile of the hawk.

Saturday, 09/11/2021: Post photo — Flags on the 48.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/500 s, 18 mm.

Not much room on Mount Willey for a group photo. Here is the group squeezed into the overlook for a photo. This hike was for the annual Flags on the 48 event.

“We in the hiking community continue to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire on the Saturday closest to September 11. By demonstrating our steadfast unity in this challenging endeavor, we also hope to express our unwavering support to the families, friends, and communities whose losses are beyond comprehension and whose suffering we remember in our hearts.” — Flags on the 48 website.

I have been doing the Flags for the last 10 years mostly with the same core of people. There are two of us that have been doing if for all 10 years with various other people joining us. Out of all the people in this photo, nine of them have been hiking with us for several years. This group has not done the same peak twice.

A member of our group does a great tribute to all that passed away from that day 20 years ago to the day of the hike. The names are placed at the base of our flag.

Thank you again for having faith and my abilities. Now I need to go through the photo and pick some out.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com/ or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

COVID is real! Be safe out there, keep your social distance, and remember to always wear your mask and wash your hands. Get your vaccine!

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September 5, 2021

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Photographic Thoughts — 08/29/2021 to 09/04/2021

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” — Irving Penn

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 08/29/2021: Posted photo — Hobblebush.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 125, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

“The fruit of the Hobblebush reportedly may be eaten raw or cooked and is said to taste somewhat like raisins or dates. Hobblebush has a number of medicinal uses. The Algonquin Indians reportedly rubbed its mashed leaves on the head to treat migraines. Iroquois Indians are said to-have used a decoction of roots as a blood medicine. The plant was also used to treat chest and breathing problems.” — Adirondacks Forever Wild website.

Hobblebush on Wachusett Mountain

These Hobblebush berries are growing on Wachusett Mountain. I took this photo during a hike I took today. I have seen them during my weekly hikes and thought that they would look good in a photo. I was glad to see that one of the berries had turned blue.

Monday, 08/30/2021: Posted photo — Mushrooms.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/80 s, 62 mm.

According to the University of New Hampshire Agricultural department and Better Homes and Garden: “Mushrooms grow from spores (not seeds) that are so tiny you can’t see individual spores with the naked eye. Rather than soil, these spores rely on substances like sawdust, grain, straw, or wood chips for nourishment. A blend of the spores and these nutrient sources is called spawn. Mushrooms like dark, cool, and humid growing environments. Prolonged periods of wet, humid weather, such as we have had over the past few weeks, cause fungi to send up fruiting structures. Fungi disperse to new areas via windblown spores. When the spores land in a suitable location they develop into new fungi which will grow mushrooms given enough time.

Mushrooms in our yard

Mushrooms will go away on their own once the weather dries out. Keep in mind that although these fruiting bodies have disappeared, the fungal mycelia is still growing in the soil. The fungus will continue to grow and persist as long as there is plenty of organic matter to feed upon.”

These mushrooms were growing in my front yard. They are in the same spot each time they grow. We have had many days of rain, so it is a great growing condition for mushrooms.

Tuesday, 08/31/2021: Posted photo — Rose for an Angel.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/125 s, 79mm.

Our daughter had a rare disorder, Triploidy. I did have the medical definition of this disorder in this post. I removed that part of my post since it would be too sensitive to some people.

Pink rose

Almost every year I go and visit her to sing her Happy Birthday and to say a prayer with her. It is not easy losing a child. We have had this rose since she was born and it means a lot to me.

Wednesday, 09/01/2021: Posted photo — Bouquet.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 125, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

To continue my two-day flower series, I took a photo of this bouquet. I liked the colors in the bouquet.

Flower bouquet

Once again this photo was taking during the day just in case, I did not take another photo that day.

Thursday, 09/02/2021: Posted photo — Mount Monadnock.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/15 s, 135 mm.

Mount Monadnock at sunset

I summited Wachusett Mountain twice today. The first time was with colleagues from work, the second time was with a hiking group. During the first hike of the day, I took the photo of the flowing water. During the second hike of the day, I arrived at the summit just after sunset. I looked to the north and saw the great colors of the sunset around Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.

Flowing stream along the Bicentennial Trail on Wachusett Mountain

Friday, 09/03/2021: Post photo — Petroglyphs.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/400 s, 190 mm.

These Petroglyphs are in Capital Reef National Park.

Petroglyph in Capital Reef National Park

A pictograph is an image or designs made by painting on rocks or in cave. A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Petroglyphs tell stories of events that have happened. They are like the newspapers of today. There is one petroglyph outside the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park that the experts still have not deciphered.

Saturday, 09/04/2021: Post photo — Mount Whiteface.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 50 mm.

I decided to take a warmup hike today before the Flags on the 48 event next weekend.

I chose a mountain that I need for my repeat 48 4,000 footers and that was close to home. I decided on Mount Whiteface since I have not done it as one of my repeat 48 and it was only two and a half hours from home. People normally hike Mount Passaconway with Mount Whiteface but today I did not do both since this was a warmup hike and I have some things that I needed to do at home tonight.

Mount Whiteface

Mount Whiteface is a 4,019 ft mountain located in Grafton County, New Hampshire. The mountain is part of the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. Whiteface is flanked to the northwest by Mount Tripyramid, and to the northeast by Mount Passaconaway. Mount Passaconaway is a 4,043 ft mountain about three miles from Mount Whiteface.

Mount Passaconaway

Thank you again for having faith and my abilities. Now I need to go through the photo and pick some out.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com/ or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

COVID is real! Be safe out there, keep your social distance, and remember to always wear your mask and wash your hands. Get your vaccine!