“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.” — Lewis Hine

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

This week’s post will have short descriptions each day since I am getting ready for Christmas.

Sunday, 12/26/2021: Posted photo — Ice on Mountain Laurel.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/25 s, 78 mm.

Another day of freezing rain today. The good news is that it was only in the morning. We postponed our Christmas gathering until today because of the bad weather we had yesterday.

When I went out to clear off the driveway and to warm up the car, I decided to take a photo of the ice off the mountain laurel that is in our yard.

The other possible post for today was that of the nativity seen at church. Before mass today, I took photos of the crèche and the wooden hanging on the lectern. I have also taken a photo of the altar from the choir loft.

Monday, 12/27/2021: Posted photo — Y12 D361 Wachusett Mountain.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1250 s, 91 mm.

Tonight’s challenge, hike Wachusett Mountain on ice covered trails.

Usually not a challenge for me and my experienced hiking partners, it is more challenging when you hike with a group of various abilities. Some of the people in the group have not hiked in the winter.

During the hike, I had on my “rock” microspikes because of the ice cover and not much snow. These spikes are inexpensive, so I do not mind if they get damaged during the hike. That is what happened tonight. One of the chains broke on them so I need to order a new pair. I use my “rock” spikes so that I do not damage my “good” microspikes on the trail. It is less costly for me to replace the “rock” spikes than the “good” spikes. My inexpensive spikes were purchased off Amazon and my “good” spikes are Hillsound Trail Crampon.

Tuesday, 12/28/2021: Posted photo — That Spot Again.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/22, 1/10 s, 35 mm.

Had to run out and do some errands today. I went shopping during the day since it was a day off for me. Because it was daytime, I wanted to take a photo of the dam at Round Meadow Pond. This is a usual spot for me to take during the year and it is many people’s favorite location to see in my photos.

Wednesday, 12/29/2021: Posted photo — Top of the Cascade.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/14, 1/10 s, 62 mm.

A few weeks ago, I did a hike with the AMC leaders and we went past this Cascade in Worcester, MA. Today I was in the city go do some cleaning at my mother’s house when I decided to stop by the cascade with my good camera to take a photo of the falls. This photo was a handheld photo by leaning on the bridge that overlooks the falls.

Thursday, 12/30/2021: Posted photo — Sand Dunes.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/13, 1/800 s, 95 mm.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mosca, CO

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Elevations within the park and preserve range from 8,200 feet to 13,604 feet and keep changing due to the weather. In summer months during mid-day, sand temperatures can reach 150 degrees F. Hike during the morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion and/or burned feet. Wear closed-toe shoes. This is something that we experienced in the park. We were there in the summer of 2012 and could feel the heat through our shoes.

An amazing thing about the park is that you can see the dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains from miles away. When you turn off the main road to the access road, there they are.

Our national parks are wonderful, and everyone should have the opportunity to explore them all.

Friday, 12/31/2021: Post photo — Mom.

Settings: N/A

This year my mother passed at age 95. I did not know what photo to post for the last one of the year, saw a photo of my mother, and posted the photo of her with all her boys.

For your information, here are the final count of photos for the year 2021:

	Total
Portrait	6
Still Life	82
Landscape	105
Food	8
Sports	9
Wildlife	25
Macro	5
Event	11
Documentary	1
Weather	35
Architectural	22
Long exposure	8
Flowers	48

Saturday, 01/01/2022: Post photo — Cushion.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 556, f/1.8, 1/120 s, 4 mm.

Happy New Year! The start of year 13 of my project. I started on January 1, 2010 and have been taking and posting a photo a day.

The seat cushion on my wife’s aunt’s couch. We had our annual gathering at her house. I normally post a photo of the sunrise on New Year’s morning, but the weather had something to say about that.

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/.

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