“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in 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
Here are some mountains that I have seen during my travels.
There were many great views of the mountain in the park. Took this photo was in the morning when the water was calm. There was someone sleeping in a hammock just outside the frame of this photo.
Monday, 06/24/2024: Posted photo — Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Tetons are great and majestic mountains. Took this one just after sunset in the golden hour.
Tuesday, 06/25/2024: Posted photo — Lake McDonald.
Glacier National Park, Montana
This was my first view of Glacier National Park. We did some hiking with a mountain goat and her children on this trip.
Wednesday, 06/26/2024: Posted photo — Prince of Wales Hotel Waterton Lake.
Waterton – Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta
When we arrived at the park, the ranger saw that I had a camera. She told me of the spot to take this photo. It was up a private road used just by the rangers.
Thursday, 06/27/2024: Posted photo — Along the White Pass Yukon Route Railway.
Alaska
We took a ride on the White Pass Railroad on our trip to Alaska. We did go into the Yukon to turn around. This is one of the mountains along the way. This photo is in color.
Friday, 06/28/2024: Post photo — Lake Louise.
Banff National Park, Alberta
I did not know that Lake Louise was a famous lake. We just stopped in to take in the views. It was crowded when we arrived in the morning and was very crowded in the afternoon when we continued our journey.
Saturday, 06/29/2024: Post photo — Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Washington
Been to Mount St Helens many times since it erupted on May 18, 1980. I am amazed with the way nature is recovering. The first time I went there was ten years after the eruption and there were still logs floating in Spirit Lake.
The usage of votive candles is a pious practice which continues today in many churches. The symbolism reminds us that prayer is the light of Christ, allowing our souls to be filled with His light, and letting that light burn on in our souls even though we may return to our other activities. These candles are usually lite in memory of or for pray for someone we love and care for.
Theses candles are in the back of our church. As mentioned in past posts, the holder for these votive candles is dedicated to a friend who passed with ALS and his family. It is good to see people using the candles.
Monday, 06/17/2024: Posted photo — Hiking Group.
We had a good time hiking tonight. One member of the group took this photo to capture the closeness of the Monday night hiking group.
If you live in around Wachusett Mountain and would like to join the group, please let me know. The group once had 12 regular hikers and is down to 5 or 6 regulars. We hike year-round and hike at the speed of the ability of the people that hike that evening.
Tuesday, 06/18/2024: Posted photo — Pinecones.
This year there have been many more pinecones on the ground than I can remember. Maybe my memory is not that great, but this was the first year that I have seen them around in our yard.
I do not have any pine trees on my property and have seen pinecones in the yard. These pinecones were on the croquet course at the cottage. They had to be raked to the side so that the croquet ball can make it to a wicket with fewer obstacles.
Wednesday, 06/19/2024: Posted photo — High Bush Blueberries.
This is another repeat/progress photo. A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of these high bush blueberries starting to flower. Today I took a photo of them starting to ripen. It will not be long until it is time to pick them and use them for breakfast and deserts.
Thursday, 06/20/2024: Posted photo — Baby Robins.
Remember back when this nest was found so that I could not power wash a deck? The eggs have hatched, and three of the four babies survived. There is one big bird and two smaller birds (you can see the beaks of the smaller birds in this photo). The mother was feeding them and teaching them how to fly. It will not be long until they leave the nest and live on their own.
Friday, 06/21/2024: Post photo — Fish.
Sitting by the lake today, I saw these fish looking at me. When I moved the fish shifted position to look in my direction. It was strange.
Saturday, 06/22/2024: Post photo — Promise.
Today is our 33rd wedding anniversary. This is one of the gifts that I gave my wife a few years ago.
Bonus Image:
Here is a 3D image of boats under a tree.
Look at the image cross-eyed and the 3D image will appair in between the photos.
I have this weed growing at the end of our driveway. Took a photo of it before cutting it down. The name, Oriental False Hawksbeard, was given to me by my Seek app. This app is part of iNaturalist, and I use it to identify plants and animals when I hike.
Monday, 06/10/2024: Posted photo — Crossing the Ski Trail.
For the hike this week, I took the group up a trail that starts at the Wachusett Mountain ski area. I normally do not hike starting at this trail because it is on the busy side of the mountain, and I like hiking in less crowded areas and less crowded trails. This time of year, once the lifts stop, the hiking trail crosses three of the ski trails.
Tuesday, 06/11/2024: Posted photo — Web.
Walking around at work today, I spotted this web at one of the entries. I took a couple photos of it attempting to a good photo.
These are not the greatest since the sun was shining on them. It would have been better in the morning when there was dew on them.
Wednesday, 06/12/2024: Posted photo — Petunia.
Some petunia that I saw today. Petunias symbolize emotions like comfort, passion, and hope. Potted petunias can be seen outside of many stores this time of year.
Thursday, 06/13/2024: Posted photo — Rabbit at Work.
I have seen bear, turkey, great blue heron, deer, red-tail hawks, snapping turtles, and various species of birds over the years at work. Today was the first time I saw a rabbit.
I thought I scared it away when I pulled up to my parking spot. When I got out of my car, it was just waiting to have its photo taken.
Friday, 06/14/2024: Post photo — Flag Day.
Flag day celebrates the anniversary of June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress approved the design of a flag for the United States, which at the time featured 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 colonies.
The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the following, based on information from the Smithsonian Institution:
Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777, stated, “Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Act of January 13, 1794, provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
Act of April 4, 1818, provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.
Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912, established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959, provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959, provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
This flag in this photograph is outside my office.
Saturday, 06/15/2024: Post photo — Championship Game.
My son, father-in-law, and I went to Polar Park today to watch the MIAA Division 3 state championship. Oakmont High School, the number 1 seed, versus St. Mary’s of Lynn, the number 2 seed. My father-in-law was one for the original teachers at Oakmont and has a conference room named after him. My son is an alumnus of Oakmont and has taught there. The second game of the day was my alma mater, St. John’s High School, the number two seed, playing BC High, the number 1 seed in the Division 1 state final. Oakmont won the state title for the second year in a row. My team lost their game. Both the number 1 seeds have won.
Exchanging LineupsOakmont State ChampionsWall of FameSt. John’s warming upOne of Worcester’s many diners
Here are some photos from the ballpark.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
Here is a bonus photo. I did a new edit of an old Milky Way photo. I think it looks overprocessed.
“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 06/02/2024: Posted photo — Mowing.
I wanted to do this technique for a little while. I have done it in the past and wanted to do it again. I have switched photo editing software from Paint Shop Pro to just using GIMP. I switched because I was having issues installing the last few releases PSP on my computer. I have been using PSP since X2 many years ago and have been using GIMP over the last 10 years off and on.
The technique is called multiplicity. I set my camera on a tripod and set it to take a photo every minute. I shoot RAW so it was easy to edit my photos to all have the same exposure. You do the technique by importing each photo into a different layer. Once they are in the correct order, you use a layer mask to either hide or expose areas of the photos.
Hope you like it.
Monday, 06/03/2024: Posted photo — Koi.
This is a Koi Pond on the summit of Wachusett Mountain. There is a fence around the pond now since the wall around the pond needs work. These Koi have been on the summit for many years.
Koi are colored varieties of carp. The ones on the summit of Wachusett can be seen year-round. In the winter you can see them swimming under the ice.
Tuesday, 06/04/2024: Posted photo — Hickory.
When I was out hiking, I spotted this tree with the bark seeming to be peeling off. I took a photo of it to identify it and my identification app called it hickory. For someone who spends many hours outdoors, hiking in the wilderness, I should be able to identify trees and plant much better than I have been doing.
Wednesday, 06/05/2024: Posted photo — Sundog in the Clouds.
Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present.
I was looking up at the coloring in the clouds and spotted this sundog.
Multiflora rose is a large, dense shrub that was used for ornamental and conservation plantings and is now a serious invasive plant. Multiflora roses can become thick and dense that will stop native plants from growing. This density of the plant can be impenetrable and detrimental to nesting birds and reduce the forage areas for animals.
Friday, 06/07/2024: Post photo — Relay for Life (RFL) Day 1.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life was a 24 hour relay for cancer research. It is now an 18 hour relay. Many want it to go back to 24 hours.
Here are photos of one of my sister-in-laws lighting the torch, the luminaria, and a few other photos from the first day into the night.
Saturday, 06/08/2024: Post photo — Relay for Life (RFL) Day 2.
“Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important and capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, just take another shot.” — Unknown
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 05/26/2024: Posted photo — Lupine.
Lupines attract butterflies and pollinators and are deer-resistant and low-maintenance. This is a small group of lupines. I have been to places were there are fields of lupine in the past. One of nature’s most interesting flowers due to their shape.
Monday, 05/27/2024: Posted photo — Boats.
Today is Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a holiday observed on the last Monday of May honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
It was a beautiful weekend weatherwise, Saturday and Sunday. Today it is rainy and very foggy. Here is a photo of what the lake looked like most of the day. Here also is a photo of some canoes and kayaks that were not used today since it is dangerous to go out on the lake in the fog.
Tuesday, 05/28/2024: Posted photo — Nest.
A robin in her nest. Robins use their nest for about 5 weeks. I had to look that up since I want to power wash the deck near the nest. The deck is very slippery due to some moss on it.
This nest was discovered when the ladder was going to be used to clean branches off the roof of the garage at the cottage. Before moving the ladder, the nest was discovered, and the robin was seen building her nest.
Wednesday, 05/29/2024: Posted photo — Buttercups.
Some buttercups in the lawn prior to the lawn being mowed. Buttercup contains toxins that are very irritating to the skin and the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
Every year I look for snapping turtles on my way to the work. This morning, I saw one in the middle of the driveway. Here is a still photo of the turtle walking across the driveway to lay her eggs. I see them almost every year digging the hole to lay eggs.
Friday, 05/31/2024: Post photo — Rhododendron.
This is one of our rhododendron bushes. Over the last week, the bush bloomed due to the rain and sun we had this week.
Saturday, 06/01/2024: Post photo — Balance Rock.
From an earth science paper I found. “Thousands of years ago a glacier (ice sheet) moved across New England pushing rocks and sediment. As the glacier traveled it carried large and small boulders with it, often for many miles. When the glacier melted, the boulders it was carrying were randomly dropped at new locations. Boulders that have been transported by a glacier are called glacial erratics. Balance Rock is an example of a glacial erratic. These two boulders were pushed on top of each other by a large sheet of moving ice and have been balancing on top of each other for thousands of years! Balance Rock is evidence of the glacial activity which helped shape Wachusett mountain.”
I took this photo today during my map and compass training on the mountain. I used it at as a location for the people in my class to take a bearing to our next trail.
“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” — Diane Arbus
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 05/19/2024: Posted photo — Angel of Patience.
Angel of Patience statue in the gardens of the rectory at our church. This weekend was spent selling cakes for the Relay for Life after the Masses.
The RFL cake sale has become more popular over the years and is our team’s biggest fundraiser. Baking has been going on in our house for over a month with over 60 cakes baked and decorated. We do not know the exact count of cakes.
Here is a sample of what was left for the last Mass. There were four more stacks like this that almost sold out. Any cakes leftover will be sold during the RFL team captain’s meeting on Wednesday night.
About 150 feet into the Mountain House Trail on Wachusett Mountain, there is an old stone foundation. In 1764, Elisha Hobbs built his farmhouse here. In 1855–56, Daniel Howe purchased this farm, expanded it, and converted it to take on borders. This house operated from late spring through early fall from 1856 to 1914.
I always knew there was a foundation at this location. This is the first time that I saw the marker that gets scanned to show this information. It may have been there a while; I just do not hike this trail as often as I have in the past. Mountain House Trail is a straight up and down trail and I like doing loops. Pre-injury I would hike Mountain House every Thursday night.
Tuesday, 05/21/2024: Posted photo — Sour Orange.
Some information off the web: “Bitter oranges, sometimes also known as Seville oranges or sour oranges, are a citrus fruit that is a hybrid of mandarin oranges and pomelo, or grapefruit. They have thick, yellow-orange skin, and their flesh is extremely sour and bitter. Though the raw fruit itself is not usually eaten, their juice, rind, and zest are used in various cuisines around the world.” https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-bitter-oranges-5208746
I am always amazed at the variety of food that our local supermarket has to offer. It is a regional chain that has been rated one of the top supermarkets in the country many times.
This is the back of the clock tower at Gardner Town Hall. I was at the town hall tonight for the final Relay for Life meeting before the relay. I have taken photos of the town hall and posted them in the past.
Tonight our team sold some remaining cakes from the weekend’s cake sale. People were looking forward to tonight. Many of them mentioned how great the cakes were last year and how they were looking forward to this year’s sale. We even made some special cakes for people that have purchased them in the past.
Thursday, 05/23/2024: Posted photo — Azalea.
Last Thursday I posted a photo of our red azalea. This week I am posting a photo of our pink azalea (with a visitor) and a photo of white azalea that I took last Sunday during our cake sale.
Friday, 05/24/2024: Post photo — Oak.
Oak flowers are all around us this week. We had rain earlier in the week and they fell from the trees. Now my lawn and roof are full of oak flowers.
Saturday, 05/25/2024: Post photo — Deck.
Started to power wash our deck today. I think it needed it.
“A tear contains an ocean. A photographer is aware of the tiny moments in a person’s life that reveal greater truths.” — Anonymous
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 05/12/2024: Posted photo — Mother’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day! These are photos of when my youngest brother was brought home will all my brothers looking at him and one of my mother’s 95 year old hands showing her newly cleaned mother’s ring. It has been a couple of years since she left us, and I still miss her. Happy Mother’s Day mom.
Monday, 05/13/2024: Posted photo — Scenes from the Trail.
Some items seen on the trail tonight. I took the group on a different route tonight. This is from what I call the back side of the mountain. It is a trail that is not used by may since you need to take back roads and a partial dirt road to get to the trailhead.
These are photos of some of the group, some Hobblebush, and an old trail marker.
Tuesday, 05/14/2024: Posted photo — Lilac.
Lilac flowers may be single or double, the leaves solid green or variegated, and the plants dwarf or standard. Lilac flower colors may be white, violet, pink, blue, and lilac (of course) to red-purple, dark purple, and even a yellow variety known as “Primrose.”
This lilac bush is in our yard and was transplanted a few years ago from a friend’s yard. It has survived many heavy snowstorms.
Wednesday, 05/15/2024: Posted photo — Ray of Sunshine.
Rays of sunshine coming through the clouds. Almost thought it was rain, but the rays are spread out further than raindrops would be.
Thursday, 05/16/2024: Posted photo — Azalea.
Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the Rhododendron genus that bloom in the spring and can tolerate shade. This is our red azalea bush. We also have a pink azalea bush that will bloom after this one.
It is interesting that azaleas and rhododendrons of different colors bloom at different times.
Friday, 05/17/2024: Post photo — Faces in Nature.
Pansies. Can you see all the pansy faces looking at you?
Saturday, 05/18/2024: Post photo — Blueberries.
Some high bush blueberries growing at the lake. Looks like it will be a good year for them. The bush is very full.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 05/04/2024: Posted photo — USS Constitution.
Built in Boston and launched in 1797, USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world today. During the War of 1812 the ship gained fame and its name “Old Ironsides.” The USS Constitution remains both a training and ceremonial ship for the Navy, as well as an educational experience for visitors.
Here are some facts: The USS Constitution was launched on October 21, 1797 at Edmund Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts and first sailed July 22, 1798 from Boston Harbor. As I was walking away for the ship, after taking these photos, I heard the canons go off and Reveille being played. Then the sailors came off the ship to do their exercises. What a great experience.
Monday, 05/06/2024: Posted photo — Onions.
I cancelled my hike tonight since I had some people sign up and then drop out. I was in Boston all weekend taking my wilderness first aid re-certification class, so I took the opportunity to switch my hiking day until tomorrow. I told myself that I would hike with the Tuesday night group once a month and it has been three months since I hiked with them.
While shopping, I saw these colorful onions. Onions are not high on my food intake list, but I did like the colors. These are yellow onions, white onions, red onions, and vidalia onions.
Tuesday, 05/07/2024: Posted photo — Hiking.
Today I hiked with the Tuesday night group for the first time in a while. This is an invitation only group of experienced hikers. We did a four mile loop around the mountain. I had an opportunity to verify bearing at a few trail junctions. I needed to verify these bearings for my map and compass navigation class I will be teaching in a few weeks.
It is always great to get out and hike with different people. This group knows me as the person who broke his ankle. At the summit, I met more of my friends in the hiking community. One of those people finished his trace of Wachusett Mountain in his kilts. Sorry, no photos of him.
Wednesday, 05/08/2024: Posted photo — Path of Freedom (Freedom Trail).
Boston’s iconic 2.5 mile-Freedom Trail connects 16 nationally significant historic sites, each one an authentic treasure. The sites are the Boston Common (Established in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park), Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.
I have visited most of these sites in my life. One day I will take the short 2.5 mile hike to these historic sites in one journey.
Thursday, 05/09/2024: Posted photo — Sugar Maple.
Earlier this year I posted a photo of the sugar maple starting to bud. Here is some progress.
The leaves are starting to bud after some rain and warmer weather.
Friday, 05/10/2024: Post photo — Bluet.
Also called Quaker Ladies, their sweet petite blossoms attract Little Carpenter bees, Green Metallic bees, small butterflies, and the Meadow Fritillary Butterfly.
These wildflowers are in my lawn. If the weather is good tomorrow, I will cut my lawn for the first time this year.
Saturday, 05/11/2024: Post photo — Northern Lights.
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, have been on my photo bucket list. I always thought that I would have to travel to see them. If they are in this area, they are close to the horizon, not very bright, and not high in the sky.
Last night I had the opportunity to see them and photograph them. I was unprepared to photograph them since I normally do research on camera setting. I had my camera and cellphone with me and no tripod or monopod, these photos are either handheld or with my cellphone. I heard talk about the northern lights happening soon but did not realize it was last night until a friend of mine posted photos from his house.
My cell phone has a night setting, so I had to test it out. I am happy about these photos but not overwhelmed by these photos. Next time I will be more prepared. It is amazing that I saw a total solar eclipse and the northern light just about a month apart. Normally there is cloud cover when events like this happen.
“I never have taken a picture I’ve intended. They’re always better or worse.” — Diane Arbus
Photo for the week. Comments welcome.
Sunday, 04/28/2024: Posted photo — Leading Lines.
I needed a photo for one of my photos projects this week. The topic was leading lines. I kept my eye open for the perfect photo opportunity and did not find it. I saw the lines in the ceiling leading to the altar, so I took this photo to post if I did not see anything else that met the topic today.
Monday, 04/29/2024: Posted photo — Off on a Hike.
Monday night is hiking night, as you know if you have been following this blog. The last couple of hikes started and ended in daylight. The trails have been drying up over the last few weeks, so more people are out hiking.
These are some of the members of the Monday night hiking group enjoying the good weather.
This is the trail junction of Harrington and Semuhenna on Wachusett Mountain. Semuhenna trail a 1.1 mile connector trail. The trail I took tonight was a 0.5 mile sections between Harrington and West Side. Most of the time I go up Harrington. The section of Harrington after this trail junction is the steepest section on the mountain. It is steep and there are many scrambles for novice hikers.
Semuhenna is not an old Indian name, as most people believe. Looking at the name backwards, it is Annehumes or Anne Humes, the name of the wife (or daughter according to some people) of the person who made the trail.
Wednesday, 05/01/2024: Posted photo — Texture in the Sky.
When I looked at the cloudy sky tonight, I saw textures in the clouds. There is rain coming in tonight. I do not think that this photo does this justice. Sometimes it is difficult to relay the emotion of nature into a photo. Sometimes the photo puts more emotion into nature. I think this photo is too blown out to have the intended emotional value.
Thursday, 05/02/2024: Posted photo — Fiddleheads.
Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of ferns that are eaten cooked. These delicate delights are available only in early spring when ferns grow their new shoots. These fiddleheads are growing near my mailbox. I may have posted photos of fiddleheads earlier this year and they are still growing. They are around for a very short period.
Friday, 05/03/2024: Post photo — Mount Rainier.
This mountain always inspires me. Either seeing it from Seattle, hiking on it, viewing from different sections of the national park, or flying past it, Mount Rainier is majestic. I feature Mount Rainier on the cover of my first photo book (portfolio book).
An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. I have camped at Mount Rainier a few times and always remember the signs stating that this is an active volcano, and I am camping in a lava flow path.
I took a photo of a waterfall one spring and went back a couple of years later to take a photo of the waterfall with more snow cover. I had the GPS location but could not find it. After looking at my path, I was standing on top of the waterfall and could not see it because of the snow cover.
Saturday, 05/04/2024: Post photo — Historic Marker.
I have Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training today and tomorrow. This class will certify my in doing first aid on people that are more than 1 hour away from definitive care. That means when I am leading groups or hiking in the mountains or a remote location.
On the way to the training, I passed this historical marker in the John Havard Mall adjacent to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) headquarters.
“Photography has nothing to do with cameras.” — Lucas Gentry
This week’s blog will feature photos of one of nature’s wonders, a total solar eclipse.
Sunday, 04/21/2024: Posted photo — Easter Candle.
The Paschal Candle represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). The Paschal candle is the large, white candle used in liturgies in the Roman Catholic Church and other religious ceremonies.
Monday, 04/22/2024: Posted photo — Views from my Hike.
Here are some views from tonight’s hike. Mount Monadnock, the pink moon over Boston, and a closeup of the moon.
Tuesday, 04/23/2024: Posted photo — Big Dipper.
Took this with my phone. The dipper is out of focus but I like the way the stars were exaggerated to better show the constellation.
Photo by Joseph Ciras 