“For many years I have been a night watchman of the Milky Way galaxy.” ― Bart Bok
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 10/04/2026: Posted photo — Leominster State Forest.
Leominster State Forest has many hiking trails and are located near our house. It is a little closer to my house than Wachusett Mountain Four times a year, one each season, I do an eight-mile hike loop going between our house out to Crow Hill and back to our house. I am lucky to live just over a half mile from the Mid State Trail.
Monday, 10/05/2026: Posted photo — Lakeside.
What a wonderful day it was today. It was cool in the morning and then warmed up by the end of the day. This is a photo of the boat that belongs to our neighbor at the lake. I took this photo by practicing the manual settings on my camera. The settings on each camera are the same, yet each camera takes different photos with those settings.
In the next few days, I will be practicing photos of the Milky Way since I am not happy with my ability to photograph the Milky Way, or the night sky, with my new camera.
Tuesday, 10/06/2026: Posted photo – First Milky Way Attempt.
This is my first attempt this week to take a photo of the Milky Way. I am not happy with it yet. There was too much ambient light from our neighbor’s house. I attempted to do some adjustment to let less light into the camera and have not found the sweet spot yet. Let’s see what tomorrow night brings.
Wednesday, 10/07/2026: Posted photo — Second Milky Way Attempt.
Day two and a slightly better photo. Still too much ambient light. I will try again, maybe I will try at the lake later this week. I did my best to post process this photo and the Milky Way is still not clearly visible.
Thursday, 10/08/2026: Posted photo — Curves.
The topic of my 52 week photo project this week is curves. I did look to find some curves in nature during my hikes this week. I did not find any. This is a photo of a roll of corrugated paper that I saw this week.
Friday, 10/09/2026: Posted photo – Third Milky Way Attempt.
This is the third and final attempt photographing the Milky Way this week. I did a few adjustments with my ISO settings and my exposure time. There was still too much ambient light in the area, or I took this too soon after Astronomical twilight. The new moon is tomorrow night, so moonlight is not an issue.
Saturday, 10/10/2026: Post photo — Sunset.
This week’s blog ends with a photo of the sunset.
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 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
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 09/13/2026: Posted photo — Flags on the 48: South Kingsman.
This is a repost of the commentary from last Saturday. I came back late from the hike and did not post a picture.
I co-lead a hike with the Worcester Chapter of the AMC up South Kingsman for this year’s Flags on the 48 (FOT48). The FOT48 event has been held every year since 9/11/01. It started out with a group of people hiking Mount Liberty to fly the flag shortly after the event. A few more peaks were covered the next year, and then all the peaks after that. The FOT48 is the hiking community’s way to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire for two hours the Saturday closes to September 11. This was my 12th year of doing this hike. I started in 2013 when I hiked Mt. Garfield, only missing a couple due to family events on the day of the hike. I have not yet repeated a peak. I will not fly the flag on all 48 during my lifetime. I will continue hiking in this event if I am able to do so.
It is a very emotional day, and we get many words of thanks and encouragement from other hikers who just happen upon it. Some people plan to hike to see how my summits, and flags, they can see during the day. It is great to take out the binoculars to see the flags flying on nearby peaks.
I have hiked this event in bad weather, high winds, hot and humid weather, cold and raw weather, and ideal weather. When you hike with a fellow group of hikers and friends, the weather does not matter, just the meaning of the event.
Monday, 09/14/2026: Posted photo — Lights on Mount Washington.
For the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mount Washington sent up two pillars of light.
My brother and I took a trip to see the lights. We did not go near the mountain since there were many people heading towards the lights. We ended up going to the town of Jefferson.
The conditions for taking photos were great. Very dark sky, some clouds, and many stars. The difficulty was focusing. This was the best photo that I took of the lights. They were not as bright as I was imagining them to be.
This is a photo looking over Lonesome Lake looking into Franconia Notch from the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut. The mountains you are looking at are part of the Franconia Range, including Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln. the Arabian slave traders are the ones who gave the banana its name.
We stopped at the hut on the way to the summit and down from the summit to refresh our water and to use the facilities instead of the wilderness.
Someone took my photo at the summit with the flag in the background. The photo was too backlit, so I took a selfie photo. I am not very good at taking selfies.
The words on the bottom of the flag: “Flag of Honor: This flag contains the names of those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9.11. Now and forever it will represent their immortality. We should never forget them”
Thursday, 09/17/2026: Posted photo — Gourds.
A gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae, or cucurbit family, A gourd is a hard-shelled, non-edible fruit related to cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, and pumpkins. We display gourds in the fall to allow them to dry and last as rustic decorations. In several indigenous mythologies the round gourd symbolizes the circle of life, the womb of the mother, and the repository for ancestral spirits.
Friday, 09/18/2026: Posted photo – Apple Pie.
This is one of the 49 apples pies that were baked tonight at our church’s bazaar on Sunday. The bazaar is normally on a Saturday. This year it is on Sunday. The local elementary school allows the use of their kitchen to bake all the pies. Crusts are made in advanced and the filling is prepared while the pies are baking. My job was to wrap the pies.
Saturday’s weather is predicted to be nice. There is predicted rain for most of the day on Sunday.
Saturday, 09/19/2026: Post photo —Wolf’s Milk Slime Mold.
Wolf’s milk slime looks like little, round, reddish pink balls; they exude a pinkish-orange or pinkish-gray paste when popped. It grows in groups on dead wood, especially large logs. They are not edible. Slime molds have inspired the science fiction movie “The Blob” in 1958. These are on some logs that we have in our yard.
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.”
“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.
We also celebrated Labor Day this Monday. Labor Day is, and should always be, a federal holiday and a day off from work. This week was also the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. On Saturday September 12, I did my annual hike for the Flags on the 48 hiking the 4,358 feet South Kinsman Mountain.
Sunday, 09/06/2026: Posted photo — 3D View.
FinePix XP70 XP71 XP75, f/3.9, 1/70 sec, ISO 100
It has been a while since I posted 3D photos. We were at the cottage today, doing some planning on what to do to close it up for the season. We are not closing the cottage until Columbus Day, in about a month.
Do you see the 3D photo of the boats? This is how you should look at this image:
Look at what looks like two identical images.
Cross your eyes. A third image should appear in the middle. If you see 4 images, you’ll have to relax your eyes and cross them less.
Focus on that middle image until it pops out in 3D.
To take a 3D image:
Always take photos in portrait orientation.
Set the camera to full manual and choose the correct exposure and focus.
Put your feet square on to the subject of your 3D photo.
Put your weight onto your right foot, without lifting your left.
Take the first photo.
Put your weight onto your left foot without raising your right.
Unless your subject is very close, you don’t need to turn your camera to keep it in the center.
Take the second photo.
Monday, 09/07/2026: Posted photo — Fish.
Canon EOS R50, f/5.7, 1/332 sec., ISO 2000
Happy Labor Day! Labor Day occurs on first Monday of September. The holiday pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. This should always be a holiday and a day to be with family and friends, the ones we work to support.
Now about this fish. I was at the cottage today and saw this fish swimming near our dock. The water is clear in this area since there are not any weeds. The fish was closer to the dock when I took out my camera, and it just stayed in the location of this photo for a while. The fish was just far enough away that it was at the end of the focal point of my regular lens and too close to me for my zoom lens.
Tuesday, 09/08/2026: Posted photo – Bananas.
Pixel 7, f/1.8, 1/24 sec, ISO 51
Bananas originated 10,000 years ago and some scientists believe they may have been the world’s first fruit. The first bananas are thought to have grown in the region that includes the Malaya Peninsula, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea. The personal physician to Roman emperor Octavius Augustus is credited for promoting the cultivation of the fruit from 63 to 14 B.C. Historians believe that the Arabian slave traders are the ones who gave the banana its name.
Bananas are a source of carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, dietary fiber and antioxidants. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or salt. Their potential benefits include Heart health, Digestive health, Weight control, Faster workout recovery, and Memory and mood help.
To peel a banana gently but firmly, pinch the bottom of the banana between your thumb and index finger. The skin splits into two clean sections, ready to peel away without any fuss. That is how animals peal a banana.
Wednesday, 09/09/2026: Posted photo — Reflection of a Duck.
Canon EOS R50, f/7.1, 1/250 sec., ISO 640
I was just taking photos testing out different settings on my camera. I took photos of the dock, sky, clouds, leaves staring to turn, and this duck. I was practicing panning.
When I uploaded the photos to my computer, I saw the reflection of this duck in the water. It almost looks like the duck has two heads. Or is that my imagination going wild. I did not achieve my goal of taking a panning photo, but I like this photo better.
Thursday, 09/10/2026: Posted photo — Hidden Bug.
Canon EOS R50, f/5, 1/100 sec., ISO 1250
Last week at this time, I took a photo of a rosebud. This is the rose in bloom. When I developed it, I saw this little bug hiding. Do you see the bug?
Did he just type “when I developed it?” Yes, I did. I always take my photos in RAW format since I want my photo to be as I like and not as the camera predicts what I like. It is like not using AI since I want my results to be what I am looking for and not what AI thinks I am looking. A RAW file is a digital image file that contains the unprocessed data from your camera’s sensor. RAW is not the abbreviation for anything, it just means raw as the sensor sees it. I postprocess, or develop, my photos using either Canon’s Digital Photo Professional or Darktable, both free programs. I then use either GIMP or Paint Shop Pro to further edit and clean up my photos. I am using GIMP often now since I carry the program around with me on my thumb drive.
Many times, I can fix and recover a “bad” photo by editing the RAW file.
Friday, 09/11/2026: Posted photo – Northern Right Whale Skull.
Canon EOS R50, f/6.3, 1/125 sec., ISO 100
Today I am posting a photo from past travels. I am on my way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to take part in the Flags on the 48 memorial hike.
The plaque reads: “Northern Right Whale Skull. This section is all the remains of a 60-foot Northern Right Whale that washed ashore on Ocracoke in 1988. Each spring and fall small groups of these plankton feeding giants migrate past the Outer Banks.”
The Northern Right Whale is an endangered large whale species. It has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970. The most recent estimate for the population is approximately 380 whales. The whale can weigh up to 140,000 pounds and can grow up to 52 feet long. It has a lifespan of up to 70 years. It must be a great sight to see one of these whales breaching.
Shortly after this photo was taken the sky opened with the rain so heavy you could not see out of the car. Now I have a better understanding of how quickly the Outer Banks flood during storms.
Saturday, 09/12/2026: Post photo — Flags on the 48: South Kingsman.
Canon EOS R50, f/4.5, 1/60 sec., ISO 1000
I co-lead a hike with the Worcester Chapter of the AMC up South Kingsman for this year’s Flags on the 48 (FOT48). The FOT48 event has been held every year since 9/11/01. It started out with a group of people hiking Mount Liberty to fly the flag shortly after the event. A few more peaks were covered the next year, and then all the peaks after that. The FOT48 is the hiking community’s way to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire for two hours the Saturday closes to September 11. This was my 12th year of doing this hike. I started in 2013 when I hiked Mt. Garfield, only missing a couple due to family events on the day of the hike. I have not yet repeated a peak. I will not fly the flag on all 48 during my lifetime. I will continue hiking in this event if I am able to do so.
It is a very emotional day, and we get many words of thanks and encouragement from other hikers who just happen upon it. Some people plan to hike to see how my summits, and flags, they can see during the day. It is great to take out the binoculars to see the flags flying on nearby peaks.
I have hiked this event in bad weather, high winds, hot and humid weather, cold and raw weather, and ideal weather. When you hike with a fellow group of hikers and friend, the weather does not matter, just the meaning of the event.
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.”
“It’s weird that photographers spend years or even a whole lifetime, trying to capture moments that added together, don’t even amount to a couple of hours.” — James Lalropui Keivom
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Many flower photos this week for some reason. The sun and warm weather could be on my mind this week.
Sunday, 08/30/2026: Posted photo — Shape with Light.
I was attempting to do some light painting this week. I just never had the opportunity to do what I wanted to do. I guess that I am just lazy in my old age. I took these images using a blue laser pointer against a ceiling in one of our rooms. I like the glow around the trails. Just wish I had outlined an object in the dark as I originally planned.
Monday, 08/31/2026: Posted photo — Bee in Aster.
Canon EOS R50, f/5.6, 1/200 sec., ISO 125
Happy 34 heavenly birthday to Seraphina. Miss you dearly.
Last week I posted a photo of an aster. I was not planning on doing so again this week until I saw this honeybee gathering nectar. Every year I attempt to take a photo of a honeybee on a flower. This year was a little trickier since I am using a new camera and am still learning its settings. I am surprised about how much different this camera is than my last camera. There are features that I like and there are features that I wish I had back. Call my cheap, but I did not want to pay twice as much for just a body as I did with my complete camera kit.
Tuesday, 09/01/2026: Posted photo – Black Eyed Susans.
Canon EOS R50, f/5, 1/80 sec., ISO 160
Black Eyed Susans are not weeds. Sometimes they act like weeds overtaking gardens and flowerbeds. The spread is most likely caused by animals spreading flower seeds. The daisy-like blooms are typically 2 to 3 inches wide, and bloom for up to a month from July to August. The center becomes a seed cluster that appeals to birds and other animals.
This photo was taken in a flower bed that just had a few black eyes Susans a few years ago and is not completely coved with them There are other flowerbeds in the area that were also overtaken by this flower.
This was taken during my shopping trip this week. I am now taking photos of random objects to test out the focus of my phone. I have a small camera that I use underwater that I need to locate so that I can take photos using that camera and not my phone. What happened to my phone’s camera is still a mystery to me.
I know what you are thinking, this is not a random photo since I see many flower photos from Joe. This is a random photo because, like many of my photos, the subject calls out to me to photograph them.
Thursday, 09/03/2026: Posted photo — Rosebud.
Canon EOS R50, f/5.6, 1/200 sec., ISO 400
Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy, and new beginnings. A rose bud has the same meaning as a fully blossomed rose. This rosebud is in the flower bed I planted in memory of our daughter who passed away at birth 34 years ago. This bud started to appear on her birthday. This is very symbolic and meaningful to me.
Friday, 09/04/2026: Posted photo – Bat Box.
Bat boxes are artificial roosts designed to encourage bats into areas where there are few roosting sites. Bat boxes, also called bat houses, are helpful in providing alternative roosting habitat for bats so that they do not roost in hour houses. I have been in an old Victorian house that had bats. That is not ideal since bats carry many germs. By making a bat box (or house) reduces the chance of human contact with bats.
Bats carry rabies. Unlike bites from larger animals, bat bites and scratches can be small and may go unnoticed or appear insignificant. If you wake up and see a bat in your room, you should seek medical attention in case the bat has bitten or scratched you.
Saturday, 09/05/2026: Post photo — Elephants.
Canon EOS R50, f/4.5, 1/60 sec., ISO 1000
“The Great Elephant Migration” Boston. The 100-strong herd is on the move in the middle of Commonwealth Ave. The life-size elephant sculptures are crafted from Lantana camara, a toxic and aggressive invasive weed that overtakes forests in India and forces wild elephants into human areas. You can purchase these elephants after this exhibition is over. The Tuskers, the largest and most striking males in the herd, easily identified by the mighty tusks that define them cost $22,500 each, while the sold-out Calves started at $8,500.
These elephants are impressive to see, and they are almost out of the city. They are located on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall starting from The ‘Quin House between Fairfield & Dartmouth until September 13, 2026.
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.”
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.”
“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.”
“In photography there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated.” — August Sander
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Short and sweet this week.
Sunday, 05/24/2026: Posted photo — Pentecost.
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. — Acts 11:15.
Monday, 05/25/2026: Posted photo — Memorial Day.
The words are from a photo I posted a few weeks ago. I took this photo today during my hike since it is Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The plaque reads: “10th Mountain Division. In memory of comrades who gave their lives in the Aleutians and Italy in WWII. This elite division of alpine troops spearheaded the victorious fifth army against the mountainous gothic line fortresses and across the PO Valley to shatter the German defenses in Northern Italy. It was their love of mountains, coupled with their dedication to human freedom, that they inspired hundreds of young patriots to join the 10th mountain division. Many returned to their beloved mountain. Those heroes who did not return are still fondly remembered as brave men whose souls rest forever. Sempre Avanti.”
Tuesday, 05/26/2026: Posted photo — Lady Slippers.
Lady slipper orchids are not universally illegal to possess or grow in the US, but it is illegal to pick, dig up, or damage them on federal and state lands. These Lady Slippers are in a protective area on Wachusett Mountain. I look for them every year. Most years I am either too early or too late to find them.
During a hike this week, I came across them and took this photo.
Wednesday, 05/27/2026: Posted photo — Iris.
Irises bloom best in at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it’s not ideal. This iris is at my in-law’s house. Like the photo of the Lady Slippers I took a photo of yesterday, some years I see them, some years I do not.
We have had periods of heavy rain this week leading to the streams on the mountain flowing quickly. It is wonderful hearing the streams flowing in the distance as I hike.
This photo was taking from one of the bridges on the mountain that straddle the streams.
Friday, 05/29/2026: Post photo — Old Gardner Courthouse.
The courthouse and police station were dedicated on May 1, 1929. The courthouse and police station were moved to the new facility in 1988. The Gardner Youth Commission took charge of the building and from 1988 to 1989, dances and other activities were held there. Once the dances were discontinued, the building remained vacant for several years. A decision was made in 1996 to turn it into the City Hall Annex building. The annex officially opened on April 5, 2006.
Saturday, 05/30/2026: Post photo — Ajuga.
Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle.
Bugleweed is a low-maintenance ground cover that is used to cover large areas of land. The small, rounded foliage comes in a range of colors and patterns, with showy flower spikes that appear in spring attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators.
The subject of this week’s photo project is “On the Ground”. I took this photo as if I was on the ground looking up at it.
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.”
