Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

August 23, 2026

Posted under

Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion

Comments

Leave a comment

2026

“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” — Richard Avedon

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

Sunday, 08/16/2026: Posted photo — Altar Cloth.

The color of an altar cloth is normally the same as the priest wears during Mass.

White, the color of joy and victory, is used for the seasons of Easter and Christmas. It is also a reminder of the resurrection and can therefore be used at funerals.
Red is used on the days when we celebrate the passion of Jesus, Passion (Palm) Sunday and Good Friday. Red recalls the Holy Spirit and is used on Pentecost and for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Green symbolizes life, anticipation, and hope and is used during Ordinary Time.
Violet or purple are used in Advent to help us to remember that we are preparing for the coming of Christ. Lent, the season of penance, repentance, and renewal, also uses the colors violet or purple.

Monday, 08/17/2026: Posted photo — Focus Check.

I needed to check the focus on my phone’s camera. I thought it was getting better, but it has not. I wonder why it stopped working. Need to do more investigation.

Tuesday, 08/18/2026: Posted photo — Mushrooms.

This might be a gilled bolete mushroom. I do not know my mushrooms or like to eat them. All I know is this one is not edible.

Wednesday, 08/19/2026: Posted photo — Roses.

Another week, another photo of roses. I keep trying different settings on my phone to see if I can get a good photo. All I know now is that I can take a good photo at one set distance. My zoom does not work. I need to either purchase a small digital camera or find my old phone and use that as my camera. I might have traded in my older photo, so wish me luck.

Thursday, 08/20/2026: Posted photo — Round Meadow Pond.

It has been a while since I took a photo at this location. When I was on my way to work today, I had an urge to take a slight detour to take this photo. There was a slight mist off the pond, and I was trying to capture it. Looks like I had no luck. Better luck next time.

Friday, 08/21/2026: Post photo — Cemetery.

Is it cemetery or cemetary? There is some debate about the spelling of the word. I like, and many other people like, the spelling with three “e’s”. I have seen posts on different signs at cemeteries spelled with the “a” and not the “e”. Doing research this week, the consensus is that the word has three “e’s”.

Saturday, 08/22/2026: Post photo — Turkey Feather.

We have had a rafter of turkeys in our neighborhood this week. There is a family of about a dozen little poults. I do not know if they are Jakes or Jennys.

I attempted to get a photo of them later in the week, but I did not find them. They have been in our neighbor’s yard for most of the week. The only day I did not see them was when I had my camera with me to take their photo.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – — / -… -.– / .— — … . .–. …. / -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

August 9, 2026

Posted under

Histoy, Inspiration, memorial, Photography, religion, Thoughts, Travel

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 08/02/2026 to 08/08/2026

“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann

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

Sunday, 08/02/2026: Posted photo — Votive.

The word votive describes something offered, given, or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow, prayer, or expression of devotion. The word votive comes from the Latin word votum, meaning a vow or a promise. These candles are in the vestibule of our church. They are dedicated to a good friend and his wife who have both passed.

Monday, 08/03/2026: Posted photo — Abstract.

The topic for my photo project this week was abstract. I took this photo as an abstract photo. It served two purposes. The first is to take a photo for my project. The second is to test out the focus on my phone’s camera. The class on my phone spontaneously broke. I am not the first owner of this brand of phone that this happened. Since the glass broke, my phone’s camera does not focus in the distance.

Tuesday, 08/04/2026: Posted photo — Black Eyed Susan.

The black-eyed Susan symbolizes encouragement, motivation, resilience, and justice. The name comes from the flower’s dark central disk surrounded by bright yellow petals, paired with a popular 1729 English ballad titled “Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-eye’d Susan” by poet John Gay.

Wednesday, 08/05/2026: Posted photo — Avocados.

Though once they roamed wild on the island, the Ocracoke Banker Ponies have been penned for their protection and cared for by the National Park Service since 1959. Legend has it that the “Banker” horses of Ocracoke were left here by shipwrecked explorers in the 16th or 17th century. These horses, often referred to as Ocracoke ponies, have been documented on Ocracoke Island since the first European settlers came to stay in the 1730s.

Thursday, 08/06/2026: Posted photo — Sunflower.

Sunflowers universally symbolize happiness, loyalty, adoration, and longevity. The sunflower got its name from its bright, round shape that looks like the sun and its habit of turning to face the sun.

Friday, 08/07/2026: Post photo — Still Eating.

This is the same rabbit as the last few weeks. I did not see it all week until today. I had to use my DSLR to get this photo. I wanted to take its photo this week using my phone, but as stated earlier, the zoom does not work.

Saturday, 08/08/2026: Post photo — Wright Bothers Memorial.

The site of the first flight in Kitty Hawk, NC in the Outer Banks. The wooden rail in the photo is what they used to keep the plane straight during takeoff. I did not realize how much influence their sister Katharine had on them. She is the forgotten sibling in this incredible feat and should have some credit. Glad to see that her name is in the Memorial.

Flight Details on December 17, 1903
First flight: 120 feet (36.5 meters) in 12 seconds, piloted by Orville Wright.
Second flight: 175 feet (53.3 meters) in 12 seconds, piloted by Wilbur Wright.
Third flight: 200 feet (60.9 meters) in 15 seconds, piloted by Orville Wright.
Fourth (best) flight: 852 feet (260 meters) in 59 seconds, piloted by Wilbur Wright.

Looking at the flight markers, I could just imagine what went through their minds during that fourth flight. It was a relatively long way from the first three. It took some time to walk to it in the North Carolina heat.

When I was walking from the location of the fourth flight to the Big Kill Devil Hill Monument, I heard a teenaged girl tell her mother, “I do not know why so many kids do not like going to a place like this. This is such a historical event in history.” There is some hope with the younger generation.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – — / -… -.– / .— — … . .–. …. / -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

June 21, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Histoy, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, water

Comments

1 Comment

Photographic Thoughts — 06/14/2026 to 06/20/2026

“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.

Monday, 06/15/2026: Posted photo — Snapping Turtle.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

June 14, 2026

Posted under

Inspiration, Nature, Photography, Thoughts, water

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 06/07/2026 to 06/13/2026

“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” — Richard Avedon

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

Short captions this week since I am preparing for audits at work and had the ACS RFL this weekend.

Sunday, 06/07/2026: Posted photo — Lupine.

Some lupine that I saw today at church. These are located just off the church parking lot.

Monday, 06/08/2026: Posted photo — Rhododendron.

Rhododendron from our yard. Took this photo before the bloom goes past.

Tuesday, 06/09/2026: Posted photo — Loon.

This loon swam close to shore at the lake. It was the closest to shore that I have seen a loon in a while, so I took out my cellphone and took this photo. Too bad I did not have my DSLR close to me.

Wednesday, 06/10/2026: Posted photo — Falls.

Falls at the Old Mill. We lost power at work, so we had to go home early. That gave me an opportunity to take this photo.

Thursday, 06/11/2026: Posted photo — Monochrome.

I borrowed a camera to teach someone how to use it. It was on the incorrect setting, monochrome instead of auto.

Friday, 06/12/2026: Post photo — Mountain Laural.

The mountain laural is starting to bloom in our yard.

Saturday, 06/13/2026: Post photo — Goose.

Today was the second day of the Relay for Life. The RFL is a 20 hour walk, used to be 24 hour walk, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I took this photo a day early to post just in case we were overtired from the RFL. I did camp out last night and had very little sleep.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 10, 2026

Posted under

HDR, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, Thoughts, training

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 05/03/2026 to 05/09/2026

“You don’t take a photograph. You ask quietly to borrow it.” — Unknown

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

Sunday, 05/03/2026: Posted photo — Wilderness First Aid.

I renewed my Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications this weekend. The first couple of times that I took the class, it was through Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities, Inc. (SOLO). This time it was through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). I found both good programs with NOLS being more informative. There were more hands-on training and scenarios with all participants being victims and rescuers. There is information and techniques that I will use from both programs.

WFA needs to be renewed every two years. I need it to lead hikes in the upcountry and winter. It is also a great skill to have for life in general. This is one training that I hope only to use during training sessions.

Monday, 05/04/2026: Posted photo — X Marks the Spot.

Some contrails that cross to make an “X”. Contrails are line-shaped ice clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or pressure changes at high altitudes, typically above 25,000 feet.

Tuesday, 05/05/2026: Posted photo — Flowers.

My typical weekly photos of flowers. These were in a Mother’s Day bouquet at a store that I shopped in today.

Wednesday, 05/06/2026: Posted photo — Fiddleheads.

Fiddlehead ferns are edible and is one of the early signs of spring. These fiddleheads are growing near our mailbox. This is a yearly photo for me. I like the details of the plant.

Thursday, 05/07/2026: Posted photo — Azure Bluets.

This small, delicate perennial is found growing in compact tufts, 8 in. high. The plants may cover broad expanses. Tiny flowers are pale blue with yellow centers, tubular, four-lobed, solitary, and terminal. Spatula-shaped leaves occur in basal rosettes. Stem leaves are small and the stems are unbranched.

This is also a yearly photo that I take just before I mow them down. They will still be in our year for a few more days since our lawn is wet from the on and off rain we are having this week.

Friday, 05/08/2026: Post photo — Further Development.

The sugar maple is developing more leaves. I have shown you over the last few weeks the development of these leaves. I will keep showing you until they are mature.

Saturday, 05/09/2026: Post photo — Slow Shutter Speed.

I needed a slow shutter speed photo for this week’s photo project, so I took a photo of a ceiling fan. We have a fire in our wood stove today to take the chill out of the house.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 3, 2026

Posted under

Friendship, hiking, Histoy, Inspiration, memorial, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

3 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 04/26/2026 to 05/02/2026

“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life.” — Joan Miro

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

Sunday, 04/26/2026: Posted photo — Music.

Singing in Church is an essential form of prayer, praise, and active participation in the Mass. St. Augustine once said that singing is “Double” Prayer. This phrase highlights that singing adds an emotional and spiritual depth to prayer that spoken words alone might not.

I stay up in the choir loft with my family, my mother-in-law, and other friends. I sing softly since I do not have a great voice.

Monday, 04/27/2026: Posted photo — Monument.

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 10^th 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.”

This plaque is near the summit of Wachusett Mountain and was installed in 1975.

Tuesday, 04/28/2026: Posted photo — Vote.

Many people complain about this administration and the past administration. They only vote every four years, or do not vote at all. I say if you do not vote in your local elections then you have no grounds for complaining about federal elections. Voting is your voice. Article 1 of the Constitution gives us the right to vote. This gave states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections. Many constitutional amendments and federal laws protecting voting rights have been passed since then.

The only people that do not want people to vote are those who either did not read the Constitution or are attempting to silence the people. This opinion is not just mine. I have heard this from Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others from all sides of the aisle.

Voting is your right. Please vote every chance you have to do so.

Wednesday, 04/29/2026: Posted photo — Bleeding Hearts.

Bleeding Hearts symbolize romantic love, heartbreak, and passion. It is frequently used in shaded garden borders, woodland gardens, and cut floral designs. There is a four-to-six-week period in which bleeding hearts grow. For many years, I have seen these bleeding hearts grow and by the time I get back to them to photograph, they are past.

Thursday, 04/30/2026: Posted photo — Stone Wall.

A closeup photo of a stone wall. Field stone walls are traditional, durable structures built from natural, weathered stones (often New England fieldstone) that are either dry-laid or mortared, offering a rustic, earthy look. Stone walls found in woodlands are primarily relics of 18th to 19th-century European agriculture, built to delineate property, manage livestock, or dispose of rocks cleared from fields.

Friday, 05/01/2026: Post photo — Stay on the Trail.

One of the many trails on Wachusett. This sign is on one of the steeper trails on the mountain. As you can see, the trail drops off shortly after this sign. This section has a 17° grade, which is categorized as a steep grade.

This is the middle section of Jack Frost Trail. This is one of my favorite sections of trail in the winter. Because of its steepness and location of the slope, there is plenty of opportunity to practice my winter skills.

Saturday, 05/02/2026: Post photo — First Moon Photo.

This is the first moon photo I took with my new camera. I kept playing with the setting. The settings kept jumping around on their own when I was adjusting in manual mode.

There is much to learn about this camera.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

April 26, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 04/19/2026 to 04/25/2026

“When people ask me what equipment I use – I tell them my eyes.” — Anonymous

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

Sunday, 04/19/2026: Posted photo — Gospel Cover.

The Gospel Cover at our church. This is made of heavy metallic material to protect the book.

Monday, 04/20/2026: Posted photo — Rain.

Rain is one of nature’s beauties. I just like looking out in the distance to see rain.

In this case, I was at the summit of the mountain with a group and saw the rain heading our way. It originally was heading north of our location and then it started to come towards us. I notified others in the group, and we decided to head back down the mountain before the rain.

It did not rain on us.

Tuesday, 04/21/2026: Posted photo — Trail Junction.

“You are here.” This is one of the trail junctions on Wachusett Mountain. There is a total of 67 trail junctions on the mountain. These junctions include all road crossings and trails that the weekend hikers will not use due to their location. One summer I determined all the GPS locations and elevations at these trail junctions. I also have all the bearings of the trails that join at each junction. I use this information when I teach my map and compass (navigation) classes.

Wednesday, 04/22/2026: Posted photo — Developing Leaves.

This is one of our sugar maples trees further along in this season’s growth. I like the details in the baby leaves as they start to grow into adult leaves.

Thursday, 04/23/2026: Posted photo — Ansel Adams Look.

Last week I posted a photo titled “Chaos in Nature”. That had me thinking about Ansel Adams and how he takes black and white photos of nature. I do not know if this is of his quality, but I attempted to duplicate his style this week.

Friday, 04/24/2026: Post photo — Flag.

The United States Flag against the clear blue sky.

Saturday, 04/25/2026: Post photo — Cube.

Many of you know this at a Rubik cube. Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architecture professor, created a prototype of a three-dimensional cube in 1974. Today most, if not all, the fastest solvers in the world do not use a Rubik brand cube. I solved my first cube in 1980 when the cube was first available to the public. My best time back then was about 2.5 minutes. The first world record was 22.95 seconds.

I started competing in 2025 because our son was organizing a competition at the school where he works. I have only 39 competitive solves under my belt. Before today’s competition, I am ranked 267,814 in the world for the 3x3x3 cube; 177,872 in the world for the 2x2x2 cube; and 117,962 in the world in Pyraminx, a pyramid shaped puzzle.

Today I finished in 75 of 77 in the 3x3x3 event with a personal best single time of 1:17:82 and personal best average of 1:37.71, 64 of 65 in the 2x2x2 event with a personal best average of 21.62, and 41 of 44 in Pyramix with a personal best average of 15.22 seconds. Not bad times for someone who just dug his cubes out of storage last night and has not solved for many months.

To put these times in perspective, the current world record for the 3x3x3 is 2.76 seconds, for the 2x2x2 it is 0.39 seconds, and for the Pyramix it is 0.73 seconds.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

April 19, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

4 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 04/12/2026 to 04/18/2026

“Today everything exists to end in a photograph.” — Susan Sontag

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

Short and sweet this week. I wrote my comments later in the week, so I did an executive summary of the reason behind each photo.

Sunday, 04/12/2026: Posted photo — Altar.

When I was setting up the numbers today, the light was reflecting off the chalices. I had my phone with me and took this photo. I like the simplicity of this photo.

Monday, 04/13/2026: Posted photo — Hiker.

This hiker allowed me to take his photo tonight. I need a photo of a stranger for my photo project. As I say many times, I take a photo early in the week of the topic for the week just in case I do not have the opportunity to do so later in the week.

Tuesday, 04/14/2026: Posted photo — Fire Tower.

This is the new fire tower on Wachusett Mountain. It was built in 2014 and replaced the tower that was built in 1966. I did have the opportunity to go up into the tower. It is only opened once a year to the public.

Wednesday, 04/15/2026: Posted photo — Crocus.

The crocus that I showed you last week has opened. Here is a photo.

Thursday, 04/16/2026: Posted photo — Sunset.

Another summit, another sunset.

Friday, 04/17/2026: Post photo — Chaos in Nature.

I took this photo attempting to get a photo of the sun through the trees near the summit. Looking at it, it is chaos. I did not delete this photo since it shows that nature is not always the beautiful scenes most of us are used to seeing. Nature is sometime very chaotic. There is beauty in chaos.

Saturday, 04/18/2026: Post photo — Round Meadow Pond.

This is one of the first photos I have taken with my new camera. I purchased an entry level mirrorless camera, a Canon EOS R50. I need to get used to the camera. It is much smaller and lighter than my 60D and does not have all the features. I have a lens adapter since the lens mount is different. After 14 years with one camera, I need to start learning photography again.

This photo was taken with the stock lens.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

April 5, 2026

Posted under

Friendship, hiking, Histoy, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 03/29/2026 to 04/04/2026

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” — Diane Arbus

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

Sunday, 03/29/2026: Posted photo — Psalm Sunday.

Palm Sunday serves as a day of reflection on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is the first day of Holy Week. Holy Week starts with the triumphant entry and leads to the Easter Triduum: Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday, of the Lord’s Passion and ends with the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Good Friday is the only day of the year that a Mass does not happen, just a service.

Jesus died for all of us, not just a selected few. Jesus is a person of equality and peace for all. Some people forget this.

Monday, 03/30/2026: Posted photo — Bat House.

From https://www.mass.gov/guides/bat-houses: “Bat houses are particularly helpful in providing alternative roosting habitat for bats that are excluded from homes. In turn, this reduces the chance of human contact with bats. Installing a bat house can provide a safe environment for bats, while protecting your yard from pest insects, like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Bat houses give females a safe, warm place to raise their young. Since most female bats only have one pup each year, bat populations grow very slowly. Additionally, due to habitat loss and degradation, it is becoming harder for bats to locate natural roost sites to raise their young. By installing a bat house, you can provide mothers and their pups with a safe home.”

This bat house is at one of the trailheads on Wachusett Mountain.

Tuesday, 03/31/2026: Posted photo — Gold Nugget.

The gold nugget mandarin is often considered one of the best-tasting mandarins in the world. They are only available during the months of February to May.

Wednesday, 04/01/2026: Posted photo — Mushrooms.

A mushroom on some wood in our yard. I need to move this wood to the cottage to burn during the summer. It is taking up too much room in our yard.

Thursday, 04/02/2026: Posted photo — Sunset.

A wonderful sunset from the summit of Wachusett Mountain. I need to start taking up my DSLR to get better photos.

I am in the process of upgrading my camera. I purchased it over 12 years ago and is showing its age.

Friday, 04/03/2026: Post photo — Lost Hat.

Someone lost a hat during a hike. I put it on this signpost, just in case the person is looking for it. This is what is typically done if you find a piece of clothing on the tail, put it on a tree branch, or some other high location, so that the owner can find it.

Saturday, 04/04/2026: Post photo — New Growth.

Some croci starting to bloom in our yard. There is new growth starting all over the area. We grow a little later in this area since we are further north and the snow cover last longer.

I am amazed sometimes when I drive into Worcester and see how much further the blooms on the trees are from my house.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

March 15, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts, water

Comments

2 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 03/08/2026 to 03/14/2026

“Essentially what photography is life lit up.” — Sam Abell

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

Sunday, 03/08/2026: Posted photo — Votive Candle.

A little candle in a church, often called a “votive candle”, represents a personal prayer, offering, or intention, allowing a worshiper’s devotion to continue even after they leave. These candles are in a frame that is dedicated to a friend and his wife who have passed. He passed from ASL and she passed from cancer.

Monday, 03/09/2026: Posted photo — Post Hole.

Here is an example of the use of snowshoes vs not using snowshoes. This is from tonight’s hike. I used my snowshoes and others did not. I put my snowshoes next to their post hole to show the difference.

Tuesday, 03/10/2026: Posted photo — Collecting Sap.

The best weather to collect sap is a “freeze-thaw” cycle in late winter/early spring, characterized by nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures rising to around 40–45 degrees F (4–7 degrees C). Stop collecting sap when tree buds appear, temperatures remain above freezing at night, or the sap turns yellow/cloudy.

Wednesday, 03/11/2026: Posted photo — Water under the Bridge.

“Water under the bridge” is a phrase used to say that something happened in the past and is no longer important or worth arguing about. Even though I am not very old, I am at a stage where I do not get stressed out with life. I have had a few experiences in my life that I could not control, (loss of a child, loss of a sibling, loss of loved ones, loss of close relatives and friends), that just have me going with the flow, or saying that is just water under the bridge.

Thursday, 03/12/2026: Posted photo — Sunset Afterglow.

I did not make it to the summit for sunset. This was the first night in a few months that I saw the afterglow of the sunset. I did not think I would get a good photo and my intuition was correct. I feel that this photo is too dark. I attempted to edit it, with no luck.

Friday, 03/13/2026: Post photo — Flowing Stream.

The temperatures this week so far had a high of 73 degrees F and a low of 29 degrees F. This was taken during one of the warm days this week. The streams on the mountain were running fast.

Hiking was not easy this week with the rapidly changing conditions. It started out this week where snowshoes were needed. Then the hiking was slow due to muddy trails. Now at the end of the week, we have much cooler temperatures and the muddy areas are starting to freeze. Snowshoes Monday and Tuesday, mud boots Wednesday and Thursday, and bear boot today. Will bear boot tomorrow with my microspike on my pack, just in case I need to use them.

Saturday, 03/14/2026: Post photo — Icefall.

I do not know if this is technically an icefall, but that is what I am calling it.

When on a hike this afternoon with a family friend to stretch out my legs on this wonderful and sunny day. The weather today sums up the weather for this week. It started to be sunny, then the clouds came in and we had a snow squall. Then it was sunny and warm and then the temperature dropped when I was on the trail. The trail conditions were tough. I bear booted and used my spikes. I could have used my snowshoes in spots, but they were so short that it would have been longer to put on and take off my snowshoes as it would have been just walk in that section of snow with my spikes. The ice was hard is some steeper slopes and my spikes did not grip the snow well. I had to be very careful and take it very slowly in those locations.

Now it is time to look at my microspikes to see if they need sharpening. I did use my “rock” spikes, so the odds are great that they do need to be sharpened.

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.”

.–. …. — – — -… -.– .— — … . .–. …. -.-. .. .-. .- …