“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” – Barry Finlay
Monday, 11/10/2025: Posted photo — Bouquet of Flowers.
“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson
Tuesday, 11/11/2025: Posted photo — Orchid.
“Orchids are nature’s way of telling us that beauty comes in many forms.” – unknown
Wednesday, 11/12/2025: Posted photo — Sunrise Through a Window.
“A sunrise is Nature telling you that it’s time to cherish another day on Earth. Enjoy life.” – unknown
Thursday, 11/13/2025: Posted photo — Firewood.
“A man may plant a tree for a number of reasons. Perhaps he likes trees. Perhaps he wants shelter. Or perhaps he knows that someday he may need the firewood.” – Joanne Harris
Friday, 11/14/2025: Post photo — Reflection in Water.
“Be praised, my Lord, through sister water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.”
– Francis of Assisi
Saturday, 11/15/2025: Post photo — Mushrooms.
“Advice is like mushrooms. The wrong kind can prove fatal.” – Charles E. McKenzie
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”
“Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.” — Ambrose Bierce
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 09/21/2025: Posted photo — American Dagger Moth Caterpillar.
The American Dagger Mot is found in America east of the Rocky Mountains in wooded areas. They feed on many common types of trees such as oaks and maples and are often found on the ground in the forest. This caterpillar protects itself from danger by “stinging” anything that touches it. I did not touch it since I knew that some caterpillars sting and I did not know at the time if this was one of those.
Here is one of the many differences between a butterfly and a moth. Butterflies tend to fold their wings vertically up over their backs. Moths tend to hold their wings in a tent-like fashion that hides the abdomen. Butterflies are typically larger and have more colorful patterns on their wings. Moths are typically smaller with drab-colored wings.
Monday, 09/22/2025: Posted photo — Lift Progress.
Wachusett Mountain is putting in a new high-speed lift. I have been showing photos of progress as I hike past the construction. This lift is much larger than the lift they just removed.
Tuesday, 09/23/2025: Posted photo — Roses.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been showing individual roses from this bush. This bush is the one that I did not think it would survive before it was transplanted.
When I planted it in the new flower bed, I took care to help it grow by watering it and keeping the ground fertilized. It is now growing wonderfully.
The yellow roses and the white roses bloom at different times. This is like other plants, such as our azaleas, in which the different colors bloom at different times.
Wednesday, 09/24/2025: Posted photo — Full Moon.
As I was looking for a file today, I found this photo of the moon. I took this photo a while ago. It is a composite of 10 separate photos.
This is one of my favorite full moon photos, so I wanted to share it with you.
Thursday, 09/25/2025: Posted photo — Rose during Rain.
We finally had rain. The rain took all the petals off the yellow roses. I noticed that there was a rosebud on this plant.
As I walked past it, I noticed the raindrops on the rose. I went back inside, grabbed my camera and its rain cover and took this photo.
Friday, 09/26/2025: Post photo — Elm Tree.
I like the look of this tree. I photographed it often a few years ago. On my way to work today, I wanted to photograph a great sunrise so I pulled into the cemetery to see if I could get a better view.
I do not know why I pulled into the cemetery, but I found my way to photograph this tree.
Saturday, 09/27/2025: Post photo — Lakeside.
Today was the church bazar. After the bazar we went to our cottage to have a cookout. I took this photo since I liked the way the sun reflected off the hill on the other side of the lake.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”
“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.” — Linda McCartney
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 09/14/2025: Posted photo — Rosebud.
A few weeks ago, I constructed a planter for some roses that I purchased. I purchased white roses and yellow roses. The white roses bloomed a couple of times since I purchased them and the yellow roses looked like they were not going to live.
When I planted them, I was hopeful that they both would take root. I took my time and fed them, watered them, and removed weeds to help them grow. The white roses bloomed in the bed again, bending under their own weight. I need to support the blooms the next time I see them start. The yellow roses are starting to have multiple blooms.
This is a photo of one of the rosebuds from the yellow plant. It looks like it will bloom this week. If it does, I will post a photo of it later this week.
I am starting to learn about growing roses. There is much to learn, and any advice will be greatly appreciated.
The bearded dragon is equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a “beard” of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood. A Bearded Dragon represents change, rebirth, and renewal.
This bearded dragon is the pet of one of my brothers. We stopped at his house on the way to one of the two weddings we attended last weekend. One was in Naples NY, and one was in Westminster MA the next day.
Tuesday, 09/16/2025: Posted photo — Chinese Swan Goose.
Wild goose symbolizes loyalty, integrity, and love.
This goose was swimming at the Old Mill during the time of the second wedding we attended last weekend.
This is the centerpiece from the second wedding. The first wedding was more traditional, and the second one was less traditional. The first wedding had less traditional food, and the second wedding had more traditional food.
Both weddings were special in their own way. The first was for a friend, and the second was for my niece. Wishing them both many happy years.
Thursday, 09/18/2025: Posted photo — Jump Off Point.
Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill has a lookout point called Jump Off Point. There is an overlook at the point, but not much of a drop to jump off, just a steep hill.
We took a walk to look at the views before packing up our camping equipment and heading to the wedding we were going to photograph. This was the first of two weddings over the weekend.
This park is very well maintained and is growing. The campsite we had the first time we were there, and when my wife and son camped there a few years ago, is now occupied by the camp host. I can understand why he took that site, it was the best one in the park.
Friday, 09/19/2025: Post photo — Orntario St. Bridge.
This bridge is a hidden wonder. The newly married couple wanted to take photos on this bridge after the ceremony. The bridge had debris on it, so before we took photos, we purchased a broom and swept off the bridge. We later presented the broom as a wedding gift. The couple loved the idea that we gave them this broom that was part of their special day.
Saturday, 09/20/2025: Post photo — Milky Way.
Second attempt at a Milky Way photo using my cellphone. This one was better than the first one, but still not great. There still was light pollution in the area. I attempted to block the light, so this photo came out slightly better.
I will keep taking this photo in darker areas to get a good one.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
Bonus
Here is the photo of the rose in Sunday’s photo in bloom.
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”
“What makes photography a strange invention is that the primary raw materials are light and time.” — John Berger
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 07/27/2025: Posted photo — Mary and Jesus.
This is a photo of Mary with Jesus. This statue is on the altar of our church. Next to Mary and Jesus is the Paschal Candle.
The Paschal candle represents Christ. The candle is made from pure beeswax represents the sinless Christ. The wick signifies His humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body. Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.
As Catholic’s know, Jesus died for all of us, not just a chosen few. He died for those we love, those we hate, people with different political and sociological views, different skin color or nationalities. People forget this these days.
Monday, 07/28/2025: Posted photo — Foundations.
These are some of the foundations that will be installed for the new ski lift on Wachusett Mountain.
Every week, I take my group of hikers to the ski area to watch the progress. We have seen the old towers and lift being removed. Now we are seeing the new equipment being installed.
Tuesday, 07/29/2025: Posted photo — Hibiscus.
Hibiscus flowers generally symbolize beauty, grace, and delicate charm. Different colors can have more specific meanings, with red often representing passion and love, white signifying purity and innocence, and yellow symbolizing friendship or happiness.
These are new hibiscus planted at my in-law’s house. I don’t know when they were planted since I have been traveling most of the summer.
Photo from the summit of Madden Peak (11,982 feet) looking at Parrott Peak (11,871 feet). We did the saddle to Parrott Peak from Madden Peak but did not climb to the summit. It was a very hot day with not much breeze, even at this elevation.
This was a great day for a hike. Glad I finally conquered this peak. On to the next one during my next trip to Colorado.
Thursday, 07/31/2025: Posted photo — Fishing.
Jonah and Jonah (along with Freedom) went out fishing. This was a great day for family to get together as part of my wife’s family’s reunion week.
There was plenty of food and fun this week. The older Jonah did catch a few fish. He is a catch and release fisherman. We did have a campfire going, but they did not want to cook the fish.
Friday, 08/01/2025: Post photo — Water Lilly.
The water lily represents purity of heart, tranquility, and peace. Its ability to float gracefully on the water, seemingly untainted by the dirt beneath, makes it a powerful symbol of inner beauty and resilience. They are also a great place for fishing.
These water lilies have been frequented by beavers and ducks. I would just sit on the shoreline and enjoy nature. Watching the ducks swim in the water lilies, diving for food, and seeing the beaver swim to the lilies to feast on some of the flowers.
Saturday, 08/02/2025: Post photo — First Quarter Moon.
Today is the day for the first quarter moon.
There are eight phases of the moon. The phases are, in order: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. The cycle repeats about once a month (every 29.5 days). As the Moon orbits the Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it, making it seem as if the Moon is changing shape.
Even with all the full moon photos I have taken, the one that I want to succeed at is one of the crescent moons with the earthshine. Earthshine is a phenomenon where the dark portion of the Moon appears to glow faintly, illuminated by sunlight reflected off the Earth.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photography has nothing to do with cameras.” — Lucas Gentry
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 07/20/2025: Posted photo — Bed of Roses.
A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of the roses in our front yard waiting for a flower bed to be installed. This is the flower bed that I put in. It is not as raised as I would have liked, but the frame still allows me to protect the roses during the winter.
Once I am sure the roses are stable, I will design the protection for the harsh winter weather.
Horsetail Falls is a waterfall located on Horsetail Creek along the Columbia River Gorge in Multnomah County, Oregon. It is 224 feet tall and is just down the road from Multnomah Falls.
The bottom of this fall is a good swimming hole. There were many people cooling off under the falls. We did not go swimming since we arrived at our campsite and wanted to see both Multnomah Falls and Horsetail Falls.
Tuesday, 07/22/2025: Posted photo — Trying to Hide.
This group of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms was trying to hike in the burl of this tree. They are doing a good job blending in. Once the mushrooms age, and turn brown, you may not be able to spot them.
I am amazed sometimes about the time it must of took to carve words into rocks on the trails. This marking has the name of the trail on Wachusett Mountain.
There are many other graffiti carvings as you get to the summit. There were a few hotels on the mountain and the kids must have carved this into the rocks, just as in modern day kids use spray paint. Only that carving in the rock would have taken much longer to do.
Thursday, 07/24/2025: Posted photo — Echo Lake.
The primary difference between a pond and a lake is in their depth and the penetration of sunlight. Ponds are shallower, allowing the sunlight to reach the bottom, while lakes are deeper. A pond generally has a uniform temperature while the temperature profile for a lake is not uniform. There are no definitive definitions for the differences, just the general rule of thumb.
Echo Lake is not very deep. I can see the bottom while looking at it. It may be called a lake by those that named it because they did not know the difference. They did use this body of water in the winter months to cut out blocks of ice to be used in ice boxes before there was reliable refrigeration.
Friday, 07/25/2025: Post photo — Communication Towers.
Here is a photo of some communication towers on the summit of Wachusett Mountain.
I do not know if they are active or not. I have heard conflicting reports about their use and cannot find any information on their use. I should have gone to the building and looked for any signs. I have seen signs on the stone building next to them, but that was a few years ago.
As with most things, you see them many times and then you just see them. I have gone by these towers hundreds of times and can tell you many things about the building, but what is on signage.
Saturday, 07/26/2025: Post photo — Wind Energy.
This is a photo of one of the two wind turbines used by the Princeton Municipal Light Department and are located at the trailhead for the Stage Coach Trail on Wachusett Mountain.
Selected information on these turbines from the PMLD website: Each blade on the turbine is 125 feet long and weighs six tons. The blade tip speed is 204 mph with the turbine turning at 17-20 rpm. The annual energy output of the two turbines is 4,000,000 kWh’s. The wind speed needed to start producing energy is 7 mph. The cutout wind speed is 45 mph. In 2010, the turbines produced 6,001 MWh of power and in 2023 only produce 2762 MWh of power. I cannot find out any information regarding the reduced power output.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.” — Ambrose Bierce
Here are more photos from my adventures this summer.
Sunday, 07/13/2025: Posted photo — Columbine.
The Columbine was chosen as Colorado’s state flower because of its beauty, its representation of the state’s natural environment, and its symbolic significance. It was officially designated on April 4, 1899, following a vote by Colorado schoolchildren in 1891.
I saw many columbines of different colors during my hike today.
Monday, 07/14/2025: Posted photo — Madden Peak.
I finally conquered this 12K peak. The peak is 11,982 feet tall, close enough to call it a 12K peak. There were great views at the summit. I drank plenty of water and had snacks to avoid altitude sickness.
This was my second attempt at the summit. A few years ago, I was about 400 feet from the summit when it looked like a storm rolled in. That was a good choice to turn around since there was hail, thunder and lightning and heavy rain.
Tuesday, 07/15/2025: Posted photo — Road to Mesa Verde.
This is the road that leads into Mesa Verde National Park. I just liked all the switchbacks on the road.
Wednesday, 07/16/2025: Posted photo — Mesa.
This is the view of the Mesa in Mesa Verde National Park. My brother-in-law and I hiked to the edge of the mesa. My BIL works at the park.
It was a warm down hike after hiking on the 10K Via Ferrata and the 12K Madden Peak.
Shoshone Falls, known as the “Niagara of the West,” is a majestic waterfall on the Snake River in Idaho. This was a wonderful side trip on our way to camp near the Oregon Trail.
Friday, 07/18/2025: Post photo — Oregon Trail.
The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile (3,492 km) emigrant route to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, used by hundreds of thousands of American pioneers from 1841 to 1880. It stretched from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon. Tonight’s campsite was just off the Oregon Trail.
There was a visitor information center that featured some covered wagons. This is one of them.
Saturday, 07/19/2025: Post photo — Multnomah Falls OR.
Multnomah Falls is a waterfall located on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, Oregon. According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe.
The upper falls is 542 feet tall and the lower falls is 69 feet tall.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann
As I get back to work, I am putting some photos together from the first week of my vacation. I did not sit down every day and write about the photo. I will be setting time aside next week to do so.
Sunday, 07/06/2025: Posted photo — Framed.
Mount Rainier from the plane as I was going back home.
Monday, 07/07/2025: Posted photo — Trail Sign.
One of the trail signs in Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca NY. This was on the Gorge Trail in the park.
This was not the first time I was at Gateway Arch. I was there a few years ago. It looked like the entrance to the Arch was moved from the first time I was there. I had more time today to explore the Arch and the area. I did not go into the Arch again.
Friday, 07/11/2025: Post photo — Busch Stadium.
I was looking forward to going to Busch Stadium. This is the site that the Red Sox broke the curse in 2004. Not the same stadium. This one was built in 2006. The ushers were asking us if we were rubbing in the World Series victory since we had Red Sox shirts on. They were just joking with us.
Saturday, 07/12/2025: Post photo — Bridal Veil Falls.
Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride CO. I passed these falls as I was going to the Via Ferrata trailhead. I did not do the entire Via Ferrata. I did the part where there was ground under my feet. I turned around before doing the section that was along the cliff face with only steel rungs to put your feet.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.” — Elliott Erwitt
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.
I am short of words today since I have been busy during the week and only have a short time today to put this post together. I prepared each photo for this blog daily. I just did not sit down to write about it.
Sunday, 05/11/2025: Posted photo — Pansy.
“Here’s looking at you, kid” is a memorable quote from the classic 1942 film Casablanca. When I look at a pansy I hear this classic movie line.
Bugleweed is a broadleaf, evergreen to semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial ground cover in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. This bugleweed is at my in-law’s house. I do like the look of this plant for it color and texture.
Tuesday, 05/12/2025: Posted photo — Bunny.
I was sitting down for lunch on Sunday and saw something go into the Hosta. It did not look like a chipmunk or a squirrel, so I waited for the animal to show itself. This bunny came out. I took out my cellphone and took a photo of it through a window. I do not like the way cell phones zoom into objects. They always look distorted.
It was funny watching the bubby fear birds and other small animals. It was having a feast in the Hosta.
Wednesday, 05/14/2025: Posted photo — Red Azalea.
Last week I posted a photo of the buds on this bush. He is the same bush in bloom. Later this week, I will post a photo of the pink azalea since it is getting ready to bloom.
Thursday, 05/15/2025: Posted photo — Puddle.
More rain this week. I needed a photo of water for my other photo project this week, so I took a photo of the raindrops in the puddle just in case I did not have the opportunity to take another water photo.
Friday, 05/16/2025: Post photo — Watermelon.
Some fresh fruit for outdoor gatherings this time of year.
Saturday, 05/17/2025: Post photo — Pink Azelea.
Here is a photo of the pink azalea bush in bloom. It is interesting how different colors of the same plant bloom at different times of the year.
We had some snow in the area. I did a little walk in the woods and saw this snow-covered log. There is a little bit of elevation where I live so the weather is different in our town versus the next town over. It was raining in the other town and snowing at our house.
Monday, 04/07/2025: Posted photo — Foot Bridge.
After cancelling my hike the last two Monday’s, I decided to go tonight. There was more snow on the trails. The footprints on this bridge were the only sign that someone else hiked today. There were other locations where there were no footprints in sight. We did see a deer trail along off one of the trails.
The trails were muddy with no snow on the trees at lower elevations. As we started to hike towards the summit, there was more snow on the trees and on the trails. The trails were wet, and the rocks were slippery due to the water flowing over them. The summit was in the clouds, and I could see heavier snow cover ahead. The hiking was going to be slow to be safe, so I made the call not to submit this week. The hike would have lasted longer than planned since the group started to explore a new unmarked trail earlier in the hike, so it slowed us down. I will explore this trail on my own so that I can lead the group on this trail in the future.
Tuesday, 04/08/2025: Posted photo — Pineapple.
For this week’s photo project, the subject is detail. I took this photo, and the photo of the dragon fruit that I will be posting tomorrow, to show the details in the fruits. Many fruits have great details and there is so much texture and details in a pineapple.
If the pineapple did not show enough detail, I will be posting this photo of dragon fruit. Like a pineapple, dragon fruit has texture and details on its outer skin. I have posted details about dragon fruit in the past. I purchased a dragon fruit and will give a report on how it tastes in future posts.
Thursday, 04/10/2025: Posted photo — Driveway.
Snowing here again. I took this photo this morning just in case the snow melts today. The temperature is fluctuation more over the last few days and there is a possibility of more snow tonight.
Friday, 04/11/2025: Post photo — Round Meadow Pond.
We received snow last night. Woke up this morning with a little more than a dusting last night. I took some photos of the snow in our yard, just before the bobcat came strolling by me.
On my way to work, I passed Round Meadow Pond. I took a side trip to take a photo of the dam, since the area around the pond gave me the impression to do so. I was also looking for the bold eagle that I saw flying over the pond on my way home last night.
Saturday, 04/12/2025: Post photo — Still Growing.
Nature is amazing. These tulips started to grow before the snow, and they continue to grow after the snow. We had over 7 inches of snow last night. With the weather constantly changing this time of year, tulips, daffodils, and crocus are blooming and their leaves can be seen above any snow cover.
“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” — Alfred Stieglitz
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.
Sunday, 03/30/2025: Posted photo — Saint Anne.
Saint Anne is the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This statue is outside the church I attend. We had a sister parish Saint Anne’s that had to be closed for safety reasons. The statue was moved in front of Saint Denis.
Monday, 03/31/2025: Posted photo — Roses.
Bad weather meant shopping today. Took a photo of some roses instead of food this week.
Tuesday, 04/01/2025: Posted photo — Stream.
Since the weather was wet the last few days, the streams and other water crossing on Wachusett Mountain were flowing. This is the stream at the junction of Administration Road and Jack Frost.
Wednesday, 04/02/2025: Posted photo — Overlook.
This is an overlook on Wachusett Mountain. There was a sign to the overlook for many years. The sign has been removed since there were too many teenage parties at the site, leaving to a dangerous situation. The group tonight was going to the summit for sunset. There was plenty of time, so I took them on the side trip to the overlook.
The windmills in this photo are at the trailhead we started from.
Thursday, 04/03/2025: Posted photo — Bowling.
This is a fun bowling dice game we have at home. We play it as either ten pin or candle pin. Most of the time, we play it a ten pin.
Friday, 04/04/2025: Post photo — More Roses.
I did not get out tonight to take a photo. I took this photo during my shopping trip last Tuesday night.
Saturday, 04/05/2025: Post photo — Levitation.
Here my attempt of a levitation photo. This is my brother’s first place Pinewood Derby trophy from August 1962.
Photo by Joseph Ciras 