Photographic Thoughts — 07/27/2025 to 08/02/2025

“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.

Wednesday, 07/30/2025: Posted photo — Mountain High.

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.”

Photographic Thoughts — 07/20/2025 to 07/26/2025

“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.

Monday, 07/21/2025: Posted photo — Horsetail Falls.

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.

Wednesday, 07/23/2025: Posted photo — Trail Marker.

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.”

Photographic Thoughts — 07/13/2025 to 07/19/2025

“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.

Thursday, 07/17/2025: Posted photo — Shoshone Falls ID.

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.”

Photographic Thoughts — 07/06/2025 to 07/12/2025

“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.

Tuesday, 07/08/2025: Posted photo — Buttermilk Falls.

Buttermilk Falls, Ithica NY. We would like to go back when the falls are flowing faster.

Wednesday, 07/09/2025: Posted photo — Clematis.

Clematis growing at my sister-in-law’s house in Columbus OH.

Thursday, 07/10/2025: Posted photo — Gateway Arch.

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.”

Photographic Thoughts — 05/11/2025 to 05/17/2025

“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.

 Monday, 05/12/2025: Posted photo — Ajuga Reptans (bugleweed).

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.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

Photographic Thoughts — 04/06/2025 to 04/12/2025

“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.

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

Sunday, 04/06/2025: Posted photo — Snow Covered Log.

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.

Wednesday, 04/09/2025: Posted photo — Dragon Fruit.

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.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

Photographic Thoughts — 03/30/2025 to 04/05/2025

“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.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

Photographic Thoughts — 03/23/2025 to 03/29/2025

“I think good dreaming is what leads to good photographs.” — Wayne Miller

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, 03/23/2025: Posted photo — New Dawn Arts Center.

New Dawn Arts Center in the Community Church.

Monday, 03/24/2025: Posted photo — Mini Rose.

When shopping tonight instead of hiking due to freezing rain and dangerous trail conditions. Came across some mini roses and took my weekly flower photo.

Tuesday, 03/25/2025: Posted photo — Lime.

Nice color and textures on these limes.

Wednesday, 03/26/2025: Posted photo — Do Not Climb.

When on a walk today and came across this sign near the old growth forest. There were many rocks to boulder, but that would damage the fragile ecosystem in the area.

Thursday, 03/27/2025: Posted photo — Sunset.

A great sunset from the mountain. I did not stay to the end of the sunset. Just went up, took this photo, and headed back down.

Friday, 03/28/2025: Post photo — Wachusett Mountain.

Had to visit a vendor for work today and stopped to take this photo. If you look at the trails, they spell out “SKI”.

Saturday, 03/29/2025: Post photo — Wood Stove.

Raw day today so I stayed inside and had a fire in our wood stove.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

Photographic Thoughts — 03/16/2025 to 03/22/2025

“Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies.” — Diane Arbus

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

This week will show you some of the animals that I encountered during my travels.

Sunday, 03/16/2025: Posted photo — Prairie Dog.

One of the campsites we were camped, was a remote campground in Badlands National Park. In this campground and the surrounding area, there USGA was doing a study on Prairie Dogs. These were some that were near my tent.

Monday, 03/17/2025: Posted photo — Camping Bison.

In the same campground, there was a bison that used the site markers as scratching posts. This bison also showed up in the morning. The remote campground had only 10 sites. All eyes were on the bison. People did come out of these tents as the bison moved away.

Tuesday, 03/18/2025: Posted photo — Ducks.

These ducks were in one of the rivers at Yellowstone National Park. I did look up the type of ducks these are but did not write it down.

Wednesday, 03/19/2025: Posted photo — Elk.

This elk came to visit us at the first campground we had in Yellowstone.

Thursday, 03/20/2025: Posted photo — Bison by River.

At the second campground in Yellowstone, we took a walk in the morning and saw this bison by the river. There was a plaque at this location that stated that this was the exact location that the idea to make Yellowstone a national park was born.

Friday, 03/21/2025: Post photo — Mini Cow.

One of my sister-in-law’s animals.

Saturday, 03/22/2025: Post photo — Feasting Bald Eagle.

This Bald Eagle just caught a fish, brought it to the top of this tree, and had its dinner.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

Photographic Thoughts — 01/19/2025 to 01/25/ 2025

“No place is boring, if you’ve had a good night’s sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film” — Robert Adams

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

Sunday, 01/19/2025: Posted photo — Leading Lines.

Photo challenge of the week — Leading Lines. I took many photos today to try to fit this theme. This was the winner. The lines are leading you down the seawall along the beach at Hampton Beach NH.

Wall at Hampton Beach NH

It was a cool day to be on the beach. When walking with the wind to my back, it felt warm. When I was walking into a headwind, you can tell it was frigid outside with the wind chill.

Monday, 01/20/2025: Posted photo — Cigar Box Guitar.

My bother made this one and just electrified it. He made one for one of his granddaughters during the summer and wanted to make one for himself.

As you can tell by the inscription, he is also a hiker. He was the past chairperson of the local chapter of the AMC and is now on the AMC Board of Directors.

Tuesday, 01/21/2025: Posted photo — Dekopon Mandarin.

Imagine the perfect citrus — super easy to peel, extra juicy and amazingly sweet. This is a hybrid of the satsuma, navel and mandarin orange varieties developed in 1970’s.

Dekopon Mandarins

I have posted many times before, the supermarket that I go to every week has a great assortment of fruits and vegetables. I like taking photos of them and doing research on them before purchasing them.

Wednesday, 01/22/2025: Posted photo — Coating a Japanese Yew.

Some snow on a Japanese Yew at my office. I like the contrast of colors.

Patches of snow

Thursday, 01/23/2025: Posted photo — Moon from Office Window.

I looked out my office window last week and saw the full moon. I took out my camera and took a photo for the moon through the office window.

I have people tell me that my moon photos are great and they wished I had something in the foreground, do I took this photo with the branches in the foreground.

Full moon in the morning

Friday, 01/24/2025: Post photo — New Hampshire Marine Memorial.

“It started as a grave marker… and became a monument!” This started out from a father wanting a grave marker for his son lost at sea in 1945. What his efforts brought after many years of endeavor, was a memorial at Hampton Beach to all New Hampshire sons and daughters lost or buried at sea during World War II.

This monument is across the street from the location of a cubing event that took place last weekend. I saw this monument as we entered for the competition and I went out to take it before the snow.

Saturday, 01/25/2025: Post photo — Training Hike.

Today I held a training hike to introduce people into winter hiking. I know that we are part way through the season but it was the first opportunity for a training hike. A few weeks ago, we (the Wachusett Hikers) had a conference call with people that wanted to learn about winter hiking. It was an informative call and some people wanted a hike planned to practice we talked about.

I set up this hike to be the training hike. There were some that signed up for the hike and canceled last minute, as with typical hikes. Even if there were only one person signed up, I was going to do this hike. The temperature today was in the low 20’s (F) and the sun was shinning. This was so far the warmest day of the week.

I showed them my full winter gear and talked about which item was needed for local hikes and upcountry hikes. We also discussed layering for heat control, how to used microspikes, what type of microspikes to purchase and what type not to purchase, how to keep your water from freezing, how to properly adjust their hiking poles and how to use them properly, and other topics. It was a great hike and it made the two hikers that joined me more confident in their abilities. That was the main purpose of the hike.

As a bonus, we saw a bald eagle flying at the summit. By the time I took out my phone camera, it had flown out of range.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”