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November 12, 2023

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2023

“Photography is truth.” — Jean-Luc Godard

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

Many citations this week since I have a big audit at work and did not have much time to sit and write my regular blog.

Sunday, 11/05/2023: Posted photo — Forbes Library.

The library is located just of the campus of Smith College. Our son had a cubing competition at Smith. Smith College is a private liberal arts women’s college in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was chartered in 1871 by Sophia Smith and opened in 1875. It is the largest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, a group of women’s colleges in the Northeastern United States. The Seven Sisters are a group of seven liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern United States that are historically women’s colleges: Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and Wellesley College are still women’s colleges. Vassar College is currently a coeducational college and Radcliffe College was absorbed in 1999 by Harvard College. One of my sisters-in-law is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College.

“Forbes Library, the public library for Northampton, Massachusetts, provides a wide range of information, materials and services to all of the people of Northampton and Massachusetts. The library’s magnificent building offers a friendly, welcoming physical environment which encourages the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of the public. Forbes serves as a community meeting place in which curiosity, free inquiry, and lifelong learning are supported and nurtured. The library is open 56 hours per week, and many resources are available online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” https://forbeslibrary.org/info/

Monday, 11/06/2023: Posted photo — Worcester at Night.

Worcester, MA, the second largest city in New England and my hometown, from the summit of Wachusett Mountain tonight. Since we had the time change this weekend, Monday night hikes will start in darkness giving an extra challenge to my hike. I enjoy hiking at night since it is so peaceful, and the sounds of nature are amplified.

Tuesday, 11/07/2023: Posted photo — Election Day.

Did my civil duty today and voted. Only one item on the ballet so turnout was low. My philosophy is that you should not complain about election results if you do not vote. In our town we have a town meeting and a special town meeting once a year. I also attend those meetings. Again, if you are not engaged in the town, city, state, or country politics, even doing the simple thing as voting, you should not complain or contest the outcome of elections.

Wednesday, 11/08/2023: Posted photo — David Hockney Look.

David Hockney was one of the big artists involved in the pop art movement in the 1960s. I saw a work of his a few years back in this style and wanted to do it myself. I created a script in Paint Shop Pro to make this effect for me.

Thursday, 11/09/2023: Posted photo — Saint Mary the Assumption.

“Like most other New England communities, Northampton was predominantly Protestant throughout its first few centuries, but this began to change after the Industrial Revolution, when the region saw large-scale immigration from Catholic countries. Here in Northampton, most of the early Catholics were French-Canadian, and began arriving by the mid-19th century. Within a few decades there were several Catholic parishes in Northampton, including Saint Mary of the Assumption, whose church building was built here on Elm Street in 1881.” https://lostnewengland.com/2018/07/st-marys-church-northampton-mass/

Friday, 11/10/2023: Post photo — Wood.

Just a photo of a pile of wood in our yard. This wood is some the wood from a tree that I fell that was leaning over our son’s batting cage.

Saturday, 11/11/2023: Post photo — Veteran’s Day.

This is a WWII photo of my father, a navy veteran.

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

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November 5, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 10/29/2023 to 11/04/2023

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” — Dorothea Lange

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

Sunday, 10/29/2023: Posted photo — Stained Glass Window.

Stained Glass windows two weeks in a row. This is the stained glass at a neighboring church. This is looking up into the choir loft. I just love older stained glass windows. The way the build churches now, there is not as may stained glass windows as in the past.

Stained glass windows in churches depict Biblical individuals, groups of people, stories, and/or moralizing images. Stained glass windows were once used to educate people who could not read. By looking at the painted scenes in the glass, people could learn about the stories of the Bible and religious teachings.

Monday, 10/30/2023: Posted photo — What is it?

Occasionally, I post a closeup of an item to see if anyone is reading my blog. Please identify the object in this photo.

I will respond later in the week to let you know if your answer is correct.

Tuesday, 10/31/2023: Posted photo — Colors.

I posted about the colors of flowers in my 10/15/2023 to 10/21/2023 blog. Tonight is my normal shopping night and I saw these bouquets of roses in one of the stores and wanted to show how the different colors interact, or complement, each other.

The weather is starting to cool around here. Tonight will be one of the first nights this season that the temperature will get close to the freezing point. Time to order wood for the winter. We do have wood left over from last season to take the chill out of the house.

Wednesday, 11/01/2023: Posted photo — Mass of Remembrance.

Today is the All Saints’ Day. The high school attended held a memorial mass for all alumni that passed during the year. St. John’s is a close-knit community with a very supportive alumni base. It was a moving mass in which they read the names of all the alumni, parents, and relatives of alumni that passed.

The entire school community attended, including the new junior high school (the junior high school started up recently) and all the high school students. It was great that the old-time teachers remember me and all my six brothers that have all attended the school.

Thursday, 11/02/2023: Posted photo — Oriental Bittersweet.

This is an invasive species of plant that is in our yard. It invades fields, field edges, and forests, forming dense mats that smother trees and shrubs. I keep cutting them back and trying to eradicate, but they still grow in our yard. I cut them off trees, pull them out of bushes and plants, and mow them over. Just one of the yard cleaning tasks of homeowners in this area.

Friday, 11/03/2023: Post photo — Quick Shot of the Moon.

Walking outside on this brisk fall day, I saw the moon. The moon caught my eye just above the brown of the foliage that have gone past peak and the blue sky. I did not take a photo of the entire tree so that I could get the moon in the photo.

Hope you like it. Not sure if this photo stirs the same emotions as seeing composition live.

Saturday, 11/04/2023: Post photo — Winter Hiking Workshop.

There was a winter hiking workshop today sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Worcester Chapter. At this workshop, lessons were taught about what it needed to have a safe hike in the winter. The training was for beginner winter hikers and was a start of winter hiking series that will increase the difficulty of winter hikes. I attended as a hiking leader who wanted to brush up on my winter hiking skill and to understand what the chapter tells beginner hikers.

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

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October 29, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 10/22/2023 to 10/28/2023

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” — Ansel Adams

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

Sunday, 10/22/2023: Posted photo — Stained Glass Window.

Two symbols of the Christian faith, wheat and grapes, which often signify the body and blood of Christ as the redeemer of mankind are shown here in this stained glass window.

This window is in our church just as you go down the stairs from the choir loft. Why did I take this photo? I took it because I liked the way the light was going through the window.

Monday, 10/23/2023: Posted photo — Point Pelee Mums.

Point Pelee Mums are a different flower to me. I may have seen them before and noticed them. Now that I am almost 14 years into my photo project, I look for more subjects to photograph. The name is derived from the warmth of the colors that come from their reflection of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, and hot glowing volcanic lava.

Tuesday, 10/24/2023: Posted photo — Night Hike.

My normal Monday night hiking was paused yesterday due to a gathering of the hiking group that I help start. It was a great get together and was plan on doing it again. We see many faces on social media, I have run into a few of them on the trail, and it was great to get together with the for a social event. This was the first time that I met the people that hike every morning or during the day when I am at work. I have passed many on the trail, not knowing their names.

Tonight, I hiked with a different group. This group hike is by invitation only. The people in the group are fellow AMC leaders and other people that hike often. This was the second time that I hiked with this group. The first time was just before the FOT48 since one of the people in the group was co-leading the FOT48 hike with me. Tuesday night was one of the nights that I did not know an organized hike existed. I am glad I found this group. I plan on hiking with this group once a month on a week that I am not leading a Monday night hike.

Wednesday, 10/25/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Once again there was a great sunrise. Unfortunately, my “good” camera was not with me when I saw the sunrise, so I had to take out my cell phone.

Information off the internet: “Because the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight passes through more air at sunset and sunrise than during the day, when the sun is higher in the sky. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight. The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red. Because red has the longest wavelength of any visible light, the sun is red when it’s on the horizon, where its extremely long path through the atmosphere blocks all other colors.” (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108135522.htm)

Thursday, 10/26/2023: Posted photo — Mushrooms Again.

Rain, not as much as in previous weeks, but the mushrooms are still growing. This is a group of mushrooms growing in the same area as the mushrooms I posted last week. According to Google Lens, they are Pholiota squarrosoides. These mushrooms grow in clusters (rarely alone or scattered) on the wood of hardwoods. These are growing on the hardwood that I am seasoning to burn this winter.

Friday, 10/27/2023: Post photo — October Full Moon.

Traditionally, people in the Northern Hemisphere spent October preparing for the coming winter by hunting, slaughtering, and preserving meats, giving this Full Moon its Anglo-Saxon name Hunter’s Moon. The name was added to the Farmer’s Almanac in North America and is used widely today. The full moon is not technically until tomorrow night, but I like to take a photo of the full moon the day before or the day after the moon is officially full. The moon tonight is a Waxing Gibbous moon at 99%.

Saturday, 10/28/2023: Post photo — Composite.

It was a warm and sunny day today. That allowed me to do some yard work today, cleaning up the remaining of the tree that I fell a few weeks ago and doing an initial racking of the yard. For my 52 week photo project, the challenge this week is using a tripod. One way to use a tripod is to do a composite photo.

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

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October 22, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 10/15/2023 to 10/21/2023

“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen

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

Sunday, 10/15/2023: Posted photo — Chopping Maul.

I went out to chop some wood this afternoon and used both my axe and my maul. This is a photo of my maul. When I was chopping the wood, I had the idea for today’s photo. I wanted to let people know the difference between an axe and a maul.

An axe and maul are primarily distinguished by the fact that an axe is lightweight, has a sharper cutting edge, and has a shorter handle. A maul’s blunt, hammer-like edge is used alone or in conjunction with a wedge to pry open wood that has been cut. Sometimes I use a wedge with my axe. Using the axe with the maul is better since the maul has a better splitting action. If I need to wedge with the maul, I will hit it with the axe.

I do have a hydraulic log splitter. I have not used it in a few years since the gas line needs to be repaired and I have not had a good opportunity to fix it. I may have to bring it to a repair shop. Some of the wood that I am splitting have knots, and it is not easy to use a maul or an axe to split wood that has knots.

Monday, 10/16/2023: Posted photo — West Side Trailhead.

Tonight, for my hike, I decided to lead the group up a different trail. We have been using the same trailhead for weeks now and I wanted to mix it up a little. The West Side Trail is on what I call the back of the mountain. It is away from where most people hike. There is a rock scramble not to far in from the trailhead. It was a little more difficult to go up today since it was wet from the rain that fell earlier in the day. I decide to do a loop on the way down the mountain to avoid this section of the trail. Rain, wet leaves, and wet rocks are a safety hazard at night.

Tuesday, 10/17/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.

I have posted in the past the meaning of color in flowers. It has been a while so here is a reminder.

Red flowers: associated with feelings of true love and passion, they can also be used to convey respect, desire, and courage.
Yellow flowers: are associated with spreading happiness and joy. They can also symbolize friendship.
Pink flowers: are also a symbol of love, though they can also mean happiness, gentleness, and femininity.
Orange flowers: are known to symbolize feelings of excitement and enthusiasm.
White flowers: range in meaning from purity and innocence to sympathy.
Blue flowers: are said to symbolize tranquility and peace.
Purple flowers: symbolize success and even royalty, although feelings of admiration and tradition may also come through in purple flowers.
Lavender flowers: typically symbolize grace, elegance, and youth.
Green flowers: are associated with rebirth and renewal. Additionally, green can also symbolize good health, good fortune, and youthfulness.

Wednesday, 10/18/2023: Posted photo — Direction.

What direction am I going? How do I get from point A to point B? To answer these questions, I use a compass with a map. Many people, including very experienced hikers, do not know how to use a map and compass. The setup for this photo is the map of an orienteering course in my area that I have used for training.

I will be teaching a basic navigation class in a couple of weeks at Wachusett Mountain. After the class, I will test the student’s skills on a hike. We will plan out the hike during the course and then use it on the trail. There will be a few obstacles and a field test along the way. In the spring, I will be teaching an advanced navigational course using the orienteering course.

Here are the 10 Essentials.

1. Navigation: Map, compass, and GPS system
2. Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat
3. Insulation: Jacket, hat, gloves, and rain shell
4. Illumination: Flashlight, lanterns, and headlamp
5. First-aid supplies: First aid kit
6. Fire: Matches, lighter, and fire starters
7. Repair Kit & Tools: Duct tape, knife, and scissors
8. Nutrition: Extra food
9. Hydration: Water and water treatment supplies
10. Emergency Shelter: tent and tarp

Having these items with you will keep you prepared. Knowing how to use them could save your life.

Thursday, 10/19/2023: Posted photo — Close to Peak.

The foliage is getting close to peak in this area. I attempted to get a photo with the sun on the leaves, but it was not out very long today. Peak season means the time when most leaf have changed color.

Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions.

Foliage starts to change in the northern-tier states out West and in the Midwest by late September. By October 4, the leaves in some areas will be past their prime.
Much of New England as well as the Pacific Northwest, will be at or near peak fall color by October 11.
A little further south in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mid-October is when the leaves are near or at peak.

Friday, 10/20/2023: Post photo — Mushroom of a Stump.

Since June we have had about 65 days of rain. It is raining today. With all the rain comes fungus in the form of mushrooms. Even though I hike, I do not like mushrooms, and I cannot tell you the edible types versus the non-edible types.

Some good rules apply for avoiding poisonous mushrooms if you are a novice that I found online:

Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem and a bulbous or sack like base called a volva. You may be missing out on some good edible fungi, but it means you will be avoiding the deadly members of the Amanita family.
Avoid mushrooms with red on the cap or stem. Again, you will be missing out on some good mushrooms but more importantly you won’t be picking poisonous ones.
Finally, don’t consume any mushrooms unless you are 100% sure of what they are.

Saturday, 10/21/2023: Post photo — Nature’s Elements.

Here is a photo I took today in the Leominster State Forest. I have posted photos of this lonely tree in the past. This photo shows the foliage, rain, and fog. This is how most of our summer and fall has gone so far, very wet this year.

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

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October 15, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 10/08/2023 to 10/14/2023

“The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.” — Scott Lorenzo

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

Sunday, 10/08/2023: Posted photo — Cube New England.

Cube New England is an organization that was established to help organize cubing events in the area. Our son is on the Board of Directors for this non-profit. They supply venues and delegates the equipment needed to hold events.

This weekend they held the New England Championships in which cubers from New England and from other parts of the world competed in many categories. The event took place over a three day period. Our son was one of the organizers for the event and was the head of data (timing) verifying and certifying times for the competitors.

Monday, 10/09/2023: Posted photo — Clock Tower.

The Campanile Tower towers 300 feet above the Springfield, MA skyline. We walked by the tower yesterday going to the competition. Today we saw it with its lights on. With the black sky in the background, I could not resist taking a photo of the tower.

Here is a photo of the tower’s reflection in a nearby building.

Tuesday, 10/10/2023: Posted photo — Sunset.

This is the time of year that it gets darker soon. We did not make it to the summit tonight before sunset. This is the colors at the end of the golden hour. What a great time of year to hike. Headlamps were on for most of the hike. Soon we will be needed out headlamps for all the hikes.

Wednesday, 10/11/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise.

What a great sunrise this morning. As I pulled into work, I saw the red sky. It has been a while since I have seen the sunrise since the sun has risen before my drive to work. This is one of my favorite views, seeing the morning sun reflecting in the clouds.

Thursday, 10/12/2023: Posted photo — Advisory Meeting.

Today I attended an advisory meeting tonight. I am the chairperson of the Engineering Technology department and have been for the last 10 years. During the meeting we discussed the current program and then make recommendations for the program in the future.

Friday, 10/13/2023: Post photo — Shadow.

This is a shadow of a tree on our lawn. As you can see, the leaves are starting to fall off the trees.

Saturday, 10/14/2023: Post photo — Our Street.

I am working on a weekly photo project. This week’s topic was street photography. I live in an area that does not have any street activity. The alternative photo is to take a photo of the street you live. Here is the photo of my street.

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

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October 8, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 10/01/2023 to 10/07/2023

“When I photograph, what I’m really doing is seeking answers to things.” — Wynn Bullock

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

Sunday, 10/01/2023: Posted photo — Tabernacle.

The tabernacle is a liturgical furnishing used to house the Eucharist outside of Mass. This provides a location where the Eucharist can be kept for the adoration of the faithful and for later use (e.g., distribution to the sick). The word tabernacle means “dwelling place.”

This is a photo the tabernacle in our church. This looks like a new tabernacle for our parish. We had a priest that worked with the parish to bring more people to Mass.

Monday, 10/02/2023: Posted photo — Sunset.

This is one of the windmills at a trail junction on Wachusett Mountain. It is not really a trail junction; it is the location at a trailhead. This week was the first Monday in a long time that we had to use our headlamps at the end of the hike. Last week some of the members of my group made it out just in time without headlamps on. When I hike at night, my headlamp is not used until it is needed. Others turn on their headlamps too soon, just when it is starting to get dark. This could be the difference between an experienced night hiker and people who are just starting to experience hiking at night.

Tuesday, 10/03/2023: Posted photo — Mums.

Chrysanthemums (mums) are one of the most popular fall garden flowers. Most mum plants are easy to grow with their basic needs being full sun, rich soil, good drainage, and good air circulation. There are hundreds of varieties available in a range of shapes and sizes that can provide blooms from late summer through fall. Mums symbolize joy, life, friendship, luck, and rebirth.

These mums were near one of the stores I shop. The sun was shining off them almost calling me to photograph them. The color of these mums seemed bright to me.

Wednesday, 10/04/2023: Posted photo — Japanese Yew.

Japanese Yew is an evergreen tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Once again today the sun was shinning off these plants and looking very photogenic. We have not seen the sun much this summer so any photos of plants in the sunshine is worth taken.

Thursday, 10/05/2023: Posted photo — Foliage.

From the USDA:

“During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanin that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.

Certain colors are characteristic of particular species:

Oaks: red, brown, or russet
Hickories: golden bronze
Aspen and yellow-poplar: golden yellow
Dogwood: purplish red
Beech: light tan
Sourwood and black tupelo: crimson

The color of maples leaves differ species by species:

Red maple: brilliant scarlet
Sugar maple: orange-red
Black maple: glowing yellow
Striped maple: almost colorless

Some leaves of some species, such as the elms simply shrivel up and fall, exhibiting little color other than drab brown.”

The leaves in this photo are of the sugar maples in our yard just starting to turn. The leaves are wet since it is raining again here in north central Massachusetts.

Friday, 10/06/2023: Post photo — Wet Leaves.

These are the same leaves as yesterday on my driveway after the rain.

Saturday, 10/07/2023: Post photo — Mushrooms.

These are mushrooms growing on a piece of wood that I have being seasoned in our yard. Most of the wood from when this tree was cut has the same mushrooms growing on them. It was a wet summer, and I am hopping that the wood is not rotten. If it is, I will use all the wood for outdoor fires either at my house or at the cottage.

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

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October 1, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/24/2023 to 09/30/2023

“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.” — Alfred Eisenstaedt

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

Sunday, 09/24/2023: Posted photo — Falls.

A little water flowing. Very unusual that there is low water flow after all the rain we have had lately.

Monday, 09/25/2023: Posted photo — Erosion.

One of the ladies I hike with showing us how deep the trench in the road is due to erosion.

Tuesday, 09/26/2023: Posted photo — Flowing Water.

This is more like it. One of the many falls that I passed during my hike. The water was moving very fast on the mountain.

Wednesday, 09/27/2023: Posted photo — Whoopie Pie.

Some of the Whoopie Pies made for our church bazaar.

Thursday, 09/28/2023: Posted photo — Rose.

I took this photo today to use for my other photo projects. The subject of this week’s project is red. I was going to do a selective color of the red. Instead, I used this photo.

Friday, 09/29/2023: Post photo — Discussion.

The ladies having a discussion during my Monday night hike. The rain stopped just in time for our hike.

Saturday, 09/30/2023: Post photo — Fall Fest.

Fall Fest is an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) event. It was held by be Western Mass Chapter of the AMC. I am a leader/member for the Worcester Chapter of the AMC. I was there to teach people how to navigate using a map and compass.

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

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September 24, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/17/2023 to 09/23/2023

“I never have taken a picture I’ve intended. They’re always better or worse.” — Diane Arbus

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

This is a re-post blog.

Sunday, 09/17/2023: Posted photo — Reflection in the Fog.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/80 s, 113 mm.

Driving into church this morning, I notice fog off the lakes in the area. The location of this photo is one in which I take many practice photos. It is a difficult location to take a photo since I needed to stop on the edge of a busy road.

My initial thought on this photo was to get a picture of the mist rising from the surface of the lake with the foliage behind it. When I arrived at this location, the mist was thicker than I would like. I did see the reflections of the trees on the water and thought that that would take a good photo.

Monday, 09/18/2023: Posted photo — Western Tanager.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/320 s, 300 mm.

Fact from All About Birds: “The oldest Western Tanager on record—a male originally banded in Nevada in 1965—had lived at least 6 years and 11 months by the time he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Oregon in 1971.”

We were walking the north rim at Grand Canyon National Park when I spotted this male Western Tanager in a conifer tree. The color contrast between the bird and the tree caught my eye.

The range of the Western Tanger is the western parts for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Again, from All About Birds: “A clear look at a male Western Tanager is like looking at a flame: an orange-red head, brilliant yellow body, and coal-black wings, back and tail. Females and immatures are a somewhat dimmer yellow-green and blackish. These birds live in open woods all over the West, particularly among evergreens, where they often stay hidden in the canopy. Nevertheless, they’re a quintessential woodland denizen in summertime, where they fill the woods with their short, burry song and low, chuckling call notes.” (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/overview)

Tuesday, 09/19/2023: Posted photo — The Gathering.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/7.1, 1/100 s, 135 mm.

On my way home from work today I saw this rafter of turkey. I have seen them many times before on the property and did not feel the need to photograph them. Today was different.

When I was approaching them today, it looked like it was a group of workers getting ready to clock out of work and were planning what they were going to do tonight. Just the way they were gather in pairs and it looked like they were talking to each other.

Also, I thought it would be a good picture to take.

Wednesday, 09/20/2023: Posted photo — Cattails.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/5, 1/800 s, 52 mm.

I had a choice of photos to post today — a photo of an island or a photo of cattails. I decided on the cattails for the photo to put in my 365 project because I liked it just a little bit better than the photo of the island. I will be posting both in this blog for you to compare.

Cattails are a type of aquatic plant, approximately 5-10 feet tall. These plants have long, slender, branchless, and upward-growing leaves and a distinguishable brown, cylindrical flowering head at their apex. The grow around ponds and other wetland areas.

What is the difference between a pond and a lake? Here is something I found in my research: “To help determine the difference, both the depth and surface area must be considered. Lakes are normally much deeper than ponds and have a larger surface area. All the water in a pond is in the photic zone, meaning ponds are shallow enough to allow sunlight to reach the bottom. This causes plants (sometimes too many) to grow at the bottom of ponds as well as on their surface. However, sunlight can’t reach the bottom of all areas of lakes. Lakes have aphotic zones, which are deep areas of water that receive no sunlight, preventing plants from growing.” (https://lakes.grace.edu/ponds-vs-lakes-whats-the-difference/)

I took the cattail photo with a shallow depth of field (DOF) to blur the background and the make the cattails “pop”. As you can tell by this photo, the cattails are starting to spread their seeds.

Here is the photo of the island that I took and did not like as much as the cattail photo.

Thursday, 09/21/2023: Posted photo — Sunset Through Trees.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160 s, 100 mm.

After a week and a half, I was back on the hiking trail today. It felt good to get back. I hiked 4.3 miles on Wachusett Mountain after work with some colleagues. I took a series of photos along the way to determine what one to post. I decided on this sunset photo. I had another sunset photo that I took from the summit, but I accidentally deleted it. Rookie mistake.

The other choices of photos were a glacial erratic called Balanced Rock or a burl on a tree at a trail junction. Just a reminder that a glacial erratic is glacially deposited rock differing from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests. And a burl is a strange-looking collection of tree cells, which are called callus tissue. Normally, callus tissue is formed by a tree in response to an environmental injury such as a pruning cut, disease, or insect damage. If you have a piece of wooden furniture, such as an end table, it was most likely made with a burl.

These are the photos that I did not post for my 365 project.

Friday, 09/22/2023: Post photo — Pareidolia.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/10, 1/250 s, 21 mm.

Pareidolia is the defined by Merriam-Webster as the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. I have posted about this tendency in the past.

Today I am posting a photo of a cloud. I see a couple items in this photo. I see an opera singer hitting a high note and I also see a ships figurehead. It is amazing how one can see an object when one is not there.

What to you see? Do you see what I see, due to the power of suggestion, or do you see something else. Please respond in the comment section.

Saturday, 09/23/2023: Post photo — Iris Bouquet.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 100, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “The tall, beautiful iris, named after the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, comes in many magical colors. Despite its divine origins, this June bloomer is rugged, reliable, and easy to grow. Learn all about planting, growing, and caring for iris flowers.” (https://www.almanac.com/plant/irises)

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

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September 17, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/10/2023 to 09/16/2023

“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.

Sunday, 09/10/2023: Posted photo — Trail Marker.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/25 s, 31 mm.

This is an old trail marker on Wachusett Mountain. There are a few trails on the mountain that have the trail name carved into stone. When I see these markings, I wonder how long it took for someone to carve the marking.

I took this photo to show how the trails were marked many years ago.

Monday, 09/11/2023: Post photo — Koldinghus.

Koldinghus is a Danish royal castle in the town of Kolding on the south-central part of the Jutland peninsula. The castle was founded in the 13th century and was expanded since with many functions ranging from fortress, royal residency, ruin, museum, and the location of numerous wartime negotiations.

I took this photo with my very first digital camera. The light off this castle was amazing and was very surprised of the way this photo came out.

Tuesday, 09/12/2023: Posted photo — Wachusett Mountain.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 79 mm.

Today I needed a quick photo, so I took a photo of Wachusett Mountain over Round Meadow Pond.

Wednesday, 09/13/2023: Posted photo — Heart.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 135 mm.

People see items in ordinary item in the strangest places. This weekend I saw this rock looking like a hike at the trailhead of the Hancock’s in the White Mountains.

Seeing familiar objects or patterns in otherwise random or unrelated objects or patterns is called pareidolia. It’s a form of apophenia, which is a more general term for the human tendency to seek patterns in random information.

Thursday, 09/14/2023: Posted photo — Mushroom.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/7.1, 1/30 s, 87 mm.

Have you noticed that there are many more mushrooms this year then in the past? At least here in north central Massachusetts and in the mountains of New Hampshire. The photo I took today was on one of the trails on Wachusett Mountain. I took this photo on my way to the summit. I was planning on taking a sunset photo tonight but there was cloud cover at the summit. I was happy that I took this photo so I would have something to post today.

Friday, 09/15/2023: Post photo — Abstract Painting.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/8 s, 31 mm.

Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead use shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. Abstract art is made up of six basic elements: Line, Texture, Shape, Form, Color, and Value. You can go online to find more about these elements.

Saturday, 09/16/2023: Post photo — Lego Land.

Nyhavn made from Lego bricks at Legoland in BillundDenmark.

Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the harbor front just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly colored 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes, and restaurants. That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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

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September 10, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/03/2023 to 09/09/2023

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

Flags on the 48 event this week. Here some photos of past FOT48 hikes I have done.

“On September 11th, 2001 the consciousness of United States of America was undeniably altered by overwhelming and devastating acts of terrorism, so far reaching in their intensity that our country will forever carry the scars. Thousands of lives were lost in a fleeting moment, immeasurable families shattered and countless hearts broken.

We in the hiking community continue to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire on Sunday, September 11. By demonstrating our steadfast unity in this challenging endeavor, we also hope to express our unwavering support to the families, friends and communities whose losses are beyond comprehension and whose suffering we remember in our hearts.” https://www.flagsonthe48.org/

All of the mountain descriptions were taken from the website http://4000footers.com/nh.shtml.

Sunday, 09/03/23: Posted photo — 2013 Garfield.

“Garfield Mountain is a 4,500 foot mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire (Grafton County) in the White Mountains. It lies in the Franconia Range along with Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, Mount Flume and Mount Liberty. It is also along the edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.”

Fighting rain and wind. We dedicated this hike to both the victims of the 9/11 attack and the Boston Marathon bombing.

Monday, 09/04/23: Posted photo — 2014 Zealand.

“Mount Zealand is a 4,260 foot mountain located in Whitefield, New Hampshire. The mountain is in the Twin Range (along with 8 other mountains; 7 of which are 4,000 footers) of the White Mountains. Zealand Mountain stands on a spur ridge, northeast of Mount Guyot.”

Nice hike. Not much of a view at the summit of Zealand.

Tuesday, 09/05/2023: Posted photo — 2016 Mt. Carrigain.

“Mount Carrigain is a 4,700 foot mountain located in Livermore, New Hampshire. It is located in the Pemigewasset Wilderness in the White Mountains. The mountain is named after Phillip Carrigain, New Hampshire’s Secretary of State from 1805-1810. One of the sub peaks of Carrigain is Vose Spur, which is on the New England Hundred Highest hiking list.”

Beatify day for the tribute hike.

Wednesday, 09/06/2023: Posted photo — 2017 Mt.Tecumseh.

“Mount Tecumseh is a 4,003 foot mountain in the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. It is the shortest mountain on the AMC’s official 4,000 footers list.”

The first of my AMC hikes. I was not a leader at the time, one of my brothers was the leader. I did one more hike with the AMC before leading this year’s hike.

Thursday, 09/07/2023: Posted photo — 2019 Mount Moriah.

“Mount Moriah’s summit is 4,049 feet and is located 5 miles Southeast of Gorham, NH. It is part of the Carter-Moriah Range in the White Mountains. The shortest route up to the summit is up the Carter-Moriah trail, which goes over Mount Surprise (2,194’) before reaching Mount Moriah. The trail is relatively easy, compared to other NH 4,000 footer mountains, but, it can be very dangerous when wet, because a big portion of the Carter-Moriah trail is solid rock. (very slippery when wet, or icy!)”

Back to the regular group. The round trip on Moriah is over 10 miles. Much on the trail is on steep ledge.

Friday, 09/08/2023: Post photo — 2022 Mount Hale.

“Mount Hale is a 4,055 foot mountain in the Twin Range in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Grafton County in the White Mountains. The mountain is named after Reverend Edward Everett Hale.”

First major hike after I fractured my ankle in February 2022. On this hike, I finished my second round of climbing the 48 four thousand footers in NH.

Saturday, 09/09/2023: Post photo — 2023 Middle Carter.

“Middle Carter Mountain is a 4,610 foot mountain in the White Mountains. It sits in the Carter-Moriah Range, which runs along the northeastern side of Pinkham Notch.

The summit itself is wooded, so there are no views. But you can enjoy some great views shortly before and after the summit along the Carter-Moriah Trail, which is also part of the Appalachian Trail.”

The group I normally hiked with, did not do the hike this year so I hiked as AMC leader. This hike certified me as a three-season upcountry hiking leader.

Here is the complete list of peaks that my group flew the flag. Some of these hikes had other 4000 foot mountain peaks that were bagged along with them:

Garfield 4500 ft — 9/14/13
Zealand 4260 ft — 9/12/15
Carrigain 4700 ft — 9/11/16
Tecumseh 4003 ft — 9/9/17
Hancock 4422 ft — 9/8/18
Moriah 4049 ft — 9/14/19
Monroe 5384 ft — 9/12/20
Willey 4285 ft — 9/11/21
Hale 4054 ft — 9/11/22
Middle Carter ft 4610 — 9/9/23

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