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April 16, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/09/2023 to 04/15/2023

“The world I was trying to show was one where I felt good, where people were nice, where I found the tenderness I needed. My photos were like a proof that such a world could exist.” — Robert Doisneau

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

John sent me another quote to use. Thank you, John.

Sunday, 04/09/2023: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.

The following information was taken from the History Channel.

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly A.D. 30. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday. (https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter)

Woke up this morning to see the Easter bunny outside of my window.

According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the United States and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.

From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during Lent, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration. (https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols)

Monday, 04/10/2023: Posted photo — Summit Photo.

What would Monday be without a hiking photo. Here is a photo of my pack on the fire tower on top of Wachusett Mountain.

Tuesday, 04/11/2023: Posted photo — Garlic.

Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It was traditionally used for health purposes by people in many parts of the world, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Japanese. Currently, garlic is most promoted as a dietary supplement for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, including high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. Fresh garlic, garlic powder, and garlic oil are used to flavor foods. Garlic may be used topically (applied to the skin).

Wednesday, 04/12/2023: Posted photo — Daffodil.

Daffodils are a hardy perennials that come back year after year, spreading and often naturalizing. They are one of the first signs of spring. These just seem to appear overnight in our yard. The snow is almost clear and the daffodils are starting to blossom.

Thursday, 04/13/2023: Posted photo — Aunt Leona.

Today is the 30th anniversary of my father’s passing. It is also a day that I went to my aunt’s wake. She was my mother’s oldest sister and passed away at the age of 98. There is only one more sibling on my mother’s side. She is in here early 90s. All the siblings that passed due to natural causes passed into their 90s. One of her brothers was lost at sea.

Friday, 04/14/2023: Post photo — Mount Monadnock.

Mount Monadnock at sunset is such a great thing to see.

Saturday, 04/15/2023: Post photo — Buds.

The sugar maple plants are starting to bud in this nice weather.

On a side note: now that the snow has melted, it is time to get out into the yard and clean up all the broken branches and cut down some damaged trees.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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April 9, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/02/2023 to 04/08/2023

“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 04/02/2023: Posted photo — Crocus.

Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there’s still snow on the ground. That is what happening at our house. We had snow at this location up to a few days ago and the crocus were growing under the snow. Many places south and east of this area that the crocus are flowering. They are not yet in this area due to our elevation. You can have a carpet of crocuses or a chorus of croci. Both are the correct plural form of the word.

Monday, 04/03/2023: Posted photo — Certificate.

Finally received my AMC leader certificate and badge. The only thing is that the certificate is incorrect. It should also have a winter local leader certification on it. I am in the process of working on my backcountry leadership certificate. Will be doing some hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire starting in June. I have already hiked the forty-eight four thousand footers in New Hampshire twice and have led many hikes in them. Now I need to go through the formal training to receive my certification.

Tuesday, 04/04/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.

Shopping day. Saw these flowers in one of the stores. I took a photo of the one with the bunny since it is close to Easter. I took a photo of the roses because I like the way roses look.

Wednesday, 04/05/2023: Posted photo — Ready to Hike.

I lead a group on a full moon hike. The full moon is not until tomorrow. It rises so late on a weekday that the hike was held earlier. There was a good turn out for the hike, even though overcast sky was predicted. The clouds held out until after our hike was over. I started and ended with the same number of people, and the same people. Nobody was hurt so I would call this a successful hike.

Thursday, 04/06/2023: Posted photo — More Long Exposure.

Still playing with the long exposure settings on my camera. With the melting snow, the streams on the trails are starting to flow with more velocity. This would be a good shot if the dead leaves were not in it. Then again, I still am experimenting with this new feature.

Friday, 04/07/2023: Post photo — Clouds.

What a wonderful day today is. The temperatures were up in the high 60’s starting the day in the 30’s. This time of year, in New England, the temperature can fluctuate so quickly. I hear in other parts of the country that if you do not like the weather, just wait a minute. True in New England.

Saturday, 04/08/2023: Post photo — Glasses.

Had my eyes checked today for the first time in almost 10 years. I need new glasses and looking forward to getting them in a couple of weeks. This is a photo of some of the frames in the women’s section. I took this when my wife was selecting new frames.

Happy and Holy Easter to all.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/26/2023 to 04/01/2023

“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.” — Bruce Gilden

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 03/26/2023: Posted photo — Organ.

History lesson of the week.

“The earliest known organ was the hydraulis of the 3rd century bce, a rudimentary Greek invention, with the wind regulated by water pressure. The first recorded appearance of an exclusively bellow-fed organ, however, was not until almost 400 years later.” More information here.

“The Valère organ: The gothic organ is regarded as the oldest instrument of its type still in working order in the world. It is thought that it was installed in Valère between 1430 and 1440. It has barely three octaves, and the keys are much smaller than those on a modern instrument.” More information here.

Monday, 03/27/2023: Posted photo — Long Exposure.

This is from Machias Pool at a trailhead on Wachusett Mountain. I noticed that the camera on my phone has a long exposure setting so I was trying it out. I will need to try it out at the waterfalls at the end of Round Meadow Pond and at the Old Mill to see how it really works.

Tuesday, 03/28/2023: Posted photo — Bat House.

One of the best ways you can support bat conservation is to put up an artificial roost, like a bat house. Since bat populations have decreased significantly, bat houses can be very useful in providing secure roost sites for bats. This bat house is at one of the trailheads on Wachusett Mountain. It has been installed for a few years and is in great shape. There might be bats in there. I have hiked the mountain at all times of the day and during every season and have not see a bat use it.

Wednesday, 03/29/2023: Posted photo — Tomatoes.

Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety. Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring. Many gardeners purchase their transplants at a garden center or nursery but you can certainly grow you own from seed indoors.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which may help lower your “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Lowering these numbers helps lower your chances of heart disease.

Thursday, 03/30/2023: Posted photo — Town Pound.

In the historical district in town, there is the old Town Pound. The pound is just a stone wall with a wooden gate. I can imagine the field filled with cows and goats in the old days.

Friday, 03/31/2023: Post photo — Melting Snow.

The temperature has been fluctuating between warm and cold around this area. The three feet of snow is still melting on our street. These are some pieced of wood that I need to split this summer to burn during the winter. There is still snow in our yard and in the mountains here in north central Massachusetts. The snow in our yard last longer than the surrounding area because we have many trees on our property that shade the sun.

Saturday, 04/01/2023: Post photo — St John’s High School.

I went to my high school today to watch our son compete in a cubing competition. I was in the class of 1982. He competes in a few events but mostly enters the data. He will be entering data for the cubing national championships this summer.

The place has changes since about 1990, the last time I was on campus. A few new buildings have gone up, the brother’s resident has been moved and a couple of state-of-the-art academic centers have been built. Here are a few photos from around campus.

Rosary
One of his 3 x 3 x 3 solves
Foundwrs Hall
Ryken Center
Angel of Peace

Information from the school website. I would write its history the same way. “Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Saint John’s High School enjoys a unique history, one that is deeply rooted in the development and traditions of the Catholic Church in Central Massachusetts. The school was an outgrowth of both the first Catholic Church (1834) and the first parochial school (1873) in Worcester. It also has the distinction of being the first of many high schools operated by the Xaverian Brothers in New England.”

Have a good rest of the week and a Happy and Holy Easter next week.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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March 26, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/19/2023 to 03/25/2023

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

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 03/19/2023: Posted photo — Laetare Sunday.

From the Catholic Dictionary: “The fourth Sunday of Lent, when the introductory word of the Introit is laetare, “Rejoice O Jerusalem.” As it is Mid-Lent Sunday, rose vestments are worn, flowers are permitted on the altar, and the organ is played.” Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.

This is the view of the altar from the choir loft of our church.

Monday, 03/20/2023: Posted photo — Hike.

Some photos from my weekly Monday night hike on Wachusett Mountain. It is getting lighter as we start our hike. Soon no headlamp will be needed.

Tuesday, 03/21/2023: Posted photo — Sunflower.

A sunflower that I saw today while I was out shopping. Tuesday night is my shopping night.

Wednesday, 03/22/2023: Posted photo — Umpqua River Lighthouse.

From the website: https://oregonisforadventure.com/oregon-lighthouses/#:~:text=Umpqua%20River%20Lighthouse,lighthouse%20on%20the%20Oregon%20coast. “The Umpqua River Lighthouse was the first lighthouse on the Oregon coast. To this day, you are still able to climb to the top of it while also learning more about the area’s history. It is still operational and has only recently switched over from bulbs to LEDs to keep it lower maintenance. Once you reach the top, you are even able to take a look inside the working light.

The lighthouse a vibrant history, Before it was placed on the bluff on the entrance to Winchester Bay, it was commissioned along the beach of the Umpqua River in 1857. It was then moved less than 10 years later.”

This is a photo of inside the lighthouse I took a few years ago during one of our west coast trips to visit family.

Thursday, 03/23/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise.

The weather is getting warmer. Rain has been predicted for today so I was happy to see the sunrise on my way to work.

During sunrise and sunset the sun is low in the sky, and it transmits light through the thickest part of the atmosphere. A red sky suggests an atmosphere loaded with dust and moisture particles. We see the red, because red wavelengths (the longest in the color spectrum) are breaking through the atmosphere.

Friday, 03/24/2023: Post photo — Crater Lake National Park.

This is me standing in front of Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone, which forms an island at the west end of Crater Lake. Photo taken by my wife.

At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America. Famous for its beautiful blue color, the lake’s water comes directly from snow or rain – there are no inlets from other water sources. Crater Lake was formed by the fall of a volcano. Mount Mazama, a 12,000-foot-tall volcano, erupted and collapsed approximately 7,700 years ago.

Saturday, 03/25/2023: Post photo — Loon.

From https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/overview, “The eerie calls of Common Loons echo across clear lakes of the northern wilderness. Summer adults are regally patterned in black and white. In winter, they are plain gray above and white below, and you’ll find them close to shore on most seacoasts and a good many inland reservoirs and lakes. Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are less suited to land, and typically come ashore only to nest.”

I have an interest in loons. When my wife and I went on our honeymoon almost 32 years ago, we were on a secluded island in a lake in northern Maine and were serenaded by loons.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/12/2023 to 03/18/2023

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

More snow this week. Most of the snow this winter has fallen in the last month.

Sunday, 03/12/2023: Posted photo — Cubes.

Cubes come in different shapes and sizes. There are 2x2x2, 3x3x3, 4x4x4, 5x5x5, 6x6x6, and 7x7x7 that are used in completion. I don’t compete, but my son does. I can solve from the 2x2x2 to the 5x5x5. My wife and son tell me that I could do the larger cubes, but I do not feel the urge to do so. I am currently working on speeding up my time with a picture cube. One that you need to rotate the centers if they are not in the correct orientation.

For the record, my son’s best competition time for the 3x3x3, what most people think are the Rubik’s Cube, is single of 12.24 seconds and average of 14.64 seconds. The world record single is 3.47 seconds, and the world record average is 4.86 seconds. The average is out of five solves when they don’t count the fastest and slowest of the solves.

My time for the 3x3x3 is just about 1 minute 30 seconds.

Monday, 03/13/2023: Posted photo — Potatoes.

The potatoes are a starchy food and are a root vegetable native to the Americas. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Potatoes were a life-saving food source in early times because the vitamin C prevented scurvy. Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte which aids in the workings of our heart, muscles, and nervous system.

Tuesday, 03/14/2023: Posted photo — During the Storm.

Happy Pi Day!

Selfie on the trail.

Woke up this morning to a foot (0.3 m) of wet snow. Had planned to snowshoe into work this morning because of the predicted storm. I stayed on the main roads on my way into work since I know that there would be little to no cars, and that the Midstate Trail markers are difficult to see in the morning due to the blowing snow. Another foot (0.3 m) of snow fell during the day. I did snowshoe on the Midstate Trail on the way home since the trail markers are normally easier to see during the day. The markers in the section of the trail next to our house do not have reflectors on them, as they do in the more popular sections of the trail. The blazers were also difficult to see since they were faded, and snow covered so, and I went off trail. I know this section of the trail well, but with 24 inches (0.6 m) of new fallen snow, and many downed trees, it was difficult to follow. I sank about 20 inches (0.5 m) into the snow with my snowshoes on. Using my navigational skills, I was able to get safely back onto the trail.

Snow on my car

Blazes (also known as trail markers) are usually placed at eye level – or slightly higher on trails that receive moderate snowfall – and frequently appear painted onto trees, rocks, or posts along the trail. For painted blazes, they generally are 2 inches wide by 6 inches tall.

Wednesday, 03/15/2023: Posted photo — Cleanup.

Here are a few photos of some of the paths that were created. As the cleanup continues, the snow is slowly melting making the snow heavier and heavier. Making straight edges in the pathways was easy.

Thursday, 03/16/2023: Posted photo — Roof Load.

Cleanup from the storm started yesterday and continues today. One of the things I need to do today is shovel off my roof. I have over 2 feet (0.6 m) of snow on my roof and need to get the weight off. The roof in front of my house is slightly sloped, not like the rest of the house. Here are some photos of before, during, and after I shoveled off a section of our roof.

Friday, 03/17/2023: Post photo — Sunshine.

Before
Snow Depth about 24 inches
After

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Took a photo of the sun today. Why did I do this? I did it because I did not see much of it this week. The section of the building in this photo give it a little contrast.

Saturday, 03/18/2023: Post photo — Sundog.

Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present. For the second day in a row, the sun was out. Today’s sun appearance was much longer than yesterday’s brief one.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/05/2023 to 03/11/2023

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

Some old and new photos this week.

Sunday, 03/05/2023: Posted photo — Traction.

With the newly fallen snow, winter hiking conditions are the best they have been all season. I have not used my crampons all year and decided to use them today. No particular reasons and I really did not need to use them. I just wanted to hike with them once this season.

Monday, 03/06/2023: Posted photo — Moon Beam.

The full moon tonight was given off this beam. I thought it was a reflection off my camera, but every photo I took of the moon tonight had these beams in them. This is a photo of the moon liking towards Boston.

Tuesday, 03/07/2023: Posted photo — Full Moon.

A full moon photo for March. The moon is my preferred subject and I am still working on getting the perfect moon photo.

Wednesday, 03/08/2023: Posted photo — Traditional Collection.

Last week I posted a photo of hour our neighbor collects sap. This is the traditional way to collect sap found elsewhere in town.

Thursday, 03/09/2023: Posted photo — Baseball.

The World Baseball Classic has started. Our family loves to watch baseball and our son gives me updated every day. I took a photo of the stitches of this baseball for macro photography practice.

Friday, 03/10/2023: Post photo — Golf.

I took this photo during the summer. This is an HDR photo of a local golf course. I did not know what to post today, but I saw golf on my computer screen and went back to this photo.

Saturday, 03/11/2023: Post photo — Inspection Station.

Time to get one of our cars safety inspected. All our cars had the same month for inspection. They are now spread out, once a month for the next three months.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 02/26/2023 to 03/04/2023

“To the complaint, ‘There are no people in these photographs,’ I respond, There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.” — Ansel Adams

Thank you John once again for my quote.

Sunday, 02/26/2023: Posted photo — Collecting Sap.

After our warm week in Florida, we came home to snow. I was going to take and post this photo snow or no snow. Our neighbor taps our sugar maple tree every year and gives us some of the syrup. The general rule of thumb is that it takes 40 parts maple sap to produce 1 part maple syrup. This translates into 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon or syrup (or 10 gallons of sap for one quart of syrup). This estimate is dependent on the sugar content of your sap.

Monday, 02/27/2023: Posted photo — Welcome Home.

This is the snow on the railing to our deck. The snow was heavy and icy. I did not hike tonight so that I could clean up after the storms that took place when we were on vacation. Once I had the technique of getting the is pick under the ice and snow, cleanup was relatively easy to do. It just took a few hours to complete.

Tuesday, 02/28/2023: Posted photo — Driveway.

Our neighbor’s driveway cleaned up after last week’s snow storms.

Wednesday, 03/01/2023: Posted photo — Stone.

This stone is at the end our our neighbor’s driveway. He has stones on both sides of his driveway so that its location can be found easily since his house cannot be seen from the street.

Thursday, 03/02/2023: Posted photo — Next Storm.

This photo was taken Saturday and not Thursday. We had almost a foot of wet, heavy snow fall overnight. The snow has stopped. We normally go out a few time during a storm to shovel, but since this storm happened overnight, we did not. I do not have a snow blower or a plow. I like to get my exercise by shoveling snow.

Friday, 03/03/2023: Post photo — Path.

Snowshoe path created by my snowshoes. Here is a photo of my snowshoes. The heal strap was fixed a few weeks ago, so this was the first opportunity for me to use them.

Saturday, 03/04/2023: Post photo — Finally On Snowshoes.

Today is the one year anniversary of my ankle surgery. Last week I posted a photo of my feet in the ocean. This week I am posting a photo of my feet in my snowshoes. This is the first time in my snowshoes all winter. Between the weather, travel, work, and a broken snowshoe, this was the first opportunity of me to get out. It was a short hike with no complications. Off to some longer hikes, as long as the snow stays a little longer.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 02/19/2023 to 02/25/2023

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

Photos for this week. On vacation (or holiday) depending the country your are reading this blog in. Looked forward to a relaxing week in the warmth.

Sunday, 02/19/2023: Posted photo — Flight Pattern.

Settings: Google Pixel 7, ISO 62, f/1.8, 1/678 s, 7 mm.

During the ride down to our vacation destination, I noticed the contrail left by at plane as it was turning. Contrails or vapor trails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure, typically at aircraft cruising altitudes several miles above the Earth’s surface. A little later, I noticed that a plane took a turn and flew in front of another plane. I took my phone out, since I was the navigator at this time, and took a photo.

Monday, 02/20/2023: Posted photo — Shell.

Settings: Google Pixel 7, ISO 66, f/1.8, 1/593 s, 7 mm.

We reached our destination and took a walk on the beach. I took a photo of this shell because of its color. The beach was full of white shells. I did not see many shells that were dark. This shell is a common cockle shell. The common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) is a species of edible saltwater clam.

Tuesday, 02/21/2023: Posted photo — Under the Pier.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 22 mm.

The Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is nearly a quarter of a mile long and offers visitors close-up views of the Atlantic Ocean. The pier was closed for years because Hurricane Matthew wiped out part of the pier in 2016, then Hurricane Irma damaged it some more in 2017. Unfortunately the pillions on the pier do not make a good of a photo as the last pier did. At least this one might hold up to hurricanes.

Wednesday, 02/22/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7, 1/8000 s, 300 mm.

Woke up early this morning to take a photo of the sunrise. Drove down to the pier to get this photo. The cloud cover was sparse, but the sunrise was wonderful. Each sunrise is different.

Tonight, while visiting family members, I saw the moon and Jupiter. Later on, I saw the moon, Jupiter, and Venus. I took out my camera and took a series of shots just after sunset. These photos are ones I took a little later at night at night time. These photos are handheld photos.

Thursday, 02/23/2023: Posted photo — Lizard.

Settings: Google Pixel 7, ISO 42, f/1.8, 1/234 s, 7 mm.

Don’t know if it is a brown anole or a Florida scrub lizard. Someone can tell me. All I know is that this little guy wanted to go with us to the beach today.

Friday, 02/24/2023: Post photo — Leaving the Nest.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 300 mm.

We watched this osprey flying around and gathering sticks for its nest. They move so quickly. This was the best photo that I got of the osprey. This photo was taken in Cradle Creek Preserve. Cradle Creek Preserve consists of 36 acres, purchased on August 9, 2001 by the City of Jacksonville Beach and the city of Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville Beach holds title to the property. It a very peaceful place in the middle of the hustle of the beaches.

Saturday, 02/25/2023: Post photo — Feet in Ocean.

Settings: Google Pixel 7, ISO 42, f/1.8, 1/4049 s, 7 mm.

As my vacation winds down, and the snow and ice falling up north, I took this opportunity to put my feet in the ocean. With temperatures in the 80s F here and in the teens up north, just relaxing for one more day.

Here is a gull and a Royal Tern that was hanging out with us on the beach.

I also took a walk in a nature preserve and saw this great blue heron. It was going to be a quick walk so I only had my cell phone. Watched it for about 15 minutes and it did not catch a fish. I do like the reflection and the shadow.

Back to the cold weather and reality.

Went back the next day and this egret fished successfully caught a fish, a small fish, but a fish none the less.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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Photographic Thoughts — 02/05/2023 to 02/11/2023

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

Photos for this week. I this week will be mostly a silent week.

Sunday, 02/05/2023: Posted photo — Richardson-Zlogar Cabin.

The AMC Worcester Chapter took had a leaders hike to the Richardson-Zlogar Cabin. We had great views of Mt. Grace (MA), Mt. Ascutney (VT), Mt. Monadnock (NH), and Mt. Wachusett (MA). It was a wonderful hike with hiking leaders, both experienced and Leaders-in-Training. There were many trees down on the trails due to recent heavy snow and ice storms. Here is a line to mor information on the cabin: https://newenglandtrail.org/overnight-sites/richardson-zlogar-cabin/.

Monday, 02/06/2023: Posted photo — Summit.

Standing on the summit of Wachusett Mountain during my weekly Monday night hike.

Tuesday, 02/07/2023: Posted photo — Full Moon.

It has been a while since I took a photo of the moon. I do not think I did so bad for not practicing for a while.

Wednesday, 02/08/2023: Posted photo — Look up.

Snow sliding off the Richaradson-Zlogar cabin. From my hike on Sunday.

Thursday, 02/09/2023: Posted photo — Roses.

Some roses to brighten up the day. I started dating my wife 35 years ago this week.

Friday, 02/10/2023: Post photo — Sunrise.

Going back into the archives for the last two photos of this week. This is from a trip a few years ago to Jacksonville Beach Florida.

Saturday, 02/11/2023: Post photo — Double Arch.

One of my favorite photos from Arches National Park. This is Double Arch. I like it because you the people in this photo give it some scale.

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