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September 13, 2026

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Photographic Thoughts — 09/06/2026 to 09/12/2026

“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.

We also celebrated Labor Day this Monday. Labor Day is, and should always be, a federal holiday and a day off from work. This week was also the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. On Saturday September 12, I did my annual hike for the Flags on the 48 hiking the 4,358 feet South Kinsman Mountain.

Sunday, 09/06/2026: Posted photo — 3D View.

FinePix XP70 XP71 XP75, f/3.9, 1/70 sec, ISO 100

It has been a while since I posted 3D photos. We were at the cottage today, doing some planning on what to do to close it up for the season. We are not closing the cottage until Columbus Day, in about a month.

Do you see the 3D photo of the boats? This is how you should look at this image:

  1. Look at what looks like two identical images.
  2. Cross your eyes. A third image should appear in the middle. If you see 4 images, you’ll have to relax your eyes and cross them less.
  3. Focus on that middle image until it pops out in 3D.

To take a 3D image:

  1. Always take photos in portrait orientation.
  2. Set the camera to full manual and choose the correct exposure and focus.
  3. Put your feet square on to the subject of your 3D photo.
  4. Put your weight onto your right foot, without lifting your left.
  5. Take the first photo.
  6. Put your weight onto your left foot without raising your right.
  7. Unless your subject is very close, you don’t need to turn your camera to keep it in the center.
  8. Take the second photo.

Monday, 09/07/2026: Posted photo — Fish.

Canon EOS R50, f/5.7, 1/332 sec., ISO 2000

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day occurs on first Monday of September. The holiday pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. This should always be a holiday and a day to be with family and friends, the ones we work to support.

Now about this fish. I was at the cottage today and saw this fish swimming near our dock. The water is clear in this area since there are not any weeds. The fish was closer to the dock when I took out my camera, and it just stayed in the location of this photo for a while. The fish was just far enough away that it was at the end of the focal point of my regular lens and too close to me for my zoom lens.

Tuesday, 09/08/2026: Posted photo – Bananas.

Pixel 7, f/1.8, 1/24 sec, ISO 51

Bananas originated 10,000 years ago and some scientists believe they may have been the world’s first fruit. The first bananas are thought to have grown in the region that includes the Malaya Peninsula, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea. The personal physician to Roman emperor Octavius Augustus is credited for promoting the cultivation of the fruit from 63 to 14 B.C. Historians believe that the Arabian slave traders are the ones who gave the banana its name.

Bananas are a source of carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, dietary fiber and antioxidants. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or salt. Their potential benefits include Heart health, Digestive health, Weight control, Faster workout recovery, and Memory and mood help.

To peel a banana gently but firmly, pinch the bottom of the banana between your thumb and index finger. The skin splits into two clean sections, ready to peel away without any fuss. That is how animals peal a banana.

Wednesday, 09/09/2026: Posted photo — Reflection of a Duck.

Canon EOS R50, f/7.1, 1/250 sec., ISO 640

I was just taking photos testing out different settings on my camera. I took photos of the dock, sky, clouds, leaves staring to turn, and this duck. I was practicing panning.

When I uploaded the photos to my computer, I saw the reflection of this duck in the water. It almost looks like the duck has two heads. Or is that my imagination going wild. I did not achieve my goal of taking a panning photo, but I like this photo better.

Thursday, 09/10/2026: Posted photo — Hidden Bug.

Canon EOS R50, f/5, 1/100 sec., ISO 1250

Last week at this time, I took a photo of a rosebud. This is the rose in bloom. When I developed it, I saw this little bug hiding. Do you see the bug?

Did he just type “when I developed it?” Yes, I did. I always take my photos in RAW format since I want my photo to be as I like and not as the camera predicts what I like. It is like not using AI since I want my results to be what I am looking for and not what AI thinks I am looking. A RAW file is a digital image file that contains the unprocessed data from your camera’s sensor. RAW is not the abbreviation for anything, it just means raw as the sensor sees it. I postprocess, or develop, my photos using either Canon’s Digital Photo Professional or Darktable, both free programs. I then use either GIMP or Paint Shop Pro to further edit and clean up my photos. I am using GIMP often now since I carry the program around with me on my thumb drive.

Many times, I can fix and recover a “bad” photo by editing the RAW file.

Friday, 09/11/2026: Posted photo – Northern Right Whale Skull.

Canon EOS R50, f/6.3, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

Today I am posting a photo from past travels. I am on my way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to take part in the Flags on the 48 memorial hike.

The plaque reads: “Northern Right Whale Skull. This section is all the remains of a 60-foot Northern Right Whale that washed ashore on Ocracoke in 1988. Each spring and fall small groups of these plankton feeding giants migrate past the Outer Banks.”

The Northern Right Whale is an endangered large whale species. It has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970. The most recent estimate for the population is approximately 380 whales. The whale can weigh up to 140,000 pounds and can grow up to 52 feet long. It has a lifespan of up to 70 years. It must be a great sight to see one of these whales breaching.

Shortly after this photo was taken the sky opened with the rain so heavy you could not see out of the car. Now I have a better understanding of how quickly the Outer Banks flood during storms.

Saturday, 09/12/2026: Post photo — Flags on the 48: South Kingsman.

Canon EOS R50, f/4.5, 1/60 sec., ISO 1000

I co-lead a hike with the Worcester Chapter of the AMC up South Kingsman for this year’s Flags on the 48 (FOT48). The FOT48 event has been held every year since 9/11/01. It started out with a group of people hiking Mount Liberty to fly the flag shortly after the event. A few more peaks were covered the next year, and then all the peaks after that. The FOT48 is the hiking community’s way to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire for two hours the Saturday closes to September 11. This was my 12th year of doing this hike. I started in 2013 when I hiked Mt. Garfield, only missing a couple due to family events on the day of the hike. I have not yet repeated a peak. I will not fly the flag on all 48 during my lifetime. I will continue hiking in this event if I am able to do so.

It is a very emotional day, and we get many words of thanks and encouragement from other hikers who just happen upon it. Some people plan to hike to see how my summits, and flags, they can see during the day. It is great to take out the binoculars to see the flags flying on nearby peaks.

I have hiked this event in bad weather, high winds, hot and humid weather, cold and raw weather, and ideal weather. When you hike with a fellow group of hikers and friend, the weather does not matter, just the meaning of the event.

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

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

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

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

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May 31, 2026

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/24/2026 to 05/30/2026

“In photography there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated.” — August Sander

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

Short and sweet this week.

Sunday, 05/24/2026: Posted photo — Pentecost.

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. — Acts 11:15.

Monday, 05/25/2026: Posted photo — Memorial Day.

The words are from a photo I posted a few weeks ago. I took this photo today during my hike since it is Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The plaque reads: “10th Mountain Division. In memory of comrades who gave their lives in the Aleutians and Italy in WWII. This elite division of alpine troops spearheaded the victorious fifth army against the mountainous gothic line fortresses and across the PO Valley to shatter the German defenses in Northern Italy. It was their love of mountains, coupled with their dedication to human freedom, that they inspired hundreds of young patriots to join the 10th mountain division. Many returned to their beloved mountain. Those heroes who did not return are still fondly remembered as brave men whose souls rest forever. Sempre Avanti.”

Tuesday, 05/26/2026: Posted photo — Lady Slippers.

Lady slipper orchids are not universally illegal to possess or grow in the US, but it is illegal to pick, dig up, or damage them on federal and state lands. These Lady Slippers are in a protective area on Wachusett Mountain. I look for them every year. Most years I am either too early or too late to find them.

During a hike this week, I came across them and took this photo.

Wednesday, 05/27/2026: Posted photo — Iris.

Irises bloom best in at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it’s not ideal. This iris is at my in-law’s house. Like the photo of the Lady Slippers I took a photo of yesterday, some years I see them, some years I do not.

Thursday, 05/28/2026: Posted photo — Flowing Water.

We have had periods of heavy rain this week leading to the streams on the mountain flowing quickly. It is wonderful hearing the streams flowing in the distance as I hike.

This photo was taking from one of the bridges on the mountain that straddle the streams.

Friday, 05/29/2026: Post photo — Old Gardner Courthouse.

The courthouse and police station were dedicated on May 1, 1929. The courthouse and police station were moved to the new facility in 1988. The Gardner Youth Commission took charge of the building and from 1988 to 1989, dances and other activities were held there. Once the dances were discontinued, the building remained vacant for several years. A decision was made in 1996 to turn it into the City Hall Annex building. The annex officially opened on April 5, 2006.

Saturday, 05/30/2026: Post photo — Ajuga.

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle.

Bugleweed is a low-maintenance ground cover that is used to cover large areas of land. The small, rounded foliage comes in a range of colors and patterns, with showy flower spikes that appear in spring attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators.

The subject of this week’s photo project is “On the Ground”. I took this photo as if I was on the ground looking up at it.

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

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

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

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

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April 14, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/07/2024 to 04/13/2024

“An eclipse is one phenomenon that is actually more impressive from the ground.” — Leroy Chiao

This week’s blog will feature photos of one of nature’s wonders, a total solar eclipse.

Sunday, 04/07/2024: Posted photo — Moose.

Today was a travel day to Houlton ME to see the eclipse. We were looking to go to either western Ohio, northern New York, or Vermont to see the eclipse. We have relatives and friends in those areas. Looking at the weather for tomorrow’s eclipse, it was decided to head to Houlton ME. There is a Walmart in Houlton. Since we saw the last total solar eclipse seven years ago in a Walmart in TN, we thought it would be a good idea to go to one in Houlton. Walmart had a big open space and there would be many people. We also though we could sleep in the parking lot. This did not happen, we slept in a rest area on the way. Houlton ME was predicted to have the best weather in the country along the path of totality. It did not disappoint.

This moose is at the Kittery Trading Post. We stopped in Kittery to get candy and to go to the Trading Post. I needed another fuel can for my camping stove. If the weather was cold, we were going to have hot chocolate while we waited, and I did not want to run out of fuel. We also stopped in Freeport to go to LL Bean. We shop the outlet store and did not go to the main campus this trip.

The ride to ME was uneventful. There were signs in both NH and ME warning people about the traffic and not to stop on the side of the road to see the eclipse. We did not see many vehicles on the road.

Monday, 04/08/2024: Posted photo — Sundog.

While waiting for the eclipse, I saw a sundog and took a photo of it with my cell phone. I adjusted by camera setting for the eclipse and did not want to change them.

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. This sundog was in the little clouds there were.

Tuesday, 04/09/2024: Posted photo — Second Contact.

Second contact is the start of totality. First contact is when the eclipse starts, second is the start of totality, third is when totality ends, and fourth is when the eclipse ends. Between first contact and second contact, a special solar filter needs to be put on your camera. It is the same type of filter that are in solar glasses.

Just before totality, a single bright spot will remain, resembling a diamond in a ring. I missed taking a photo of this phenomenon during the eclipse seven years ago and was fully prepared for it this time.

Wednesday, 04/10/2024: Posted photo — Totality or Maximum Eclipse.

Totality lasted 3 minutes and 18 seconds in Houlton. It was very close to the maximum totality line. Three minutes and 18 seconds is not a long time, but it was worth it. Looking at the horizon and seeing sunset/sunrise. Seeing Jupiter and Venus on either side of the eclipse was another bonus. I was looking for comet 12P/Pons-Brooks near the eclipse but it was too bright to see.

Here are a few photos of totality. Unlike seven years ago in TN, the sky was cloud free and the eclipse as spectacular.

Thursday, 04/11/2024: Posted photo — Third Contact.

This is Baily’s beads just as third contact starts, or totality ends. During the last few seconds before totality, the crescent Sun breaks up to form Baily’s beads (those are typically only visible through a telescope with a solar filter attached). At the end of totality, this sequence happens in the reverse order, starting with Baily’s beads until the returning burst of sunlight becomes too bright to view with the naked eye. I also missed this during the eclipse seven years ago and did not want to miss it again.

When looking at this photo, you can see some solar prominences. Though they look like they could be made of fire, they are eruptions of plasma, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). They are a hot gas made of electrically charged hydrogen and helium, extending outward from the sun’s surface.

Friday, 04/12/2024: Post photo — Collage.

Here is a composite photo of different phases of the eclipse.

The timing for these photos were taken from the Partial Phase Images area in my Solar Eclipse Timer app. This was a great app to use since it gave verbal instructions and information on what was happening during the eclipse. It would tell you want to look for on ground level and it would count down to the different contacts.

Saturday, 04/13/2024: Post photo — Daffodil.

The daffodils are starting to bloom in our yard. This is a sign of spring. The cold and damp weather did not stop their growth.

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

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March 24, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/17/2024 to 03/23/2024

“Once you learn to care, you can record images with your mind or on film. There is no difference between the two.” — Anonymous

Random photos of the week. Not my best week of photos.

Sunday, 03/17/2024: Posted photo — Wet Road.

The subject of my weekly photo project this week was road. As with most weeks lately, I had full intention to take another photo for this project and time flew by. I am finding it more difficult to do this weekly project that it was to do the daily project.

This is a photo looking down my street from our driveway. The water on the road gives this photo my character that if the road were dry.

Monday, 03/18/2024: Posted photo — Boundary.

There are two Massachusetts State Parks withing 10 minutes of our house.

The 3,000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation offers plenty of natural and recreational opportunities. And Leominster State Forest that has hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and fishing. Both locations have segments of the 95-mile Midstate Trail in them and I hike and snowshoe in them, depending on the season. Leominster State Forest is flatter and easier to snowshoe in, and I have rock climbed the Crow Hill Ledges often when I was younger.

You have seen many posts from me about my hiking Wachusett Mountain and not many about my adventures in the Leominster State Forest. I will have to post more about those hikes.

Tuesday, 03/19/2024: Posted photo — First Day of Spring.

Today is the first day of spring, the vernal equinox. This was the earliest that the vernal equinox occurred across the contiguous United States in 128 years. Why was it the earliest that the vernal equinox occurred across the contiguous United States in 128 years.  According to space.com, there are two specific reasons for this: 1) The quadrennial intervention of leap year often causes a slight variation of the date, and 2) Daylight saving time (DST).

These are tulips that are starting to break through the soil at our house. I was looking to take photos of crocus, but have not seen any this year.

Wednesday, 03/20/2024: Posted photo — Are you Looking at Me.

I came home from work today and saw this squirrel just looking at me. I took out my phone to take it photo expecting it to run away, but it just stayed there.

Sorry about the quality of this photo.

Thursday, 03/21/2024: Posted photo — Combinations.

One of my co-workers heard a story about a state running out of license plates numbers in a particular state so he wanted to know how many combinations of six digits there are. I sent this problem to my son, a mathematician, and these are his calculations.

He did the calculations with (36) six-character plates (26 letters and 10 numbers) and with five character with the last digit indicating the month of registration, as it is done here in Massachusetts. There are other special cases that he did not calculate.

Friday, 03/22/2024: Post photo — Good Morning.

Some snow and ice on family vehicles. Taken in the future (Saturday morning, not today)

Saturday, 03/23/2024: Post photo — Snow and Ice.

Woke up to snow and ice. This weather was expected. I had to run some errands in the morning and the roads were bad. I saw a few cars that have drive off the road. Some people are just invincible.

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

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March 10, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/03/2024 to 03/09/2024

“The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.” — Annie Leibovitz

Here are some mountains that I have seen during my travels.

Sunday, 03/03/2024: Posted photo — Sunrise.

A wonderful sunrise. Took this photo on Monday morning and not on Sunday. I was busy on Sunday with a birthday celebration from a member of my family.

Monday, 03/04/2024: Posted photo — Night Hike.

I lead the Monday night hike this week. As the weather is getting better, more people are hiking on Monday nights. We have had 2–4 people on hikes during the winter, tonight we had seven. More people are expected due to the warmer weather and it being lighter at night. Time for some sunsets!

Tuesday, 03/05/2024: Posted photo — Stream.

With the snow melt and the rain we have had recently, the streams on the mountain are running. This is a photo from tonight’s night hike. Again, I did not realize that my headlight had a blue tint to it.

Wednesday, 03/06/2024: Posted photo — Bouquet.

A bouquet of flower that I took while food shopping this week.

Thursday, 03/07/2024: Posted photo — Rabbit.

The rabbit that lives on our property has been seen for the first time this year. I have seen rabbit prints in the snow during, but this is the first time I have seen it. Glad to see it made it through the wet, cold winter.

Friday, 03/08/2024: Post photo — Cube Solving Robot.

I help the robotics team at my high school alma mater. They were practicing their judging speech for the state championships and showed us that they have designed a robot that will mix up a cube to create a pixel for a mosaic that will be making. They did this through a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education program) that they started. This is the first STEM Rubik’s project in the country and they are sponsored by Rubik. I know a couple of the robotics team members from the speed cubing community. Here is a video of the robot: https://youtu.be/Id_YpwkuKww?si=U987aegensWYtoMc. It is long but it give you an idea of how these two cubers programmed the robot.

Saturday, 03/09/2024: Post photo — Covered Bridge.

This covered bridge is at the Bull Run Restaurant.

I attended Don White’s Annual Birthday Show at the Bull Run with some old college friends. It was not about the show, it was about connecting with people you spent a lot of time with earlier in your life and just getting together very sporadically over the years. The show was interesting, and the company was great. Will I remember who performed or what they sang, probably not. I will remember going out with some old friends.

When I was younger, people would tell me not to take family and friends for granted. As I get older, I understand what they mean. Thank you Chris for taking this group photo to keep the memories alive.

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

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February 25, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 02/18/2024 to 02/24/2024

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” — Elliott Erwitt

Here are some mountains that I have seen during my travels.

Sunday, 02/18/2024: Posted photo — Reflection Lakes.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

There were many great views of the mountain in the park. Took this photo was in the morning when the water was calm. There was someone sleeping in a hammock just outside the frame of this photo.

Monday, 02/19/2024: Posted photo — Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The Tetons are great and majestic mountains. Took this one just after sunset in the golden hour.

Tuesday, 02/20/2024: Posted photo — Lake McDonald.

Glacier National Park, Montana

This was my first view of Glacier National Park. We did some hiking with a mountain goat and her children on this trip.

Wednesday, 02/21/2024: Posted photo — Prince of Wales Hotel Waterton Lake.

Waterton – Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta

When we arrived at the park, the ranger saw that I had a camera. She told me of the spot to take this photo. It was up a private road used just by the rangers.

Thursday, 02/22/2024: Posted photo — Along the White Pass Yukon Route Railway.

Alaska

We took a ride on the White Pass Railroad on our trip to Alaska. We did go into the Yukon to turn around. This is one of the mountains along the way. This photo is in color.

Friday, 02/23/2024: Post photo — Lake Louise.

Banff National Park, Alberta

I did not know that Lake Louise was a famous lake. We just stopped in to take in the views. It was crowded when we arrived in the morning and was very crowded in the afternoon when we continued our journey.

Saturday, 02/24/2024: Post photo — Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Washington

Been to Mount St Helens many times since it erupted on May 18, 1980. I am amazed with the way nature is recovering. The first time I went there was ten years after the eruption and there were still logs floating in Spirit Lake.

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

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November 26, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 11/19/2023 to 11/25/2023

“Once you learn to care, you can record images with your mind or on film. There is no difference between the two.” — Anonymous

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

Sunday, 11/19/2023: Posted photo — Moxie.

Distinctively Different since 1884. Moxie is the oldest continually produced soft drink in the United States. It is a New England tradition. Moxie was designated as the official soft drink of the State of Maine in 2005.

I like Moxie. Most of my friends and family do not like the taste. We had Moxie when I was younger since my father also liked it. “Live your Life with a little Moxie.”

Monday, 11/20/2023: Posted photo — Stars.

Today would have been my father’s 101 birthday. Miss you dad.

Nice hike tonight. The temperature was cool, and the air was brisk. Hiking keeps you warm and if you dress properly, you stay warm.

When the group was at the summit, I put my phone on a handrail and took a photo of the sky.

Tuesday, 11/21/2023: Posted photo — Compass.

During my map and compass course, I talked about the difference between a fixed declination compass and an adjustable declination compass. I have been putting together my slides for the advanced map and compass class and took a photo of the two of my compasses. The fixed declination compass (Suunto A-10) has the declination scale in the North while the adjustable declination compass (Suunto M-3) has the declination scale in the South.

I am also discussing the principle of back bearing. Back bearing is the way to backtrack to find your way back to your original location. The fixed declination compass is taking a back bearing without taking into account magnetic declination.

Wednesday, 11/22/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.

During my shopping trip, I took another photo of flowers. Always good to take photos of flowers when there is more darkness than light during the day.

Thursday, 11/23/2023: Posted photo — Desert.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. On this day we give thanks to what we have, have family gatherings, and large meals that include desert. This year we had a small dinner with my family my niece and here husband (one of my son’s friends). After dinner we invited the family over to our house for dessert.

Here are photos of a traditional apple pie, a wonderful chocolate and peanut butter pie, and the frosting on a pumpkin and chocolate chip cake. These desserts go well with ice cream and homemade whipped cream.

Friday, 11/24/2023: Post photo — Wood Delivery.

This morning we received the first of two wood deliveries. The normal length of wood we order was flooded out due to all the rain we had this summer, so we needed to purchase some wood that is longer than we do and some shorter. We received two cords of the longer pieces this morning and had them stacked in our woodshed by early afternoon. Firewood is sold by a measurement called a “cord.” A cord must equal 128 cubic feet.

In the next week or so, I will be ordering the three cords of shorter wood for us to stack in our woodshed. The woodshed can only handle four cords, so we will have to stack some outside the shed in our uncovered racks.

Saturday, 11/25/2023: Post photo — Book.

Was out blowing leaves today since the leaves were dry. Some of the leaves were, and still are, frozen to the ground. What does this have to do with the book photo? Well, I needed a photo for today and I am still putting together my advanced map reading course for the spring. This is one of the best books to get to learn navigation. I have been using it for many years now.

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

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May 14, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/07/2023 to 05/13/2023

“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

I have a flower of day this week. I am attempting to change the format of this blog to have one or more educational items per day to make reading my blog more interesting.

Sunday, 05/07/2023: Posted photo — Pyx.

A pyx is vessel containing the consecrated bread used in the service of Holy Communion. Although pyxes were made in various shapes, the most common form was that of a small cylindrical box fitted with a cover, which is generally conical. The pyx in this photo is the one that I use every week to give Holy Communion to the choir.

Flower of the day: Pericallis

Pericallis senetti provides daisy-like blooms in early spring when the weather is cool. They produce vibrant blues, magentas, violets, and can be bi-colored. They can tolerate low temperatures but are sensitive to frost. These are located outside our church.

Monday, 05/08/2023: Posted photo — On the Trail.

What would Monday night be without a hike? Don’t know. Every Monday that I hike does not happen is a disappointment. The good thing about missing a Monday night hike is that I can spend more time with my family. Today was a wonderful day to hike. The temperature was in the goldilocks zone, not to hot and not to cold. The black bugs were not bothering me as much as other members of the hiking group.

Flower of the day: Hobblebush

“Viburnum lantanoides, hobblebush (also known as moosebush, witch-withy, witch-hobble, witch-tangle and tangle legs) can grow more than ten feet tall, and often at least as wide, in its sprawling, errant, fashion. Branches extend outward, arch and descend, re-rooting where they touch the ground, forming a small copse. This lissome habit is most evident in winter when the hobblebush is leafless and the shrub’s structure can be traced. What appears to be a solitary shrub is usually an aggregate of clonal offspring called ramets.” https://wildseedproject.net/2015/06/viburnum-lantanoides-hobblebush-adoxaceae/

Tuesday, 05/09/2023: Posted photo — Abstract Rabbit.

Came home from shopping tonight and saw this rabbit in our yard. I took out my phone to take this photo. I took this photo from a distance so that I did not disturb the rabbit. It looks like my camera went into the digital zoom range causing this abstract effect. You can see the tree debris that I still need to clean up in this photo.

Flower of the day: Pansy

Pansies are the cheerful flowers with upturned “faces.” They love cool weather and are popular to grow in spring and fall. They’re also edible, adding color to salads, drinks, and cakes. Here’s how to plant pansies and keep them growing and blooming.

Wednesday, 05/10/2023: Posted photo — Start of Third Leg.

I am leading a mystery hike in a few weeks. The group is meeting at a trailhead, and I am giving them direction at trail junctions. The directions will only consist of bearings and distances. This is the location of the third leg of my trip.

If you are in the area and would like to join me, sign up for the trip on this web page: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/144329. You do not need to be an AMC member to join the hike.

Flower of the day: Dandelions

To show the benefits of the once-beloved plant, here are items you might not know about dandelions.

  • Dandelions have deep roots in history throughout the ages.
  • Dandelions were world-famous for their beauty.
  • Dandelions are a green and growing first aid kit.
  • Dandelions are more nutritious than most of the vegetables in your garden.
  • Dandelions are good for your lawn.
  • Dandelions are masters of survival.
  • Dandelions are among the most expensive items in the grocery store.
  • Herbicides used on lawns to kill dandelions take a terrible toll on wildlife.
  • But there’s a safer way to have a dandelion-free lawn.

To learn more, go to https://www.mofga.org/resources/weeds/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-dandelions/.

Thursday, 05/11/2023: Posted photo — Dam at Round Meadow Pond.

Here is a photo of the dam at Round Meadow Pond. This is a location that I photograph often.

Flower of the day: Bluets

Common bluets produce both nectar and pollen. Their short flower tubes make their nectar accessible to our short-tongued native bees. Quite a few species of native bees including small carpenter bees and some of our sweat bees will visit common bluets. Several of our smaller species of early butterflies will also visit common bluets.

Friday, 05/12/2023: Post photo — Hitting Off the Tee.

My son purchased a hitting tee for the junior high baseball team he coached. I did some hitting practice. Have not swung a bat in a while. I swung the old way with two hands on the bat as Ted Williams did. He attempted to coach me by having me remove my top hand off the bat as the modern hitters do. I like the old way of hitting.

Flower of the day: Malus baccata (Siberian crab apple)

Siberian crab apple inhabits northerly areas of New England, although certain cultivars grow as far south as Florida. The tree produces white-pink, non-hairy (glabrous) flowers in spring along glabrous branches. With a pleasing, rounded crown, abundant flowers and small, edible fruits, this crabapple has been introduced widely as an ornamental tree.

Saturday, 05/13/2023: Post photo — Lilac.

I have a photo challenge this week that is titled detail. Chances. Details are having your eyes instinctively lock on to a small part of the image before looking at the whole picture. I attempted this by putting a mononuclear on my cell phone and taking this photo.

Flower of the day: Azaleas

Azaleas are typically deciduous while other rhododendrons are evergreen. Azalea flowers are funnel-shaped, somewhat two-lipped, and often fragrant. These azaleas in our yard have survived the last heavy snow that fell. The bush was heavily loaded with snow. There is still a large area of the bush that has not yet bloomed.

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 17, 2022

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hiking, Nature, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, water

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/10/2022 to 04/15/2022

“We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” — Ralph Hattersley

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

Happy and blessed Easter Sunday to your all. Here are my thought from last week. This week’s post has somethings new and somethings old.

Sunday, 04/10/2022: Posted photo — Daffodil.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 37, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

Sign of spring, our daffodils are blooming. I have not gotten out of the house much these last few months. Was able to get out today to walk around our yard. Nice to see plants flowering. We do have more daffodils and tulip in front of our house that I have been watching as I walk from the car to inside the house. I have not noticed any crocus this year. I must have been inside when they were blooming.

Monday, 04/11/2022: Posted photo — Roadblock.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 62, f/1.8, 1/198 s, 4 mm.

The turkeys are back. On my way into work, we ran into this rafter of turkeys. I am still not driving so I took this photo from the passenger seat.

Tuesday, 04/12/2022: Posted photo — The Cause of My Pain.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 251, f/1.8, 1/120 s, 4 mm.

I have not looked at my microspikes since my accident. There were put in the back seat of my car when one of my hiking companions drove my car back to my house. I just left them there since the car was not used that often. My car has a manual transmission, so I am not able to shift since I cannot use my left foot for the clutch. We are trading in my car for one with an automatic transmission so I can drive myself to work.

I took out my microspikes to see if they were broken. The first one I looked at had a stick embedded in one of the spikes. The was why I went down, no spike available to grip the ice! What a freak accident. I am glad that I know what happened and happy that it was not an equipment malfunction.

Wednesday, 04/13/2022: Posted photo — Hoodoos.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/160 s, 37 mm.

These are hoodoos in Goblin Valley State Park. Goblin Valley State Park is in Green River, UT. Goblin Valley was the set for the movie “Galaxy Quest”, one of our favorite movies. We were surprised that we were able to into the goblins, which we did, and we reenacted some scenes from the movie. The park features thousands of hoodoos, referred to locally as goblins, which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as tall as several yards.

Thursday, 04/14/2022: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/16, 1/2000 s, 300 mm.

This is the sunrise from Goblin Valley. We had a wonderful dark sky night and a great sunrise.

Friday, 04/15/2022: Post photo — Delicate Arch.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/200 s, 300 mm.

This is as close as we were to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall freestanding natural arch. What you do not see is the drop off just after the arch. Delicate Arch stands at the edge of a cliff. We arrived in the park late and did not do the hike out to the arch. We did other hikes in the park the couple of days we were there. The longest hike was about a 10-mile hike in extremely hot weather. We followed the rule of at least one gallon of water per person per day. I carried the water and my wife and son carried other supplies during our hike.

Saturday, 04/16/2022: Post photo — Upper Slot Canyon.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 640, f/3.5, 1/25 s, 18 mm.

We found Antelope Slot Canyon by accident. We were looking for grocery stores in the area as we were traveling between the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon. We saw pickup truck that had Antelope Slot Canyon on then. My wife had a friend that went to a canyon in that area that looked like a great stop for us. We did some research and found out the canyon was Antilope Slot Canyon. We arrived in Page, AZ midday to the upper slot canyon was the only place we could get tickets. I know of others that have gone to lower slot and they also looked impressive. Need to go back to visit.

For those of you who know the area, we did not go to Horseshoe Bend since we were just camping at Goosenecks State Park a few nights before.

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

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