Photographic Thoughts — 04/05/2026 to 04/11/2026

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” — Diane Arbus

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

Sunday, 04/05/2026: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.

Today is the holiest day of the year. This is the day that Jesus rose from the dead symbolizing victory over death and sin. Jesus did this for us all. His message was peace and justice for all. He condoled violence and those who used violence. He could have used violence by calling his angles to rescue Him and choose not to do so. Matthew 26:53.

Monday, 04/06/2026: Posted photo — Flowing Stream.

The weather has been up into the low 70’s F and down to the low 30’s F over the last few days. This has led to some of the streams on Wachusett Mountain flowing again. The flow of the streams were not as fast as earlier in the year when we had the initial snow melt.

We were waiting at one of trail junctions tonight and I looked at the stream a few feet away to see how fast it was flowing. It was flowing enough for me to take this photo. As with many of my photos, I am not crazy about it. It does keep my photo a day streak alive.

Tuesday, 04/07/2026: Posted photo — Snow.

We had some snow this morning. Just dusting and the snow did not last long on the ground. It is predicted that we might receive another dusting of snow tomorrow as well. As I noted yesterday, the temperature is fluctuating as much as 30 deg F from one day to another.

My weather app over the last few days told me that tomorrow will be 34 deg F cooler tomorrow than today on day and then that tomorrow’s temperature will be 25 deg F warmer than today.

Wednesday, 04/08/2026: Posted photo — Wind Power.

Here are some facts about the wind turbine:

  • Each Tower height is 215 feet (or 65 meters) above ground level.
  • Length of each blade is approximately 125 feet (or 37.5 meters), and each blade weighs 6 tons.
  • The turbine speed is 17-20 RPMs.
  • The maximum blade tip speed is approximately 204 MPH.
  • The minimum wind speed to produce maximum rated power output is 27 MPH (or 12 meters per second).
  • The Cutout Wind Speed or wind speed too great for a turbine is 45 MPH (or 20 meters per second).
  • The Survival Wind Speed is 133 MPH (or 59.5 meters per second).

There was a discussion about the wind turbines during the hike on Monday night. I decided to go back and get a photo of the wind turbines and post some facts about them.

Thursday, 04/09/2026: Posted photo — Tomatoes.

The topic of the week in my 52 week photo project is red. There are many red items to photograph. I have seen a few red Suns during my hikes this week, but I only had my cellphone with me. Cellphone photos are not the greatest. I did not bring my DSLR since it is not working properly.

I took this photo of tomatoes as a fill photo just in case I do not see anything else red that is photo worthy. In front of me now is my red tool bag, red handled scissors, a red marking machine, a red pen, and someone in a red shirt.

Friday, 04/10/2026: Post photo — Stained Glass.

I just love a stained-glass window. They are great colors and stories behind each one of them. They are not always in churches. Many people have stained-glass windows in their house, not as detailed as the one in this photo, but have interesting decorations.

Stained glass was created primarily to educate an illiterate medieval population, enhance religious spaces, and filter light into cathedrals, serving as a “poor man’s Bible”.

Saturday, 04/11/2026: Post photo — Sugar Maple Bud.

The sugar maple trees in our yard are starting to bud. These are the same trees that our neighbor was tapping over the last few weeks.

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.”

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

Photographic Thoughts — 03/08/2026 to 03/14/2026

“Essentially what photography is life lit up.” — Sam Abell

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

Sunday, 03/08/2026: Posted photo — Votive Candle.

A little candle in a church, often called a “votive candle”, represents a personal prayer, offering, or intention, allowing a worshiper’s devotion to continue even after they leave. These candles are in a frame that is dedicated to a friend and his wife who have passed. He passed from ASL and she passed from cancer.

Monday, 03/09/2026: Posted photo — Post Hole.

Here is an example of the use of snowshoes vs not using snowshoes. This is from tonight’s hike. I used my snowshoes and others did not. I put my snowshoes next to their post hole to show the difference.

Tuesday, 03/10/2026: Posted photo — Collecting Sap.

The best weather to collect sap is a “freeze-thaw” cycle in late winter/early spring, characterized by nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures rising to around 40–45 degrees F (4–7 degrees C). Stop collecting sap when tree buds appear, temperatures remain above freezing at night, or the sap turns yellow/cloudy.

Wednesday, 03/11/2026: Posted photo — Water under the Bridge.

“Water under the bridge” is a phrase used to say that something happened in the past and is no longer important or worth arguing about. Even though I am not very old, I am at a stage where I do not get stressed out with life. I have had a few experiences in my life that I could not control, (loss of a child, loss of a sibling, loss of loved ones, loss of close relatives and friends), that just have me going with the flow, or saying that is just water under the bridge.

Thursday, 03/12/2026: Posted photo — Sunset Afterglow.

I did not make it to the summit for sunset. This was the first night in a few months that I saw the afterglow of the sunset. I did not think I would get a good photo and my intuition was correct. I feel that this photo is too dark. I attempted to edit it, with no luck.

Friday, 03/13/2026: Post photo — Flowing Stream.

The temperatures this week so far had a high of 73 degrees F and a low of 29 degrees F. This was taken during one of the warm days this week. The streams on the mountain were running fast.

Hiking was not easy this week with the rapidly changing conditions. It started out this week where snowshoes were needed. Then the hiking was slow due to muddy trails. Now at the end of the week, we have much cooler temperatures and the muddy areas are starting to freeze. Snowshoes Monday and Tuesday, mud boots Wednesday and Thursday, and bear boot today. Will bear boot tomorrow with my microspike on my pack, just in case I need to use them.

Saturday, 03/14/2026: Post photo — Icefall.

I do not know if this is technically an icefall, but that is what I am calling it.

When on a hike this afternoon with a family friend to stretch out my legs on this wonderful and sunny day. The weather today sums up the weather for this week. It started to be sunny, then the clouds came in and we had a snow squall. Then it was sunny and warm and then the temperature dropped when I was on the trail. The trail conditions were tough. I bear booted and used my spikes. I could have used my snowshoes in spots, but they were so short that it would have been longer to put on and take off my snowshoes as it would have been just walk in that section of snow with my spikes. The ice was hard is some steeper slopes and my spikes did not grip the snow well. I had to be very careful and take it very slowly in those locations.

Now it is time to look at my microspikes to see if they need sharpening. I did use my “rock” spikes, so the odds are great that they do need to be sharpened.

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.”

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

Photographic Thoughts — 02/15/2026 to 02/21/2026

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” — Irving Penn

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

Sunday, 02/15/2026: Posted photo — Numbers.

These are some of the numbers that I put up every week to list the hymns that the choir will sing during Mass. I do not sing in the choir. My job is to put up the numbers before the service and to give Communion to the choir. According to the Second Vatican Council the primary purpose of music at Mass is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful.

The Mass I attend is a folk Mass. The music is performed by guitar and voice. Occasionally there are some brass instruments. When I was in college, I played the organ in a traditional choir.

Monday, 02/16/2026: Posted photo — Rope.

Tonight is one of many nights that I will be hiking this week. I brought my rope with me to practice using it down steep and icy slopes. One of the trails on Wachusett is steep and was a great place to practice. Some people may say that the slope on Wachusett is not difficult. It is not, but it is a great place to practice techniques for bigger and longer hikes.

Tuesday, 02/17/2026: Posted photo — Traction.

Tonight, I practiced using my crampons since the snow is getting soft. The temperature is almost above freezing today, and the snow is much different than it was last night. Crampons are not needed on Wachusett as a rule. Occasionally I wished I had them, especially when I am in a very icy trail.

As I stated yesterday, some people think this is overkill. Over my many years of hiking, there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to my safety. I follow the rule that if you do not use a skill, you may lose that skill.

Wednesday, 02/18/2026: Posted photo — Wachusett Mountain.

I stopped by the side of the road before tonight’s hike to get a photo of the mountain. This is not the greatest photo since they were making snow, and the mountain looked fogged in.

If you look closely at the trails in the photo, you can see that they spell “ski”. This was pointed out to me a few years ago and I keep seeing it when I drive past the ski area.

Thursday, 02/19/2026: Posted photo — Hike.

What a great hike I had with this group hiking at night in the snow. I was in the sweep position tonight since I already hiked the mountain a few times already this week. The ability of the hikers in this group varies greatly, from very experience to not so experience. I would say that the not so experienced hikers are getting better every week. They have been hiking with this group for a while.

When I was sweeping, I was observing the use of hiking poles. Members of the group were using them incorrectly. I plan on posting tips on using hiking poles to this group and other hiking groups that I am a member. Poles are very useful equipment to use. They help with fatigue and save your knees and back, if used properly.

Friday, 02/20/2026: Post photo — Tapping.

It is that time of year again. Our neighbor is tapping our sugar maples to make his syrup. It generally takes 40 to 60 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of finished maple syrup. He has many trees tapped on our property and his property. On average, a tapped maple will produce 10 to 20 gallons of sap per tap.

Saturday, 02/21/2026: Post photo — Sunrise.

What a wonderful way to end the week. When I woke up this morning, I saw colors in the snow. The snow had a pink hue due to the colors of the sunrise. I grabbed my camera and took this photo.

I had to work quicky to get his photo since my camera battery was dead. There is something wrong with electronics in camera. When the camera is off, it is still draining the battery. I need to either get it serviced or purchase a new camera. I purchased my camera in April of 2014. Technology may have changes slightly in twelve years!

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.”

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

Photographic Thoughts — 02/01/2026 to 02/07/2026

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” — Karl Lagerfeld

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

Sunday, 02/01/2026: Posted photo — Mary with Jesus.

This is part of a statue in our church. The statue depicts Mary holding Jesus.

Monday, 02/02/2026: Posted photo — Chair.

The theme for last week’s project was chairs. I was at the dentist earlier in the week, so I could have taken a photo of the dentist chair. I did not feel that would be right, so I took a photo of the chair that our priest sits. The chair that a priest sits on during Mass is called a “Cathedra”.

Tuesday, 02/03/2026: Posted photo — Through Kitchen Window.

Looked out our kitchen window today so see these icicles. When I first saw them, the sun gave them a reddish color. By the time I was able to get a good photo, the reflection of the sun was gone.

Wednesday, 02/04/2026: Posted photo — Full Moon.

I when shopping on a different day this week due to commitments. When I came out of one of the stores, I saw a red moon. I attempted to get a photo of it with my cell photo. It did not work too well. Here is the photo.

Thursday, 02/05/2026: Posted photo — Orchid.

Fake flowers are more realistic these days. If I did not tell you they were fake, you may not have known that.

Friday, 02/06/2026: Post photo — Trying to Keep Warm.

Tonight, and this weekend is going to be cold. How cold do you ask? It will be below zero Fahrenheit, below -20 Celsius. We had the fire in the stove going and brought in a double-sized pile of wood. There has only been one day over the last few weeks, that was above freezing. We are also expending a few inches of snow overnight.

Say safe and warm.

Saturday, 02/07/2026: Post photo — Snow on Swing.

We did receive about 5 inches of snow last night and into this morning That is about 13 cm for those of you who are not from the United States.

I was out snowshoeing in our back yard and saw the snow on our swings. We built a swing set for our son many years ago. There have been grand nieces and nephews using them over the years. I would like to have grandchildren using them one day. Who knows if that will happen.

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One of my sister-in-law’s animals.

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

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

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

Photographic Thoughts — 09/08/2024 to 09/14/2024

A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” — Irving Penn

This week ended with a special memorial hike.

Sunday, 09/08/2024: Posted photo — Mount Rainier.

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.

I have been to this mountain many times. We camped out in an area where we saw signs about being in a lava flow area.

Monday, 09/09/2024: Posted photo — Mount St. Helens.

At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. In a few moments this slab of rock and ice slammed into Spirit Lake, crossed a ridge 1,300 feet high, and roared 14 miles down the Toutle River.

I have been to Mount St. Helens over the years since the eruption and have seen the trees grow back, trees leave Spirit Lake, and the dome inside the crater growing. When I first saw the blast zone, I had a loss for words. You go through lush and dense forests, turn the corner, and then nothing. Trees look like pickup sticks in the direction of the blast. You need to see it.

Tuesday, 09/10/2024: Posted photo — Mesa Arch.

Perched at the edge of the mesa top, this 27-foot-long (8.3 m) arch frames views of the canyon far below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.

I took this photo before I knew Masa Arch was famous. I took this during my first year to Canyon Lands National Park in the Island in the Sky area. Since then, I have been to the Needles section, and looking forward to going to the Maze section someday.

Wednesday, 09/11/2024: Posted photo — Double Arch.

Visible from the parking loop at The Windows, Double Arch is an impressive feature—the tallest (112 ft/34 m) and second-longest (144 ft/44 m) arch in the park.

This is a composite photo. I took the sky from a photo of Balance Rock. If you look closely at the photo, you can see some people.

Thursday, 09/12/2024: Posted photo — Wachusett Mountain.

Mount Wachusett is a mountain in Massachusetts. It straddles towns of Princeton and Westminster, in Worcester County. It is the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. The mountain is named after a Native American term meaning “near the mountain” or “mountain place”.

This is an HDR photo from Round Meadow Pond.

Friday, 09/13/2024: Post photo — Sunset.

During my hike this week, I captured this sunset from the summit of Wachusett Mountain. This week was the last week that we will be returning from the summit without headlamps. We made it down just as astronomical twilight was ending and Nighttime was beginning.

Saturday, 09/14/2024: Post photo — Mount Flume.

This year, I co-lead a hike to the summit of Mt. Flume for the Flags on the 48 event. This was an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hike.

Flag raised on the of Mt Flume

From the official website: “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”. This event happens on the closest Saturday to September 11. If September 11 falls on a Sunday, the hike is that Sunday.

This is my 11th time doing this hike. The hike started on the Saturday after September 11, 2001 with one peak, Mt Liberty, and it quickly took off. Just a few peaks the next year, and then all the 48 4000 footers were covered. This event is now in Maine, Massachusetts and other locations.

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

Photographic Thoughts — 09/01/2024 to 09/07/2024

A photo is worth a thousand words.” — Frederick R. Barnard

A photo is worth a thousand words. Do not feel creative this week, so I am posting just pictures. You can make up your own story.

Sunday, 09/01/2024: Posted photo — Mushrooms.

Monday, 09/02/2024: Posted photo — Hiking Sign.

Tuesday, 09/03/2024: Posted photo — Turkeys in Yard.

Wednesday, 09/04/2024: Posted photo — Round Meadow Pond Dam.

Thursday, 09/05/2024: Posted photo — Wachusett in the Morning.

Friday, 09/06/2024: Post photo — Hidden Shelter on Trail.

Saturday, 09/07/2024: Post photo — Wachusett from Crow Hill.

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

Photographic Thoughts — 04/28/2024 to 05/04/2024

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

Photo for the week. Comments welcome.

Sunday, 04/28/2024: Posted photo — Leading Lines.

I needed a photo for one of my photos projects this week. The topic was leading lines. I kept my eye open for the perfect photo opportunity and did not find it. I saw the lines in the ceiling leading to the altar, so I took this photo to post if I did not see anything else that met the topic today.

Monday, 04/29/2024: Posted photo — Off on a Hike.

Monday night is hiking night, as you know if you have been following this blog. The last couple of hikes started and ended in daylight. The trails have been drying up over the last few weeks, so more people are out hiking.

These are some of the members of the Monday night hiking group enjoying the good weather.

Tuesday, 04/30/2024: Posted photo — Trail Junction.

This is the trail junction of Harrington and Semuhenna on Wachusett Mountain. Semuhenna trail a 1.1 mile connector trail. The trail I took tonight was a 0.5 mile sections between Harrington and West Side. Most of the time I go up Harrington. The section of Harrington after this trail junction is the steepest section on the mountain. It is steep and there are many scrambles for novice hikers.

Semuhenna is not an old Indian name, as most people believe. Looking at the name backwards, it is Annehumes or Anne Humes, the name of the wife (or daughter according to some people) of the person who made the trail.

Wednesday, 05/01/2024: Posted photo — Texture in the Sky.

When I looked at the cloudy sky tonight, I saw textures in the clouds. There is rain coming in tonight. I do not think that this photo does this justice. Sometimes it is difficult to relay the emotion of nature into a photo. Sometimes the photo puts more emotion into nature. I think this photo is too blown out to have the intended emotional value.

Thursday, 05/02/2024: Posted photo — Fiddleheads.

Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of ferns that are eaten cooked. These delicate delights are available only in early spring when ferns grow their new shoots. These fiddleheads are growing near my mailbox. I may have posted photos of fiddleheads earlier this year and they are still growing. They are around for a very short period.

Friday, 05/03/2024: Post photo — Mount Rainier.

This mountain always inspires me. Either seeing it from Seattle, hiking on it, viewing from different sections of the national park, or flying past it, Mount Rainier is majestic. I feature Mount Rainier on the cover of my first photo book (portfolio book).

An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. I have camped at Mount Rainier a few times and always remember the signs stating that this is an active volcano, and I am camping in a lava flow path.

I took a photo of a waterfall one spring and went back a couple of years later to take a photo of the waterfall with more snow cover. I had the GPS location but could not find it. After looking at my path, I was standing on top of the waterfall and could not see it because of the snow cover.

Saturday, 05/04/2024: Post photo — Historic Marker.

I have Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training today and tomorrow. This class will certify my in doing first aid on people that are more than 1 hour away from definitive care. That means when I am leading groups or hiking in the mountains or a remote location.

On the way to the training, I passed this historical marker in the John Havard Mall adjacent to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) headquarters.

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

Photographic Thoughts — 04/14/2023 to 04/20/2024

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.” —Robert Frank

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

This week I will be re-posting photos of posters that I made from various trips.

Sunday, 04/14/24: Posted photo — Prince of Wales Hotel.

Settings: N/A.

Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lake National Park, Waterton Park, AB

Monday, 04/15/2024: Posted photo — Indian Pipe.

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Indian Pipe from my backyard in Westminster, MA.

Tuesday, 04/16/2024: Posted photo — Mountain Sunset.

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One of the amazing sunsets seen from the summit of Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA.

Wednesday, 04/17/2024: Posted photo — Bison.

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Part of a herd of bison in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

Thursday, 04/18/2024: Posted photo — Washington HQ.

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General George Washington’s Headquarters in Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Friday, 04/19/2024: Post photo — Arethusa Falls.

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One of the many waterfalls in the White Mountain National Forest.

Saturday, 04/20/2024: Post photo — Devils Tower.

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The inside of an ancient volcano. Devils Tower in Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

Here are a couple of bonus posters for this week.

The Bean in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in California.

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

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.