“For many years I have been a night watchman of the Milky Way galaxy.” ― Bart Bok
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 10/04/2026: Posted photo — Leominster State Forest.
Leominster State Forest has many hiking trails and are located near our house. It is a little closer to my house than Wachusett Mountain Four times a year, one each season, I do an eight-mile hike loop going between our house out to Crow Hill and back to our house. I am lucky to live just over a half mile from the Mid State Trail.
Monday, 10/05/2026: Posted photo — Lakeside.
What a wonderful day it was today. It was cool in the morning and then warmed up by the end of the day. This is a photo of the boat that belongs to our neighbor at the lake. I took this photo by practicing the manual settings on my camera. The settings on each camera are the same, yet each camera takes different photos with those settings.
In the next few days, I will be practicing photos of the Milky Way since I am not happy with my ability to photograph the Milky Way, or the night sky, with my new camera.
Tuesday, 10/06/2026: Posted photo – First Milky Way Attempt.
This is my first attempt this week to take a photo of the Milky Way. I am not happy with it yet. There was too much ambient light from our neighbor’s house. I attempted to do some adjustment to let less light into the camera and have not found the sweet spot yet. Let’s see what tomorrow night brings.
Wednesday, 10/07/2026: Posted photo — Second Milky Way Attempt.
Day two and a slightly better photo. Still too much ambient light. I will try again, maybe I will try at the lake later this week. I did my best to post process this photo and the Milky Way is still not clearly visible.
Thursday, 10/08/2026: Posted photo — Curves.
The topic of my 52 week photo project this week is curves. I did look to find some curves in nature during my hikes this week. I did not find any. This is a photo of a roll of corrugated paper that I saw this week.
Friday, 10/09/2026: Posted photo – Third Milky Way Attempt.
This is the third and final attempt photographing the Milky Way this week. I did a few adjustments with my ISO settings and my exposure time. There was still too much ambient light in the area, or I took this too soon after Astronomical twilight. The new moon is tomorrow night, so moonlight is not an issue.
Saturday, 10/10/2026: Post photo — Sunset.
This week’s blog ends with a photo of the sunset.
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.”
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 09/27/2026: Posted photo — Strings.
I wanted to take an artistic photo today. I saw this guitar and wanted to take a photo looking down the strings.
Monday, 09/28/2026: Posted photo — Sunrise.
For this week’s photo project, the subject was golden hour. I found this photo that I took in Jacksonville Beach Florida. This is one of my favorite sunrise compositions.
My time is running down in this photo project. I have been doing photo projects staring January 1, 2010 and I am running out of inspiration.
Tuesday, 09/29/2026: Posted photo – Wachusett from Round Meadow.
It was a wonderful day today to take photos. After work today, I took a short side trip to take this photo. The sky was clear today for the first time in a few days.
The sugar maples are starting to change color in our yard. I like the way they have multi colors when they change. Leaves change color in the fall because shorter days and cooler temperatures cause trees to stop making chlorophyll.
A mature Jack-in-the-Pulpit can have one or two large, glossy leaves, divided into three leaflets, rise on their own stems up to about 2 feet tall. Late in the summer, a cluster of bright red berries will appear. These berries contain the seeds. The roots can cause blisters on skin if touched.
Friday, 10/02/2026: Posted photo – Sunflower.
Sunflowers symbolize long life, vitality and good luck. I do not know why I took a photo of this flower. My friend had a double lung transplant last week and I saw this flower thinking of him. It brought joy to me and wanted to wish my friend luck in his recovery.
Saturday, 10/03/2026: Post photo — Golden Scalycap.
The Golden Scalycap is a wood-decaying mushroom recognizable by its bright golden-yellow to orange-rust slimy cap covered in darker scales. This mushroom is inedible or not recommended to eat because it could lead to gastric upset and digestive distress.
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.”
“I never have taken a picture I’ve intended. They’re always better or worse.” — Diane Arbus
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
This is a repost from October 2021. I am organizing our house and have only had time to take photos.
Sunday, 09/20/2026: Posted photo — Reflection in the Fog.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/80 s, 113 mm.
Driving into church this morning, I notice fog off the lakes in the area. The location of this photo is one in which I take many practice photos. It is a difficult location to take a photo since I needed to stop on the edge of a busy road.
My initial thought on this photo was to get a picture of the mist rising from the surface of the lake with the foliage behind it. When I arrived at this location, the mist was thicker than I would like. I did see the reflections of the trees on the water and thought that that would take a good photo.
Monday, 09/21/2026: Posted photo — Western Tanager.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/320 s, 300 mm.
Fact from All About Birds: “The oldest Western Tanager on record—a male originally banded in Nevada in 1965—had lived at least 6 years and 11 months by the time he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Oregon in 1971.”
We were walking the north rim at Grand Canyon National Park when I spotted this male Western Tanager in a conifer tree. The color contrast between the bird and the tree caught my eye.
The range of the Western Tanger is the western parts for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Again, from All About Birds: “A clear look at a male Western Tanager is like looking at a flame: an orange-red head, brilliant yellow body, and coal-black wings, back and tail. Females and immatures are a somewhat dimmer yellow-green and blackish. These birds live in open woods all over the West, particularly among evergreens, where they often stay hidden in the canopy. Nevertheless, they’re a quintessential woodland denizen in summertime, where they fill the woods with their short, burry song and low, chuckling call notes.” (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/overview)
Tuesday, 09/22/2026: Posted photo — The Gathering.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/7.1, 1/100 s, 135 mm.
On my way home from work today I saw this rafter of turkey. I have seen them many times before on the property and did not feel the need to photograph them. Today was different.
When I was approaching them today, it looked like it was a group of workers getting ready to clock out of work and were planning what they were going to do tonight. Just the way they were gather in pairs and it looked like they were talking to each other.
Also, I thought it would be a good picture to take.
Wednesday, 09/23/2026: Posted photo — Cattails.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 800, f/5, 1/800 s, 52 mm.
I had a choice of photos to post today — a photo of an island or a photo of cattails. I decided on the cattails for the photo to put in my 365 project because I liked it just a little bit better than the photo of the island. I will be posting both in this blog for you to compare.
Cattails are a type of aquatic plant, approximately 5-10 feet tall. These plants have long, slender, branchless, and upward-growing leaves and a distinguishable brown, cylindrical flowering head at their apex. The grow around ponds and other wetland areas.
What is the difference between a pond and a lake? Here is something I found in my research: “To help determine the difference, both the depth and surface area must be considered. Lakes are normally much deeper than ponds and have a larger surface area. All the water in a pond is in the photic zone, meaning ponds are shallow enough to allow sunlight to reach the bottom. This causes plants (sometimes too many) to grow at the bottom of ponds as well as on their surface. However, sunlight can’t reach the bottom of all areas of lakes. Lakes have aphotic zones, which are deep areas of water that receive no sunlight, preventing plants from growing.” (https://lakes.grace.edu/ponds-vs-lakes-whats-the-difference/)
I took the cattail photo with a shallow depth of field (DOF) to blur the background and the make the cattails “pop”. As you can tell by this photo, the cattails are starting to spread their seeds.
Here is the photo of the island that I took and did not like as much as the cattail photo.
Thursday, 09/24/2026: Posted photo — Sunset Through Trees.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160 s, 100 mm.
After a week and a half, I was back on the hiking trail today. It felt good to get back. I hiked 4.3 miles on Wachusett Mountain after work with some colleagues. I took a series of photos along the way to determine what one to post. I decided on this sunset photo. I had another sunset photo that I took from the summit, but I accidently deleted it. Rookie mistake.
The other choices of photos were a glacial erratic called Balanced Rock or a burl on a tree at a trail junction. Just a reminder that a glacial erratic is glacially deposited rock differing from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests. And a burl is a strange-looking collection of tree cells, which are called callus tissue. Normally, callus tissue is formed by a tree in response to an environmental injury such as a pruning cut, disease, or insect damage. If you have a piece of wooden furniture, such as an end table, it was most likely made with a burl.
These are the photos that I did not post for my 365 project.
Friday, 09/25/2026: Post photo — Pareidolia.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/10, 1/250 s, 21 mm.
Pareidolia is the defined by Merriam-Webster as the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. I have posted about this tendency in the past.
Today I am posting a photo of a cloud. I see a couple items in this photo. I see an opera singer hitting a high note and I also see a ships figurehead. It is amazing how one can see an object when one is not there.
What to you see? Do you see what I see, due to the power of suggestion, or do you see something else. Please respond in the comment section.
Saturday, 09/26/2026: Post photo — Iris Bouquet.
Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 100, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm
From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “The tall, beautiful iris, named after the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, comes in many magical colors. Despite its divine origins, this June bloomer is rugged, reliable, and easy to grow. Learn all about planting, growing, and caring for iris flowers.” (https://www.almanac.com/plant/irises)
Today was a shopping day from me. Saw this iris bouquet in one of the stores that I shopped. I like the colors.
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.”
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 09/13/2026: Posted photo — Flags on the 48: South Kingsman.
This is a repost of the commentary from last Saturday. I came back late from the hike and did not post a picture.
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 friends, the weather does not matter, just the meaning of the event.
Monday, 09/14/2026: Posted photo — Lights on Mount Washington.
For the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mount Washington sent up two pillars of light.
My brother and I took a trip to see the lights. We did not go near the mountain since there were many people heading towards the lights. We ended up going to the town of Jefferson.
The conditions for taking photos were great. Very dark sky, some clouds, and many stars. The difficulty was focusing. This was the best photo that I took of the lights. They were not as bright as I was imagining them to be.
This is a photo looking over Lonesome Lake looking into Franconia Notch from the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut. The mountains you are looking at are part of the Franconia Range, including Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln. the Arabian slave traders are the ones who gave the banana its name.
We stopped at the hut on the way to the summit and down from the summit to refresh our water and to use the facilities instead of the wilderness.
Someone took my photo at the summit with the flag in the background. The photo was too backlit, so I took a selfie photo. I am not very good at taking selfies.
The words on the bottom of the flag: “Flag of Honor: This flag contains the names of those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9.11. Now and forever it will represent their immortality. We should never forget them”
Thursday, 09/17/2026: Posted photo — Gourds.
A gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae, or cucurbit family, A gourd is a hard-shelled, non-edible fruit related to cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, and pumpkins. We display gourds in the fall to allow them to dry and last as rustic decorations. In several indigenous mythologies the round gourd symbolizes the circle of life, the womb of the mother, and the repository for ancestral spirits.
Friday, 09/18/2026: Posted photo – Apple Pie.
This is one of the 49 apples pies that were baked tonight at our church’s bazaar on Sunday. The bazaar is normally on a Saturday. This year it is on Sunday. The local elementary school allows the use of their kitchen to bake all the pies. Crusts are made in advanced and the filling is prepared while the pies are baking. My job was to wrap the pies.
Saturday’s weather is predicted to be nice. There is predicted rain for most of the day on Sunday.
Saturday, 09/19/2026: Post photo —Wolf’s Milk Slime Mold.
Wolf’s milk slime looks like little, round, reddish pink balls; they exude a pinkish-orange or pinkish-gray paste when popped. It grows in groups on dead wood, especially large logs. They are not edible. Slime molds have inspired the science fiction movie “The Blob” in 1958. These are on some logs that we have in our yard.
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.”
“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:
Look at what looks like two identical images.
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.
Focus on that middle image until it pops out in 3D.
To take a 3D image:
Always take photos in portrait orientation.
Set the camera to full manual and choose the correct exposure and focus.
Put your feet square on to the subject of your 3D photo.
Put your weight onto your right foot, without lifting your left.
Take the first photo.
Put your weight onto your left foot without raising your right.
Unless your subject is very close, you don’t need to turn your camera to keep it in the center.
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.”
“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” — Don McCullin
Here are some animals that I have seen over the last couple of weeks.
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Snapping turtles are large, long-lived freshwater reptiles known for their powerful jaws, long tail with a saw-toothed appearance, and aggressive snapping defense when on land. This snapping turtle has been living in the fresh water on the property that I work. I know it is the same turtle I have been seeing for years by the deformity in its shell. I have also seen her laying her eggs.
A Common Snapping Turtle delivers a force closer to 200–250 psi. I have seen this snapping turtle snap a broom handle when someone attempted to move it out of the driveway.
Monday, 07/27/2026: Posted photo — Deer.
Here are some deer that were hanging around our campsite in West Virginia. They were roaming the area and were not afraid of people. The deer in the photo kept looking at us and had an expression like “Are you looking at me?”.
Tuesday, 07/28/2026: Posted photo — Snake.
Just a snake we saw at a water crossing in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virgina. I like this photo because you can see that the snake is sticking its tongue out at us.
Though once they roamed wild on the island, the Ocracoke Banker Ponies have been penned for their protection and cared for by the National Park Service since 1959. Legend has it that the “Banker” horses of Ocracoke were left here by shipwrecked explorers in the 16th or 17th century. These horses, often referred to as Ocracoke ponies, have been documented on Ocracoke Island since the first European settlers came to stay in the 1730s.
When I went to the island, I was looking forward to possibly seeing the horses running on the beaches. That might happen at a different time of year.
Thursday, 07/30/2026: Posted photo — Barn Owl.
This owl was just after a trailhead on Wachusett Mountain. We heard the owl for many weeks and saw it at a distance once. This was the closest to the trail that I have seen it.
Friday, 07/31/2026: Post photo — Bunny.
This rabbit was eating some of our grass when I came home from work today. Most of the time when I see a rabbit, it flees. This one just looked at me and kept eating. It allowed me to take my camera out of my camera bag and to take its photo.
Saturday, 08/01/2026: Post photo — Golden Silk Orb-weaver.
Females are among the largest non-tarantula-like spiders in North America and are perhaps the largest orb-weavers in this country. This is one of two Orb-weavers that were hinging out all week at our vacation rental in the Outer Banks.
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.”
“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.
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.”
“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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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.”
“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.”
