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December 19, 2021

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hiking, Nature, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, water

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Photographic Thoughts — 12/12/2021 to 12/18/2021

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

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

Sunday, 12/12/2021: Posted photo — Stream.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 50, f/1.7, 1/154 s, 4 mm

“The Cascades is made up of several parcels of land: Boynton Park, Cascades West, Cascades East, Cascades Park, and Cascading Waters. Most of the area is wooded, but there is a meadow in Cascades West that has been enlarged to expand the opportunities for wildlife habitat. Several trails follow along streams and there are vernal pools that can be explored in the Spring. Views of the falls are spectacular in the Spring or after a heavy rain.” https://www.gwlt.org/lands-and-trails/four-town-greenway/cascades/

When I was growing up in the city of Worcester, this trail system did not exist. It was established in 1991 and completed in 2005 by the Greater Worcester Land Trust. What a great trail to have in the city and a great location for families to get outdoors and explore nature and the hidden wonders of the city.

This was my first time hiking in the Cascades. I passed the trailheads many times when I was driving home from my mother’s house and have wondered how long the trail system was and why was it called the Cascades. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) had a leadership meeting on the trail ending with a four mile hike on the trail system. At one of the trailheads is the AMC equipment hut. Part of the leadership trailing was to learn about the equipment hut and how to access its resources. It is place that equipment can be borrowed by families or individuals that are just starting out with outdoor activities and need to borrow equipment. It is a great way for those in the city who cannot afford the proper equipment to borrow some to be used in a guided hike or camping trip.

This photo is one of the many cascades along the trail. I only had my cell phone with me so please excuse the quality of this photo. I will be going back with my good camera to take better photos.

Monday, 12/13/2021: Posted photo — Ornament.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/7.1, 1/20 s, 98 mm.

This is the first photo I took with my new lens. My old lens was having issues focusing past 35 mm so I needed to replace it.

Thought to have originated in 16th century Germany, the first ornaments were nothing like what we know today. The ‘modern’ Christmas tree tradition is thought to have originated in 16th century Germany, where small evergreen trees were decorated with the likes of candles, apples, nuts, and berries as “Paradise trees” in church plays. Over time, devout Christians integrated these decorated trees into their homes during the holiday season. The tradition, which became a Christian ritual, began to spread across Europe. (https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-christmas-ornament-3/)

There is nothing particularly interesting about these ornaments. I just took my camera, pointed it at the tree, and took this photo.

Tuesday, 12/14/2021: Posted photo — Geminids.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/9, 14 s, 18 mm.

“The Geminids are considered one of the best meteor showers every year because the individual meteors are bright, and they come fast and furious. The Geminid meteor shower is nearly 200 years old, according to known records — the first recorded observation was in 1833 from a riverboat on the Mississippi River — and is still going strong. In fact, it’s growing stronger. That’s because Jupiter’s gravity has tugged the stream of particles from the shower’s source, the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, closer to Earth over the centuries.” https://www.space.com/34921-geminid-meteor-shower-guide.html

I was up this morning at 2:30 ET to watch the Geminids. What a spectacular show! I was planning on being outside for an hour before going back to bed. I was watching the show until 4 a.m. before taking a short nap to get up for work at 4:30 a.m. I did see some of the meteors during last night’s hike. They were not very bright since the moon did not set until 2:41 a.m. with the peak of the Geminids at 2:40 a.m.

One of the questions was were to direct my camera. I placed it heading north, then heading south, and then to the east. I was pointing it in the direct of the greatest activity at the time. The photo that I posted, the one where the meteor underlines the Big Dipper, was with my camera pointing north. The other photo, the one with the roofline of my house, was with the camera pointing east. There were no bright meteors in the photos with my camera facing south. This is the east facing photo.

Wednesday, 12/15/2021: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/400 s, 50 mm.

Last week I posted a photo of the sunset from my office. Today I am posting a photo of the sunrise.

I was going between buildings this morning and watching the sunrise. I saw different colors in the woods around the property and was looking at the clouds changing color. When I got back to my office, I went to an eastern facing window and looked at the clouds.

This photo is what I saw when looking out the window.

Thursday, 12/16/2021: Posted photo — Waterton Lake Sunset Alberta.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/1000 s, 25 mm

Waterton Lakes National Park is in southern Alberta, Canada, bordering Montana’s Glacier National Park. We camped there a few years ago after sending time in Glacier.

I took this photo the first night we were at the park. I took it at the blue hour. You need to search my previous blogs for the definition of blue hour as it pertains to sunsets. I was able to post edit this photo to make it look like what I saw. Most times the camera will wash out photos or make them look different that that you see. This proves the adage that you can never justify the colors that you can see with a photograph.

Friday, 12/17/2021: Post photo — Off We Go.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/1000 s, 121 mm

Off to Chicago Midway we go!

I was driving around this afternoon and stopped by an airport to watch the planes. It is very relaxing to see the plans take-off and land. Even after studying aerodynamics, I am still in wonder to see a plane fly. I know the time that I took this photo and then went to the airports website to see were that flight was heading. I took photos of the plans to practice AI Servo focusing.

The focus modes on my camera are:

  • ONE SHOT : One-Shot AF
  • AI FOCUS : AI Focus AF
  • AI SERVO : AI Servo AF

[One-Shot AF] for Still Subjects: Suited for still subjects. When you press the shutter button halfway, the camera will focus only once.

[AI Servo AF] for Moving Subjects: This AF mode is for moving subjects when the focusing distance keeps changing. While you hold down the shutter button halfway, the subject will be focused continuously. When you use this focus mode, the camera does not “beep” when the object is in focus, so you need to trust your skills.

[AI Focus AF] for AI Focus AF switches the AF mode from One-Shot AF to AI Servo AF automatically if the still subject starts moving. AI Focus AF mode is one that I do not use, and do not recommend using. It does not work very well.

Saturday, 12/18/2021: Post photo — Statehouse

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 50, f/1.7, 1/154 s, 4 mm

The statehouse in Columbus OH. My nephew was the lead male in a ballet across the street today. He is 14 years old and is a great dancer. We saw the show twice. Great show.

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December 12, 2021

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Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

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Photographic Thoughts — 12/05/2021 to 12/11/2021

“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” — Tony Benn

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

Sunday, 12/05/2021: Posted photo — Second Week of Advent.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 125, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and the beginning of the Christmas season.

The four weeks of Advent are broken down into the themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The three purple candles on the Advent Wreath represent the preparation and repentance. During the third week of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, a pink candle is lit to indicate rejoice, the time of waiting is almost over.

This photo was taken from the choir loft at our church. My wife and son sing with the folk group, and I joint them for the celebration of the Mass.

Monday, 12/06/2021: Posted photo — Color “fish” Photo.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 125, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm

I cancelled the Monday night hike, for safety reasons, due to the high winds and rain we were experiencing. Since there are inexperienced hikers in the group, it was not safe to be on the mountain. We would have hit the summit just at the bad weather was peaking. Because I did not hike tonight, I went grocery shopping tonight instead of my normal Tuesday evening.

When I am grocery shopping, I look for some food to photograph. I do this more in the winter since I do not have much opportunity to go outside in daylight to take my photo. Today, I saw these Goldfish crackers that are Goldfish Colors. I thought it would be punny to post a title of “Color ‘fish’ Photo”, instead of “Colorful Photo”.

https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/campbell-history/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-snack-that-smiles-back/

In 1962, Pepperidge Farm founder, Margaret Rudkin, launched Goldfish crackers in the United States.

Here are some things you didn’t know about Goldfish crackers:

  • While on vacation in Europe, Margaret visited a Swiss cookie manufacturer that had a similar product, and together they reached an agreement to bring the salty, fish-shaped crackers to the U.S.
  • Oscar J. Kambly, the original Swiss creator of the cracker, created them as a birthday present for his wife whose astrological sign was Pisces — which is often represented in Greek mythology as a fish.
  • The first five flavors of Goldfish that were launched were Lightly Salted (Original), Cheese, Barbecue, Pizza and Smoky, and it wasn’t until 1966, four years after the crackers were first launched, that the Cheddar Cheese flavor was introduced.
  • Willard, Ohio is the Goldfish capital of the world! Our bakery in Willard, a town of 6,000, can produce more than 50 million Goldfish crackers a day.
  • The Goldfish signature smiley face was added in 1997, and about 40% of the crackers feature the smile!

Tuesday, 12/07/2021: Posted photo — Anchor.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/9, 1/1600 s, 18 mm.

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941— a date which will live in infamy— the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” — FDR. Thus started the United States entry into World War II.

This photo is from my second visit to Pearl Harbor. It still amazes me that there is oil floating out of the USS Arizona. Looking back, I posted the same photos a year ago. This is from that post — “’This anchor was recovered from the Arizona. The ship had three anchors. The crew used one in calm seas and two in foul weather, the third as a spare. Each weigh nearly 10 tons.’ This are the words on a placard near the USS Arizona Anchor at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Hawaii. The sacrifice these men and women made to make our country the great country it is today.” See my original post on Pearl Harbor, and more photos from the National Monument, by clicking on this link, https://wordpress.com/post/photobyjosephciras.wordpress.com/568.

Wednesday, 12/08/2021: Posted photo — Wood Stove.

Settings: FLIR i5, ISO n/a, f/na, 1/30 s, 7 mm.

Some of you may know that I own an infrared camera. This camera takes photo of heat signatures of object. I use it to look at insulation in houses and efficiencies at power generating plants. Occasionally I use it to take artistic photos. Some of these photos are of footprints, handprints, car engines, warm tires, and even have used it as a stud finder.

Once or twice a year, I use it to check out my wood stove. My wood stove is old and not as efficient as some of the newer stoves. It is just a steel box with an exhaust pipe. One item that I often check is the temperature given on the stovepipe thermometer. This is a thermometer that has a magnetic backing and just sticks to the stove pipe. To my surprise, that thermometer and my thermal camera normally show the same temperature. The 518°F (250°C) temperature reading is the maximum temperature my camera can detect. The brand name of our stove is Nashua. You can just make out the name near the center of the photo next to the pointer.

Thursday, 12/09/2021: Posted photo — Footprints in the Snow.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/1000 s, 25 mm

It snowed last night. Well, I would not call it a storm, just a little more than a dusting. No need to shovel or plow. The roads were snow covered in the morning, so driving for some was not easy due to black ice. Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, is a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, such as a road. As the name implies, you do not always know when it is present, and it is very dangerous.

I like footprints in the snow. They seem so mystical for me. I wonder where the footprints lead, where was the person going, or where did the person come from. I know this is not the first footprint photo that I have posted over the years. I liked the way the sun caused shadows in the prints.

Friday, 12/10/2021: Post photo — Sunset from Office.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/80 s, 38 mm

Came out of a meeting to this. Took out my camera before it was past. The colors at sunset disappear quickly so I was quick to the camera. During the meeting, I could see the light through the windows was changing as it does at sunset. I did not expect much when I went back to my office. Then I saw the red clouds just getting end of the sunset. Reminds me of the saying of always have your camera with you, you never know want photo opportunity you might have.

Saturday, 12/11/2021: Post photo — Star on Tree.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/15 s, 33 mm.

The star on our Christmas tree. This star was created by my brother-in-law for our family. Check out more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068315455341 or https://www.etsy.com/shop/PolyhedralPlayground.

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/.

Please note that I have not been able to post to my Weebly page for over a week, so the photos are a little behind there. Weebly technical support is still working on the issue.

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July 18, 2021

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Photographic Thoughts — 07/11/2021 to 07/17/2021

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

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

Enjoy this week’s rambling mind of a mechanical engineer and photographer.

Sunday, 07/11/2021: Posted photo — Rough Hermit Beetle.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/125 s, 135 mm.

The rough hermit beetle is a near threatened species with its population decreasing. The adult beetle lives two to three months. These beetles do not bite. They grow inside rotting, hollow trees. The larvae feed for three years on the wet, decaying wood. They are harmless and probably make great fish bait.

The beetle in my photo was at my in-law’s cottage. I did not see it at first and be wife pointed it out to me. I took out my Seek app to identify it.

I was going to post a photo of a hammock or a photo of water lilies before taking a photo of this beetle. Since I did not post these photos in my 365 project or on my website, I will post them here for you to enjoy as a bonus for reading my blog.

Monday, 07/12/2021: Posted photo — Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 50, f/1.7, 1/171 s, 4 mm

Mountain Stats:

Summit Elevation: 2006 ft
Vertical Drop: 1000 ft
Trails: 27
Lifts: 8
Uphill Capacity: 9200 skiers per hour
Snowmaking: 100%
Grooming: 2x per day
Times I have skied on the mountain: 1 or 2 times in my life.

As you can tell, I do not ski. I would rather hike the mountain than to ski the mountain.

Today I hiked 4.6 miles on the mountain. It has been a week since I hike Mount Isolation and just took my time to relax and stretch out my legs. I hike with a group on Monday nights which is a great motivator. Tonight, we hiked in the rain and fog and being with a group made the hike easier. You could not see the mountain much due to cloud covering so my gear was damp at the end of the hike.

This is a photo of the fountain at the base of the mountain. This location is used for many events, such as weddings, reunions, and other celebrations. The Midstate trail goes past this location giving my fellow hikers a great view to refresh their mind during a long hike.

Tuesday, 07/13/2021: Posted photo — Unicorn.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1/50 s, 135 mm.

A unicorn is a mythical, usually white animal generally depicted with the body and head of a horse with long flowing mane and tail and a single often spiraled horn in the middle of the forehead, or it is an animal mentioned in the Bible that is usually considered an aurochs, a one-horned rhinoceros, or an antelope.

Many people are into unicorns. My mother is one of those people. She is not a crazy unicorn woman by any means. She has a collection of unicorns in her China cabinet. This one is a Christmas unicorn as you can tell by the wreath around its neck.

Wednesday, 07/14/2021: Posted photo — Pillow Pattern.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 160, f/1.7, 1/30 s, 4 mm

Sitting at my mother’s house, I needed a photo (surprising is it not) and I saw these pillows. Pillows have some interesting pattern in them. I took this photo and did not think anything about it.

When I went to process it to post, the pattern looked to me to be either and alien spaceship, an alien, or one person doing a handstand on the hands of another person. Apophenia is a general term for interpreting patterns or meaning in meaningless data. This data may be meaningless, but the power of suggestion will make someone see something that is not there.

Thursday, 07/15/2021: Posted photo — Bench.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 1600, f/8, 1/200 s, 41 mm.

At the intersection of Bicentennial Trail and High Meadow Trail is a bench for people to rest. This bench looks over high meadow and faces to the due south and has great views of the surrounding hills.

I meet a hiker there that told me that a local college was doing a snake study in the high meadow. I checked out the study one day only to find a snakeskin. I was going to look for a snake tonight, but I did not want to walk in the high grass in the study area because I did not want to get any ticks on me. I had my camera ready to take the photo, and my son with me to lift the board so I could get a photo of any snake that was resting.

I thought I knew everything that goes on at the mountain, but I am learning new things. You can teach and old dog something new!

Friday, 07/16/2021: Post photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/500 s, 135 mm.

What a wonderful sunrise this morning. The hazy sky made the reds jump out at me.

As I was driving into work, I saw this wonderful sunrise over Round Meadow Pond. I drove around the area of the pond to find a good location for taking a photo of the sunrise. I could not find a good location off the main road, so I stopped in the breakdown lane to take this one. Good thing I live in a town where there is not much traffic, especially at 5:40 a.m. when I was on my way to work.

Saturday, 07/17/2021: Post photo — Mother’s Hand.

Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 50, f/1.7, 1/167 s, 4 mm

My hand in the hand of an angel.

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/.

COVID is real! Be safe out there, keep your social distance, and remember to always wear your mask and wash your hands. Get your vaccine!