tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67233389317574615202024-03-18T07:38:52.707-07:00Birds-n-BloomsBirds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.comBlogger258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-44063001149679728192024-03-18T07:36:00.000-07:002024-03-18T07:38:20.802-07:00March is a Cruel Month<p>It's March 18. After 70° F days, it's backwards again. It's around freezing and spitting graupel; that's what is formed by super-cooled water droplets that freeze on falling snowflakes. (Wouldn't you be pleased not to know what that is?) How cruel to be teased with a few warm days.</p><p>Yesterday, I was out with my camera searching for encouragement and found just two reasons to hope. The first was my old friend Skunk Cabbage. It can emerge through snow thanks to a catalytic process. No snow in this March, but it's still good to find. I recalled this discovery on April 18, 2021 and decided to return.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78hqJaQ7MMdTV4-Pqa0LHITPu29QVnEVKtCBdwTNa3nW5bdQU9cR8f44T7fbNu7cWGoWW-j29MoMkfcjTOyxONC-l6RCVlSvL8hSnMHxbnfcagoohpHtDqgvcwGXuyJNHgwRUl1oUktZqa8egpJKYFT7c5q_57JGtl6ydvSvRULap3bkIjKXO3_BvZ_Y/s2016/2021-Skunk%20Cabbage%20in%20Allen%20Preserve-20210418_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78hqJaQ7MMdTV4-Pqa0LHITPu29QVnEVKtCBdwTNa3nW5bdQU9cR8f44T7fbNu7cWGoWW-j29MoMkfcjTOyxONC-l6RCVlSvL8hSnMHxbnfcagoohpHtDqgvcwGXuyJNHgwRUl1oUktZqa8egpJKYFT7c5q_57JGtl6ydvSvRULap3bkIjKXO3_BvZ_Y/w480-h640/2021-Skunk%20Cabbage%20in%20Allen%20Preserve-20210418_013.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The location is lovely. A slender path of water flows down a mossy bank towards Cayuta Lake near me. There was one missing element. In most examples, the soft yellow flower is located deep inside the green and mauve hood that is possibly protecting the pollen from being washed away before insects can visit the stinky flower. This year, maybe I'll find one with the flower's visible the hood? I'd just about surrendered when this was revealed!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF7denOWYffsYaTeROAK3J4-5js6fYcUD_YpLQiL6yWIcB26JQkv4ANsvNMe5BXCU6wRFsweHx0hocpbDQ-WLwVEYVGg_s6YWXyzcA6vezAK86uoyfIAibMT7U4HRUSsAlzaQrzjK_9ET1lIK2f5Lb-y2I2l0hDgGkMUCVKEdi1lzZmiOttQqMnnJHkg/s1800/Web-Skunk%20Cabbage%20at%20Allen%20Preserve-20240317-038-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF7denOWYffsYaTeROAK3J4-5js6fYcUD_YpLQiL6yWIcB26JQkv4ANsvNMe5BXCU6wRFsweHx0hocpbDQ-WLwVEYVGg_s6YWXyzcA6vezAK86uoyfIAibMT7U4HRUSsAlzaQrzjK_9ET1lIK2f5Lb-y2I2l0hDgGkMUCVKEdi1lzZmiOttQqMnnJHkg/w512-h640/Web-Skunk%20Cabbage%20at%20Allen%20Preserve-20240317-038-Edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>The appetite for spring wildflowers in March can create excitements at the slightest prize. Didn't mind getting my knees muddy for this.</p><p>Another possible wildflower is Sharp-Lobed Hepatica. It's order of emergence seems a bit odd. The plant blooms before the year's leaves emerge. Again in 2021, I found this example with 2020's leaves surviving.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tawPnPfXf7YmeQb68iGL5JBzsFqsJOtYpac0a5CYSdmqEG84A4OePEI1O4qSJQnQk5Ed5A0EjoQVafBeGSYRLg5-Cp6JI-6duhlEdrTC-REVF9uQuoHtbRmxFY9ZskAoJmYGTTB0cxaXJ8l1gQffxK5-OPvmzRbw044meL5eBN3__d8W1O_ksuRPLNI/s1800/Web%20post-Sharp-lobed%20Hepatica-20210408_088-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tawPnPfXf7YmeQb68iGL5JBzsFqsJOtYpac0a5CYSdmqEG84A4OePEI1O4qSJQnQk5Ed5A0EjoQVafBeGSYRLg5-Cp6JI-6duhlEdrTC-REVF9uQuoHtbRmxFY9ZskAoJmYGTTB0cxaXJ8l1gQffxK5-OPvmzRbw044meL5eBN3__d8W1O_ksuRPLNI/w426-h640/Web%20post-Sharp-lobed%20Hepatica-20210408_088-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Yesterday, I again found an old friend in bloom but the 2023 leaves were gone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g_qQq3oxNG9bzmXAJFNdIZnvTAh0i-MhIqgYPIPBZL-70coUlWCUJcOr4rwDo-Q_h5k8N5SgRyyD5m03OXuY1tHOVKPH99ExGzATP9Q0YaIfpYp7Kh-hr_ACQfhf5P9FEQmZgzX2Dxdf0C7ubnS52XeRTbe3w2nctm0mIE28ohyphenhypheni1y-KreA0Ry7dfaY/s1800/Web-Sharp%20lobed%20Hepatica,%20Mar%2017%2024-IMG_8841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g_qQq3oxNG9bzmXAJFNdIZnvTAh0i-MhIqgYPIPBZL-70coUlWCUJcOr4rwDo-Q_h5k8N5SgRyyD5m03OXuY1tHOVKPH99ExGzATP9Q0YaIfpYp7Kh-hr_ACQfhf5P9FEQmZgzX2Dxdf0C7ubnS52XeRTbe3w2nctm0mIE28ohyphenhypheni1y-KreA0Ry7dfaY/w546-h640/Web-Sharp%20lobed%20Hepatica,%20Mar%2017%2024-IMG_8841.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>Disclosure: At the time, I was traveling light and used my iPhone 13 Pro with the ProCamera app. Pretty good for such small tool when an advanced application is installed.<br /><p>Still, I reiterate my premise. March is a cruel month. I am going out later wearing a down jacket, warm gloves and stocking cap. Please excuse my whining. <br /></p><p>Paul<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-73730296219715408862024-02-12T15:32:00.000-08:002024-02-12T15:32:22.788-08:00Learning from a Winter without Snow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrrztV8JOFqL7rnVq3-VyMRbJri_YP30gXkHaI26Fgc3Od0-pp371FZvldl5ehcpb0CbO2kluOtxyIIwr9yQJbGUZ6jJSgQwdqMxuCthjs51wlJSdZsAKkKZFA08kxlHCqhWSDvo8vYOa63CNDccIQ9fCMKriezIEPGtdYb2ttfQA6PyBHlrw6_WOqCs/s1800/Web--Cayuta%20Outlet%20March%202021-IMG_3274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrrztV8JOFqL7rnVq3-VyMRbJri_YP30gXkHaI26Fgc3Od0-pp371FZvldl5ehcpb0CbO2kluOtxyIIwr9yQJbGUZ6jJSgQwdqMxuCthjs51wlJSdZsAKkKZFA08kxlHCqhWSDvo8vYOa63CNDccIQ9fCMKriezIEPGtdYb2ttfQA6PyBHlrw6_WOqCs/w300-h400/Web--Cayuta%20Outlet%20March%202021-IMG_3274.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>When the Art of Winter program by creative photographer Chris Murray was announced, there were justifiably visions of snowy forests with stark birch tree stands and graceful glacial drumlins across the land. The hope was to find scenes like my March 2021 image at right of Cayuta Outlet near my home. Sadly the Thousand Islands this year in February had scant snow cover. <br /><p></p><p>The three days were going to be challenging, yet that might actually turn out to be a better learning opportunity. There arrives a call to more deeply observe and really understand what draws your interest. What follows are a selection of images that offer enjoyment and hopefully also ideas for coping with rainy days, dull light and otherwise disappointing situations. Hasn't that happened to everyone?</p><p>On one morning we went to Dewolf Point State Park on Wellesley Island. It is on a bay with only a very narrow connection to the main river. Unlike most river areas, the bay is largely immune to river currents, so there was plenty of good ice. Arriving shortly before sunrise, two fishermen were soon loading their sheds. We'd walked out to a line of summer cabins facing the expected sunrise. The view did not impress me. As I walked back to another view with a stately red cedar, the sound of the anglers' sheds crunching on the ice suggested they were on a path towards the point of the sun's appearance. Backtrack quickly! The sun can't be delayed. See this!<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSAswQKytelpjLf7BgxlqSY3G4TxYY3douMx8c6D_v8S4IsmeokzuYs_GsphVjJF_RRR-IUiNG3Js5N1zB8hMYorxseYdbJxAjHvTBXPBQ8thOBhSv-ztqmJaIkjSoADcupGAa2Nm4bl134TfObsmMNz1R8HFSGkGqR8-PXghTjeKY7Bd1EM268JV29M/s1800/Web-Two%20Icefishermen-20240206_039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-hcmx6X6JPsw24iFTOE0tUMdid4xLkaEjgJNY-MqXkOU0CBDdIGzZCbWrbrYzoBlYmyWxDCIaHJ1TYdZl752a4QOP31Un9txS-Y6OnQ0RGQ-RIceZcDQ7gDWx8UnkQL6NhyStYRd3ukBdk8PZH_ekX2RxcGljibN5sGIzIAXqDoN8R_cXWhPvyER9E/s1800/Web-Two%20Icefishermen-20240206_039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1800" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-hcmx6X6JPsw24iFTOE0tUMdid4xLkaEjgJNY-MqXkOU0CBDdIGzZCbWrbrYzoBlYmyWxDCIaHJ1TYdZl752a4QOP31Un9txS-Y6OnQ0RGQ-RIceZcDQ7gDWx8UnkQL6NhyStYRd3ukBdk8PZH_ekX2RxcGljibN5sGIzIAXqDoN8R_cXWhPvyER9E/w640-h380/Web-Two%20Icefishermen-20240206_039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were two images to select. When they were standing, the man's head on the right touched the dark treeline. Creatively, it's called a conjoined element and is to be avoided. Later, there were more fishermen on the ice but the missing starburst lowers the result to ho-hum. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once my gear was packed and I climbed the path from the view, there was warm sunlight bathing one of the summer cabins along the path. Not wanting the open my pack again, the iPhone was pulled out. This is an excellent time to ask the simple question, "what drew you to take an image?" I hope you say something about the warm light on the line of icicles across the roof line of snow and also in the brilliant window reflections. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn3s7Y6qyTZndG07IQMz671ciJaiS1dUt-9YmniYmX-AtRkmrMjMH6FkvAYzFbPkhUzr8iMt5ND2DfiDIyrTYIwAz2jZ2GodNQ1y_EwTSu1MdlPPjtbwpThNYnlAvkNGL4NWEuojNjTBPk9K5j0UsiNFmjedhvo0aj7_XAAyjj4oQ1bE2-48awwFkV9Y/s1800/Web-Winter's%20Coat,%20Summer%20Cabin%20at%20%20Dewolf%20Point-IMG_8691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn3s7Y6qyTZndG07IQMz671ciJaiS1dUt-9YmniYmX-AtRkmrMjMH6FkvAYzFbPkhUzr8iMt5ND2DfiDIyrTYIwAz2jZ2GodNQ1y_EwTSu1MdlPPjtbwpThNYnlAvkNGL4NWEuojNjTBPk9K5j0UsiNFmjedhvo0aj7_XAAyjj4oQ1bE2-48awwFkV9Y/w640-h480/Web-Winter's%20Coat,%20Summer%20Cabin%20at%20%20Dewolf%20Point-IMG_8691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That was the answer for me. I am guessing this cabin is already reserved for most weeks in the summer. Another thought is that a quick photo sure beats just ignoring the opportunity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Winter is also a rich source of beautiful monochrome images. The next setting drew my interest as I saw this large snow capped rock with a fringe of icicles dipping towards the St. Lawrence River's waves. Many photos were run in continuous batch to get the best shape on the water. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLjWhy9yfcfwp8CZyY6efDGQARXmE387gLIcaVKpPbbXBVDUwV4fkABmKZK36CUWGAruHe5YV9zrs4cw1QB6-r1AlWJjV6tR4YNrwG1XPHB4RvgKc7yuDM2zpvsg3Bx3RY8Y9WM9Ls9dMmVTJDeD0GMOidUgLWPT9e63UYjxJZrt0fG4cEC5UISeCbd4/s1800/Web-Frozen%20Tears%20along%20the%20St.%20Lawrence-20240205_340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLjWhy9yfcfwp8CZyY6efDGQARXmE387gLIcaVKpPbbXBVDUwV4fkABmKZK36CUWGAruHe5YV9zrs4cw1QB6-r1AlWJjV6tR4YNrwG1XPHB4RvgKc7yuDM2zpvsg3Bx3RY8Y9WM9Ls9dMmVTJDeD0GMOidUgLWPT9e63UYjxJZrt0fG4cEC5UISeCbd4/w640-h426/Web-Frozen%20Tears%20along%20the%20St.%20Lawrence-20240205_340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In other years, the river would be all ice and the wave shapes and fringes on the rock missing. It's really a very simple photo.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ice along the river builds forms often dependent on wind direction and the rock formats. Here's another situation where the ice laid up a scalloped pattern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXweL166-4HIDNC-gMoGuhg3J3vuADUyKEb6eMP1SfpnXrC-VTINQ2tmtYrNkFIqYM3KcKQJMnAZHnhiAhp610AxlU7OJMT7j9YKE4-Bw_bq1v3ItkT_Tj7rqdmPM3j7EFea2joGNbPD091u92XJT2wGgKNnkyDsvGkRgWshUkmpAAUy2PtxSLUSNForY/s1800/Winter%20Scallopini-20240205_408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXweL166-4HIDNC-gMoGuhg3J3vuADUyKEb6eMP1SfpnXrC-VTINQ2tmtYrNkFIqYM3KcKQJMnAZHnhiAhp610AxlU7OJMT7j9YKE4-Bw_bq1v3ItkT_Tj7rqdmPM3j7EFea2joGNbPD091u92XJT2wGgKNnkyDsvGkRgWshUkmpAAUy2PtxSLUSNForY/w426-h640/Winter%20Scallopini-20240205_408.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The real challenge for the above was getting into the narrow trough of rocks where the forms were free of distractions (and then climbing back up after my one leg fell asleep!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next image presents a contrast between a geological form and a seasonal form. Hard rock and hard ice drew my interest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l7JO-zEPkrlEYM4PK3lqQm1Njn9VtcD0xRsuaPodOTl1Ruh3u2loPjnZmaQyRezV5vNSDys-k9AxxJHivof8XYCmaU-tlIiQTZ8GfH_zU2_AtgM3OZAyxhsaO3PK5cTUl1ZTs1-liGzsJWjzBr5HlrQAFMvAg-1-R1BkRNBCwfX9RkNq6ojTZ2RFwZw/s1800/Ice%20and%20Stone-20240205_336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l7JO-zEPkrlEYM4PK3lqQm1Njn9VtcD0xRsuaPodOTl1Ruh3u2loPjnZmaQyRezV5vNSDys-k9AxxJHivof8XYCmaU-tlIiQTZ8GfH_zU2_AtgM3OZAyxhsaO3PK5cTUl1ZTs1-liGzsJWjzBr5HlrQAFMvAg-1-R1BkRNBCwfX9RkNq6ojTZ2RFwZw/w426-h640/Ice%20and%20Stone-20240205_336.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I saw a sort of yin-yang pairing that was better in black & white. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later that morning at Dewolf Point, our leader took us to a long spine of hard rock that paralleled the northeast lay of the bay. I conjecture that the spline resisted the glacial assault that excavated the bay. Here's a wide view of the wall of rock exposed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7idQI4twHfqhzQmPd-WpX5vi6umUxqVCI1lExzuGVjPlZwX9ySEH8AmXMBzbVm5Au2GK-9CEOYHR5qjM8zUB5099yJWb1eoNAM4dsSOUf-aWjfO3mlxrlxhUY762o-B0AXDajbdJHFqpD4wfCz38T99zpzeSUEVszQmCtS_eCOIDD49Jat7BrmHmKMk/s1800/Web-%20Metamorphic%20Rockwall-IMG_8712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1800" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7idQI4twHfqhzQmPd-WpX5vi6umUxqVCI1lExzuGVjPlZwX9ySEH8AmXMBzbVm5Au2GK-9CEOYHR5qjM8zUB5099yJWb1eoNAM4dsSOUf-aWjfO3mlxrlxhUY762o-B0AXDajbdJHFqpD4wfCz38T99zpzeSUEVszQmCtS_eCOIDD49Jat7BrmHmKMk/w640-h238/Web-%20Metamorphic%20Rockwall-IMG_8712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The panoramic image distorts the shape of the wall. It's nearly horizontal on the top. The height is close to 20 feet. One could spend a long day exploring the many patterns in the the stone. The section below fascinated me.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTDa3XgfTo89vy6-eVZVJLNnQlskxGMSBa_QR7Iu9Asu7DkmqLAlLD8WGNl_R9v3cp9W0fcjVFGxvB73ZyvMJd3TwPsZDQgTD6K2PO85-suC1An0eYV3ITepP-cDLLtJw_M0ALxJkDcb27SC1vDYs4KNi8jX-0VhE_dsjigcOfsT34w4yukyOsYLYj5M/s1800/Web-Frozen%20in%20Metamorfic%20-IMG_8693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1800" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTDa3XgfTo89vy6-eVZVJLNnQlskxGMSBa_QR7Iu9Asu7DkmqLAlLD8WGNl_R9v3cp9W0fcjVFGxvB73ZyvMJd3TwPsZDQgTD6K2PO85-suC1An0eYV3ITepP-cDLLtJw_M0ALxJkDcb27SC1vDYs4KNi8jX-0VhE_dsjigcOfsT34w4yukyOsYLYj5M/w640-h198/Web-Frozen%20in%20Metamorfic%20-IMG_8693.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, I looked more closely and explored what I interpreted as a tree in a violent turmoil, perhaps a firestorm. The large tree is in the far left and flames swirl away in a maelstrom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GP9XEDK1ROC6MRmIa1JQTV6RsdLSJaN4H9mMMA47KyODwnvvF3dgINHPk2PXRODzWrGonYCgOMvp1Z7xTWCtWCnYLtZ5IUXLto6YFKawRqBXZNvrRgOAMBpIb9GQbmTElLsII8ftpKYoOFRMcMi4mBbk8kuuZiD6RDgBT7Wak0tp9jmCr_w-JZk_WY0/s1800/Web-Burning%20Waves%20of%20Metamorphic%20Rock-20240206_011-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GP9XEDK1ROC6MRmIa1JQTV6RsdLSJaN4H9mMMA47KyODwnvvF3dgINHPk2PXRODzWrGonYCgOMvp1Z7xTWCtWCnYLtZ5IUXLto6YFKawRqBXZNvrRgOAMBpIb9GQbmTElLsII8ftpKYoOFRMcMi4mBbk8kuuZiD6RDgBT7Wak0tp9jmCr_w-JZk_WY0/w640-h426/Web-Burning%20Waves%20of%20Metamorphic%20Rock-20240206_011-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That morning was surprisingly rich with ideas. The afternoon was a bit challenging until the sun collided with a distant shore of the St. Lawrence River. Not any clouds, but a nice starburst framed by a nearby point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG14iTXhEcWfhEmGZR9meVmtDJrxbmKsDPdivVSb8OJ72iejqUaPL1TthWUJAbQBzMBSAi2BqWZv9Oa41uws79N9AebOfCidMX6VkoE_wmHuIyRho1RLJKTXiHKLtPNiQDc9561lo_bJbHAXJEE3Axftj6nRUn1Z4tQ5rm5_yPt3VSIK7oIrrY0Bly200/s1800/Web-St.%20Lawrence%20River%20Sunset-20240206-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG14iTXhEcWfhEmGZR9meVmtDJrxbmKsDPdivVSb8OJ72iejqUaPL1TthWUJAbQBzMBSAi2BqWZv9Oa41uws79N9AebOfCidMX6VkoE_wmHuIyRho1RLJKTXiHKLtPNiQDc9561lo_bJbHAXJEE3Axftj6nRUn1Z4tQ5rm5_yPt3VSIK7oIrrY0Bly200/w640-h426/Web-St.%20Lawrence%20River%20Sunset-20240206-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The final morning sunrise was a bit richer when some wispy clouds appeared to capture the warm hues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVguAUfckloZBYCQpJVu7oSD5Dc3qFTfIEkhMP93ONBBPN3YRE4UJSYYNC_dac_61nUmaItnoFVi5x4IlllPLXkY-6iYBX1kQcnyfSQ4GWeivbPGvyk5rOJtRABzqMSldCbgXl8_MZN4Qc61618S292zCcqDSasckVtGfyRNZkcQaIxeE07TCYn0W2-A/s1800/Web-Keewaaydin%20Sunrise-20240207-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVguAUfckloZBYCQpJVu7oSD5Dc3qFTfIEkhMP93ONBBPN3YRE4UJSYYNC_dac_61nUmaItnoFVi5x4IlllPLXkY-6iYBX1kQcnyfSQ4GWeivbPGvyk5rOJtRABzqMSldCbgXl8_MZN4Qc61618S292zCcqDSasckVtGfyRNZkcQaIxeE07TCYn0W2-A/w640-h400/Web-Keewaaydin%20Sunrise-20240207-015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In terms of whiz-bang images, it was not easy. But, measuring the lessons gained absent any "easy", it was extremely valuable. I am not at all hesitant to share these images. In every one, there is a clear reason why the subject was chosen and how it was arranged in the overall location. You cannot see what was excluded carefully to avoid any viewer confusion. Success is knowing what to take and what to leave behind. That's a line from a John Denver song "Friends with You."<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Learning usually comes from challenges. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hope you enjoy the message.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><p></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-14799425211728377122024-01-02T08:08:00.000-08:002024-01-02T08:08:20.915-08:00Trees in Winter<p>Picture that you are in the National Gallery of Art , sitting with me on a large, comfy leather couch enjoying walls of lovely impressionist paintings. A small group of visitors come in to the gallery and with machine-like efficiency make cell phone images of every painting on the walls, and then move on to the next gallery. Look closely and you'll see a guard sigh. The visitors have documented but never really seen any of the paintings. Such a waste of Monet. So many look, so few really see. That's always been the primary use of photography. My story today is about how I could move past documenting. Maybe it will inspire you.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehjQ0m1tAkuXwUZIR2ndpbe0my6eqgFYh1EgOqoQd3a-YTRgzuZp5VbrTt0MOVVRtrV9xhpbJcSzsCw8zhkrZDYh_miNftGwE9LGlbEi5RAdUvNAicA0dIbgIRGrrACK7xsQZeOkfZ0PXJ1yloOlX9x3pOLqn5OZxTTS9uAMa81YAidcDA_gC5O4k68E/s1800/Web-%20rgb%20-IMG_8296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehjQ0m1tAkuXwUZIR2ndpbe0my6eqgFYh1EgOqoQd3a-YTRgzuZp5VbrTt0MOVVRtrV9xhpbJcSzsCw8zhkrZDYh_miNftGwE9LGlbEi5RAdUvNAicA0dIbgIRGrrACK7xsQZeOkfZ0PXJ1yloOlX9x3pOLqn5OZxTTS9uAMa81YAidcDA_gC5O4k68E/w300-h400/Web-%20rgb%20-IMG_8296.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>It's been a goal of mine through 2023 to move towards really seeing. With the leaves off trees in late fall, my images have studied trees. Here's a tree in my friend Leo's beautiful woodlot.<p></p><p>Actually it is two trees. The one on the right began it's life growing on a fallen dead tree. After years, the dead tree disappeared leaving three legs arching to the ground. On left, a younger tree grew up between two legs. Maybe it's a three-legged tree with a "friend". Anyway, it is interesting and worth really moving from looking to seeing. I did that by sketching it and adding watercolors. I devoted about 2-1/2 hours going from a tree to a combination of particular parts that add up these two trees. Once complete, this was not just a tree, but now it is an individual. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AI7oggi4RVkj3MIwnMXkXnEqMQZ0vXbZpQi0ttynDefiexKHaNZW1fmhp9X6VQWgaK3YWn1v8PPUP0SZRmr8227qWcdWU0TU6hWE3PL-J8ibQPPcdQWiiDJHCZE9vVIy717W7qS4ERUxs8IyfOwJXPsm8nYxkukvsk0MfVrXf42olVSItrUs_v63MHc/s1800/Web-IMG_8327-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AI7oggi4RVkj3MIwnMXkXnEqMQZ0vXbZpQi0ttynDefiexKHaNZW1fmhp9X6VQWgaK3YWn1v8PPUP0SZRmr8227qWcdWU0TU6hWE3PL-J8ibQPPcdQWiiDJHCZE9vVIy717W7qS4ERUxs8IyfOwJXPsm8nYxkukvsk0MfVrXf42olVSItrUs_v63MHc/w456-h640/Web-IMG_8327-Edit.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><p>There's a difference. This experience is at the heart of what can move photography from look to see. My time in the recent months has been a balance of sketching and photographing with the aim to shift images to seeing. (No more sketches now, just photos representing deeper seeing. I find it easier to draw when no one gets to see my mistakes. Also, working in ink taught me to ignore errors and just keep moving forward.)</p><p>Here is a scene from along Rock Creek in Washington, DC.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_N3U-on65qo9WF1zYhkxMRPE618K0y1xlYMgX3mpbBwRo2eLysZBtZZdsY1jaznKXzu1ow8jLvY-3sHtaLXIWVz9Pi5eEy-RcIWSyTP3y9Al5syUkGS5rOHRkrKBQ3KJYFYXBaN8kmKtbeJxqVKWP-bdDkvayeG2fHFdc9HGzGYCmf31e99lB1fhkLk/s1800/Web-IMG_8160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_N3U-on65qo9WF1zYhkxMRPE618K0y1xlYMgX3mpbBwRo2eLysZBtZZdsY1jaznKXzu1ow8jLvY-3sHtaLXIWVz9Pi5eEy-RcIWSyTP3y9Al5syUkGS5rOHRkrKBQ3KJYFYXBaN8kmKtbeJxqVKWP-bdDkvayeG2fHFdc9HGzGYCmf31e99lB1fhkLk/w480-h640/Web-IMG_8160.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The beech trees are tenacious. They take hold on top of the rocks and send roots around all stony barriers. Removing all color often removes distractions to really seeing. (Consider this a portrait and maybe it will influence family snapshots you make?)<br /><p></p><p>Still along Rock Creek on an explore one morning, there is this fallen tree washed into the creek. The reflection of the tree in the foreground caught my attention. Typically, my eye begins exploring at the strongest contrast, which in this case it was the tip of the dead tree at the reflection.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsr0zqxdDD17XpXzrsjW7XM17nKeCLxqf8xuX2u-_I76jJEt1ef6EGmDUpwqsa6BU90RqNqewqMHrqYGE6eefVD951vvEznwt3VbZECJIAq_2gpq3ePc33NTgppC8oAepcDUW-vAe8MVqK8jySoQtXWqHbceV-rCUryv1oYn-fVrnkPs-S2qabC0VqQU/s1800/Web-Fallen%20Tree%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsr0zqxdDD17XpXzrsjW7XM17nKeCLxqf8xuX2u-_I76jJEt1ef6EGmDUpwqsa6BU90RqNqewqMHrqYGE6eefVD951vvEznwt3VbZECJIAq_2gpq3ePc33NTgppC8oAepcDUW-vAe8MVqK8jySoQtXWqHbceV-rCUryv1oYn-fVrnkPs-S2qabC0VqQU/w480-h640/Web-Fallen%20Tree%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6143.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>What follows is a simple image that I first sketched with much attention to the textures of the huge oak tree in the fore. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZHmmkr1Ede7VxRyk6yYBeQJU8W7H3bGEGzkYNC9DAETb08w5JkxO-242YcDnfKkpA3AKfBsicsCiXVGdg-07IHKXVdl5Q4qrAJEpXD_-2P8h1_tF9o2PmF5nf5LltprG6RDgP3kjhiS_pOOFmQojcToO__kCXyaWw6ccscEJSnW9bluOSFHEA063Rvo/s1800/Web-IMG_8158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1800" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZHmmkr1Ede7VxRyk6yYBeQJU8W7H3bGEGzkYNC9DAETb08w5JkxO-242YcDnfKkpA3AKfBsicsCiXVGdg-07IHKXVdl5Q4qrAJEpXD_-2P8h1_tF9o2PmF5nf5LltprG6RDgP3kjhiS_pOOFmQojcToO__kCXyaWw6ccscEJSnW9bluOSFHEA063Rvo/w640-h560/Web-IMG_8158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p>The tree textures in the middle ground also were sketched in detail. This is also in Rock Creek Park.</p><p>There are also times where color deserves attention. On a post-Christmas wander in Leo's woods, I spotted a sulfur colored fungus on a decaying beech stump. It's a good example of moving from look to see. First, I needed the distance to be de-focused. Next, the subtle greens and rusty leaves seemed so much of the story that monochrome was out of the question.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIEi6sbXj3Xh0V1-FTGI2odiAJJI-YHBLydIY4Hg8CZFnIOUUYl8uuX0QWwybZyOWqVdhh1I_tvh616G39JUhYmzGJLo1HdPPeNmSCTSmafnIIlk5QFxHo5N_D1H8QhsTt3GX2xw3rL5qu36w2hEhZDRLXmUwxJ1-O-J4bB1X9DQY8eQwf3NuzVoOv1c/s1800/Candidate-Tree%20Forms-Winter-20231231-047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIEi6sbXj3Xh0V1-FTGI2odiAJJI-YHBLydIY4Hg8CZFnIOUUYl8uuX0QWwybZyOWqVdhh1I_tvh616G39JUhYmzGJLo1HdPPeNmSCTSmafnIIlk5QFxHo5N_D1H8QhsTt3GX2xw3rL5qu36w2hEhZDRLXmUwxJ1-O-J4bB1X9DQY8eQwf3NuzVoOv1c/w426-h640/Candidate-Tree%20Forms-Winter-20231231-047.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>I made over 40 images of this before I was happy with the background. The stump needed to be separated from the hemlock to the left and beyond that, the rest needed to be blurry. That's the way I will sketch this for a watercolor. </p><p>The above was of such deep involvement that I lost all sense of time. That's a real benefit of learning to really look deeply. It's a type of Zen (seeing) that I first discovered in the National Gallery. I am doing more sketching now than photographing, yet when the camera is involved the influence of drawing with pen on paper is strong.<br /></p><p>As I write this, the long range weather forecast uses the word snow. I'm excited to have the simplicity of snowy ground, but it is unlikely I will find it possible to hold a pen and draw with cold fingers. My seeing will only move to drawing once inside. </p><p>My hope is that there is a mix of entertaining images plus useful ideas.</p><p>Best wishes for 2024.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i></span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-21756926059669180352023-10-24T12:45:00.002-07:002023-10-24T12:45:50.893-07:00There's Gold and Red on the Hills, Finally<p>Watching the evening news on October 11, and the reporter showed a map of the autumn colors for New York with my Finger Lakes at peak. One can understand the motivation by state tourism interests to overstate the situation. Actually, we began to get widespread color ten days later. Hiking at the Houghton Preserve in Corning on October 21offered some nice red and gold colors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW-Oi2vJY7Il6gBbklnBMUOZiqGJsSY_nA9duTHKnmnX4O_V_iee-K1CJ6F-aKUZzr7og842Pg3hfsuZGuZhdek6NFVYC3tGZDA7hqV65_6qLIZsTa1HeTCx8hDewV3eOEs3IyIxYr4ksL2a0NjzsHRMNQ-vT5Hvzx_XasA-GqwQefXs0RRjcYrta7HY/s1800/Web-Maples%20on%20Fire-20231021-046-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW-Oi2vJY7Il6gBbklnBMUOZiqGJsSY_nA9duTHKnmnX4O_V_iee-K1CJ6F-aKUZzr7og842Pg3hfsuZGuZhdek6NFVYC3tGZDA7hqV65_6qLIZsTa1HeTCx8hDewV3eOEs3IyIxYr4ksL2a0NjzsHRMNQ-vT5Hvzx_XasA-GqwQefXs0RRjcYrta7HY/w640-h426/Web-Maples%20on%20Fire-20231021-046-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The ground was becoming littered with clusters of leaves on a mossy stream bank. Th light rain was easily ignored when balanced with finding autumn colors. I met a nice couple from Baltimore who like to take a rest stop here on their way to Ontario. They reminded me how lucky I am to live here.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYdIOhABdd-bbeqoFp7AILiqp_S9Q2_O_aBe6myTIHnUJQ7FtpRBi2Q_H9Vwh_no3_QpvdnApCkd6wTyWQca3N8xdsYzkqcTcFBzi_N_TPp6tnoe2iuxAMf12gMI7h4BAtHOZDI5r-NPM8To8hFYjIvHWmqfL8IlmYuweR5dOTTONAuqvlVFEIdR6Nf8/s1800/Web-Fallen%20Leaves-20231021-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYdIOhABdd-bbeqoFp7AILiqp_S9Q2_O_aBe6myTIHnUJQ7FtpRBi2Q_H9Vwh_no3_QpvdnApCkd6wTyWQca3N8xdsYzkqcTcFBzi_N_TPp6tnoe2iuxAMf12gMI7h4BAtHOZDI5r-NPM8To8hFYjIvHWmqfL8IlmYuweR5dOTTONAuqvlVFEIdR6Nf8/w426-h640/Web-Fallen%20Leaves-20231021-007.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>It is good to look for the unusual routes falling leaves take in their tumble to earth. This red and yellow maple leaf found rest on this low growing bush. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dRzhIOne9x510dPRuVfOlNMYsJdif9vCLA_i30_p17qzKWHGJL4pDMrdU3CeDbwaW2V2L0uEvP5kJb3fg7MFb0-N-NMuu5llOifVFrR232RkN11caokhvZmYd2JSp_c218NMzIJspvWZdbV5dWBhzLy6qsbsnTcYFn7uQNO94v3riEYgZvmvfscgOeo/s1800/Web-Trapped%20Leaf-20231021-066-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="1800" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dRzhIOne9x510dPRuVfOlNMYsJdif9vCLA_i30_p17qzKWHGJL4pDMrdU3CeDbwaW2V2L0uEvP5kJb3fg7MFb0-N-NMuu5llOifVFrR232RkN11caokhvZmYd2JSp_c218NMzIJspvWZdbV5dWBhzLy6qsbsnTcYFn7uQNO94v3riEYgZvmvfscgOeo/w640-h482/Web-Trapped%20Leaf-20231021-066-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's now twelve days since the claim of peak colors. The colors have spread more widely, so an excursion to Newtown Battlefield State Park near Elmira was promising.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocdncyFYfYP6rWpBt0OwYFIoLxnSSrUELvuKi-lhO32FhCzDBdp6t56EDPmSPsp23SwRfYm1QE1GA7pFDIHulyYqjv5PETzNMk_EKcalCKyyU2k03vMvzm4znJPMqpeoV9lik1TdC_0tX7uISgWYHZV3UzMK1_YSFTNgMUbDasUs4FQBNs1EcXxuplmQ/s1800/Web-Newtown%20Roadside%20Colors-IMG_7860(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocdncyFYfYP6rWpBt0OwYFIoLxnSSrUELvuKi-lhO32FhCzDBdp6t56EDPmSPsp23SwRfYm1QE1GA7pFDIHulyYqjv5PETzNMk_EKcalCKyyU2k03vMvzm4znJPMqpeoV9lik1TdC_0tX7uISgWYHZV3UzMK1_YSFTNgMUbDasUs4FQBNs1EcXxuplmQ/w480-h640/Web-Newtown%20Roadside%20Colors-IMG_7860(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The park road passes through a variety of tree habitats. I've walked this road many times, but never before has the color been so golden. There is one section where Revolutionary War re-enactments are held each September. This rail fence lines the road to the re-enactment site.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_Xr0kCFEwbJeofuyQCg5Gx0aa8BnNdp-0KdvRz7BnbMVVT3WLbt4UhjTrWLwUxmDliTwwKtnxWCJ3N3O49WCQ3zlE-X4SlWRzeNHOzdS0e5ul9VtEd5Zjhvr0ejCqDrWBc_x6kzQMZ_c7zEPmbudG_JBFLYrz352sJ8ty1SJXs_UoFVYX1Pi8ygME-U/s1800/Web-Newtown%20Red%20and%20Gold-20231023-037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_Xr0kCFEwbJeofuyQCg5Gx0aa8BnNdp-0KdvRz7BnbMVVT3WLbt4UhjTrWLwUxmDliTwwKtnxWCJ3N3O49WCQ3zlE-X4SlWRzeNHOzdS0e5ul9VtEd5Zjhvr0ejCqDrWBc_x6kzQMZ_c7zEPmbudG_JBFLYrz352sJ8ty1SJXs_UoFVYX1Pi8ygME-U/w426-h640/Web-Newtown%20Red%20and%20Gold-20231023-037.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>At the end of the road, it was time for some hiking of the trails looking for more red and gold. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB1WnuzsNU4_9xsbVZqtTl1ZNEfLJ7IiDSNxqJsTMsZOQaBVZ9dZmToG3sFD8DDLqlqqiPVqUzAfqr7YKDxSuW8n8NNmJMXZ1zFHLdu_rKjqfpWK4hSel4I_TSYASbclGH_vCoaHr2VMB8ggWv1bWNTPujEikQUdGU-DMBZOrySHdFyL5NJ29STXKaQs/s1800/Web-Newtown%20Red%20and%20Gold-20231023-064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB1WnuzsNU4_9xsbVZqtTl1ZNEfLJ7IiDSNxqJsTMsZOQaBVZ9dZmToG3sFD8DDLqlqqiPVqUzAfqr7YKDxSuW8n8NNmJMXZ1zFHLdu_rKjqfpWK4hSel4I_TSYASbclGH_vCoaHr2VMB8ggWv1bWNTPujEikQUdGU-DMBZOrySHdFyL5NJ29STXKaQs/w426-h640/Web-Newtown%20Red%20and%20Gold-20231023-064.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>The autumn colors must be balanced with fall chores, so my morning foray started me towards home with a final stop at the rail fence where another visitor came along (to stop and share ideas for other favorite autumn locations in the Finger Lakes.)</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mIROHYoAZgn3kD5GQmyqgOakxkGl8CLWzlscPXLBMS7lVyZV4FVqdqkWZW0-tgIlECIO1wyG8UjotOxj3zKvkU7eBQ1jkbSwEb0tp6F6rreP4_VkOoQyBoUIRy27lQG0SRGbfRNgawiAk8ec_kn57haITke8k288YFL-zsX_ktWv9wXqB8ED4ybnuAM/s1800/Web-Colorful%20Walk%20at%20Newtown-IMG_7864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mIROHYoAZgn3kD5GQmyqgOakxkGl8CLWzlscPXLBMS7lVyZV4FVqdqkWZW0-tgIlECIO1wyG8UjotOxj3zKvkU7eBQ1jkbSwEb0tp6F6rreP4_VkOoQyBoUIRy27lQG0SRGbfRNgawiAk8ec_kn57haITke8k288YFL-zsX_ktWv9wXqB8ED4ybnuAM/w480-h640/Web-Colorful%20Walk%20at%20Newtown-IMG_7864.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I meet the nicest people when I am hiking.</p><p>Thanks for your interest.</p><p> </p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Schmitt </span></i><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-13950635078097836962023-10-14T06:56:00.000-07:002023-10-14T06:56:15.781-07:00Finding the Essense of Autumn<p>In the last post, my story was about how to create fall photography in a less than optimum autumn. Since that post, there has not been a magical turnaround in our landscape. However, on return from 3-1/2 days in the higher elevations at Blackwater River in northeastern West Virginia, the results were a confirmation of the last post. Here goes the picks of the trip.</p><p>From the rim of the Blackwater River Canyon in the state park, this twisted tree captured my attention. After many slight shifts in position, a layered image was discovered. Notice that none of the three vertical tree elements on the left side touch.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYngHE0uk2-QyLl6Z1W-odaWWxanhi9wN6RgjEv2wGKH76MErC56yG5n9vbwGLNL2Xm-zAFvpE9n06tX645SOyOP_Te7-J5GeULiNKvqTvwgc-BTb-oieJ8ID7nFahXjYRDvVKP109POPcpD6wSQT73M0T3rZrHVvjuHVCGBhGAGzBMdOngzkJEuj4Y0/s1800/Web-Canaan%20Valley%20Overlookk-20231005_045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYngHE0uk2-QyLl6Z1W-odaWWxanhi9wN6RgjEv2wGKH76MErC56yG5n9vbwGLNL2Xm-zAFvpE9n06tX645SOyOP_Te7-J5GeULiNKvqTvwgc-BTb-oieJ8ID7nFahXjYRDvVKP109POPcpD6wSQT73M0T3rZrHVvjuHVCGBhGAGzBMdOngzkJEuj4Y0/w640-h426/Web-Canaan%20Valley%20Overlookk-20231005_045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The first version of this was captured with my iPhone 13 Pro. I returned the next day when the light's direction was better. If you first see a nice image, make it then. There is no guarantee about the situation a day later.</p><p>On another day I was at Dolly Sods. It is a high-elevation rocky wilderness area hosting sphagnum moss, heath shrubs and stunted red cedar normally seen in Canada. There were rich colors.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7uFksHsrtZ-VVq6kiNZIRvtt7lv1T3atwVvJoc9mDTpKDaWTXdVWFxZaxnDNJLdx91t4CsFlVUQyMmmsFolvuL3gl6S858KTrKJpGan53RKM_QZlnhNe6QWTRFGGwYEaHTEOkt_C-ocv-BmECU9j8m40uJg6L-k2P44dAm7GVmfISYe7BBFfHppY-kE/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Colors%20in%20Dolly%20Sods-20231005_081-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7uFksHsrtZ-VVq6kiNZIRvtt7lv1T3atwVvJoc9mDTpKDaWTXdVWFxZaxnDNJLdx91t4CsFlVUQyMmmsFolvuL3gl6S858KTrKJpGan53RKM_QZlnhNe6QWTRFGGwYEaHTEOkt_C-ocv-BmECU9j8m40uJg6L-k2P44dAm7GVmfISYe7BBFfHppY-kE/w640-h426/Web-Autumn%20Colors%20in%20Dolly%20Sods-20231005_081-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a>Color was to be found also at lower elevations. Once out of the canyon, the Blackwater takes a winding course with beaver ponds and less exotic flora. In October, asters, such as this one, are a reliable source of rich color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenIaERhHXcvhhzZHABvuoy1WTCn7pX3-oJinqJF52DK-b4Ibjj12zrwEdsQd9ZllZmow8RI0Cn1zKYujvkcfq4cCP4TpXbbdY3eAKjLQXYRE430aGoRK2Typ7r6xn8tINvJ26L1PM8VktAtHyJfsWMWrlG_JtLJlz8mrH4eemWfwu1TF3Uc80ZWrA41E/s1800/Web-Asters%20in%20Fall-20231007_010-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenIaERhHXcvhhzZHABvuoy1WTCn7pX3-oJinqJF52DK-b4Ibjj12zrwEdsQd9ZllZmow8RI0Cn1zKYujvkcfq4cCP4TpXbbdY3eAKjLQXYRE430aGoRK2Typ7r6xn8tINvJ26L1PM8VktAtHyJfsWMWrlG_JtLJlz8mrH4eemWfwu1TF3Uc80ZWrA41E/w640-h426/Web-Asters%20in%20Fall-20231007_010-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The valley had large clusters of ferns. These violet asters were complemented by the orange and yellow ferns. <br /></div><p></p><p>Here's a good example of my earlier suggestion to photograph now, rather than procrastinating for a better day. After making this image, a local gentleman shared that the barn is scheduled to be demolished in a few weeks. It won't matter how brilliant the fall is next year for this barn.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh97hStaHJhq4qWJ7IdUaeb30nmQ8v7LA-LqCk3m3MOJpnJ0x3iAIPjvC2ZRDdBsqs3fM6YID1TFW-pNTYQSL0ZqsPNJEEyZuatmvGZg6HY3LLEWEHQdl2z3acOSVqUnDJl9eaxv7tgVJ9Wgi62TLILzgfDkErD1bKEK81OQYSj5K1H6UrHCXXZYgy7r4/s1800/Web-Rustic%20Barn%20in%20Canaan%20Valley%20-20231005_047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh97hStaHJhq4qWJ7IdUaeb30nmQ8v7LA-LqCk3m3MOJpnJ0x3iAIPjvC2ZRDdBsqs3fM6YID1TFW-pNTYQSL0ZqsPNJEEyZuatmvGZg6HY3LLEWEHQdl2z3acOSVqUnDJl9eaxv7tgVJ9Wgi62TLILzgfDkErD1bKEK81OQYSj5K1H6UrHCXXZYgy7r4/w448-h640/Web-Rustic%20Barn%20in%20Canaan%20Valley%20-20231005_047.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><p>There are large bogs of huckleberries in Dolly Sods. I was drawn to this setting by the lonely white stalk of a dead weed standing among all of the reddish leaves in the bog. The distant mountain ridge suggests the extent of the field.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw3kyERQQjrDhSSRoVNtUwUSolRArlaf6W-NoGWkVO2Ex0BOFjlhGU2Nv-e9Bss5ZGZuXba2WXXLJgVKgjp4iV0EUETgqpxOwxAXQ8bs_0PLdXZAXUQRaMNkdUQBxVolXa_7KEHoFLT2SCxGvGwtBoSPdpJ0IC0kO6REEdJpD9-UYvQ_OQ9nzcXPlADo/s1800/Web-Sentinet%20Weed%20in%20Red%20Huckleberry%20Fields-20231005_074-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw3kyERQQjrDhSSRoVNtUwUSolRArlaf6W-NoGWkVO2Ex0BOFjlhGU2Nv-e9Bss5ZGZuXba2WXXLJgVKgjp4iV0EUETgqpxOwxAXQ8bs_0PLdXZAXUQRaMNkdUQBxVolXa_7KEHoFLT2SCxGvGwtBoSPdpJ0IC0kO6REEdJpD9-UYvQ_OQ9nzcXPlADo/w426-h640/Web-Sentinet%20Weed%20in%20Red%20Huckleberry%20Fields-20231005_074-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Many people are discouraged by a rainy morning, but the softness of the light and the moisture on the land can produce lovely results. The last morning dawned foggy with a few sprinkles. Several photographers passed this single dying fern without seeing the echo of its arch in the broken tree branch on the ground. That's no criticism, but rather a simple example of the variety in what each person finds interesting. This is what my eyes first attached upon. Do you find it beautiful?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0Tf8fMlMepCrmiFPjOkZ0GTvOe47HBuRjH-sCamhC8CGASqXTZ4pB0EAJynLAuTFYsmxgN8AN7YpptupNw7Lm2wuQf_7TaabLSSS30VXqLN94cxdv13_z8Net0ny5Ya5E3oeCsxDXVaL3oWBkRuEv_6G85zGD0FaAI7_1R242PLmHaPHzlYfljDYeNk/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Fernscapes-%20%23III-20231007_029-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0Tf8fMlMepCrmiFPjOkZ0GTvOe47HBuRjH-sCamhC8CGASqXTZ4pB0EAJynLAuTFYsmxgN8AN7YpptupNw7Lm2wuQf_7TaabLSSS30VXqLN94cxdv13_z8Net0ny5Ya5E3oeCsxDXVaL3oWBkRuEv_6G85zGD0FaAI7_1R242PLmHaPHzlYfljDYeNk/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Fernscapes-%20%23III-20231007_029-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>I've always had a "thing" about decaying tree stumps. Its only ones from natural collapses, never ones from chain saws. The way falling leaves decorate the stumps in autumn attracts me. Consider this one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUhaYt4N7zYNfAd9Fdux5qjO5bP8Y-U1VwkkZjXEPpWKgLRYo2DhK8pOsp6QJfu3VtxmASs5ti7ODJLk8KFW4lrQfMrSwdE3ZhFsTmQbKHnsmQkofgKTk0u7aaXENnAHBkz0-ztxxwA_XMFZWU5mOEM64AJ2sR_ixH7bxz5y_7eIQ6gUyB9Wq3tMWW4/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Details,%20Stumped%20-20231007_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUhaYt4N7zYNfAd9Fdux5qjO5bP8Y-U1VwkkZjXEPpWKgLRYo2DhK8pOsp6QJfu3VtxmASs5ti7ODJLk8KFW4lrQfMrSwdE3ZhFsTmQbKHnsmQkofgKTk0u7aaXENnAHBkz0-ztxxwA_XMFZWU5mOEM64AJ2sR_ixH7bxz5y_7eIQ6gUyB9Wq3tMWW4/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Details,%20Stumped%20-20231007_025.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Oh, the fog had lifted and some delicious warm light bathed the setting.<br /><p>I have been holding back with my two favorite images. I love the creamy look of slow exposures on waterfalls. If by chance, there is a recirculating eddy to include in the foreground, I will take some small personal risks to explore the possibilities. The path there was sort of goat path. This is the Upper Elakala Falls in the Blackwater State Park. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKWbvliL2K0479ptKvxgMLGzGV6dmq29ifIQijCp8F5p6ddXnO1zUaKGynMyqN0LJMJTpPIshaUUpMszp-9GfmzVXSHDdD0yVrPWVHDOW9kULXaLE0u7Uh76F3R4kLozBFjRYkp_Q9QvzO_t1ZuzenW97MOLUyWYM1Xu8z-fiwcHJhKQJMDAxjxTOpD0/s1800/Web-The%20Swirl%20at%20Elekala%20Falls-20231006_063-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKWbvliL2K0479ptKvxgMLGzGV6dmq29ifIQijCp8F5p6ddXnO1zUaKGynMyqN0LJMJTpPIshaUUpMszp-9GfmzVXSHDdD0yVrPWVHDOW9kULXaLE0u7Uh76F3R4kLozBFjRYkp_Q9QvzO_t1ZuzenW97MOLUyWYM1Xu8z-fiwcHJhKQJMDAxjxTOpD0/w426-h640/Web-The%20Swirl%20at%20Elekala%20Falls-20231006_063-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p> I did a lot of small shifts to place the flat rock in the lower left corner. Little details matter.<br /></p><p>A second love for me is when form, colors and separation from the background just fall into place. This one did. Notice how the yellow-green fern is echoed by a brown fern in the back. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCuP6cpXc0hVRzuvQ8sq8c5MrVHDgPh4rAHZHyoKpYWfaeQpSC0BJAGK4cvANmdc3ycMCfMFZIgzQwNn5ZrZmQu-awCYftqeh13LAn0UcWclI5dPAaDmJ6pNIanTnCvbEun_YThexTm5wkIZ5DT2GBo2dnetRHMlo0CJLafqjB8fv56U8Dpv3YvvsX58/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Fernscapes-%20%23II-20231007_021-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1244" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCuP6cpXc0hVRzuvQ8sq8c5MrVHDgPh4rAHZHyoKpYWfaeQpSC0BJAGK4cvANmdc3ycMCfMFZIgzQwNn5ZrZmQu-awCYftqeh13LAn0UcWclI5dPAaDmJ6pNIanTnCvbEun_YThexTm5wkIZ5DT2GBo2dnetRHMlo0CJLafqjB8fv56U8Dpv3YvvsX58/w442-h640/Web-Autumn%20Fernscapes-%20%23II-20231007_021-Edit.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><p>There are nine images here. Only two large landscapes. The rest are intimate. It seems the season may be best captured with a balance from wide to close. If you look at the professional film and video, you will see how the framing is rarely repeated with each 10 second clip. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Paul</i></span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-33378092266158022892023-10-02T06:28:00.000-07:002023-10-02T06:28:00.938-07:00Autumn 2023- No Colors, What to Do<p>The title says it clearly for the Northeast US. In May we had a killing freeze that coincided with critical times for many fruit and forest trees blossoms. Many oaks lost all their leaves and some of those failed to send up new leaves. Fruit trees suffered as did grapes.</p><p>Then we had a dry period for a month. Did not help. The rain returned but damage was done. The landmark red maple on my street that always has had brilliant red is dull brown. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What to do to salvage some autumn beauty? I've got some ideas.</div><p></p><p>First, abandon plans for those grandiose wide angle landscapes. Think small. Here is a simple maple that had some nice red leaves on a foggy morning.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWWdzQG9p2xhrVhS6rou-HTeHmV54gMWPtnS0NecDWypTOnyJPR-Et401uebTt3XgL7-meLYCAPNyvQ_tnlNiC6MrF36NyupGSvC_17eBO52ZA5DkGGCbZ2iXZf4ytsvsg_uW9eknebVWRw6emlJ7GeF19y0xHl8FzlxG1T1t2yqHM25bKSKkw9tkWKk/s1800/Web-Red%20Maple%20Leaves-20230914-228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWWdzQG9p2xhrVhS6rou-HTeHmV54gMWPtnS0NecDWypTOnyJPR-Et401uebTt3XgL7-meLYCAPNyvQ_tnlNiC6MrF36NyupGSvC_17eBO52ZA5DkGGCbZ2iXZf4ytsvsg_uW9eknebVWRw6emlJ7GeF19y0xHl8FzlxG1T1t2yqHM25bKSKkw9tkWKk/w426-h640/Web-Red%20Maple%20Leaves-20230914-228.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> Next, go elsewhere for autumn. There are late blooming bushes that are in flower like honeysuckle. I found this on a walk towards Rock Creek Park in DC. My phone camera was adequate for this.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX_uqiUbKpj0wMA4eU_6Aq6216y-9F7je7GVjSaNPNAuTtg8iay4mPfWMXbJltD11HQPTQw5RMd60MXu3h5_Vno_rE7nb2bCUXrzqE9VGCLc5HQ35sPuWc0vQqjk6BP8AzcVTeU_JTdJWOgZw7ksJ0r21oBwkrPgot18F1_tOqtcmpMMbxS5CiRGATEg/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Bloooms-IMG_7581(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX_uqiUbKpj0wMA4eU_6Aq6216y-9F7je7GVjSaNPNAuTtg8iay4mPfWMXbJltD11HQPTQw5RMd60MXu3h5_Vno_rE7nb2bCUXrzqE9VGCLc5HQ35sPuWc0vQqjk6BP8AzcVTeU_JTdJWOgZw7ksJ0r21oBwkrPgot18F1_tOqtcmpMMbxS5CiRGATEg/w480-h640/Web-Autumn%20Bloooms-IMG_7581(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Think asters. Fall is their season to shine. These were in Mundy Wildflower Garden on Cornell campus. The seed head on the grass stalk make this doubly attractive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ff7_6iOYb2v_L7rBGvpsVUZQvrqRDFluHxDp5hK4UfKwKuD7t7odmng0m9qXtj0iwuGuZw-FSurkALNn-IC_R-sCXwowGAf3-WRETfAJrytxE19QBVbcAny6qzNwt2vBdmn9aG7IryB9GxaNceiNA4J3KqMfnkRhR3OO7lHPExNtsgQMjH4r3fbwoXc/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Flowers-IMG_7646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ff7_6iOYb2v_L7rBGvpsVUZQvrqRDFluHxDp5hK4UfKwKuD7t7odmng0m9qXtj0iwuGuZw-FSurkALNn-IC_R-sCXwowGAf3-WRETfAJrytxE19QBVbcAny6qzNwt2vBdmn9aG7IryB9GxaNceiNA4J3KqMfnkRhR3OO7lHPExNtsgQMjH4r3fbwoXc/w480-h640/Web-Autumn%20Flowers-IMG_7646.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>There are an abundance of fall flowers like asters, Black-eyed Susan's, and Goldenrod. Here's two of those growing together, also at the wildflower garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJE_wL1qg5OGiAaSlbdAJhz3cDGt2xZJi2fR9aDCcOFeMBR76d5smJ_Xfycc73hNpevAX8QfyzgWv9IHrKfWSST3gRxw4_xmrzyBfrO4mn3nCbS_wwzrNw3toeujUyK3z9QEcqRj_w34myTJu3DRg6u1sErxEhoVB-uXb48033z7LejW24fziYBCKGJM/s1800/Web-MWG%20Blooms-IMG_7649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJE_wL1qg5OGiAaSlbdAJhz3cDGt2xZJi2fR9aDCcOFeMBR76d5smJ_Xfycc73hNpevAX8QfyzgWv9IHrKfWSST3gRxw4_xmrzyBfrO4mn3nCbS_wwzrNw3toeujUyK3z9QEcqRj_w34myTJu3DRg6u1sErxEhoVB-uXb48033z7LejW24fziYBCKGJM/w640-h426/Web-MWG%20Blooms-IMG_7649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p>Fall is also fungi season, especially after some rain. Just don't delay. Mushrooms can fade quickly or become deer food.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pKhUjWtJ1DhMcDhgQ5GouiWn4nbITwqV5GJm9nisn2RnlzJxHgh_jSK0rVoACIX3yx5L5M3P9X_5tz_29UYX4NhVNtcmwqx7fPhcccO-VI9v7Gneuh725GkHf8YTS3xoKiOcGJ02BR_3Y7Y-dtyJylBKyXfZL9S8axKweqm0vbpv0d9MGfVTGpcZT0s/s1800/Web-Honey-toned%20Mushroom-20230830-506-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pKhUjWtJ1DhMcDhgQ5GouiWn4nbITwqV5GJm9nisn2RnlzJxHgh_jSK0rVoACIX3yx5L5M3P9X_5tz_29UYX4NhVNtcmwqx7fPhcccO-VI9v7Gneuh725GkHf8YTS3xoKiOcGJ02BR_3Y7Y-dtyJylBKyXfZL9S8axKweqm0vbpv0d9MGfVTGpcZT0s/w426-h640/Web-Honey-toned%20Mushroom-20230830-506-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Let's look at more fungi for ideas. In this example, I composed so you can see where this golden cluster is to be found.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHrT7Mjw8GBcSuyMqBgxeTnT0kNrOYotp3FsuNfO92iXRQ3F-ZTILqBeghvXoMkbUUKoTQtwdVK4IPeVINoC6Ce0yPerIfXzmqj0qR6T58MVABiovMix-Dv40BcJKwFzlUD89yaoYqb84ucKULsmSVIhSPk4lN1N8iRmBHFS1Iu3Es149Df_4jWEjQfo/s1800/Web-Fall%20Cluster%20of%20Fungi-20230830-568-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHrT7Mjw8GBcSuyMqBgxeTnT0kNrOYotp3FsuNfO92iXRQ3F-ZTILqBeghvXoMkbUUKoTQtwdVK4IPeVINoC6Ce0yPerIfXzmqj0qR6T58MVABiovMix-Dv40BcJKwFzlUD89yaoYqb84ucKULsmSVIhSPk4lN1N8iRmBHFS1Iu3Es149Df_4jWEjQfo/w426-h640/Web-Fall%20Cluster%20of%20Fungi-20230830-568-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>This last image is really going to an unexpected place. It's some scarlet fungi growing on a stack of rotting logs. Look closely and find the small green slug on the lower area. Not sure if it is passing through or feeding. Either way, red and green are complementary so I pulled out my phone and captured it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVjXPiFK0q2zOMcphbPMxdRiBybfGBX2B2tqk-QySRsd4OsbuVbh2e2Uv5EJXUXux7_Yy-wtb9SsQBjtvIU7tq3Uhq0yP6BieIHh10nOmZ_hX3R0caR_lYzWKi6gGvCDSoiagdzSvJJwB5IU7TU7z9oeHdND1NVUgcJ0bVIlJi82Os42CHXyPla2Ds5Q/s1800/Web-IMG_7657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVjXPiFK0q2zOMcphbPMxdRiBybfGBX2B2tqk-QySRsd4OsbuVbh2e2Uv5EJXUXux7_Yy-wtb9SsQBjtvIU7tq3Uhq0yP6BieIHh10nOmZ_hX3R0caR_lYzWKi6gGvCDSoiagdzSvJJwB5IU7TU7z9oeHdND1NVUgcJ0bVIlJi82Os42CHXyPla2Ds5Q/w480-h640/Web-IMG_7657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I have long felt that autumn is challenging. There are expectations to find the expansive landscape view with so much included in one capture. Looking closely offers more opportunities. When the colors fail to be available, it's a perfect reason to look closely. </p><p>I hope this inspires you to delight in the intimate parts of the season.</p><p>Paul Schmitt</p><p>DISCLAIMER: Due to the writer's strike and upcoming travel, my copy editor is unavailable to proof read my text. Errors are of my own doing. <br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-23386877780624368242023-09-06T13:45:00.000-07:002023-09-06T13:45:54.096-07:00Winged Gold- Late Summer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx2rUGZAlaAJFYSiWIffe3OSsgECQ6ipzuIYIczYtVTplyUfoCO5NRBUACDYDhBdxB-Fy5PtZunxv0DUh5qH6REY63_mKzHnMTu6Mh8Nuc9QsnoFM7LGVS93fQIS86eJjZwne-Hq-wCIt9Ge86PDeKvEaxrE5S0eFf8T9u67Fbt_a5vxT4V_parh8Df8/s1800/Web-Gold%20Finch%20male-20230822-189-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx2rUGZAlaAJFYSiWIffe3OSsgECQ6ipzuIYIczYtVTplyUfoCO5NRBUACDYDhBdxB-Fy5PtZunxv0DUh5qH6REY63_mKzHnMTu6Mh8Nuc9QsnoFM7LGVS93fQIS86eJjZwne-Hq-wCIt9Ge86PDeKvEaxrE5S0eFf8T9u67Fbt_a5vxT4V_parh8Df8/w266-h400/Web-Gold%20Finch%20male-20230822-189-Edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p>My last post was titled Golden Joy. Now those sunflowers are all mature seeds. I am continuing the "gold" theme with two flying critters that also deliver joyful reactions. </p><p></p><p>One principal source here is cone flowers. Top on the list of seed eaters found on them are the Gold Finches. The male at left is just pausing. When his crop is full, he'll soar away to feed the chicks. Initially, the female stays on the nest and I only see males. But soon, the demand by the chicks is too much for the male, and both of the pair engage in furious harvesting. Then, in a few days, the chicks fledge and the activity nearly ceases.</p><p>Often, the Gold Finches are mostly hidden in the densely packed clusters of cone flowers. After many largely hidden birds, one male chose a nice single stalk to feed on. The camera jumped into long runs of high speed shooting. The result was two "keeper" images out of a sequence of over sixteen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D1vRjrCvtyFnoH0gigZ4AQd9kUlu-OSuvfI_FkSuue3GadlfOBG5D1cWs1S5BMoC1zNJ8DCogAGqOsmOebzIPPxq5j1-ZZZUkuD2emNkhxVJ4FS-l2ZSTs2iP3r8680TPWnB4Dia_HtFOWM3FDBqL2RL-wMVYek6I4_yuWAR6MIv3dvwDU6nExeuoTg/s3367/Web-Gold%20Finch%20seed%20harvesting-untitled-20230822-122-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3367" data-original-width="2694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D1vRjrCvtyFnoH0gigZ4AQd9kUlu-OSuvfI_FkSuue3GadlfOBG5D1cWs1S5BMoC1zNJ8DCogAGqOsmOebzIPPxq5j1-ZZZUkuD2emNkhxVJ4FS-l2ZSTs2iP3r8680TPWnB4Dia_HtFOWM3FDBqL2RL-wMVYek6I4_yuWAR6MIv3dvwDU6nExeuoTg/w512-h640/Web-Gold%20Finch%20seed%20harvesting-untitled-20230822-122-Edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75koWK46lnvaT6W6wt1j5TfyO-ShmVnw28Xei9APQEeenmis5nVDh6A1Xx0Vyf0Lfj38YyC0RFfYQa5DxAX97TZszHpmQDwZD5qI_ad_ntPisyvQKyvhRDtIT_sqQpRAFm7_lIoNdQZhzYlFXl3ApYQQg5hp81k5oRDds7gUNdQiyl5DtZwf6UHyv56Q/s3367/Web-Gold%20Finch%20seed%20harvesting-untitled-20230822-123-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3367" data-original-width="2694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75koWK46lnvaT6W6wt1j5TfyO-ShmVnw28Xei9APQEeenmis5nVDh6A1Xx0Vyf0Lfj38YyC0RFfYQa5DxAX97TZszHpmQDwZD5qI_ad_ntPisyvQKyvhRDtIT_sqQpRAFm7_lIoNdQZhzYlFXl3ApYQQg5hp81k5oRDds7gUNdQiyl5DtZwf6UHyv56Q/w512-h640/Web-Gold%20Finch%20seed%20harvesting-untitled-20230822-123-Edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>Another golden flyer is the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. This one was feeding on other cone flowers in a more southern location, where they hadn't yet gone to seed. You can tell that it is recently emerged. With time, they can get pretty ragged on the fringes.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB-w6P5KuV8p9mGso_2QczymKX5i0XyVxJcNNN_NuJmmWqx-1w_k56zsQJm7WmTcOwU1leRUbPI4_7fXZlUU9DRry8beSvXciuucrU4XJyRTSSW9qWVaKponWbonUFI756ugyJh8UcX8VgaZvKAPBQZ7c1cFAaqNQdqlZHKtjzrkUBFRS5wvRT10_RHU/s1800/Web-Tiger%20Swallowtail-20230822-231-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB-w6P5KuV8p9mGso_2QczymKX5i0XyVxJcNNN_NuJmmWqx-1w_k56zsQJm7WmTcOwU1leRUbPI4_7fXZlUU9DRry8beSvXciuucrU4XJyRTSSW9qWVaKponWbonUFI756ugyJh8UcX8VgaZvKAPBQZ7c1cFAaqNQdqlZHKtjzrkUBFRS5wvRT10_RHU/w640-h640/Web-Tiger%20Swallowtail-20230822-231-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A few moments later, I found a butterfly bush in full bloom. I was amazed to see two swallowtails sharing the same plant. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNr7LTHWrmM53rSBJYH4K_TQkHlx522_m6qAUEzOn-u92DK3E34TVhXm1w4GWm17gc9QhqZ01wE5ROHpqLXy1Z3XUd8s3TEwQtxyIpdqAFs-fCzaUiGA2tQWXFxlBEVP2g_mhxBdU6cS8w5D-SVJPhBgPtddmv8yLM80Dna6PIHDzLdfvpQHwMJODZ3c/s1800/Web-Tiger%20Swallowtail-20230822-272-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNr7LTHWrmM53rSBJYH4K_TQkHlx522_m6qAUEzOn-u92DK3E34TVhXm1w4GWm17gc9QhqZ01wE5ROHpqLXy1Z3XUd8s3TEwQtxyIpdqAFs-fCzaUiGA2tQWXFxlBEVP2g_mhxBdU6cS8w5D-SVJPhBgPtddmv8yLM80Dna6PIHDzLdfvpQHwMJODZ3c/w640-h512/Web-Tiger%20Swallowtail-20230822-272-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>These golden flyers won't be around long. I'm schedule next week for a short outing to see bugling elk in western Pennsylvania. Autumn is just around the corner. </p><p><i>Paul Schmitt</i><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-7713700603772718182023-08-17T17:10:00.000-07:002023-08-17T17:10:51.205-07:00Golden Joy<p>It's pretty safe to say that a laughing baby brightens up any moment. It's golden. There's another discovery that is pretty sure fire. Sunflowers! A short detour from my outing to fill the car's gas tank this morning took my mind off the long "to do" list that I faced. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwR19ChvolPkYOCtf2GPxphP2TU4NUSOvIC20JlJ0yPPVKC8DkW4CzyGuhDhmCqzarVjqRAIP-V_mR4PX-envf-2GmgxVWZHZsUFIhPuOJMZY94BLIn_iyi-UdKFPjfEUmdnnw6-Dzl9ZY1qknydGgL1LnBv-wk9fP8-YJkhN1nR6mRJHngqAtuhaGQ4/s1800/Web-Sunflowers-IMG_7330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwR19ChvolPkYOCtf2GPxphP2TU4NUSOvIC20JlJ0yPPVKC8DkW4CzyGuhDhmCqzarVjqRAIP-V_mR4PX-envf-2GmgxVWZHZsUFIhPuOJMZY94BLIn_iyi-UdKFPjfEUmdnnw6-Dzl9ZY1qknydGgL1LnBv-wk9fP8-YJkhN1nR6mRJHngqAtuhaGQ4/w480-h640/Web-Sunflowers-IMG_7330.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Today was a very busy day as we prepared to depart for some granddaughter time. I had only minutes to explore the field. I think the field will have a long run as a succession of golden flowers reach peak, and then fade into reddish seed heads. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmDrkY1nvQwDNGGg9Au6P-fkKM_tZkrcnfd6WDYQVSFDJO2ASV7WqmC13-JPDjXVbYq1haamV9Mxci6htWryWH-U4LNVMVH487FRzo6D9ecJeNfm5wikN5MSFmC9f6aBcHZ-55U4rGXs7bBu3jBD0K8fgzUzTYh6gjwdK2bRx10IuK969rtZ9QY_p0XQ/s1800/Web-Sunflowers-20230817-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmDrkY1nvQwDNGGg9Au6P-fkKM_tZkrcnfd6WDYQVSFDJO2ASV7WqmC13-JPDjXVbYq1haamV9Mxci6htWryWH-U4LNVMVH487FRzo6D9ecJeNfm5wikN5MSFmC9f6aBcHZ-55U4rGXs7bBu3jBD0K8fgzUzTYh6gjwdK2bRx10IuK969rtZ9QY_p0XQ/w640-h512/Web-Sunflowers-20230817-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I think the flowers take on facial characteristics, as some look joyfully upward and others nod downward as maybe being thoughtful.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6ZNN2o1MAKRkE1ECVxFkesHoV23YBnMNHUnhgwvAhYFnhArebRsg0xhCFUaKSuwPp6x80qEAFexyxXks9C5Q3cZ7XmxKxddhl16McIFcXqgGjl8aNNyEaPJzgpHqptw9SQLvkuvnCYOhT86pzU9j1c4Dsxmm_DYinyXT0SmqGvXCDM7Yx0XWtU8QBkk/s1800/Web-Sunflowers-IMG_7327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6ZNN2o1MAKRkE1ECVxFkesHoV23YBnMNHUnhgwvAhYFnhArebRsg0xhCFUaKSuwPp6x80qEAFexyxXks9C5Q3cZ7XmxKxddhl16McIFcXqgGjl8aNNyEaPJzgpHqptw9SQLvkuvnCYOhT86pzU9j1c4Dsxmm_DYinyXT0SmqGvXCDM7Yx0XWtU8QBkk/w480-h640/Web-Sunflowers-IMG_7327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Maybe the sunflowers energized me. As I write this, my entire list for the day is completed.<p></p><p>I hope you can find some sunflowers just as I did.</p><p>Paul Schmitt <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-67872447127204560602023-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:002023-08-10T11:24:28.180-07:00Traveling Light on a Foggy Morning<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMqLZ2Po6ZzVUm3AEl4lGPmDhKt7ifKjDYjdl5zQ1OMhrUhadKP87kd4kbBvnLPxFUd0rPP6CLio9TbpdG5IXyW6O_fHJAlwzyuWIfKLt8T7IpGRaviAZ4e37rST-YcmQ9lGf6qmFE4ymRsKzV84y0Syd644dbzUZqLMXWsUmtjnVyRvecu5nVy9kWEo/s1800/Web-20230810-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMqLZ2Po6ZzVUm3AEl4lGPmDhKt7ifKjDYjdl5zQ1OMhrUhadKP87kd4kbBvnLPxFUd0rPP6CLio9TbpdG5IXyW6O_fHJAlwzyuWIfKLt8T7IpGRaviAZ4e37rST-YcmQ9lGf6qmFE4ymRsKzV84y0Syd644dbzUZqLMXWsUmtjnVyRvecu5nVy9kWEo/s320/Web-20230810-011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>At 6:30 am this morning, I began a walk at a nearby park with the aim to get it done before the morning rain arrived from the west. I am not a regular early walker unlike several gentlemen. As I turned on to the abandoned Rhode's farm road, one of the regulars called out "what, no camera today?" He knows me. My reply was simply "I'm traveling light!" Light meant my iPhone 13 Pro seen at right. I expected mostly a nice walk and maybe a few birds. <p></p><p>I'd forgotten how nice the early morning is with everything damp from some fog. The first discovery was a trio of teasels newly in bloom. Notice how they begin blooming at the top and work their way down. Bumblebees love them.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgI05iWBwirT8yXr3ZsADA-kQvzcIq2YCThurZZgIrmz_UwwJQeMlLG9aZcexVqWNa3LGLI9ZWFwdmJ8CgjPJ3FqE5O0XOUfy1TRU42sVJr6aMubGAVkgIEeX02EEa83XpYthVtufJfJ-x50Bl1e2zI-UdjfrFLJuqflbL1KyK94S9jQChn_mKXgKjNc/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgI05iWBwirT8yXr3ZsADA-kQvzcIq2YCThurZZgIrmz_UwwJQeMlLG9aZcexVqWNa3LGLI9ZWFwdmJ8CgjPJ3FqE5O0XOUfy1TRU42sVJr6aMubGAVkgIEeX02EEa83XpYthVtufJfJ-x50Bl1e2zI-UdjfrFLJuqflbL1KyK94S9jQChn_mKXgKjNc/w480-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7273.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I rediscovered using the portrait mode on the 13 Pro. Portraits keep the focus near the front and rather shallow, so the background doesn't compete with the people (subject). If your phone has a portrait setting, give it a try for more than people shots.</p><p>I really did not pause very long to photograph, as the rain was on the radar. My next find was a wild Morning Glory. The pink flowers are low thistles that will soon be the target for Goldfinches collecting seeds for newly hatch chicks.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStT7tOSuxQrEfEp5ONfL36qN-O4BZJkGIaGUsX2luqTBq4jeQiV4XvunfXfS3auqbPo_eunMg3kisRh6ztbPrH4cm6ml2gCRODohB5DWyRuE5nLLsHy3UwUSrobUpO-OnAQbtc87CBk6exzW4X5zmIlazamIZvvYGpx0zkCqJoG88g0jl6Mi5Q1rJk_g/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStT7tOSuxQrEfEp5ONfL36qN-O4BZJkGIaGUsX2luqTBq4jeQiV4XvunfXfS3auqbPo_eunMg3kisRh6ztbPrH4cm6ml2gCRODohB5DWyRuE5nLLsHy3UwUSrobUpO-OnAQbtc87CBk6exzW4X5zmIlazamIZvvYGpx0zkCqJoG88g0jl6Mi5Q1rJk_g/w480-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7278.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Next, I had to stop for a single Sumac. The dampness produced richly saturated colors, and soft light avoided any shiny hot spots.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZWtpSy93bHBpjyRW2b4UjgvyIkQMwGsRbH5amgRnOpBou0U5c63FefyX1wusCvVRtcalKF7dxg6C_JV9Ekj2imjd0owpJ2o3BUKNKm4aWWGqiLKIX52gFY6yW42emSScihUw067TdfhaZaxXjV0MkQeKrIwWCaZnQrRg_cUB5Hx5Q7fALbHhcpiTrEI/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZWtpSy93bHBpjyRW2b4UjgvyIkQMwGsRbH5amgRnOpBou0U5c63FefyX1wusCvVRtcalKF7dxg6C_JV9Ekj2imjd0owpJ2o3BUKNKm4aWWGqiLKIX52gFY6yW42emSScihUw067TdfhaZaxXjV0MkQeKrIwWCaZnQrRg_cUB5Hx5Q7fALbHhcpiTrEI/w640-h480/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Again, the portrait mode blurred the background. The key for capturing my attention was a single isolated subject. I wish that early in my learning a teacher had explained the value of composing without confusing intersections (called conjunctions.) </p><p>I got underway quickly and was maintaining a good pace until I saw a two layer composition- teasel and goldenrod.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8y4T75X5VAFwUPJK0F81KhjsaYKKpr_FJ8drKjNJOfdrvAu9g8k8GNBAaqdVMlR7SZu_9ptGkttxDtM7NgL0T5oHb2E0eICKn2mQoZEEzBA18-m5myyOmUltT8lREcU3-qEUmW9DaeqaIjz8vnpSIyQ9eikBGAw0PcVvhudkQaze5pHkPF5TDTdIIAg/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8y4T75X5VAFwUPJK0F81KhjsaYKKpr_FJ8drKjNJOfdrvAu9g8k8GNBAaqdVMlR7SZu_9ptGkttxDtM7NgL0T5oHb2E0eICKn2mQoZEEzBA18-m5myyOmUltT8lREcU3-qEUmW9DaeqaIjz8vnpSIyQ9eikBGAw0PcVvhudkQaze5pHkPF5TDTdIIAg/w640-h480/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>You might complain that the goldenrod is not quite sharp. True. The teasels are closest and brightest. That's where nearly everyone starts, and surely we know the form of goldenrod sufficiently. </p><p>Back underway, I reached the end of the road and turned back. Have you ever walked a long hiking trail, and when turned around, the view was unfamiliar? You might even be confused. Well, I was not puzzled, but I did see another interesting composition. None of the Queen Anne's lace seemed attractive. But now it was floating over the abandoned road showing me the way home.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJYXx9Ovjo1MosV27MlI4Gm6icMHV-yU8TgfBR7ES6idkvuiynpFSZahUbmB5qR9wvaCxwewNOcnr1huJNRdCIXtdl4m65KTSyXU156-kGeiPDLQ-obYGFsxHv3Sr3_-Iw9qnO7C0lHMTEtGftCjtShvCY0yEhPTJNQVcWGu7aGiQITWCfo07DrZUkHM/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJYXx9Ovjo1MosV27MlI4Gm6icMHV-yU8TgfBR7ES6idkvuiynpFSZahUbmB5qR9wvaCxwewNOcnr1huJNRdCIXtdl4m65KTSyXU156-kGeiPDLQ-obYGFsxHv3Sr3_-Iw9qnO7C0lHMTEtGftCjtShvCY0yEhPTJNQVcWGu7aGiQITWCfo07DrZUkHM/w480-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7290.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Again, the subject avoids being conjoined with the green surrounds. </p><p>Now, back towards my car. Reaching Lowe Pond, I just had to stop for this single Purple Loosestrife. Yes, it's an invasive plant that will never yield its place, but using the portrait mode did make a nice result.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvD-uGhSWmDTfrgBNXQ7Uzo4r_lfM_rYIWXK08qrPIXyatgvRyuqCABwQWaCHMCorhtD3abDXJ0R0SIIFFSPqpwMKgHNJYJKkTEdmxViMYsAmcy6r2zYa6r3kc6SzU6iS-j6-uFA1CBemcwrC6hOJDw69rXENHCrUAulsa3RNHmKEgK9dtlNVBfH22xc/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvD-uGhSWmDTfrgBNXQ7Uzo4r_lfM_rYIWXK08qrPIXyatgvRyuqCABwQWaCHMCorhtD3abDXJ0R0SIIFFSPqpwMKgHNJYJKkTEdmxViMYsAmcy6r2zYa6r3kc6SzU6iS-j6-uFA1CBemcwrC6hOJDw69rXENHCrUAulsa3RNHmKEgK9dtlNVBfH22xc/w480-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20on%20road%20to%20%20Rhode's%20Farm-IMG_7297.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I could now see sprinkles on the pond, so there were no more stops. The tracker says 2.03 miles in 58 minutes. Not bad considering nine stops along the way.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Paul</i></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-6720587466743956482023-08-04T15:25:00.004-07:002023-08-04T16:45:08.333-07:00Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC9uQ5zvjutbdXtl-wL_roahCBlUbrEIoDiHln5TTUDZVbnozdnfOKPjWg3UL3Q7vNNYByvrZDlRIObKqtLsdI3fnyL1dd0zVealAk-1JbJmPuivm2qhn6aMG4qGRDgQBy0mCscAbeNPvshfxHeDHx4fjZHnlFTfjkYHBYrSi6UiBEFVScuRvJiJZS6s/s1800/Web-%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7099.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC9uQ5zvjutbdXtl-wL_roahCBlUbrEIoDiHln5TTUDZVbnozdnfOKPjWg3UL3Q7vNNYByvrZDlRIObKqtLsdI3fnyL1dd0zVealAk-1JbJmPuivm2qhn6aMG4qGRDgQBy0mCscAbeNPvshfxHeDHx4fjZHnlFTfjkYHBYrSi6UiBEFVScuRvJiJZS6s/s320/Web-%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Along the banks of the Anacostia River in the District of Columbia is the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. It's operated by the the National Park Service. In mid-July, it's predictably hot and humid, so I arrived when the gates opened at 8:00 a.m. As you can see at the right, it does get crowded around 10:30 am, when I'm leaving for the day. <br /><p></p><p>The main attraction for me is the large number of water lotus in bloom. The huge flower is matched by the disc-like seed pods that appears later.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTuRoPn2sLsPqLzRNvVr83BJpLX_IVhVp_ZsxouOcAzJnn_aLtnfrelWnYy0Utelinp9ha4OlTISPrClYoxwF1-o20zDulY4k6J4SrqC2-VZyVNXdqkFw53G5U8fgFFZ65t1HqxlYTwPR808gBf26S7eqn9ll_SxsMTf-p4clTRj1Ml4wkah1PK2Rv24/s1800/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTuRoPn2sLsPqLzRNvVr83BJpLX_IVhVp_ZsxouOcAzJnn_aLtnfrelWnYy0Utelinp9ha4OlTISPrClYoxwF1-o20zDulY4k6J4SrqC2-VZyVNXdqkFw53G5U8fgFFZ65t1HqxlYTwPR808gBf26S7eqn9ll_SxsMTf-p4clTRj1Ml4wkah1PK2Rv24/w426-h640/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-062.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Photographing the water lotus has its difficulties. They grow in large, shallow water pools that are easy to admire, but much more difficult to photograph from dry land.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEqa-R02L9WhpzS36OWPm5_N93yw4hORmRAQhdygqcFCeYWWjZWXsbppREiDBpcNh6Zx63BSLdiAHcffNDSc0LHzVUwA-X8p3NzdUm2-IFNHQ2v5ELamNNBayI1By2S-8yOwdqWLs0yZ853BLgL3m6ZXhBYweSOQyX31ECqlT8bHo2dnOgloEZbyRkOI/s1800/Web-%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7092.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEqa-R02L9WhpzS36OWPm5_N93yw4hORmRAQhdygqcFCeYWWjZWXsbppREiDBpcNh6Zx63BSLdiAHcffNDSc0LHzVUwA-X8p3NzdUm2-IFNHQ2v5ELamNNBayI1By2S-8yOwdqWLs0yZ853BLgL3m6ZXhBYweSOQyX31ECqlT8bHo2dnOgloEZbyRkOI/w640-h480/Web-%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Luckily, on this visit there were no mosquitos at add to the challenge. I find the new flower buds very appealing, if I can find an uncluttered setting with a bit of early morning light.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0neS5362gJDdI5JIWLo3tmcko1KjWLP2AQxtnCeAst5dVszastBdpdGTX5_UbkvA45futZfik6I8nWgGxWHa--OFQ5X4ttYQb2k6noWObZVUKLpDkkMBdF5v1apM7XxT-P2T3han90JP0Hc09pcgsFHmkpqErwH2SPovpa11ho3FKVbqMxjKuQongerw/s1800/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0neS5362gJDdI5JIWLo3tmcko1KjWLP2AQxtnCeAst5dVszastBdpdGTX5_UbkvA45futZfik6I8nWgGxWHa--OFQ5X4ttYQb2k6noWObZVUKLpDkkMBdF5v1apM7XxT-P2T3han90JP0Hc09pcgsFHmkpqErwH2SPovpa11ho3FKVbqMxjKuQongerw/w426-h640/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-036.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Another favorite setting is the combination of a new bud plus a fully open flower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb8xAUo8gtwGbSdvqf9GMhvJQqCKqeilG-bEri9IYO6Jy8eHa7jP-viyC_etuQ_X4aF4jX0K3ksOtuQLAvyMopD7l7ku6KM_h0rmZWN0dIKotqn9cKMn9mn6wOo01Zg-Oyzl8yStmSAFlOcJKHAKL2_xTAG19zU5i7oSNhOnbKC9Oye3trsK6U_KFw2c/s1800/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb8xAUo8gtwGbSdvqf9GMhvJQqCKqeilG-bEri9IYO6Jy8eHa7jP-viyC_etuQ_X4aF4jX0K3ksOtuQLAvyMopD7l7ku6KM_h0rmZWN0dIKotqn9cKMn9mn6wOo01Zg-Oyzl8yStmSAFlOcJKHAKL2_xTAG19zU5i7oSNhOnbKC9Oye3trsK6U_KFw2c/w426-h640/Web-Water%20Lotus-20230718-029.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Mixed in with the lotus are pools with water lilies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTStDuCWj2y8qmcb8sqbXkYPLkYvCVby0DyO5TLvu6ZabIJ6OUK19ZcvyNgF5F1R1CkpcFwx_vwPZG5-enq_9BlmN8JLATJVmcN_z-PlshbMHC1pZExU2jKOZvk46FtwxVnZhHyKNHV3zeijgWsKac74MkY8jNFXoLHSN-a2whlmUEI4wJ0VJclNq9-lM/s1800/Web-Welcome%20at%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTStDuCWj2y8qmcb8sqbXkYPLkYvCVby0DyO5TLvu6ZabIJ6OUK19ZcvyNgF5F1R1CkpcFwx_vwPZG5-enq_9BlmN8JLATJVmcN_z-PlshbMHC1pZExU2jKOZvk46FtwxVnZhHyKNHV3zeijgWsKac74MkY8jNFXoLHSN-a2whlmUEI4wJ0VJclNq9-lM/w400-h300/Web-Welcome%20at%20Kenilworth%20Aquatic%20Garden-IMG_7090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWPZMf2nOVbrUwQGImlE940bYV8Nzq2kT0zItx0apm2M06LKXCAoeKdeuZbQoJIFQH6DwlJxf-S1Eesz8GI9qpW-z0jAcL3gbQrNUME__ENGCis4lQPmYUZkQ9_yTEME3JCsG0Cau9jqcUxrUZPSAeFRVaXkeZ1XlFKlU2tvzPwhFLfr23fjgOQ6cyPg/s1800/Web-Water%20Lily%20at%20Kenilworth-20230718-084.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWPZMf2nOVbrUwQGImlE940bYV8Nzq2kT0zItx0apm2M06LKXCAoeKdeuZbQoJIFQH6DwlJxf-S1Eesz8GI9qpW-z0jAcL3gbQrNUME__ENGCis4lQPmYUZkQ9_yTEME3JCsG0Cau9jqcUxrUZPSAeFRVaXkeZ1XlFKlU2tvzPwhFLfr23fjgOQ6cyPg/s320/Web-Water%20Lily%20at%20Kenilworth-20230718-084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Water lilies are more challenging because they are not standing on a tall stalk at my eye level, and frankly, getting down to their level muddied my knees, and attracted bemused looks from non-photographers. (I'm used to it.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5MCtmaxsCUK1UjadbLVCT1RVtLbsWVjK3XTfcXxQ0NPMdZX7_qvLHRyHjiI_L9c0N2ICmapgzBIpY6FakbvS87eRkZ-mOdOKx7q13xkzXdlTpruNd5KvDpfNm0vV1XhfbnVQ_VyVyD9IvERy6vNC6ej2OvLpXLz-lDgZ8J7wiAE48Ssn4jCbYyVmOeM/s1800/Web-Alium%20at%20Kenilworth-IMG_7102.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5MCtmaxsCUK1UjadbLVCT1RVtLbsWVjK3XTfcXxQ0NPMdZX7_qvLHRyHjiI_L9c0N2ICmapgzBIpY6FakbvS87eRkZ-mOdOKx7q13xkzXdlTpruNd5KvDpfNm0vV1XhfbnVQ_VyVyD9IvERy6vNC6ej2OvLpXLz-lDgZ8J7wiAE48Ssn4jCbYyVmOeM/s320/Web-Alium%20at%20Kenilworth-IMG_7102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <p></p><p>There was another unexpected flowering plant in the shallow water, identified by my friend Rosemarie Parker as spider lily. It's appearance suggested tome "orchid", so I had to once again get down low to capture its beauty.</p><p>I was rather pleased with the resulting image.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B5_PqgodkEK3RXMjfhij3h3J12BJGUvBV7lpaJeU8Nu9jTuWkWkGOs4VStuPTbt0wWpm8SoPm_u0IjQflIoyrb4AUH0oOGhRieAkoiiUKK5MMlXkSHFoWzwD66gGq6XWkT74BxfGBv-25Q4-rwjjp-LNMaWG4Q66M2_ak23xWKzyLkG2Zw9dThtqwFE/s1800/Web-Alium%20at%20Kenilworth-20230718-074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B5_PqgodkEK3RXMjfhij3h3J12BJGUvBV7lpaJeU8Nu9jTuWkWkGOs4VStuPTbt0wWpm8SoPm_u0IjQflIoyrb4AUH0oOGhRieAkoiiUKK5MMlXkSHFoWzwD66gGq6XWkT74BxfGBv-25Q4-rwjjp-LNMaWG4Q66M2_ak23xWKzyLkG2Zw9dThtqwFE/w426-h640/Web-Alium%20at%20Kenilworth-20230718-074.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>An added bonus to my early bird arrival was capturing one of only three parking spaces under some shade trees. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-85398630050306755072023-06-28T14:19:00.002-07:002023-06-28T14:19:06.231-07:00Snapshots of Prince Edward Island<p>The eight mile long Confederation Bridge was opened in 1997. The idea of a bridge was heatedly debated before a referendum passed by 59.4%. It transformed life on the island and eventually gained widespread approval. We arrived at the bridge on a windy, rainy morning. New visitors frequently stop at the viewpoint on Cape Jourimain as these young people did. The ride across the bridge is smooth, but we'd have liked to have had a clearer view.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWSldluBPF4UfuiRHbIjc_bjnag5VAZNa9d6H-xc5pJmcR6lv-EEZLDdkrgsmmOry7JGGJwMmOPdUI4p36ybPdIGJz0yJLlP7Dv0_RJdfSbibYDcF0NF7oMmfhxR5XJVPHwhkHcBdhF77hix178X6EC6bUMChrd26x8lXQHNzzFzGU5Y5k1Hfs2pQrSo/s1800/Web-Rainy%20Morning%20at%20Confederation%20Bridge-20230618-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWSldluBPF4UfuiRHbIjc_bjnag5VAZNa9d6H-xc5pJmcR6lv-EEZLDdkrgsmmOry7JGGJwMmOPdUI4p36ybPdIGJz0yJLlP7Dv0_RJdfSbibYDcF0NF7oMmfhxR5XJVPHwhkHcBdhF77hix178X6EC6bUMChrd26x8lXQHNzzFzGU5Y5k1Hfs2pQrSo/w640-h360/Web-Rainy%20Morning%20at%20Confederation%20Bridge-20230618-005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once on the island, one soon sees hallmarks of this small province with only about 150,000 residents. The sea is always nearby, so a great variety of lighthouses are seen. This is Cape Bear Lighthouse where the first radio message was received from the stricken Titanic.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb58o5FxsA16P1vZMtiXk25QCQbq1jzPRNW1PhyTOYXH5MoAIrorSDgvDIBXWGEumqGcfVk1wjy2BLnmR0HiR7dixaQjYBIBuUtCFaAoIjQLRk4Epqk7sTIDDVoHMBl-QqGMaTX06MK_5DUy0vxMpUjHeer72RYGynirFzWPWEd7JASSbaGkSrVp7OYZ8/s1800/Web-Cape%20Bear%20Lighthouse-20230622-236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1311" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb58o5FxsA16P1vZMtiXk25QCQbq1jzPRNW1PhyTOYXH5MoAIrorSDgvDIBXWGEumqGcfVk1wjy2BLnmR0HiR7dixaQjYBIBuUtCFaAoIjQLRk4Epqk7sTIDDVoHMBl-QqGMaTX06MK_5DUy0vxMpUjHeer72RYGynirFzWPWEd7JASSbaGkSrVp7OYZ8/w466-h640/Web-Cape%20Bear%20Lighthouse-20230622-236.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>Largely, the lighthouses are wooden. The island lacks hard stone that is so often used elsewhere. <br /><p></p><p>Two more constants are flowering lupines and small fishing harbors. The lupines are widespread.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFltMwq0Jyxl7PS5x3SSLNiTT4GNu6SwKD6m-1vnhhX3T0WweXtLt-V6pv_dVZDHDjQ6AV3R0EoSfIkwhDjALyCV_MDL8Cuoq99VgiLW7UurZfo40NCEWmpvITtm8-lhCc-zuiXehNkaCu4lTPX2MXEvY04wezRDL2jrnLMcu6_1-VXUyK8NTHjOZwGKw/s1800/Web-Lupines%20at%20French%20River%20%20Harbor-20230618-039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFltMwq0Jyxl7PS5x3SSLNiTT4GNu6SwKD6m-1vnhhX3T0WweXtLt-V6pv_dVZDHDjQ6AV3R0EoSfIkwhDjALyCV_MDL8Cuoq99VgiLW7UurZfo40NCEWmpvITtm8-lhCc-zuiXehNkaCu4lTPX2MXEvY04wezRDL2jrnLMcu6_1-VXUyK8NTHjOZwGKw/w640-h426/Web-Lupines%20at%20French%20River%20%20Harbor-20230618-039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>There is abundant seafood to feast upon. This lunch featured a fresh haddock sandwich and bay scallop tacos, both with PEI potato salad and cabbage slaw. You can't drive more than 5 kilometers without passing a field of potatoes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWlFsePpqWTQAXw6_VGwZZ5sIiZfjWddeBcoXuXL2BrbEjNsdVsNggYcB2a2YoJSB9EwA246wjuZe-YBWPph7JyDkPUoJYwv0Gxy7GARcvk73tr7CkZxdWFiQfSFA6a6PeH362jFlzlGf3iwZQZjmSJvGb6ufTlyq6-apWqQMdqyOCnEwMJVhOgEnwhc/s1800/Web-Lunch-IMG_6926(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWlFsePpqWTQAXw6_VGwZZ5sIiZfjWddeBcoXuXL2BrbEjNsdVsNggYcB2a2YoJSB9EwA246wjuZe-YBWPph7JyDkPUoJYwv0Gxy7GARcvk73tr7CkZxdWFiQfSFA6a6PeH362jFlzlGf3iwZQZjmSJvGb6ufTlyq6-apWqQMdqyOCnEwMJVhOgEnwhc/w388-h640/Web-Lunch-IMG_6926(1).jpg" width="388" /></a></div>Another certainty is friendly people. Pam and I agree that the residents are another hallmark.<p></p><p>Our first three days were marked by cloudy and breezy days - not ideal for photography but fine to explore. On several occasions, we visited locations marked by seaside tragedies. This is Covehead Lighthouse.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bRCPs4AuTE81SFd5nV_NCC9rdvwEACaJM3mSk2XA9S1MCkXY0-XAuRqvf3Fdwna9sr9DTJtk3ExdUfKZFWTG_CCLNvKG2gEkaq9ewUrAJ79zx5L4atHI4OZJXMGS6DbjKAm5wOP2pDy9kLV3W88sZbBG02aCmDVV6vxk1wkv-2dhYZrqb3Cc71NZAtg/s1800/Web-Pam%20&%20Paul%20at%20Covehead%20Lighthouse-IMG_6924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1267" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bRCPs4AuTE81SFd5nV_NCC9rdvwEACaJM3mSk2XA9S1MCkXY0-XAuRqvf3Fdwna9sr9DTJtk3ExdUfKZFWTG_CCLNvKG2gEkaq9ewUrAJ79zx5L4atHI4OZJXMGS6DbjKAm5wOP2pDy9kLV3W88sZbBG02aCmDVV6vxk1wkv-2dhYZrqb3Cc71NZAtg/w450-h640/Web-Pam%20&%20Paul%20at%20Covehead%20Lighthouse-IMG_6924.jpg" width="450" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Yankee Gale of October 3, 1851 claimed 74 ships and 150 lives. The fishing fleet was calmed in the evening and unable to return to harbor. In the night, the gale drove the fleet onshore with no mercy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For most of our days on PEI, I searched for that perfect display of lupines. There was this small bouquet framing a grave marker next to a rural church. Not many are colored pink so I liked these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6L3ianTWceGHtw2fmWeb0HDbMO8rKQsJ0ijDcIV-TTZZS5uqa-N8hQ82ldWQbpa6kQbTer0FPutd1rjOy5zvG0Pg4pD8vKUDkCpCTkOXQKDQQ4i8AAHJAtw_bk81-gWDaq3grEe7aC3UxkpyCjN_kRBqzvUJPRjabqEZUcneL-5xKkSwT_dLrVLrJsw/s1800/Web-Lupines%20at%20Country%20Cemetery-20230619-070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6L3ianTWceGHtw2fmWeb0HDbMO8rKQsJ0ijDcIV-TTZZS5uqa-N8hQ82ldWQbpa6kQbTer0FPutd1rjOy5zvG0Pg4pD8vKUDkCpCTkOXQKDQQ4i8AAHJAtw_bk81-gWDaq3grEe7aC3UxkpyCjN_kRBqzvUJPRjabqEZUcneL-5xKkSwT_dLrVLrJsw/w426-h640/Web-Lupines%20at%20Country%20Cemetery-20230619-070.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My luck changed when we visited an abandoned shipyard at Murray Head across the bay from Georgetown. Wow, three lupine colors in one place.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7WCTrDI92Rfhl86dX85DPUckDk-xr5dIhOMwOGMNJbMcqvCHjSED8yn9jrQI5YKOSMFoq7rH8XtcZBommd52a0fK87rK1uZrXtOL8ctCpcqUOzuIDXqVEdAaVq51c4ctByKOtTsyklYz7bYJeYpZ9bF4YY8S4YrmPvS5bZ5VzIPMibaH1ZZjBwz8gwc/s1800/Web-Lupines%20overlooking%20Murray%20Head-20230622-276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7WCTrDI92Rfhl86dX85DPUckDk-xr5dIhOMwOGMNJbMcqvCHjSED8yn9jrQI5YKOSMFoq7rH8XtcZBommd52a0fK87rK1uZrXtOL8ctCpcqUOzuIDXqVEdAaVq51c4ctByKOtTsyklYz7bYJeYpZ9bF4YY8S4YrmPvS5bZ5VzIPMibaH1ZZjBwz8gwc/w426-h640/Web-Lupines%20overlooking%20Murray%20Head-20230622-276.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While researching places to visit, I discovered a number of "Pioneer Cemetery" listings. There was one near Cavendish called "Yankee Hill Pioneer Cemetery". It also had a lighthouse nearby. Walking in on the private road, we were greeted by the owner who was in the process of clearing the trail to the side. Bruce highlighted the history and paused mowing while we explored.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqHjXAy-jaferIftN07_uC8a3U8Xg0K5vFiAE6iqplhL1tLne4PeQrr50V0QQhgn4FOUDEs7I3J-7dyaltM_k2-YUztgrxsh8O0EzSmQNaCC7ostWrtbJk7he5JCkM8AfQclVu96aP9emwjCBCydVBEO8I98jjxR-TxF4Ix5zQwcEg9De-ccIM9ILPS0/s1800/Web-Pam%20Schmitt%20at%20%20Yankee%20Hil%20Pioneer%20Cemeteryl-IMG_6946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqHjXAy-jaferIftN07_uC8a3U8Xg0K5vFiAE6iqplhL1tLne4PeQrr50V0QQhgn4FOUDEs7I3J-7dyaltM_k2-YUztgrxsh8O0EzSmQNaCC7ostWrtbJk7he5JCkM8AfQclVu96aP9emwjCBCydVBEO8I98jjxR-TxF4Ix5zQwcEg9De-ccIM9ILPS0/w480-h640/Web-Pam%20Schmitt%20at%20%20Yankee%20Hil%20Pioneer%20Cemeteryl-IMG_6946.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are the stones for Mary Pickering (1792-1878) and Thomas Pickering (1790-1878). They had eleven children. He was a farmer, mariner and shipbuilder. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK37YPf1F7GBOsjgILQ3Z53NcAJEMpdTs2RMWY1gcpdQYLh0HWcDruXjRmUAMnVyAyVluO_5_h6mxi0-DO9Ea2SsQ9w8wQf-kbzMtzkj3cHYCGk6mqy9TgAl3oxtRyZDel4-aKLevyEki914E1JjqVc9R0zQQ2iGtAYTUWhTCBVRZvZUPkjYkMYzjMyDw/s1800/Web-Mary%20&%20Thomas%20Pickering-%20Headstones,%20Yankee%20Hill-20230620-127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1800" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK37YPf1F7GBOsjgILQ3Z53NcAJEMpdTs2RMWY1gcpdQYLh0HWcDruXjRmUAMnVyAyVluO_5_h6mxi0-DO9Ea2SsQ9w8wQf-kbzMtzkj3cHYCGk6mqy9TgAl3oxtRyZDel4-aKLevyEki914E1JjqVc9R0zQQ2iGtAYTUWhTCBVRZvZUPkjYkMYzjMyDw/w640-h468/Web-Mary%20&%20Thomas%20Pickering-%20Headstones,%20Yankee%20Hill-20230620-127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another was a marker for George McKay, a native of Durness, Scotland. (1763-1816)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp7O3MkV23doySf_I6oZ2nxbO6oNMKg04KjNv9isEL3UVGlxDEnMpP1zyfpLaN4PwjsDZqx2PJl1pfcSdpn0jKWVK5G1pjkH8B_LBPZMVhv-4Dp29nHFuoUmRLteot9R5Jy-iD5hkAPn2JryWPtOSdAWKwB23V2E-TUd5Oay7T96K4dZAcw2ZUPcnOfU/s1800/Web-Catherine%20McKay-%20Headstone,%20Yankee%20Hill-20230620-130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp7O3MkV23doySf_I6oZ2nxbO6oNMKg04KjNv9isEL3UVGlxDEnMpP1zyfpLaN4PwjsDZqx2PJl1pfcSdpn0jKWVK5G1pjkH8B_LBPZMVhv-4Dp29nHFuoUmRLteot9R5Jy-iD5hkAPn2JryWPtOSdAWKwB23V2E-TUd5Oay7T96K4dZAcw2ZUPcnOfU/w426-h640/Web-Catherine%20McKay-%20Headstone,%20Yankee%20Hill-20230620-130.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>Bruce is building a home on Yankee Hill with a ocean view that includes a view of this lighthouse on London Bay.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTJqAsKve5QChP0WGpNkWh0r322hrVsx5Vb5-CLkBTa8QmAxc7ZTe9yPFXOYWqCGooyRpb4gUQmVd8HjKo7Bv9O2iQCgAFGIXJOM5wQThKI8ZNUn9TFyeFie8Ntczh-mgYYdLLroPQBT1kfWXHNv81r2DRCYcqtlXiPiTb4qQzpxOBSh-k8W0GFnOEDM/s1800/Web-Yankee%20Hill%20Lighthouse,%20New%20London%20Bay-20230621-191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTJqAsKve5QChP0WGpNkWh0r322hrVsx5Vb5-CLkBTa8QmAxc7ZTe9yPFXOYWqCGooyRpb4gUQmVd8HjKo7Bv9O2iQCgAFGIXJOM5wQThKI8ZNUn9TFyeFie8Ntczh-mgYYdLLroPQBT1kfWXHNv81r2DRCYcqtlXiPiTb4qQzpxOBSh-k8W0GFnOEDM/w426-h640/Web-Yankee%20Hill%20Lighthouse,%20New%20London%20Bay-20230621-191.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMrZTyjsg7iMTuu8wVIFtldjUj5T-rDLYNjdQM2gxfKn09zqUQTABYbvj3f9qtHM1wtoG9eKCfMiVAejtIJ6VQJtRDsz5RBf8vuKr1HXsWz0pLiDMWehehTxwNq1YU7a-tBtIIPoMjbXzWGDLnVazekM2DIbVjDS-YumrRZKAIiH_ZGMkL0q2NSJg754/s1800/Web-Headstones%20in%20Georgetown%20Cemetery-20230623-312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMrZTyjsg7iMTuu8wVIFtldjUj5T-rDLYNjdQM2gxfKn09zqUQTABYbvj3f9qtHM1wtoG9eKCfMiVAejtIJ6VQJtRDsz5RBf8vuKr1HXsWz0pLiDMWehehTxwNq1YU7a-tBtIIPoMjbXzWGDLnVazekM2DIbVjDS-YumrRZKAIiH_ZGMkL0q2NSJg754/s320/Web-Headstones%20in%20Georgetown%20Cemetery-20230623-312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It may seem unusual to include cemeteries in an itinerary, but in Atlantic Canada, they are a continuing link to people's pasts. We stopped at the Brackley Beach Cemetery on the north shore where two ladies were unloading trays of flowers for placing on markers of family members. In Cavendish Cemetery, this marker honoring mariners lost in earlier mentioned Yankee Gail of 1851. At a cemetery in Georgetown, this marker remembers a boy lost at age four. Note the childhood ornaments for those who died young. I've seen this elsewhere.<br /><p></p><p>At our last hotel in Montague, I woke for the very early sunrise. The highway bridge was lined with planters full of petunias.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvya-z9wmcVqGKZx11m68yxmOeRIahgSY88fhkw4xMboNtoIyKsSU2V0gvCnLRFSnExEn7MbjKHNmAMNlw7ZWernk35CH6hmf81IL1rJyEpXcYsfEl7mfVtdM3RaZbUWxVUsPmEelW6PM6P73R9zv9gegShrawdMPN3CROkK34S293vD2I7HP4Ji6xBI/s1800/Web-Petunias%20on%20the%20Bridge%20at%20Montague-20230622-198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvya-z9wmcVqGKZx11m68yxmOeRIahgSY88fhkw4xMboNtoIyKsSU2V0gvCnLRFSnExEn7MbjKHNmAMNlw7ZWernk35CH6hmf81IL1rJyEpXcYsfEl7mfVtdM3RaZbUWxVUsPmEelW6PM6P73R9zv9gegShrawdMPN3CROkK34S293vD2I7HP4Ji6xBI/w640-h426/Web-Petunias%20on%20the%20Bridge%20at%20Montague-20230622-198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The sunrise was framed with three large cast sculptures of cormorants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrpaS2Po6GTkGQE0F6_DlWPNClB6T89bPC5VVkS4ESQskKb6qzmF4Eoggzysja5k3jKu3bizeZDqiQwHqcZKO_eWAGS0cipHf-rZmH-Mroves8pO47vTgAY_UamRXoUv50QHsNbvkTtMvPGmnr1r4NnacmiulnTN_GtqdNZ5nuwHOwV4dMT471otwUbU/s1800/Web-Sunrise%20at%20Montague%20Harbor-20230622-208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrpaS2Po6GTkGQE0F6_DlWPNClB6T89bPC5VVkS4ESQskKb6qzmF4Eoggzysja5k3jKu3bizeZDqiQwHqcZKO_eWAGS0cipHf-rZmH-Mroves8pO47vTgAY_UamRXoUv50QHsNbvkTtMvPGmnr1r4NnacmiulnTN_GtqdNZ5nuwHOwV4dMT471otwUbU/w640-h426/Web-Sunrise%20at%20Montague%20Harbor-20230622-208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It was now time to head home. Again, we stopped at the Confederation Bridge for one last look.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtZ7YJmKPod49fn-t8lkx-Ycf0i9qFr5qIVxYnYeJPHuIHOW9Dmv0kmUYy0e2FB0RksS2-lcfKaoW3g1tueZWold_4jZdkwoh-8NFSg8FfhTQx4OVHkfvXYoCRJFhCXqS-KxGll57fplFNtZYcxJp3t7oP9-iPSb1CQIJB0I7N5PYQGa-koj6MJeGjuc/s1800/Web-PEI%20Landing%20at%20Confederation%20Bridge-20230618-023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtZ7YJmKPod49fn-t8lkx-Ycf0i9qFr5qIVxYnYeJPHuIHOW9Dmv0kmUYy0e2FB0RksS2-lcfKaoW3g1tueZWold_4jZdkwoh-8NFSg8FfhTQx4OVHkfvXYoCRJFhCXqS-KxGll57fplFNtZYcxJp3t7oP9-iPSb1CQIJB0I7N5PYQGa-koj6MJeGjuc/w640-h268/Web-PEI%20Landing%20at%20Confederation%20Bridge-20230618-023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We paid our $50.25 toll and returned home..</p><p>One last comment is for golfers. The island has many lush courses that could be imagined to be in Scotland- rolling hills, sandy bunkers and picture perfect greens. We met several people touring across the island for a new course each day. Sadly, I was terrible at golf.<br /></p><p>Paul Schmitt<br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-68861533557452067592023-06-12T18:57:00.003-07:002023-06-13T18:08:41.124-07:00Sauntering in the Shenandoahs<p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><b>Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them. </b></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></b>John Muir</span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Here are a few photographs which appealed to my eye at various places along the Skyline Drive, Virginia. True to Muir's idea, I tried to keep my pace slower. First are two falls found in Dark Hollow near Big Meadows. The upper falls has several drops on it's way to the viewer:</span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydqO8b75XmSOo7NUmf1FGL7Gk45NPo4jwUzsmfdI1lyFi0sybXn4TLFYfKBo2tmFAikJ_VosrlRFUt4rbjYBnE1AxP2CfvmAARW4FhZ3AOsLd2u2e9qudblDB5gQOL8yEuplvWv2NzfClOUiY_6zfHkrPtTc7O4HcmqBCr54M2gstnymfDlUhABMM/s1800/Web-Dark%20Hollow%20Waterfalls-20230603_539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydqO8b75XmSOo7NUmf1FGL7Gk45NPo4jwUzsmfdI1lyFi0sybXn4TLFYfKBo2tmFAikJ_VosrlRFUt4rbjYBnE1AxP2CfvmAARW4FhZ3AOsLd2u2e9qudblDB5gQOL8yEuplvWv2NzfClOUiY_6zfHkrPtTc7O4HcmqBCr54M2gstnymfDlUhABMM/w426-h640/Web-Dark%20Hollow%20Waterfalls-20230603_539.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>I chose to include the lower three. What most appealed to me was the mossy covered rocks framing the milky white water. Just below this was another smaller scene that I labored to frame while simultaneously keeping my boots dry.<br /><span class="hgKElc"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtRzwPUyvDxGh2-5yzntviRrU2zCJ0wmUw2lXkcU-yXSuddDk-NF1KMFn_PWv5QFPjLwFPmqQ2GsPpvBXkZ0JjU8XM7CvnNxrlNh3UDTXrzwRT-pZC8cC0pDEGVmOgjbDumy_4e1ZazxQExRexHeSd_BnRAmJd7TLvpZkSZ3KQGkId27IGqo04gNa/s1800/Web-Dark%20Hollow%20Waterfalls-20230603_548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtRzwPUyvDxGh2-5yzntviRrU2zCJ0wmUw2lXkcU-yXSuddDk-NF1KMFn_PWv5QFPjLwFPmqQ2GsPpvBXkZ0JjU8XM7CvnNxrlNh3UDTXrzwRT-pZC8cC0pDEGVmOgjbDumy_4e1ZazxQExRexHeSd_BnRAmJd7TLvpZkSZ3KQGkId27IGqo04gNa/w426-h640/Web-Dark%20Hollow%20Waterfalls-20230603_548.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Why use such a slow exposure? The slow, steady movement down Dark Hollow stream was peaceful. So, the silky water matched my feelings. There is no one right shutter speed, but there can be one that conveys how I perceive the motion.</p><p>On Limberlost trail, I hoped for some wildflowers. This fascinating flower seems related to Columbine, but the color seems unusual. The small spider makes it special. It appears in only one of the seven images in the stack necessary to capture sharp focus on the entire flower.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYuDUfN2q5v1zCFEP4J1YiIPRRDyZ_IPwLtyXcOr0Iun4xNjv9k4iqTRDdoBVK6V2kO6SI9MZhCX9Iv0ObiFW6RX7EJuAHxPyjlO0OS6bfNDYdQo3FQIJszIQw2Rk418P1ib7rOVds9TJLhD3fBPjMXLP2iz7EK_TXOIPjWWST3ytJjBymlwMdMId/s1800/Web-Shenandoah%20Wildflower-20230602_441-Edit-Edit.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYuDUfN2q5v1zCFEP4J1YiIPRRDyZ_IPwLtyXcOr0Iun4xNjv9k4iqTRDdoBVK6V2kO6SI9MZhCX9Iv0ObiFW6RX7EJuAHxPyjlO0OS6bfNDYdQo3FQIJszIQw2Rk418P1ib7rOVds9TJLhD3fBPjMXLP2iz7EK_TXOIPjWWST3ytJjBymlwMdMId/w640-h512/Web-Shenandoah%20Wildflower-20230602_441-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Also on the Limberlost trail there was a Pink Lady's Slipper, <i>Cypripedium acaule</i>. These are truly a wild orchid since there has never been a success raising them from seed. So, every one I see is exciting. <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZHG3rYXIPkqGynlqJTPy9aspQl2BTB7zcF7M3G2YLG6fVO0_tYLvF5fChD8Sf4o79rqOG60Ork_Db-hGGyC7TIE04Rcm3466rXD6QJrZAo0RbntYxDILyLOfx2Uk-bTFtsmn2YWZ5PIUjp2kg2rP6JsoJ2vLT2m5x05YpI5BYJ42H4Fyqgm0SUJI/s1800/Web-Shenandoah%20Cypripedium%20acaula-20230602_448-Edit-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZHG3rYXIPkqGynlqJTPy9aspQl2BTB7zcF7M3G2YLG6fVO0_tYLvF5fChD8Sf4o79rqOG60Ork_Db-hGGyC7TIE04Rcm3466rXD6QJrZAo0RbntYxDILyLOfx2Uk-bTFtsmn2YWZ5PIUjp2kg2rP6JsoJ2vLT2m5x05YpI5BYJ42H4Fyqgm0SUJI/w512-h640/Web-Shenandoah%20Cypripedium%20acaula-20230602_448-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></span></div><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><br /></span></span><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">This was a big surprise given the large population of whitetail deer in the national park. There was sign of some browsing on some plants. There has been no deer hunting in the national park since it inception in the 1930s, and in my personal opinion the forest under story is greatly diminished in its diversity.</span></span><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">There were also some "critters" in the park that were of interest. I value a singing Indigo Bunting as always a treat. There were dozens at several overlooks, and a few that perched in an uncluttered place to perform. <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2s4KUIOjG2OYfBP1tnylalkeTVNyrgivvBj-p_Jj25PfHvTM1GEmjl0xsgnWRtNNJF2tg7aI_UZZyjgMYFWJ-ymC9AUkopqoz_Ihceac8Cmzxhql353FcoF2yQ6Kd4o9dlGVlEbNjVVkaGJkh2ABBszz8WqNaz2f21omYcwu7nRzrLudPEQO6F_7/s1800/Web-Indigo%20Bunting-20230603_760-Edit.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2s4KUIOjG2OYfBP1tnylalkeTVNyrgivvBj-p_Jj25PfHvTM1GEmjl0xsgnWRtNNJF2tg7aI_UZZyjgMYFWJ-ymC9AUkopqoz_Ihceac8Cmzxhql353FcoF2yQ6Kd4o9dlGVlEbNjVVkaGJkh2ABBszz8WqNaz2f21omYcwu7nRzrLudPEQO6F_7/w640-h512/Web-Indigo%20Bunting-20230603_760-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><br /><span class="hgKElc"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">As I drove the Skyline Drive, giant yellow swallowtail butterflies soared past, and sometimes found suitable blooming flowers to feed upon. On one occasion, one of them found a spot at an overlook where one could safely park. Hesitate, and they are soaring off to a distant place.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFrNBOdE8sPcZRWabpbUrvW2GRqx2eMWyUw_cMs5vGspu0AtLCdX-ufAeEIPLdb6KoWwc84cf2qyp3l7bLCeydbrCsczfER37oNnfL7yu0Ro-o6Ti_aBzU73WYP4FG93UfL0SUzTRfq77WEggx2hd3LXesT75sa1kKCSfeq9jonRRlTBdXMwxgGgB/w426-h640/Web-Giant%20Swallowtail-20230603_796-Edit.jpg" width="426" /> </span></div><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en">At another stop, an Eastern Towhee jumped into song (as the males are so oft to do.) They really throw everything into the song. Again, the trick is to wait for an uncluttered perch.<br /></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVIptJPxaCg1PqdT2ZtaMTf1bKKbS27LyoKoTvN5JeTf-Btw5INn1RSwCe56M_TX06KyEvBTBHblqWDg1ThYeOvk6QC-ClPM9FWhefXvwSo6TgtHN6uNN_zF6kOygFMygpg0Vv15MFqS0GcBqNkt4S-X4RP7p9fcx7r8TXvjGL3sRJTvA_W9_EDmA/s1800/Web-Eastern%20Towhee-20230603_821-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVIptJPxaCg1PqdT2ZtaMTf1bKKbS27LyoKoTvN5JeTf-Btw5INn1RSwCe56M_TX06KyEvBTBHblqWDg1ThYeOvk6QC-ClPM9FWhefXvwSo6TgtHN6uNN_zF6kOygFMygpg0Vv15MFqS0GcBqNkt4S-X4RP7p9fcx7r8TXvjGL3sRJTvA_W9_EDmA/w426-h640/Web-Eastern%20Towhee-20230603_821-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en">There was a heavy fog one morning, or perhaps the mountain ridges were just in the clouds? There is a softness to the light and a quietness that mutes any traffic. Only a little yellow color was revealed. This took me back to foggy morning scenes around 1953 at my uncle's farm in southern Indiana. These were the same -Moth mullein- yellow flowers. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO0a2dyNhHM-ZjnsVRT-OUI3jbHBosgq681d12yoxCgJR5Gc8ciDMkIlNqR3LBIiLOKM0jSzPQIuFtD8oL_MRt8Ll5SmK4gsCBcyem4Knt_ootzA1Z1GdcLKs_K7wZzinAfRAx9C4t8JFgdV10jyC3OKxayNf4iQdIjlixQScWUVmIq0kpqF04ww4/s1800/Web-Yellow-20230604_036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO0a2dyNhHM-ZjnsVRT-OUI3jbHBosgq681d12yoxCgJR5Gc8ciDMkIlNqR3LBIiLOKM0jSzPQIuFtD8oL_MRt8Ll5SmK4gsCBcyem4Knt_ootzA1Z1GdcLKs_K7wZzinAfRAx9C4t8JFgdV10jyC3OKxayNf4iQdIjlixQScWUVmIq0kpqF04ww4/w640-h426/Web-Yellow-20230604_036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIKSqn0eMGpBa4X7SUFrs6oXMcKVJNDjSuhKy_DMfT4M9aApEtpex1xbzkco--1KRNo87qwgljCtscJmAd1n1gswifFn20CoN4up3-lqVrRi_Kt4hLPfR7SO6pEzNWAirLrB5mRDLWIQRz_0JxvVS1UFLi5LjEpiFBby2Yj6RSay2rNJKtZFZ1LVK/s1800/Web-Yellow-20230604_036.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></span></div>Finally, the distant hilltops and ridges in the Shenandoah are best seen in monochrome. <p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrSBElBULw0KC9zbCOFcEl7oZ9gzV0QKNQQVfaAgwuFM9RRvpghZZmfRrGihEprH6G5Tgp5j1SYF97iwY0QdUdxh-eXKc-hWvy56ddzBL7-_KzvVkJ18905bwomlKtQUAOwQJIvApu0Kat6iN1dFbueUAhDw3twefcvkEPkW4PV1-GnAN-PxD8cJm/s1800/Web-Mountain%20View-20230603_846.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrSBElBULw0KC9zbCOFcEl7oZ9gzV0QKNQQVfaAgwuFM9RRvpghZZmfRrGihEprH6G5Tgp5j1SYF97iwY0QdUdxh-eXKc-hWvy56ddzBL7-_KzvVkJ18905bwomlKtQUAOwQJIvApu0Kat6iN1dFbueUAhDw3twefcvkEPkW4PV1-GnAN-PxD8cJm/w640-h426/Web-Mountain%20View-20230603_846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><br /></span>Life is old there, or so the saying suggests. Ninety years with no logging produces some massive trees. But I saw few sapling trees to replace them. I wonder what the future will bring?</p><p><i><span style="font-size: small;">Paul Schmitt</span></i><br /></p><p></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-88623455264432802022023-05-27T09:00:00.000-07:002023-05-27T09:00:00.717-07:00Three Favorites from May 2023<p>It's time to wrap up May with three bird images that have some meaning to me. First, is an elegant Cedar Waxwing that was part of a group of about five that were gleaning caterpillars incredibly close to my parked car.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojHNrwrqqgQ5oPLWHp6d_2kpCg32kmy1nFH9d_a444Ne5S_um8mMvCpAvedpGFqMH9aZZQrdhCudgQEg3vHwtm7oP_WvFqIAoGqSXTsYbx9hrusm6HufvC6GnhB8JCfZTWHvRIe1eSvIf1Q5ZX1KfRgEHWqnoBFfcRP-hNxRFIje6ljCSzVXD9rkS/s1800/Web-Cedar%20Waxwing%20with%20caterpillar-20230526-493-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojHNrwrqqgQ5oPLWHp6d_2kpCg32kmy1nFH9d_a444Ne5S_um8mMvCpAvedpGFqMH9aZZQrdhCudgQEg3vHwtm7oP_WvFqIAoGqSXTsYbx9hrusm6HufvC6GnhB8JCfZTWHvRIe1eSvIf1Q5ZX1KfRgEHWqnoBFfcRP-hNxRFIje6ljCSzVXD9rkS/w426-h640/Web-Cedar%20Waxwing%20with%20caterpillar-20230526-493-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Waxwings are a huge treat when they appear. Their contact singing is so extremely high pitched that any background noise will surely leave it disguised. They move through the cover like ghosts. </p><p>On the same morning, a pair of Brown Thrashers appeared. Not shy like waxwings: rather bold in human terms. More often they are in grass fields, so finding this one perched was unusual. It appeared to be surveying the grasses for insects.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlGVK8QJiOf79sNR6X75BVO1HS27bjPDlTblfoZ8fi05za5iZE2k6TX6KQDAN04IFvTb8w7aIibZV6AgDk-m5cvPNddbjG4kblEK9jjpoLSsA4qE9SNXvPaRv89v3BhvDkm8p_Gn4EOwrrFWZAWNYPRDCcYY5yoDvAZlfrTAfK78X0so6kWRCVMlU/s1800/Web-Brown%20Thrasher-20230526-416-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlGVK8QJiOf79sNR6X75BVO1HS27bjPDlTblfoZ8fi05za5iZE2k6TX6KQDAN04IFvTb8w7aIibZV6AgDk-m5cvPNddbjG4kblEK9jjpoLSsA4qE9SNXvPaRv89v3BhvDkm8p_Gn4EOwrrFWZAWNYPRDCcYY5yoDvAZlfrTAfK78X0so6kWRCVMlU/w426-h640/Web-Brown%20Thrasher-20230526-416-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>The thrashers generally nest in a series of dense thorn bushes.</p><p>Bobolinks are always a subject for my May outings. It seemed to be an off year for them and most outings were failures, especially in the quest for flight images. This boy did stop to sing in the hope that the females had arrived from South America. The rich yellow cap on the head plus the bold black and white patterns on the back (not visible) are supplemented by their bubbling song. Look at the scalloped ends on the tail feathers. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpO8QvNAQ2wdF6jLKQWetHP0woQYMHt53prGFVc9u1DVQChQyrcU0i2aDHlOQNKPCj7gCQgYH4rvOCjgn97ZsB-8jkkjyGOaxG8Eey3dmN47EuXL8zJrZ1vIGKxk2Y0-I2FD18OVikrXJTnXeQhPSneH9k7wzhnnTOWwPwSja9WJw0YMx6FQoBO1k/s1800/Web-%20Bobolink-20230511-441-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpO8QvNAQ2wdF6jLKQWetHP0woQYMHt53prGFVc9u1DVQChQyrcU0i2aDHlOQNKPCj7gCQgYH4rvOCjgn97ZsB-8jkkjyGOaxG8Eey3dmN47EuXL8zJrZ1vIGKxk2Y0-I2FD18OVikrXJTnXeQhPSneH9k7wzhnnTOWwPwSja9WJw0YMx6FQoBO1k/w426-h640/Web-%20Bobolink-20230511-441-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzv6wUb0n5pfINj34a2n6rCk-I3RnqWr1Oda4n2kXTyBg6t0cUaexV5jqRkqhyt8jGwWy4NR9p9Pb11bgfOntegxsXRpG0dNoYDgzRMNpRkKB5NBajXXHOnQl1NxbsnUCkfZvFI9312QO_PMuQVEEELFMdw4pg7ZCGiOZcq4tNWbog8L2IvJA2xJ5/s1800/Web-%20Bobolink-20230511-288-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzv6wUb0n5pfINj34a2n6rCk-I3RnqWr1Oda4n2kXTyBg6t0cUaexV5jqRkqhyt8jGwWy4NR9p9Pb11bgfOntegxsXRpG0dNoYDgzRMNpRkKB5NBajXXHOnQl1NxbsnUCkfZvFI9312QO_PMuQVEEELFMdw4pg7ZCGiOZcq4tNWbog8L2IvJA2xJ5/w400-h320/Web-%20Bobolink-20230511-288-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two weeks later, all of the singing was over and the ladies were in their ground nests. <p></p><p>I noted the black and white patterns on the back. Well, the otherwise inadequate flight image on the left does illustrate one more reason I track these boys in May. This was at 1/2000 second, and I still couldn't precisely track his flight. Next year!</p><p> </p><p>Next for me is June in Shenandoah National Park.</p><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul</span></i><br /> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-65100294753051125662023-05-18T09:00:00.000-07:002023-05-18T09:00:24.259-07:00Mundy Wildflower Garden- Slowing Down to See<p>It's been twenty years since I discovered the Mundy Wildflower Garden on the Cornell campus. The rich array of spring blooms captured my imagination. Soon I was working on a project to upgrade the images posted at the welcoming "Bloom Board." A sense of urgency drove me as I worked to find artful compositions that spoke of the beauty. No mug shots! I said. Over five hundred quality images were put on file; but in retrospect, I needed to slow down in order to realize the emotions that I was feeling. </p><p>The urgency is now controlled. Honestly, every time I get low on the ground for an intimate view, well, my cranky knees also work to slow my pace. There are only three subjects for this message. In addition to appreciating their beauty, I hope there is some useful insight for even simple phone captures.<br /></p><p>The first subject is a small pod of Wild Geraniums. This image is different from what I made twenty years ago in two respects. First, I paid more attention to the colors in the scene and to the location of the supporting yellows especially. Twenty years ago, the distant colors were not carefully placed above and below the blue-violet blooms. I could have done better years before. Notice how the leaf at the bottom shows the form clearly.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF5lTUZuidHNAvavQJMnnnaQiHj-SEkmRk_yeR2SSCvA8qsXGmOqTXZJZ-W848dUXSwxCA5H8TTeB6kktegcxS-POPravHEvPmperd6rNol4D-ukbcvFEIfcbTKnyGOHUuNU8Pm6O-AqesX8IVdEe-CWzwUJ4IRnL0sdK0yH6XHhy41KJDbWcVTuL/s1800/Web-Wild%20Geranium%20in%20green%20&%20yellow%20field-20230516-002-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF5lTUZuidHNAvavQJMnnnaQiHj-SEkmRk_yeR2SSCvA8qsXGmOqTXZJZ-W848dUXSwxCA5H8TTeB6kktegcxS-POPravHEvPmperd6rNol4D-ukbcvFEIfcbTKnyGOHUuNU8Pm6O-AqesX8IVdEe-CWzwUJ4IRnL0sdK0yH6XHhy41KJDbWcVTuL/w426-h640/Web-Wild%20Geranium%20in%20green%20&%20yellow%20field-20230516-002-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>The second difference is in the camera technology now available. I was so close to these flowers that only a short distance is actually in sharp focus. The image is a stack of six images that walk from the nearest part of the Wild Geranium leaf to the last part that I wanted in focus. The camera is on a tripod and does not move for all six images. For each shot, the scene displays red dots on all edges that are sharp. I merely walk the red dots from near to far on the flower, and stop. The software selects all sharp areas and fills in the rest with those blurry remaining pixels. Amazing, and not even a dream in 2003. </p><p>The next image is also a second group of Wild Geraniums but with a different intent. There is a subtle hint that the plants thrive in the mixed light of woodlands. That was my intent. The blooms are also more directly facing the viewer. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEJziHQLTNTT-A31wXpNj00XQnRkVWgIVK5rLyW5MWwX2PWFbblw3qmf4lLKl73z0qlPaEDqvartTt72VUwaRnaxkdYisWVPRLRzumddSHGOlV5ZwAvT-xYNohIvtPtgXgcG4pI8TsGHeHh_Fw7OgYX967nBKaPuWA7O6eZyBTP75W-YwuzLPRceA/s1800/Web-Wild%20Geranium%20amid%20the%20litter-20230516-034-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEJziHQLTNTT-A31wXpNj00XQnRkVWgIVK5rLyW5MWwX2PWFbblw3qmf4lLKl73z0qlPaEDqvartTt72VUwaRnaxkdYisWVPRLRzumddSHGOlV5ZwAvT-xYNohIvtPtgXgcG4pI8TsGHeHh_Fw7OgYX967nBKaPuWA7O6eZyBTP75W-YwuzLPRceA/w640-h426/Web-Wild%20Geranium%20amid%20the%20litter-20230516-034-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is actually a better offering for identification purposes. It called for greater depth in sharp focus; there were 9 images in the stack. Impossible twenty years ago. Easy today.</p><p>These big white <i>Trillium grandiflorum</i> are my final subject. Wait, did I say white?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O2JqJ3KROKZ-aR1O6v2w7GH5zx-MJQxylfRrPXg164YeHMkA1fod2VYsAEs7i1JplI-xWpYu0cTdFuwwEr4Gnj3ciVss1DrKYu0j96o46F64QhUsfZ_rQ3jgsnWFVTzCGW2hMAJSQdUx-sJ0sfiYU6Ey3DI7JyLvO1BVLblvrCwS4Ub4t-2jBgId/s1800/Web-Standing%20Tall-%20%20Trillium%20grandiflorus-20230516-068-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O2JqJ3KROKZ-aR1O6v2w7GH5zx-MJQxylfRrPXg164YeHMkA1fod2VYsAEs7i1JplI-xWpYu0cTdFuwwEr4Gnj3ciVss1DrKYu0j96o46F64QhUsfZ_rQ3jgsnWFVTzCGW2hMAJSQdUx-sJ0sfiYU6Ey3DI7JyLvO1BVLblvrCwS4Ub4t-2jBgId/w426-h640/Web-Standing%20Tall-%20%20Trillium%20grandiflorus-20230516-068-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Yeah, this healthy trillium started out that way, and in its old age it is blushing pink. Still beautiful. That's why I concentrated on it. Richly green leaves, too. It gets love from me because it is still vibrant. Do you see anything unusual on the flower? There's a critter sitting motionless even as I poked the one-eyed lens close to it. Let's get a closer view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gPeD2npj__5CbMadG6oOb21M-UXw5FWjTEthx33PHo-cJUHGhwzNlr6IhF1-Ossn723RJvddrZ73NUMbQXXVS9f5vMyJaUhps7s9MYg64_vt9_L6jgraFrpBeSWkgaKtZifjAy41m8e_E6DpFlBNLm8s8XsuJ5DIEXP5e1a47Pb64_lKYHiYUoH8/s1187/WEb-Hunter%20in%20the%20Petals-%20%20Trillium%20grandiflorus-20230516-068-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1187" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gPeD2npj__5CbMadG6oOb21M-UXw5FWjTEthx33PHo-cJUHGhwzNlr6IhF1-Ossn723RJvddrZ73NUMbQXXVS9f5vMyJaUhps7s9MYg64_vt9_L6jgraFrpBeSWkgaKtZifjAy41m8e_E6DpFlBNLm8s8XsuJ5DIEXP5e1a47Pb64_lKYHiYUoH8/w640-h512/WEb-Hunter%20in%20the%20Petals-%20%20Trillium%20grandiflorus-20230516-068-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I wonder if it is waiting to snap up some visitor feeding on the rich amber pollen? </p><p>I am not sure if I would have noticed this little bug in my earlier rush to photograph everything.</p><p>So, there you have it. Three images in 2-1/2 hours with pauses to enjoy the orioles passing through Mundy. </p><p>Going up to Ithaca, I also am slowing down with the idea to see any of the deer waiting to run across the Route 13 morning rush of commuters. That's another story that also teaches that the slower you go, the more you see.</p><p>It's spring. Enjoy!</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Paul</i></span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-86697347009333555682023-04-30T13:40:00.000-07:002023-04-30T13:40:18.985-07:00Ask Five Times- Can I do that?<p>Over the last two years, I have been moving past objectively showing the things I love in nature towards a more subjective result based on why they engage me. The aim is to build a style that has more meaning. Sakichi Toyoda of Toyota Motor Company fame introduced the approach of asking why five times. For art, this hopefully will lead to images having stronger meaning. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">At left begins an example from a series of three images that I captured one year ago. It is a beautiful objective image that defines the subject. Let's ask about the meaning:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpvQDlt3OmBLleRLbl29A1YVy846NaGAmUodA7sI6oDnqaZ6Cjb4XjVwMHqHTNCsYMhQY3NPVcCIMt4cv_EviddhyiGEgMoEWc7x7T0bgQq5G6_nVyJCI0VW4SFvGP3tyMfAAiXBXuIaPuHuVkBdwDPagJji4WUdLgvj_wT0ko5cw_Axo6Yqc1RoU/s1800/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_031.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpvQDlt3OmBLleRLbl29A1YVy846NaGAmUodA7sI6oDnqaZ6Cjb4XjVwMHqHTNCsYMhQY3NPVcCIMt4cv_EviddhyiGEgMoEWc7x7T0bgQq5G6_nVyJCI0VW4SFvGP3tyMfAAiXBXuIaPuHuVkBdwDPagJji4WUdLgvj_wT0ko5cw_Axo6Yqc1RoU/s320/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_031.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br /></div></div><p></p><ol style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>See the rich colors in the bird.</li><li>It's a beautiful blue sky day.</li><li>The apple blossoms look nice.</li><li>The focus is sharp. Ho hum.<br /></li><li>....sort of running out of meaning.<br /></li></ol><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrjWHIlryI0X69lD8jy6FmCDEneePvYu7698yTwOsAKhzqN-xdlO7elH6jYDmLgUEhvVI9Lsmg-IhXfytIUTetd9oK-SqxBc93yvgj9Hn_vxUyEAt7mtkgFV4g0jR5-nk4HfCw1qr9RSm8v7KQu9iijX0sE5fS72SSWeiwepPQj-ZDVcuuGM_uZSK/s1800/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_038.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrjWHIlryI0X69lD8jy6FmCDEneePvYu7698yTwOsAKhzqN-xdlO7elH6jYDmLgUEhvVI9Lsmg-IhXfytIUTetd9oK-SqxBc93yvgj9Hn_vxUyEAt7mtkgFV4g0jR5-nk4HfCw1qr9RSm8v7KQu9iijX0sE5fS72SSWeiwepPQj-ZDVcuuGM_uZSK/s320/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Move to the second image and try for five better whys:<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The Oriole is after something in the flowers.<br /></li><li>Does it mean there is nectar in the blossoms?</li><li>There is something to be learned here.</li><li>If there isn't nectar, are there insects maybe?</li><li>What is to be learned next?</li></ol><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUpzwaUAXwb-Sm2yIhwomHTdmKGRLrnPsd422VnQ3EssjW9WsO6S89r31SdYtdsBKpNPyFsWO5D4BVmN24LijMfHkw7C4iqvVeHZIqllDTTH3B9dd6FCJcyeGsAE0s8_f5UqM0yys819O8UflqQecK945uMfad0bCElC59emG01cPV-RqINmpljYn/s1800/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_040.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUpzwaUAXwb-Sm2yIhwomHTdmKGRLrnPsd422VnQ3EssjW9WsO6S89r31SdYtdsBKpNPyFsWO5D4BVmN24LijMfHkw7C4iqvVeHZIqllDTTH3B9dd6FCJcyeGsAE0s8_f5UqM0yys819O8UflqQecK945uMfad0bCElC59emG01cPV-RqINmpljYn/s320/Blog%20set%20of%203--Baltimore%20Oriole%20Feeding-20200517_040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On to a third image seeking greater meaning for the five whys:<p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Wow, there are little yellow caterpillars inside the apple blossoms. Look in his beak.<br /></li><li>It's not nectar.</li><li>Orioles are visiting the apple trees for protein.</li><li>This is unexpected!</li><li>Next year I should check the trees for this.</li></ol><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The third images shifts my style from a mug shot to showing a relationship between bird, tree and insect. It has more meaning. </p><p>Note: In April 27, 2023, the same tree is in blossom and there are no caterpillars, and hence no Orioles.</p><p>If at this point you are lacking interest in the five why's exercise, it is fine to just enjoy the pics absent the text. <br /></p><div><div><div><p>That is the background to what I pursued in April while I was in the Washington area on family business. It's a far different locale than my strongly rural Finger Lakes home. Could I create meaningful images in this new neighborhood with limited natural scenes? Can I answer the why question five times? Here goes my test.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE-tRg7Le6fP2eujH-Ka1gHyrYenc1MJBs4LrC2UjY7I1Sl2n-6THJ_zlmkoePo4u7tv4GVIDMQAYC8sriY9jco-dcDrf_FO5da3IyQOglrTgSfyCSGLEDIzoID_EoPnkeLyGTDTj68SF0ks3u5O8HvsQIyF6XSdObvWA-BOQloL26Tj9WZmMIahy/w480-h640/Web-20230417-102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Creek on an April Morning<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE-tRg7Le6fP2eujH-Ka1gHyrYenc1MJBs4LrC2UjY7I1Sl2n-6THJ_zlmkoePo4u7tv4GVIDMQAYC8sriY9jco-dcDrf_FO5da3IyQOglrTgSfyCSGLEDIzoID_EoPnkeLyGTDTj68SF0ks3u5O8HvsQIyF6XSdObvWA-BOQloL26Tj9WZmMIahy/s1800/Web-20230417-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br /></div></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>There is a surprising wildness so close to the sounds of DC morning traffic.</li><li>The foreground pulls me into layers in middle and far that feel rural. <br /></li><li>The spring greens are the same as I'd see at home in the Finger Lakes. </li><li>A city can be inviting. No trash to see seen. Bravo.<br /></li><li>Rock Creek has a restorative power for residents, and me.</li></ol><p>Another good place is Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. It's a Montgomery County Park. Early mornings are quiet and beautiful. Here is why I always enjoy my visits.<br /></p><div><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYcUoHWal3LSGpxwDCqQ32Ji5GM3Dv2tMP9HY_QxdJKrc4R_gMlnTGxGhqVZlwOJxi4xfY8SUhPpbVhkttRRXWIswiCMu0ZJ3xk7IR1eIrw6pYvAT-O1KVn2Ttz4bqfJh0CbAJVWXmYwnCoRqE6hssdJy7PW5Nb01DuzqbFnRnm9e3r-4w98vtcfx/s1800/Web-IMG_6436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYcUoHWal3LSGpxwDCqQ32Ji5GM3Dv2tMP9HY_QxdJKrc4R_gMlnTGxGhqVZlwOJxi4xfY8SUhPpbVhkttRRXWIswiCMu0ZJ3xk7IR1eIrw6pYvAT-O1KVn2Ttz4bqfJh0CbAJVWXmYwnCoRqE6hssdJy7PW5Nb01DuzqbFnRnm9e3r-4w98vtcfx/w512-h640/Web-IMG_6436.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavilion at Brookside Gardens- Wheaton<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The hallmark of Brookside garden designs are rich foregrounds that welcome the eyes to explore.</li><li>Exploring, I find layers to search in near, mid and far layers. It's far from stale.<br /></li><li>The visitor immediately wants to find the path to the pagoda overlooking the lake.</li><li>The reflections on the lake double upon the distant background. </li><li>The park is a refuge from the hectic crowded city.<br /></li></ol>There is another magical place in Brookside Gardens in April when the Wisteria is in bloom.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCGOovrW-lx36GU63LM6_OKe7Kmxu1MCm163H6S_EhQfLAqzOs-0T9o9UKXx6gRlOL7nEvz1cviJIzC12MYaF_cmkltyyFi-pNZtjunY_xOwcG6tmD8CAPL5jJXwZzSVtV--Wvte1MGs3AgsTjgd8MZyUbfWw4VCSIrZ60nh-tMk9y4AGOEGnmqxT/s1800/Web-Wisteria%20at%20Brookside%20Gardens-IMG_6726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCGOovrW-lx36GU63LM6_OKe7Kmxu1MCm163H6S_EhQfLAqzOs-0T9o9UKXx6gRlOL7nEvz1cviJIzC12MYaF_cmkltyyFi-pNZtjunY_xOwcG6tmD8CAPL5jJXwZzSVtV--Wvte1MGs3AgsTjgd8MZyUbfWw4VCSIrZ60nh-tMk9y4AGOEGnmqxT/w480-h640/Web-Wisteria%20at%20Brookside%20Gardens-IMG_6726.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wisteria Bench<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Who could pass up a chance to sit on this bench? </li><li>The flowers have a delicious perfume. The photo helps to remember it.</li><li>The color of wisteria blooms and the surrounding greenery are ephemeral. </li><li>Knowing the flowers will soon be gone keeps you lingering a bit longer.<br /></li><li>This is a calming. I dream of sitting here next year with my 1/1/2 year old granddaughter.<br /></li></ol><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-B60nEeUnBET-Ar1GydOzsbYVmSiBoKDlYA9WRqSWpNwQaj0QQBcwkK5AsiQ1sihWEj9TTqla3K897Lptt6-Ck-XJifKJm3-PALs1CXqPlHejsUOurNo_XPwUvc87wMtQZDsOjRL_I3-9uUTwMfxpLHyAhEZD9E8xHwCeSrzLRpdRCtxy0l57Lg3/s1800/Web-Lone%20Dogwood%20Bloom-20230414_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-B60nEeUnBET-Ar1GydOzsbYVmSiBoKDlYA9WRqSWpNwQaj0QQBcwkK5AsiQ1sihWEj9TTqla3K897Lptt6-Ck-XJifKJm3-PALs1CXqPlHejsUOurNo_XPwUvc87wMtQZDsOjRL_I3-9uUTwMfxpLHyAhEZD9E8xHwCeSrzLRpdRCtxy0l57Lg3/w640-h512/Web-Lone%20Dogwood%20Bloom-20230414_007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Purity of a Dogwood Flower </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Here I see the purity of the beautiful Dogwood without distractions.</li><li>My eyes always start at the white, which is as I intended. <br /></li><li>The branches support my eyes exploration of white petals, lively green leaves and some reds too. </li><li>There is a purity that welcomes returning to view this image repeatedly. Background is blurry complementary without distracting.<br /></li><li>It seems like a visual solo performance.</li></ol></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><p>There are some wildflowers that I would never expect to find near DC. One is Virginia Bluebells; but to my surprise I found them on the perimeter of Brookside. They were in a lovely setting too. What can I do with the five questions?<br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cov3qadF5w0agqdVzWNJCr4UXhi0fKUt6gD6yvE3lYLk9vd6ZqnQAFz4WYQNGV7kFrvfTGZ_TpmteFK5uespqBoZSVRhVlK0XuuGMkblCw-5E2IWNr36M4uDiC-9VA5O4twvZEI-O6p6k8iIqdCzHqCca2PqTJLabkUjK572IO3NbKlQrtyYuTjG/s1800/Web-Virginia%20Bluebells%20at%20Brookside-20230414_057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cov3qadF5w0agqdVzWNJCr4UXhi0fKUt6gD6yvE3lYLk9vd6ZqnQAFz4WYQNGV7kFrvfTGZ_TpmteFK5uespqBoZSVRhVlK0XuuGMkblCw-5E2IWNr36M4uDiC-9VA5O4twvZEI-O6p6k8iIqdCzHqCca2PqTJLabkUjK572IO3NbKlQrtyYuTjG/w640-h426/Web-Virginia%20Bluebells%20at%20Brookside-20230414_057.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginian Bluebells Found at the Creek</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li> <br /></li></ol></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><p> </p></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> I find two very similar Bluebell stalks that create a visual echo between near and mid distances.<br /></li><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">The light is nice and warm in the morning light.</li><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">The distant ground is just enough to suggest a wooded forest.</li><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Technically, I have a green, blue and red split complementary color design that is very pleasing, with no deviations from those three.Very harmonious.</li><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I believe the viewer can return to look at this often.</li><li style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Adding another answer, the image tells the story of what they are, where to see them and why it is worth looking for them.</li></ol><p>Asking the five why's does slow me down to the speed of seeing and understanding in a more subjective mode. It would seem to apply widely in the pursuit of creative results.</p><p>I have come to realize that in my much earlier photography, I would often come home with photos wherein the aim was just getting the right exposure, focus and maybe composition without pausing to ask why. Part of that was the more difficult steps required using film. The process was exposing a roll of slide film, waiting two weeks to receive the processed slides and then finally seeing how many were as expected. With current digital tools, the feedback is nearly instantaneous. Never going back.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><p> </p></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-61224815000984783812023-03-25T11:57:00.004-07:002023-03-26T13:41:22.539-07:00Sakura- Cherry Blossoms in DC<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-mMhg2EKu9tz3VHucsK_IblnY_wTceV3J9v5VftUCFQRpKJwJWfeQI8UFD5NECY1G_HRG9lmN3KhCT3CTZO2Cg-zEGoXkOmndkFWZZ3YsqqxoguaIvxOn3EHfR16wAHjC7YsoYjVUKHUQU2ScVn6b96dyGo9MQNJK0CtgmflAwOP8CHZaQbT4-bP/s1800/Web-Cherry%20Bloosoms-20230320_024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-mMhg2EKu9tz3VHucsK_IblnY_wTceV3J9v5VftUCFQRpKJwJWfeQI8UFD5NECY1G_HRG9lmN3KhCT3CTZO2Cg-zEGoXkOmndkFWZZ3YsqqxoguaIvxOn3EHfR16wAHjC7YsoYjVUKHUQU2ScVn6b96dyGo9MQNJK0CtgmflAwOP8CHZaQbT4-bP/s320/Web-Cherry%20Bloosoms-20230320_024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was good fortune to be in DC this year as the cherry blossoms came into bloom. In Japan, the ornamental <i>Prunus</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">subg.</span> <i>Cerasus </i>are symbolic of the ephemeral nature of life, and also tied to national spirit. -They are called Sakura in Japan.- These abundant flowering trees are native to Asia, and contrast with our native cherries that have modest blooms but yield abundant fruits.<p></p><p>While most attention is given to the cherry blossoms around the National Mall, there are many displays throughout Washington such as this towering cherry tree just off Rock Creek Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV1KAo1kKOi3O3qT1B25bBr_BAG0flx3AbSyD1JIa8YbIc8WiuPLWv36iZalSmjjFosHoQFeKkKIaJd0-caYETp_F-V_aGwzUEr0_AGoQ7TCiqZheUnfRK66Lsf6RI6Y46vuurMSs4xYUk9sehBpgl5xBppprp4HgSL3BL_vvS48IaBknnPN-qxRR/s1800/Web-Japanese%20Cherry%20on%20Blagden%20Avenue-20230319_001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV1KAo1kKOi3O3qT1B25bBr_BAG0flx3AbSyD1JIa8YbIc8WiuPLWv36iZalSmjjFosHoQFeKkKIaJd0-caYETp_F-V_aGwzUEr0_AGoQ7TCiqZheUnfRK66Lsf6RI6Y46vuurMSs4xYUk9sehBpgl5xBppprp4HgSL3BL_vvS48IaBknnPN-qxRR/w640-h640/Web-Japanese%20Cherry%20on%20Blagden%20Avenue-20230319_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>One early morning, I walked over to photograph the scene. When I complimented the owner on the tree's beauty, he remarked that a professional arborist cares for the tree.</p><p>There are over twelve hundred cherries near the Tidal Basin. They don't all bloom at the same time nor display identical coloration. These pinks are just a little short of full bloom.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcOCAT9L2TD0DNF-gt_Ds2YFY2mKYXoXvexF5lwGLUrurI1QCg4TCBxxc9BmLd_tZfN5RahHQGxJKno3aUUgkcpdm8wSkOwbILvv3xVli7TjuNagon4sBe9CmYzgxmOu4_g2YIvSX4ur_OoYXEgSwhhfADrqMXB5YwESeVPzEK4FZAOr0V9QN3_a7/s1800/Web-Cherry%20Blosoms%20at%20Jefferson%20Monument-20230320_010.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcOCAT9L2TD0DNF-gt_Ds2YFY2mKYXoXvexF5lwGLUrurI1QCg4TCBxxc9BmLd_tZfN5RahHQGxJKno3aUUgkcpdm8wSkOwbILvv3xVli7TjuNagon4sBe9CmYzgxmOu4_g2YIvSX4ur_OoYXEgSwhhfADrqMXB5YwESeVPzEK4FZAOr0V9QN3_a7/w640-h360/Web-Cherry%20Blosoms%20at%20Jefferson%20Monument-20230320_010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p> Along the promenade one sees some very old cherry trees. I was told there are twelve trees that date back to the original gift from Japan in 1912. Perhaps this is one of those.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd7LEVXKzh0hUwT0Ge4xfGqhPgV71YppkDVvECRzOAjLzMwu_YyRP607tGHhmtTkkxynD_92NTZwHk524ouTkK820bqk_pFHygD6l60dAEuhrKDjtwxHMFuvsPqZdBjnDpZcS2dd-yFoOx6NrSHnHVRjXVTUerCU419RzS4oW1JL4EGwUGT1Ue5G7/s1800/Web-Japanese%20Cherry%20Blooming%20at%20Tidal%20Basin-20230318_023-Edit.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd7LEVXKzh0hUwT0Ge4xfGqhPgV71YppkDVvECRzOAjLzMwu_YyRP607tGHhmtTkkxynD_92NTZwHk524ouTkK820bqk_pFHygD6l60dAEuhrKDjtwxHMFuvsPqZdBjnDpZcS2dd-yFoOx6NrSHnHVRjXVTUerCU419RzS4oW1JL4EGwUGT1Ue5G7/w640-h512/Web-Japanese%20Cherry%20Blooming%20at%20Tidal%20Basin-20230318_023-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Walking farther along the path, the visitor comes to another striking monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. There was a decision to make with this scene. Where to put the focus? My decision was that you immediately know it is MLK Jr., even if soft. The tree is less obvious out of focus.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlpGAkPzuQ5xaaUPBhz75rfSmXUL-JTBfnera92mS2g8-4t8tBLgpJENUeH818iZbI4j1SL97nJ9ee9nAODzFYzKdDdVd8NXuNr4bgzUJwjFm6qebKFR1WdgaZXrBLEgm77GwmuyJTy5KL_4CR902hQwQG6zmQZyAQNG_ChaLDX4MSW-XVMQWOeVu/s1800/Web-Cherry%20Blooms%20Framing%20MLK%20Monument-20230318_030.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlpGAkPzuQ5xaaUPBhz75rfSmXUL-JTBfnera92mS2g8-4t8tBLgpJENUeH818iZbI4j1SL97nJ9ee9nAODzFYzKdDdVd8NXuNr4bgzUJwjFm6qebKFR1WdgaZXrBLEgm77GwmuyJTy5KL_4CR902hQwQG6zmQZyAQNG_ChaLDX4MSW-XVMQWOeVu/w640-h640/Web-Cherry%20Blooms%20Framing%20MLK%20Monument-20230318_030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And, sometimes the best scenes are found when looking away from the Tidal Basin. Here is a first surprise. This is a rare location to capture the reflection of the Washington Monument. All other places had tree branches over the monument.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHt4zf1z1fzFbGMqeC3UxLiclxHB9gxEadY_u8J_jPAwR79Qu6pUgFJvXu2cWDDmfAqh0GFISV61cXeWPiv9aFg-BejI_vEQdR9_C0pB5e8GA0gE7DzJFBkhGLTo0PnxX6-G8CzBzG9Er5re6NGZIzYrNIYgvXLpcsNdCVmUTD6XkzhRTAaS6JLj4/s1800/Web-Cherry%20Bloosoms%20at%20Tidal%20Pool-20230320_049.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHt4zf1z1fzFbGMqeC3UxLiclxHB9gxEadY_u8J_jPAwR79Qu6pUgFJvXu2cWDDmfAqh0GFISV61cXeWPiv9aFg-BejI_vEQdR9_C0pB5e8GA0gE7DzJFBkhGLTo0PnxX6-G8CzBzG9Er5re6NGZIzYrNIYgvXLpcsNdCVmUTD6XkzhRTAaS6JLj4/w640-h512/Web-Cherry%20Bloosoms%20at%20Tidal%20Pool-20230320_049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It was time to return to our apartment, and the sun was so intense. On the way to the bus stop near the Mall, there was another cherry framing the Washington Monument.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoq4UY5lYDbl8ZVu-SXLXNN1ZB0MkHn18ylzMpKVE3DDFwMhHRr4mWMbu06QGw7-NE-g9YhjguaQ6jYcf1BcbUNPy0TfLaiIFUXctIJDs-QOAbcNkA0a88BXCDrP0XUpZosU0T1DkVFv0so6pdNPVqBphKwi2U1GEAt_ghQdkjG5nzpM5ISTIv0a8/s1800/Web-Cherry%20Blooms%20Framing%20Washington%20Monument-20230318_036-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoq4UY5lYDbl8ZVu-SXLXNN1ZB0MkHn18ylzMpKVE3DDFwMhHRr4mWMbu06QGw7-NE-g9YhjguaQ6jYcf1BcbUNPy0TfLaiIFUXctIJDs-QOAbcNkA0a88BXCDrP0XUpZosU0T1DkVFv0so6pdNPVqBphKwi2U1GEAt_ghQdkjG5nzpM5ISTIv0a8/w426-h640/Web-Cherry%20Blooms%20Framing%20Washington%20Monument-20230318_036-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>I learned two things while doing these photos. First, be there early if possible. By late morning, it gets very crowded. Finally, use transit - whether the Metro to the Smithsonian station or a bus. I used the number 52 bus that delivered me even closer that the Metro. Senior fare was only $1. I walked one block to number 52 route begins, and arriving at 14th and Constitution it was only about four to the tidal basin. Beats driving.<br /></p><p>Paul <br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-86224105454527342022023-03-08T14:02:00.000-08:002023-03-08T14:02:13.900-08:00An Urban Exploration<p> In 2023, we will be spending about half of our time in Metropolitan Washington. We are "grand parenting". Can I find natural habitats to satisfy my photographic interests? This winter, I've been including a good number of black and white edits that look largely at form in an image when colors are frequently lacking. <br /></p><p>An initial exploration was the Great Falls of the Potomac on the Virginia side. It's a powerful falls, and that was my focus.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOQgNWhEp0Jx1mQWAuCcnDoYNM-lHIhzeAkY2K0zIRErme4805sMzptsMQWiupaGyXsRj5XCN0NsUJ5CZXubmP294aIlzDlH-xMLMd8VGvAezLRReYOufzcNJZweEw1IaMf6GBlPMizDM8xzEzisrrCyzGsZPIaLdMzkeMV2g-vLXvXi0bcGM1wK2/s1800/Web-20230122-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOQgNWhEp0Jx1mQWAuCcnDoYNM-lHIhzeAkY2K0zIRErme4805sMzptsMQWiupaGyXsRj5XCN0NsUJ5CZXubmP294aIlzDlH-xMLMd8VGvAezLRReYOufzcNJZweEw1IaMf6GBlPMizDM8xzEzisrrCyzGsZPIaLdMzkeMV2g-vLXvXi0bcGM1wK2/w640-h426/Web-20230122-008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>The falls is huge, but the real feel is better captured in a close view. The sky would be a distraction, right?<br /></p><p>Our location in DC requires only a five minute walk to be in Rock Creek Park where I can find many walking trails and also park roads closed to thru traffic. On one morning, I road a bus north towards the Maryland border and quickly was on a nice trail into the upper part of the park. The traffic on Sixteenth Street was roaring, but in the park I only saw a few walkers. The trail topped a rock bluff overlooking the creek. The next day I returned to reach the opposite side of the creek. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VbdYkU-sfG4TFb81jY4Vsu-GVDbyPK2zy6NpFQJZup2ShE9Zy0NfTzeakn5k6EYhIGzSMwfbBi3Rt-CZTTvCI5bTr6CsASz7eDBIN3eXGh3UV7iLVB_bhOWlGSIJ0Vdcp42xkDRYsnNUFrZxQjqG4nTTrHuKVysbqx5NbwEat4NWqt8-V_5tMau0/s1800/Web-Bluff%20on%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VbdYkU-sfG4TFb81jY4Vsu-GVDbyPK2zy6NpFQJZup2ShE9Zy0NfTzeakn5k6EYhIGzSMwfbBi3Rt-CZTTvCI5bTr6CsASz7eDBIN3eXGh3UV7iLVB_bhOWlGSIJ0Vdcp42xkDRYsnNUFrZxQjqG4nTTrHuKVysbqx5NbwEat4NWqt8-V_5tMau0/w640-h426/Web-Bluff%20on%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I discovered several beds of wildflowers along my path. Next week, I will be back for these as I expect the Snow Drops to be blooming. </p><p>Along the creek, I discovered early hints of spring including these red maple tree buds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xrzwuao4dNI8hRW9sKlktS6Al1kfd1mVSB-vtHCPKgJZik_02WwZMbDko9r_UpzAo0xBDWYzqxRfuapDsxB5C6n-cJB2ihgaBNDqCIjNWn45q9YH6vQLir8uxSbVZSrTqN65fPP_xLfqFLxtITsoqTQSYV-tDDSl21qRk6BcPF5RWeMGn4ClEGL2/s1800/Web-Maple%20Blooms%20at%20Rock%20Creek-20230226-070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xrzwuao4dNI8hRW9sKlktS6Al1kfd1mVSB-vtHCPKgJZik_02WwZMbDko9r_UpzAo0xBDWYzqxRfuapDsxB5C6n-cJB2ihgaBNDqCIjNWn45q9YH6vQLir8uxSbVZSrTqN65fPP_xLfqFLxtITsoqTQSYV-tDDSl21qRk6BcPF5RWeMGn4ClEGL2/w640-h426/Web-Maple%20Blooms%20at%20Rock%20Creek-20230226-070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The stream side beech trees were still holding onto last year's leaves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMRXrveMTBwU_VXJTqfwiIMVH82McGPnCJ3JdSV5lyCi-ufZowDi6RFVnzkrU1D8TMbaqUCjUbW3XaBbitWAqwsFPW6CeYgzcyw8hQbuRErjFyod__Yn6Qj6_CzPqd9M_RblPgRBwF2NQK4JOv_oFvhHfRdI3NI5ZZr_k8hKEpLlADCNLVYGcQ4tQ/s1800/Web-Beech%20Leaves%20in%20Winter-20230226-079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1800" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMRXrveMTBwU_VXJTqfwiIMVH82McGPnCJ3JdSV5lyCi-ufZowDi6RFVnzkrU1D8TMbaqUCjUbW3XaBbitWAqwsFPW6CeYgzcyw8hQbuRErjFyod__Yn6Qj6_CzPqd9M_RblPgRBwF2NQK4JOv_oFvhHfRdI3NI5ZZr_k8hKEpLlADCNLVYGcQ4tQ/w640-h482/Web-Beech%20Leaves%20in%20Winter-20230226-079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>By all appearances, Rock Creek Park is an old growth forest. There are no sawed off tree stumps; no evidence of any timber harvest in a century. I saw many truly massive trees. Along the banks of the creek, large trees often send their roots over the bank toward the stream. Beautiful.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_p31H1UepuxwzJ3l--j4nYdfASi5BBgywNGQBcIGzji19mFbRH3QM2fNsAcAthKWIMMZnxGe2JbU6u0vHgv-z8vpTEi3kqyrurIS55uldx2XlOF6dX1fRsGEYxx2X-3-szPi52Ts08swGBI6zkOfr1CrB-6mug1JgCuLxQgh96XYkbNMn3HIyGCe/s1800/Web-Beech%20Tree%20Roots%20along%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_p31H1UepuxwzJ3l--j4nYdfASi5BBgywNGQBcIGzji19mFbRH3QM2fNsAcAthKWIMMZnxGe2JbU6u0vHgv-z8vpTEi3kqyrurIS55uldx2XlOF6dX1fRsGEYxx2X-3-szPi52Ts08swGBI6zkOfr1CrB-6mug1JgCuLxQgh96XYkbNMn3HIyGCe/w640-h480/Web-Beech%20Tree%20Roots%20along%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Near Military Road, I came upon the Joaquin Miller Cabin at a stream side picnic grove. The cabin's namesake was an eccentric poet who lived in it from 1883 to 1885. Originally located at Sixteenth and Belmont Streets, it was relocated to the park when city growth targeted it for removal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFsx4ZBHheX87LOfz-lqyW-BXo4vAODpI2eWE0ns9VdHYq-kMR9xhf9iRDTGS8sVR13H7ggOE7ynnc_-hC21gU4OhYO7_x4AwzF-VhTkoMBGVcV9QBxDI7qahTgqALdx-4hg-UGjG29pPq9YWbJoElAkG2lXQs10pFXIzs2bT57bbK4FgJwJIb9p_/s1800/Web-Log%20Cabin%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek%20Park-IMG_6140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFsx4ZBHheX87LOfz-lqyW-BXo4vAODpI2eWE0ns9VdHYq-kMR9xhf9iRDTGS8sVR13H7ggOE7ynnc_-hC21gU4OhYO7_x4AwzF-VhTkoMBGVcV9QBxDI7qahTgqALdx-4hg-UGjG29pPq9YWbJoElAkG2lXQs10pFXIzs2bT57bbK4FgJwJIb9p_/w640-h480/Web-Log%20Cabin%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek%20Park-IMG_6140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Here's a final discovery from my rambling along the creek. I wonder how I will treat these scenes when the leaves begin to add greens and also start to hide some of the details I find so easily now?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyng-M4o2_DSuXApZXxOONThK0Nen9GSr1zfeCKYJ96jbzhT3MaWdE5L8I62X2iH4PDf-SPU30l7rWgPakXPMP4-ziRaj0MHSfSkNYJ2oh3GR0t8egZz2JJI25N7CzqLyxvT9XfZUZVe6nunoRgcPNBsnfpSbJf8BCWPgbJ2xIdsvQ0y26ZeebjDvf/s1800/Web-Fallen%20Tree%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyng-M4o2_DSuXApZXxOONThK0Nen9GSr1zfeCKYJ96jbzhT3MaWdE5L8I62X2iH4PDf-SPU30l7rWgPakXPMP4-ziRaj0MHSfSkNYJ2oh3GR0t8egZz2JJI25N7CzqLyxvT9XfZUZVe6nunoRgcPNBsnfpSbJf8BCWPgbJ2xIdsvQ0y26ZeebjDvf/w480-h640/Web-Fallen%20Tree%20in%20%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6143.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Of course, I did find some colors to celebrate even in early March. This bunch of daffodils is far removed from any garden. Perhaps the squirrels relocated them?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K3mr_c1s4FQUqHR2_FNUKZ8-FFzRTcRqK7AvOaBXm9gBpc2KroEsTGPw5gBBfCHsm6a3sdwhXecY69UopS7IV7WkAV2b_0cih51uy6xeqrmZTxO645kCgSS13L_7OvlPcQuh2QuCSugWlYyTPigmOsLjfQAdwKSskXyEfbzs5az73xVAXVlVB8kO/s1800/Web-Daffofils%20in%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1800" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K3mr_c1s4FQUqHR2_FNUKZ8-FFzRTcRqK7AvOaBXm9gBpc2KroEsTGPw5gBBfCHsm6a3sdwhXecY69UopS7IV7WkAV2b_0cih51uy6xeqrmZTxO645kCgSS13L_7OvlPcQuh2QuCSugWlYyTPigmOsLjfQAdwKSskXyEfbzs5az73xVAXVlVB8kO/w640-h492/Web-Daffofils%20in%20Rock%20Creek-IMG_6057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another good location I have found is Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. It is rich with carefully designed flower beds and ornamental trees. These Asian Witch Hazel flowers were more dazzling than the nearby native varieties.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvCXI0ORqo50RihICJdc1uPHl05UkEawSl57XtYcwGQxrKZEIZ65TfubDbetPJlR_3PV4K7DTseJ2fkh5b8JCOhlSSG-4qG9xde1EPIDiGyIhU8Yxw8HxkhXwVFLXNqcL6Ay41JxUCpmLQgmewz-NqUBgDdTe_O_7HidUmIoeIhbvbWD9jezFzaCW/s1800/Web-Witch%20Hazel%20at%20Bookside%20Gardens-20230302-116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvCXI0ORqo50RihICJdc1uPHl05UkEawSl57XtYcwGQxrKZEIZ65TfubDbetPJlR_3PV4K7DTseJ2fkh5b8JCOhlSSG-4qG9xde1EPIDiGyIhU8Yxw8HxkhXwVFLXNqcL6Ay41JxUCpmLQgmewz-NqUBgDdTe_O_7HidUmIoeIhbvbWD9jezFzaCW/w640-h426/Web-Witch%20Hazel%20at%20Bookside%20Gardens-20230302-116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>On my next visit, I am hoping to find more flowering trees including the famous Japanese Cherry Trees. Finding them in bloom will require some mastery of the bus system plus some magic with the spring weather. I make no promises. </p><p>I am actually surprised at what I could find to photograph, and also that Rock Creek Park was largely free of litter. <br /></p><p>Paul <br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-17308077262866651692023-02-21T08:10:00.003-08:002023-02-21T08:10:40.748-08:00It's a Maine Thing<p>The Mid-Coast of Maine is a favorite place for me. I've been long overdue to return, and last week I finally took five days there. In winter, it is far quieter - so much so that it can be difficult to find restaurants staying open. I was one of eight photographers in a program offered by Hunt's Photo in Boston.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uegUKyjzu9m2IuVlqJ1x51TQ8EHIaL_mVclsOp0xKm52wKveFw_QJoVTBTEjdT-Pwzx5o75lIkRvYlhd7xQb-MpQFM_arXBzx_jDP0kxjW7Tusys8Xi4J0RuC_fz0vyjl3rIT1pfDZHv6f_vusTyyvm3lOKAOOe835ghISQJAZD2h65y5F0K-fnA/s1800/Web-Windy%20at%20Nubble%20Lighthouse-20230215_270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uegUKyjzu9m2IuVlqJ1x51TQ8EHIaL_mVclsOp0xKm52wKveFw_QJoVTBTEjdT-Pwzx5o75lIkRvYlhd7xQb-MpQFM_arXBzx_jDP0kxjW7Tusys8Xi4J0RuC_fz0vyjl3rIT1pfDZHv6f_vusTyyvm3lOKAOOe835ghISQJAZD2h65y5F0K-fnA/w400-h266/Web-Windy%20at%20Nubble%20Lighthouse-20230215_270.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I arrived a day early for a more leisurely pace. After a 5 hour drive, my stop was just over the border at Kittery. Before dinner, I went over to the Nubble Lighthouse. The wind was "brisk", but it did not discourage locals from enjoying the sunny day. I shot about 40 images to freeze the wave in the foreground.<p></p><p>Up early, I hurried north to the iconic Portland Head Light. It you look closely at the light keeper's building closer to the base of the tower, you can see three orange rectangles. Those are where huge January waves crested over the rocks and broke out windows. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lpk0111UwgQrgqqaoRlrh1DWrQ_kEncbfAxswQkMWiLlxez-DY2uNBX5kxSnZvbtAJ3Hgw8pu1nDTvAV6rDQn9zMPo6_XYgEWJcdojRM8tWIky8gIBhbXi8XgM4T_YZYA54S9YSKKxyW71uhy-TaDdYCtVTiNa99tK0n6dfLeLItqvbutpO1K_vn/s1800/Web-Mild%20Winter%20Day%20at%20Portland%20Head%20Light-20230216_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lpk0111UwgQrgqqaoRlrh1DWrQ_kEncbfAxswQkMWiLlxez-DY2uNBX5kxSnZvbtAJ3Hgw8pu1nDTvAV6rDQn9zMPo6_XYgEWJcdojRM8tWIky8gIBhbXi8XgM4T_YZYA54S9YSKKxyW71uhy-TaDdYCtVTiNa99tK0n6dfLeLItqvbutpO1K_vn/w640-h426/Web-Mild%20Winter%20Day%20at%20Portland%20Head%20Light-20230216_024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The waves were far more modest during my visit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JR95rr6cbWqouOpvSHFY3oxnTGN7l8wQvpM2EBw2p9z5eig06JpfERwhFjI6BdanVA1JPPRni-3ZdrDdA2o8vRXwjkCK-RcIjKC9PA1Z5vDSDYc8wxhwGy0_hESl5Kmtgy9BZf-w66C_xlj6ZtS-VewDR3DvDwR-p5rI1El4Brsk6HWsc6DmK3CJ/s1800/Web-Breaking%20Waves%20at%20Portland%20Head-20230216_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JR95rr6cbWqouOpvSHFY3oxnTGN7l8wQvpM2EBw2p9z5eig06JpfERwhFjI6BdanVA1JPPRni-3ZdrDdA2o8vRXwjkCK-RcIjKC9PA1Z5vDSDYc8wxhwGy0_hESl5Kmtgy9BZf-w66C_xlj6ZtS-VewDR3DvDwR-p5rI1El4Brsk6HWsc6DmK3CJ/w426-h640/Web-Breaking%20Waves%20at%20Portland%20Head-20230216_110.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>With all of us in our lodging in Wiscasset and introductions made, we visited South Bristol Harbor. It is a small working harbor with little tourist activity. Central to the village is Osier's, which is a grocery, food takeout, lobster pound and roadside gas pump. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7ssYlQ0IDXQLUij4rULNtdW9S9pwH6dDdyJ0g-8l2ufJpMtX6kUNK71c7_f8RhKYOnUOHoOscmkQ3QkQA3LXCklytdcNBriw1aR3lCbGwWBeaKyEKIWUIvm90GMjNdboFXdmgp6eX8KSUQwQM3-bOJPUNxBXZ1Z7F7GQZP9mSLV9NNnB1iRbvyyE/s1800/Web-Osier's%20Wharf-IMG_6027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7ssYlQ0IDXQLUij4rULNtdW9S9pwH6dDdyJ0g-8l2ufJpMtX6kUNK71c7_f8RhKYOnUOHoOscmkQ3QkQA3LXCklytdcNBriw1aR3lCbGwWBeaKyEKIWUIvm90GMjNdboFXdmgp6eX8KSUQwQM3-bOJPUNxBXZ1Z7F7GQZP9mSLV9NNnB1iRbvyyE/w640-h480/Web-Osier's%20Wharf-IMG_6027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There is a lot to discover. Buoys draped in a dead tree branch.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJ7fdTd8GoYdfJ_YGz5Z7p3TW7JdSM1GS7l2wzmuDNwKjhsRw4zFNsRvkal-523AIrBof4OwTv1cA1Q9LdaFHiJAt4v0Sl-eUHmAFyR5pgf366-WDNMK2r2RNjZ-cs6tIRZ4kSk_aEzQahzXSKGT3po8QYl8cQesDp7qrvR3SEPGf_nyCSRpeCOQ/s1800/Web-Lobster%20Buoys-20230216_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJ7fdTd8GoYdfJ_YGz5Z7p3TW7JdSM1GS7l2wzmuDNwKjhsRw4zFNsRvkal-523AIrBof4OwTv1cA1Q9LdaFHiJAt4v0Sl-eUHmAFyR5pgf366-WDNMK2r2RNjZ-cs6tIRZ4kSk_aEzQahzXSKGT3po8QYl8cQesDp7qrvR3SEPGf_nyCSRpeCOQ/w426-h640/Web-Lobster%20Buoys-20230216_153.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>On the dock behind Osier's I found piles of fishing gear.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxC2LTovaf9ejJ82SZ923QWQOZqIDliEPoOXzXTYpeEG7xUmyOr0BYO9IIbICsqNh8gV-LYLx9br1FDHRsbCDDRB5SdGTXb9ajLAJwAetjsjcT0YnOT_oQfOPp44XCwbl8FIJGla_6Qg_EjZyBi8X8bvnIlMwSCOBZaQ8XdBez5aGfuhf057Mml_M/s1800/Web-Fishing%20Gear-20230216_156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxC2LTovaf9ejJ82SZ923QWQOZqIDliEPoOXzXTYpeEG7xUmyOr0BYO9IIbICsqNh8gV-LYLx9br1FDHRsbCDDRB5SdGTXb9ajLAJwAetjsjcT0YnOT_oQfOPp44XCwbl8FIJGla_6Qg_EjZyBi8X8bvnIlMwSCOBZaQ8XdBez5aGfuhf057Mml_M/w640-h426/Web-Fishing%20Gear-20230216_156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDBcR4D68OZt1Ita9ndBJ4Sh4no8dKfkEAL1T2w_IOcWL5PxvZZzAhPkwFFbaoP9l_jJVOVEU6tjaa4b77TbyzNDYMajKlqR3SFIR8EFsmEsdmSUJnBkFriI-_zXpFCSvvMI3OT89cQRMzp8b7uf9BvahFEwIqR4xbqUy3W6ZEqF3Ofx8e1jwWEA0/s1800/Web-BuoyTackle-20230216_168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDBcR4D68OZt1Ita9ndBJ4Sh4no8dKfkEAL1T2w_IOcWL5PxvZZzAhPkwFFbaoP9l_jJVOVEU6tjaa4b77TbyzNDYMajKlqR3SFIR8EFsmEsdmSUJnBkFriI-_zXpFCSvvMI3OT89cQRMzp8b7uf9BvahFEwIqR4xbqUy3W6ZEqF3Ofx8e1jwWEA0/w640-h512/Web-BuoyTackle-20230216_168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I can't tell you what this net is used for, but the form was attractive, so I had to share it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmN7LuCL0ACe3s8b21uG_yjr5gsed9WiX_yzs3grvD_rJFdXeSUN2uyKVPq-UXXykrO402d3XvKEC-yu3m8vDV94RqXTe-M9lSb3j_1AWJ51KMHx0fBz-D5kwizdAmf7raVkODTSln_7M1X3ALov_7QKznSK8dTlk70REHQnIxUmSqxWrE_6mTTGY/s1800/Web-Fishing%20Net-20230216_173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmN7LuCL0ACe3s8b21uG_yjr5gsed9WiX_yzs3grvD_rJFdXeSUN2uyKVPq-UXXykrO402d3XvKEC-yu3m8vDV94RqXTe-M9lSb3j_1AWJ51KMHx0fBz-D5kwizdAmf7raVkODTSln_7M1X3ALov_7QKznSK8dTlk70REHQnIxUmSqxWrE_6mTTGY/w640-h426/Web-Fishing%20Net-20230216_173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The next day we had some dreary weather, so we explored some local museums. There were some interesting discoveries. Ropes in a shipbuilder's shop.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xr2BXrNG3a67UR38q31r5sqBYQO6wcQu2i9c3xSGy9Ho-2HzXRJNeZ1VR6qko0FmnF1VIFMiVAIuDdst1o2QvHvqOrkcrNPbPyzojUTNPNku9dQl_-QcC9UEI4ZPIJziE_id8mWUs8zsSDsKzXegz8pF2q7SvD9TvmSmAmWlEx2cEL-w1lOhfFdO/s1800/Web-Ship%20Builder's%20Ropes-20230217_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1800" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xr2BXrNG3a67UR38q31r5sqBYQO6wcQu2i9c3xSGy9Ho-2HzXRJNeZ1VR6qko0FmnF1VIFMiVAIuDdst1o2QvHvqOrkcrNPbPyzojUTNPNku9dQl_-QcC9UEI4ZPIJziE_id8mWUs8zsSDsKzXegz8pF2q7SvD9TvmSmAmWlEx2cEL-w1lOhfFdO/w640-h568/Web-Ship%20Builder's%20Ropes-20230217_021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Antique car grills at Owls Head.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX2MQuKuB6iJ1T0ZvtSt1SLSPPsPYuogdjq3UNaZS5dzeTj5GlNp9T2ZZdzO0C8duQGiQUsQuJdRpbTnf6UE-1RohX1FDRXl3KaP8XxoKPt9cq-zrDqOcedQ3KyyBxqFqqZeH9osCNoq7OQ_NXEpC4JOZoeqNEdIe7b02GRLjxrNYtohWP25hXhOO/s1800/Web-Classic%20Car%20Grill-20230217_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX2MQuKuB6iJ1T0ZvtSt1SLSPPsPYuogdjq3UNaZS5dzeTj5GlNp9T2ZZdzO0C8duQGiQUsQuJdRpbTnf6UE-1RohX1FDRXl3KaP8XxoKPt9cq-zrDqOcedQ3KyyBxqFqqZeH9osCNoq7OQ_NXEpC4JOZoeqNEdIe7b02GRLjxrNYtohWP25hXhOO/w640-h426/Web-Classic%20Car%20Grill-20230217_032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscY_DAQ_OM6QqlQulF1mHbQr8Ux8U8sauKtfmWj0pWjJkZuYTxt947IZQXnK0n95YV5TxhLRzxXyEImgyf_UUqeI40a8HbvK04ynAuBefAyh-OctxelpjqgLNY3mbUFaH6hzdAFjnPzUZBRwxw84UrHFKhQh2oOAaydDJ64-7U8nG7gm2L8mwZV4W/s1800/Web-Classic%20Car%20Grill-20230217_030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscY_DAQ_OM6QqlQulF1mHbQr8Ux8U8sauKtfmWj0pWjJkZuYTxt947IZQXnK0n95YV5TxhLRzxXyEImgyf_UUqeI40a8HbvK04ynAuBefAyh-OctxelpjqgLNY3mbUFaH6hzdAFjnPzUZBRwxw84UrHFKhQh2oOAaydDJ64-7U8nG7gm2L8mwZV4W/w426-h640/Web-Classic%20Car%20Grill-20230217_030.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>The next morning was cold but favorable at Pemaquid Point. This is my favorite lighthouse of all. Down here you can grasp the height of the promontory it occupies. The sloping layers of rocks rise from the waves dramatically. (The tide was rising, and shortly after this I had to retreat upward. )<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiednHNSDpO3WWRPpQ5D3I8l2CyWZK1E2Zw1JabQrt7TtsbEyfUF-JOVUCLRVqo7ak1TTfgNVj3zRo86LOu_RLe8EByY753p1zttq9Sitp1tlilwFbrEWpVASwt-95j-G2D3jzaRtk_IhFuzxKzNfefkNxfAQA53OL3L3BOznmNXtu6y-PtHVomKOl8/s1800/Web-Pemaquid%20Point%20Light%20at%20Dawn-20230218_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiednHNSDpO3WWRPpQ5D3I8l2CyWZK1E2Zw1JabQrt7TtsbEyfUF-JOVUCLRVqo7ak1TTfgNVj3zRo86LOu_RLe8EByY753p1zttq9Sitp1tlilwFbrEWpVASwt-95j-G2D3jzaRtk_IhFuzxKzNfefkNxfAQA53OL3L3BOznmNXtu6y-PtHVomKOl8/w640-h426/Web-Pemaquid%20Point%20Light%20at%20Dawn-20230218_032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Up at the lighthouse, there are, even on a cold and icy morning, some hearty people coming out for the view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d51I03mQaaywkvVHu2nVgQgQEXABbQ5zBCOyRALDutAc0poF5YutthP6bN7jYxWc6P69YRa75_DcKvZjdqleivfE5SWM5wFTsR7L4dn8PqyFPfOPdEpbj8EUjUw0M9_qEhulaLin8pJE9Y84SNozeOoy2C_3jcDME50E5ZM4MZgX3moKZ6ZhmQmG/s1800/Web-Pemaquid%20Point%20Light%20On%20Wintery%20Morning-IMG_6034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d51I03mQaaywkvVHu2nVgQgQEXABbQ5zBCOyRALDutAc0poF5YutthP6bN7jYxWc6P69YRa75_DcKvZjdqleivfE5SWM5wFTsR7L4dn8PqyFPfOPdEpbj8EUjUw0M9_qEhulaLin8pJE9Y84SNozeOoy2C_3jcDME50E5ZM4MZgX3moKZ6ZhmQmG/w640-h456/Web-Pemaquid%20Point%20Light%20On%20Wintery%20Morning-IMG_6034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Every visit I have ever made to Pemaquid has been inspiring. Soon afterwards, we were at Deb's cafe for hot coffee and great food. It was worth departing at 5:15 am to be there for another beautiful dawn.</p><p>That afternoon, we made a big shift in subjects to a small narrow gauge railway near Wiscasset, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington. It's totally volunteer based and very busy even in February. Here are a few images:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-svpFsCbgBEb4Co2VOMI9YGGIjqd7nPo0Bfj8lzzbW0_VQffEclEEDupb3stM8FTlmronBcTVTBBB9ksETTKU4hhTMh1DoTeEh1GRYirGIE68QdVKomvsXdzAGm39JCCmV_6_C4EejTpaaq0cXcGCsNW50dybz_FD07Q_KOPaXQDYBMW7fumGOBpU/s1800/Web-Engine%209%20Ready%20to%20Depart-20230218_256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1231" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-svpFsCbgBEb4Co2VOMI9YGGIjqd7nPo0Bfj8lzzbW0_VQffEclEEDupb3stM8FTlmronBcTVTBBB9ksETTKU4hhTMh1DoTeEh1GRYirGIE68QdVKomvsXdzAGm39JCCmV_6_C4EejTpaaq0cXcGCsNW50dybz_FD07Q_KOPaXQDYBMW7fumGOBpU/w438-h640/Web-Engine%209%20Ready%20to%20Depart-20230218_256.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP9dNXU6Q6PUIZE9jApUFPcBdf-wzghHeQEnH2wf4jIgIqgX_CtpxLkrzveXULwcuC_hp_XLonekprYAq_21Z_psdNw63gq3Sue0SomEv7_IsuqhpzkQr7W3ZEnQEflxg9mXYEZqdMu4bBQ1SwMeHBLuEmPXa4NfRZN7xwsjD2dTNszOhddSYFpcC/s1800/Web-Engine%209%20at%20the%20Water%20Tower-20230218_237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP9dNXU6Q6PUIZE9jApUFPcBdf-wzghHeQEnH2wf4jIgIqgX_CtpxLkrzveXULwcuC_hp_XLonekprYAq_21Z_psdNw63gq3Sue0SomEv7_IsuqhpzkQr7W3ZEnQEflxg9mXYEZqdMu4bBQ1SwMeHBLuEmPXa4NfRZN7xwsjD2dTNszOhddSYFpcC/w426-h640/Web-Engine%209%20at%20the%20Water%20Tower-20230218_237.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ8Qz-W2KpUPGI17te1Hi1znfb763KRC5PAf7qplrZ7U1IT0pC44eI1wlwJp4AYPVRE8oM1bMFRqF4H4lr8jb83-iwofKUxZGsRuHmGcZeH3v18jmtYXR62Z0lEig_tpj3gd4NsNJE_PMBHY7evfCFf7dYJMYCVagm8g7oFhyOdUT4fcRz07FjYY6/s1800/Web-Engine%209%20Sateaming-20230218_127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ8Qz-W2KpUPGI17te1Hi1znfb763KRC5PAf7qplrZ7U1IT0pC44eI1wlwJp4AYPVRE8oM1bMFRqF4H4lr8jb83-iwofKUxZGsRuHmGcZeH3v18jmtYXR62Z0lEig_tpj3gd4NsNJE_PMBHY7evfCFf7dYJMYCVagm8g7oFhyOdUT4fcRz07FjYY6/w426-h640/Web-Engine%209%20Sateaming-20230218_127.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Our final morning was at Friendship Harbor. Again, this is a working harbor with little tourist flavor. It was another early start.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoUkq09S4HCVW3E-rtyZAaoyg2UQIxCLoTMT3lYcGnecs63D0lIKBgCwyiibGtMA0KpVrSPs0hVxJiDMt6AVnJM7oJGqkWvY6EG6AzPv83dlKKZVQgwT7pr8fWOblFdawfCuJV53GxyyZFh2F1odwEa5gtTPqM4VpY4X1zaUb2SWULlqiE_00fc_q/s1800/Web-20230219-049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoUkq09S4HCVW3E-rtyZAaoyg2UQIxCLoTMT3lYcGnecs63D0lIKBgCwyiibGtMA0KpVrSPs0hVxJiDMt6AVnJM7oJGqkWvY6EG6AzPv83dlKKZVQgwT7pr8fWOblFdawfCuJV53GxyyZFh2F1odwEa5gtTPqM4VpY4X1zaUb2SWULlqiE_00fc_q/w426-h640/Web-20230219-049.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>There was a very creative Christmas tree still on the one dock in mid-February. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5GzQW-DWXcmN_z2jevmdgNK0-xyHStTS8KQDh2pBlVD91Wi-sxLA36SSDXvoL5rwEW2c_w777UQj3Hv99OQFg4ijro2pA7mMjCdsj1N4VKbluDAMBG4v-pDt2n6-larH--ZULlcGhafw7tk6SRaazq_ai6P-sbNc0n-Af9GK-7G1blqzPOS1oDFu/s1800/Web-20230219-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5GzQW-DWXcmN_z2jevmdgNK0-xyHStTS8KQDh2pBlVD91Wi-sxLA36SSDXvoL5rwEW2c_w777UQj3Hv99OQFg4ijro2pA7mMjCdsj1N4VKbluDAMBG4v-pDt2n6-larH--ZULlcGhafw7tk6SRaazq_ai6P-sbNc0n-Af9GK-7G1blqzPOS1oDFu/w512-h640/Web-20230219-017.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>The sunrise cast a golden glow on one of the fish houses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjR-G1mUeyTuLi5MXysdwBSB2iT3TbrAcEDpfq091yQrwbFs4s160penvjkCcciP7RjYHgzTNjX0FJxG6pPZcH8nLPhNyXdJCKSx-VzuoE5ptibTlj_SniAwz12VdyoJGOzbmS0Jq_XRQoui31igbmTDEIYbl-x83kYrEXFmoI6Ql1-H2r9GJg7Wa/s1800/Web-20230219-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjR-G1mUeyTuLi5MXysdwBSB2iT3TbrAcEDpfq091yQrwbFs4s160penvjkCcciP7RjYHgzTNjX0FJxG6pPZcH8nLPhNyXdJCKSx-VzuoE5ptibTlj_SniAwz12VdyoJGOzbmS0Jq_XRQoui31igbmTDEIYbl-x83kYrEXFmoI6Ql1-H2r9GJg7Wa/w426-h640/Web-20230219-007.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Nearby was another fish house with buoys that seemed best in monochrome to reflect on time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-lugLrQ-jcZkap3sB7T-5yhu-Z-tjvloZrFIy0oK7eGijUkKqJ7L8hKRpZiFIWT1_tdw7JwSwtwOAsGCue5W6cKZ_Ka99_q_jrC2NhT05Kgt0ixezQoHPudLQkCNb25dgAebFNU7Zc66WvEOSoAgET2R0FITt4l8GejOCZZZNvECgO79hUT22tu7/s1800/Web-20230219-029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-lugLrQ-jcZkap3sB7T-5yhu-Z-tjvloZrFIy0oK7eGijUkKqJ7L8hKRpZiFIWT1_tdw7JwSwtwOAsGCue5W6cKZ_Ka99_q_jrC2NhT05Kgt0ixezQoHPudLQkCNb25dgAebFNU7Zc66WvEOSoAgET2R0FITt4l8GejOCZZZNvECgO79hUT22tu7/w640-h426/Web-20230219-029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Maine in winter is clearly not dreary, nor boring. Just a little patience is called for when weather is in control. Natives seem to thrive in winter. </p><p>Well, this ran into more images than is my usual. Hopefully it is sufficiently entertaining.</p><p>Paul Schmitt<br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-70422201500063951122023-02-09T16:51:00.006-08:002023-02-09T16:51:48.006-08:00Frozen in Time<p> Winter strips the landscape of a lot of noise. The inner form of trees is simplified absent the leaves. Waterfalls become clearer with the trees bare. The precipices are covered with ice, and sometimes the flow of water is nearly stopped. Early in my discovery of waterfall photography, I was directed to this hidden falls in Lansing (New York). It was part of a family's backyard. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wforjv9BLPDb-V0dvRtWT20hHyt3vPP2BMIVc6xdOv2t36h6aFwpWjDbHkuXSmIlkYarBwtseONgyOafWQ91If-6GnoO8HfCGwvWW1aiwXL4_mtqbMFxQkySB5Lo13yEvCuB_zdrOU9bPPypzm3Bvqo7ENq4qKBXGJuJXdDMwcgTgJmTz1bPZsMG/s1800/Web-repriese-untitled-20130123_107R1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wforjv9BLPDb-V0dvRtWT20hHyt3vPP2BMIVc6xdOv2t36h6aFwpWjDbHkuXSmIlkYarBwtseONgyOafWQ91If-6GnoO8HfCGwvWW1aiwXL4_mtqbMFxQkySB5Lo13yEvCuB_zdrOU9bPPypzm3Bvqo7ENq4qKBXGJuJXdDMwcgTgJmTz1bPZsMG/w640-h428/Web-repriese-untitled-20130123_107R1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I even returned at night to make extremely long exposures and painted the ice with colored lights. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHCSgYSZNEcr80LJziWpprsaKOpWjMLog9j9OrNgMP5MINE_jrGlzcXQX5KWHoRwTQXmbktapNLnlGlKm1dFl5sOwOAdPFHzNfiKJu7Z0bWqhMOB7ZYZTAP_F1zyjW09grBv3vWNDEKlUaErzesmq1-vSFcpKLMHeEkYn3GRMZ1nr22i_BZD26Udr/s1800/Web-%20repreise-Niagara%20at%20night-20130316_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHCSgYSZNEcr80LJziWpprsaKOpWjMLog9j9OrNgMP5MINE_jrGlzcXQX5KWHoRwTQXmbktapNLnlGlKm1dFl5sOwOAdPFHzNfiKJu7Z0bWqhMOB7ZYZTAP_F1zyjW09grBv3vWNDEKlUaErzesmq1-vSFcpKLMHeEkYn3GRMZ1nr22i_BZD26Udr/w268-h400/Web-%20repreise-Niagara%20at%20night-20130316_024.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p>The little falls had no name and likely was never seen in a postcard. Big falls are often seen on postcards and imitated by newbies. I did that at Niagara Falls in 2013. The falls are illuminated every evening. Many capture just what was seen on the postcard. There is also much more to see when exploring more closely. </p><p>Seen below is a small portion of the American Falls that was created in the late morning when the sun created a rainbow. Now, the sun moves pretty quickly across the sky so the rainbow is not static either. Keeping the rainbow on that ice-capped rock keeps the photographer shooting, and quickly moving the tripod while not bumping into other people next to the railing.</p><p>This image of the American Falls was much more memorable in part, because it is not found on a postcard and will not be repeated exactly like this. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmGZEtT_IcJKrcIWa7mJdAtbaes6RJRfRgh5zaNhGwp9WFDTXurBHuOsZKm3_kmA2RWxvonA-B_pb-3UqHESe3JCHV7iwyig4oZwf8EoN4B6xjpdvzVE08ztxQFmkRCyxds-thMzsc1su363UsoRr_3k9CqbI8gCk-cSdhrzlYizoqk7nEAaun3_z/s1800/Web-Repriese-Rainbow%20on%20American%20Falls-Niagara-20150311_326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmGZEtT_IcJKrcIWa7mJdAtbaes6RJRfRgh5zaNhGwp9WFDTXurBHuOsZKm3_kmA2RWxvonA-B_pb-3UqHESe3JCHV7iwyig4oZwf8EoN4B6xjpdvzVE08ztxQFmkRCyxds-thMzsc1su363UsoRr_3k9CqbI8gCk-cSdhrzlYizoqk7nEAaun3_z/w426-h640/Web-Repriese-Rainbow%20on%20American%20Falls-Niagara-20150311_326.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Here in the Finger Lakes, the iconic falls is arguably Taughannock. At 215 feet of straight drop, it is higher than Niagara and easily approached to the lower level, even more so in winter. It's my favorite, especially when ice covered. On this morning, there was a strong flow contributing to widespread ice well away from the drop. It was also extremely cold; my fingers were nearly numb even with glove liners plus mittens. (It was worth the walk up the gorge to hear and feel the giant in winter.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FYEgpXf58WqeKDasIPx08Lf0Vrw2-p-sR6wcfM6enI6QFkHH0RwDgzvfhUlex-20_N-oc5CtAmxuACRA6fUWghcUpi6vhWgQvWM__1hp80rkSJSvx717dpGA4gNTIgnEe4SPslZWGlwX0bsuvvgPAh_oG0cFFxZtO5PHZuM_TaZKL2o7VW_V45Sp/s1800/Web-%20repreise-Taughannock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-Img0211029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FYEgpXf58WqeKDasIPx08Lf0Vrw2-p-sR6wcfM6enI6QFkHH0RwDgzvfhUlex-20_N-oc5CtAmxuACRA6fUWghcUpi6vhWgQvWM__1hp80rkSJSvx717dpGA4gNTIgnEe4SPslZWGlwX0bsuvvgPAh_oG0cFFxZtO5PHZuM_TaZKL2o7VW_V45Sp/w430-h640/Web-%20repreise-Taughannock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-Img0211029.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>There is, however, much more to portraying the mix of solid and liquid found in such a scene. This is an ever-changing sculpture of hard ice and liquid water. This is an instant in time that will never be recreated. <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1kvdE-Aff0a6h3KI2SEbSQziQWTi3RScE01u1XA40E3zfmmRo6-FPCO_W1k_TphytFDy74sd8uVrTVl3Far4NBcc_Pqj0J7BnIAVUBE_cFBJrke05O9UkY-SWXkY4cvJRiKtkaYoLezQYDnbpfDH5Yg7RKok-TMK-LWBW4r3olmMwz-j5Csc99Gl/s1800/Web-Below%20the%20Falls%20b&w-20130127_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1kvdE-Aff0a6h3KI2SEbSQziQWTi3RScE01u1XA40E3zfmmRo6-FPCO_W1k_TphytFDy74sd8uVrTVl3Far4NBcc_Pqj0J7BnIAVUBE_cFBJrke05O9UkY-SWXkY4cvJRiKtkaYoLezQYDnbpfDH5Yg7RKok-TMK-LWBW4r3olmMwz-j5Csc99Gl/w640-h428/Web-Below%20the%20Falls%20b&w-20130127_032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The photographer has the choice of shutter speed that creates an interpretation that can be faster or slower than how our brain processes time. Seems fascinating to consider.</p><p>There are other winter scenes to explore. At the base of Ithaca Falls, there are ice formations found away from the falls. They are the result of wind blowing the water spray, and also the rise and fall of the flows. As the day warms, the flow increases and the ice creeps higher. This image presents two levels - Ithaca Falls and the crooked willow on the edge. That seems more interesting.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaJeR89P9lJ8ZzClNttpk1AeaQXhYXZkDSC2U84oLcxZechqT-VTNgCEmSAIu-PdAosI3APfCH1Rpag10GGF2s87rRJ8QUK4xXo9sX-Hb7OoaQJPk2od8KadDPfxbOiUf-3__Xl6GC8FAy9fIFxelFCJCIdjGS0J9XAKtTskYgKSO5VStKCtEhyEU/s1800/Web-repriese-Ithaca%20Falls%20blended-20130319_011&012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaJeR89P9lJ8ZzClNttpk1AeaQXhYXZkDSC2U84oLcxZechqT-VTNgCEmSAIu-PdAosI3APfCH1Rpag10GGF2s87rRJ8QUK4xXo9sX-Hb7OoaQJPk2od8KadDPfxbOiUf-3__Xl6GC8FAy9fIFxelFCJCIdjGS0J9XAKtTskYgKSO5VStKCtEhyEU/w428-h640/Web-repriese-Ithaca%20Falls%20blended-20130319_011&012.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p>I think it wise to begin with a local favorite and conclude with an exotic favorite - Gibbon Falls in Yellowstone in early February 2020. The river is not frozen because of thermal springs feeding the river. One of the attractions for this location is the beautiful circular path presented to the viewer's eyes. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHn3YDpggpHVewrAC-DeQA7-CvqWHuCVHK24y2Nwrc__KZXBTz7eVSY47pvlJaZGeVvud06LfnXNh-KsSCb1lzFQMAj2ebGvcRYp-Kjs5mmUUtT3ICvb6g1VPigCE2ooL6t-pLsNi5m5yCDSHPx3OSETlENGdfZ8eyOe-UjPEieZImUgszNa9zc6l/s1800/Web-Repriese-Gibbon%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20200129_010_fstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHn3YDpggpHVewrAC-DeQA7-CvqWHuCVHK24y2Nwrc__KZXBTz7eVSY47pvlJaZGeVvud06LfnXNh-KsSCb1lzFQMAj2ebGvcRYp-Kjs5mmUUtT3ICvb6g1VPigCE2ooL6t-pLsNi5m5yCDSHPx3OSETlENGdfZ8eyOe-UjPEieZImUgszNa9zc6l/w426-h640/Web-Repriese-Gibbon%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20200129_010_fstack.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>A week later after making this image, we were all learning about a global pandemic and foregoing travel. So, that makes it a little more memorable.<br /></p><p>I hope you find this enjoyable.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i></span></span><br /></h3><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br />Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-27179816500591714742022-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:002022-12-31T11:45:49.842-08:00It's About Time<div><p style="text-align: left;">This discussion all began with a critique by a fellow photographer stating that his preference for showing moving water was with the camera "freezing" movement. He preferred that and suggested long exposures were artificial. So, he viewed the creamy texture seen below as not natural.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMbCKWw_9eRRvfWMgaJBkIbxzT6pFbHy75cUIgHbjXVf82Robi-RG1BZpeoIdafva2hdr5AP1Sp0gnAM46RyfdX4IReJlpGodnD1NPpOqtOtIym7uiyUXRFEStkLdMweYNojhcxCPleKb4105ozazMHRDYSUpc75xaFc5y2uIjBZFBRO36RzqyED/s1800/Web-Blog%20Copy-Toms%20Creek-20101023_624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMbCKWw_9eRRvfWMgaJBkIbxzT6pFbHy75cUIgHbjXVf82Robi-RG1BZpeoIdafva2hdr5AP1Sp0gnAM46RyfdX4IReJlpGodnD1NPpOqtOtIym7uiyUXRFEStkLdMweYNojhcxCPleKb4105ozazMHRDYSUpc75xaFc5y2uIjBZFBRO36RzqyED/w640-h426/Web-Blog%20Copy-Toms%20Creek-20101023_624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The exposure for the above image was slow, 0.8 seconds. I liked this because it gives a feeling of gentle flowing water. It occurs to me that before the invention of the camera shutter, we had no idea of what any moving subject looked like. Before that, we could not see crashing drops of water spilling over a water fall, or the wings of the Goldfinch launching into flight seen below. It was a blur.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqPhNsCCM8QZm8nsaHfHxD1iEYTtM2uaNJ-asqvDvUu2LfhAzaFAw9vwcmpcbuocBOLP0MWXMkVK6xAXcPI_kzoOu9VEC8pzmNzLOodrm8MTeJoI7z1n9zjFDjx-Xf_VQGYy-cz2SxZJB4r18kk0r5yUOrcBsTbdn_SQfKi-GpMF16H0OSQSDwOe6/s1800/Web-blog%20of%20ti%20me-A%20Male%20Gold%20Finch%20taking%20flight-20190720_020-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqPhNsCCM8QZm8nsaHfHxD1iEYTtM2uaNJ-asqvDvUu2LfhAzaFAw9vwcmpcbuocBOLP0MWXMkVK6xAXcPI_kzoOu9VEC8pzmNzLOodrm8MTeJoI7z1n9zjFDjx-Xf_VQGYy-cz2SxZJB4r18kk0r5yUOrcBsTbdn_SQfKi-GpMF16H0OSQSDwOe6/w640-h512/Web-blog%20of%20ti%20me-A%20Male%20Gold%20Finch%20taking%20flight-20190720_020-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a>Time itself is a human invention. It was developed for navigators to determine longitude. Then it was extended in the industrial revolution to economically quantify labor delivered, and later refined to coordinate railroad schedules across wide distances. Moving pictures use the shutter to create a stack of still images which, when displayed sequentualy at 25 frames per second, create an illusion of motion. Again, that is not natural but a human artifice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarpJvH5pwseunjv5G7LdbIlL4_5fvFZ7Q9Y729n9n2Xlx0yHgqure3lMYdTyppl84ZZW9etP4Cj4UVUbdq6lDTXNGWJbaqhvJKjkimqnKOT1HOc_O-iejNo36gdSmcm4fcezcMCBHnZycl28Yv5wHxGNkS9JwENXE9xPkb9ekaC9f_w63_8iefGBu/s1655/Blog-%20time-%20Louisiana%20Waterthrush-20180622_238-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarpJvH5pwseunjv5G7LdbIlL4_5fvFZ7Q9Y729n9n2Xlx0yHgqure3lMYdTyppl84ZZW9etP4Cj4UVUbdq6lDTXNGWJbaqhvJKjkimqnKOT1HOc_O-iejNo36gdSmcm4fcezcMCBHnZycl28Yv5wHxGNkS9JwENXE9xPkb9ekaC9f_w63_8iefGBu/w400-h320/Blog-%20time-%20Louisiana%20Waterthrush-20180622_238-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a>Our perception of time is also shaped by the speed that our brain processes what we see, clock speed. If you are driving behind a truck and something falls off the truck and into your lane, it takes your brain about 250 milliseconds to send the orders to your muscles to brake sharply. That's 1/4 second. That won't work for the Louisiana Waterthrush at right. Survival demands increased speed to capture little water bugs. So, our human perception of time is not universal. Our clock speed is natural for us, but not for all creatures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's a big idea. The shutter allows us to switch to a new perception of time. It freezes a bird in flight on one side, and alternately revises how we interpret the sea swirling over a rocky coast or how we see a waterfall. I want to explore how very long exposures present a different interpretation of time. Below is a winter favorite of mine, Taughannock Falls in nearby Trumansburg, New York. The gorge and waterfall were created over a span of about ten thousand years following the last ice age. It is winter now, so ice is appropriate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm06Mn2s7vywcFzIO-CMJr9T9RnU9oz-8cD1qgJC-g-EKlFMudatKR70qDv-9iJQa-KxryOO8gc47VIOkgVsb5ydhJvWzrByW8X0XZeQU-o3dUUFlBuY-muJDQLJg_GuWVrweNE9019XTcvABBSe92kaO-onRXNf9XkD2_4mu4m_iu47LU_TRCLSZ/s1800/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm06Mn2s7vywcFzIO-CMJr9T9RnU9oz-8cD1qgJC-g-EKlFMudatKR70qDv-9iJQa-KxryOO8gc47VIOkgVsb5ydhJvWzrByW8X0XZeQU-o3dUUFlBuY-muJDQLJg_GuWVrweNE9019XTcvABBSe92kaO-onRXNf9XkD2_4mu4m_iu47LU_TRCLSZ/w426-h640/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-007.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The view from the north wall is in two layers - a warmly lit foreground that is crisply defined and the distant falls in cool blue light. To me, stopping the water's movement is not what my eyes see. The gorge walls are reasonably defined so the creamy water speaks for falling water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's an easy hike from near Cayuga Lake up the gorge to near the big falls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE-Yb-2xBgYGh0PrWPWZW9WV3UKvVgypPYm0EMWZlUAuSUnFVt-HAMFiy5ibwSkhplMY7SIn6Ru47ekeKPmiiU2AiE6tEearjJecC2X-QeRRRC_hDfWtVmRIIZWd-gicxeThnkyzAUF-huGAA_be7uNyFMrJ_aeUAVnwBN6EkN5-SgKqS_hET6-77/s1800/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE-Yb-2xBgYGh0PrWPWZW9WV3UKvVgypPYm0EMWZlUAuSUnFVt-HAMFiy5ibwSkhplMY7SIn6Ru47ekeKPmiiU2AiE6tEearjJecC2X-QeRRRC_hDfWtVmRIIZWd-gicxeThnkyzAUF-huGAA_be7uNyFMrJ_aeUAVnwBN6EkN5-SgKqS_hET6-77/w426-h640/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-010.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On both sides of the falling water, there is a constantly evolving filigree of ice formed as varying winds paint patterns of ice. This was a 1.6 second shutter. My mind is wrapped in a slower clock speed. I want to distill the scene even more. I really pushed the clock speed to 48 seconds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LtsSeQ17D5S3IIQE4ftEeP4rVECm6q_B5GMevSN8XCIg7Z9qKbWzxpuIanCcxzW5oXIZjOBgOHQIPVRkIm3lO7g8JDcuL2WwEZoBmeSkMUhTuAHJdzl_M6DA4AUWbJPeR15WuLIaZbjvuB4Sp06rleV7XQBULY1QMYimo38-45cJ0cb85H-JShbf/s1800/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LtsSeQ17D5S3IIQE4ftEeP4rVECm6q_B5GMevSN8XCIg7Z9qKbWzxpuIanCcxzW5oXIZjOBgOHQIPVRkIm3lO7g8JDcuL2WwEZoBmeSkMUhTuAHJdzl_M6DA4AUWbJPeR15WuLIaZbjvuB4Sp06rleV7XQBULY1QMYimo38-45cJ0cb85H-JShbf/w426-h640/Web-Taughannock%20Falls-20221221-019.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What feelings does this create for you? For me, I feel the cold, raw power of Taughannock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As one retreats back down the gorge, there is a final waterfall that is more complex than the big drop. It offers some delightful forms to explore with slower shutters. (I am keeping these images in a cold, blue light because that's usually what my cold hands are feeling like after two hours in the gorge.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtQxvUMV9kez7JOnCds_C2JpP7qZgpy-NaamwHuamf3ImXsq5YEd9HPYiXrhpvL1HWbbA_c4PLp-YkBHqiM0lH33-p4JMcrx5YTC3AZMowWo6KGdPAGK5q5xTSNhLsNU82YtPu7EMDikTp4hc46JEGODQfETgCBITTD6DYfVvOf7WDrUKaojkyYd7/s1800/Web-Lower%20Taughanock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20221226-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtQxvUMV9kez7JOnCds_C2JpP7qZgpy-NaamwHuamf3ImXsq5YEd9HPYiXrhpvL1HWbbA_c4PLp-YkBHqiM0lH33-p4JMcrx5YTC3AZMowWo6KGdPAGK5q5xTSNhLsNU82YtPu7EMDikTp4hc46JEGODQfETgCBITTD6DYfVvOf7WDrUKaojkyYd7/w640-h426/Web-Lower%20Taughanock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20221226-011.jpg" width="640" /></a>It's a different feeling to me, and the pathways my eye follows are more varied. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shifting my lens to the left, I discover another ice sculpture that would be missed at a fast shutter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU1goMFcGgIt7wdJLghJBRA6VPrnCOFjhvsKdRHg2iakFy6FM2z6ADn-ZzF3Wdyu0-PPBDxfd_KITFsrlHbJz9qakxC6VZUb9rMiF5SKQZjxT1liWrNO5FXoR5BtQDQgqEDKJtp-mOINVpQvgcvAPWIfi_2VrAHQWH3o-8dosCvnmS7dKBM0dqSeJ/s1800/Web-Lower%20Taughanock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20221226-027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU1goMFcGgIt7wdJLghJBRA6VPrnCOFjhvsKdRHg2iakFy6FM2z6ADn-ZzF3Wdyu0-PPBDxfd_KITFsrlHbJz9qakxC6VZUb9rMiF5SKQZjxT1liWrNO5FXoR5BtQDQgqEDKJtp-mOINVpQvgcvAPWIfi_2VrAHQWH3o-8dosCvnmS7dKBM0dqSeJ/w426-h640/Web-Lower%20Taughanock%20Falls%20in%20Winter-20221226-027.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is now five days past when I saw these frozen falls. We have had three days of very warm, above freezing temperatures. The ice is nearly gone, but I know the cold will return and create new ice forms. I'll be back to find new ice sculpturess at a slower clock speed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Schmitt</span></i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /> <br /></div><p></p></div>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-74678222137191860702022-11-18T15:14:00.000-08:002022-11-18T15:14:06.934-08:00Is it still just a phone? ... or a photographer's tool now?<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakklCGwUaKE9Qh38Q7YMH4wWPPbrB8fk_YEgiL2xwKZbqhggN_v_Uy8HyVQFxWY-QLmj66CLTo6jnsSHGNXfrVZnpUl9TBCKU-chlcBEtClpfIl9baABNf7qqcj03sd9YEM2N-ITIcB2ywR6pRT4h14pY0klfjrFm0OWjuNaQfYvk0oc0beF0Ue2p/s1800/Web-iPhone%2013%20Pro%20front-20221113-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakklCGwUaKE9Qh38Q7YMH4wWPPbrB8fk_YEgiL2xwKZbqhggN_v_Uy8HyVQFxWY-QLmj66CLTo6jnsSHGNXfrVZnpUl9TBCKU-chlcBEtClpfIl9baABNf7qqcj03sd9YEM2N-ITIcB2ywR6pRT4h14pY0klfjrFm0OWjuNaQfYvk0oc0beF0Ue2p/s320/Web-iPhone%2013%20Pro%20front-20221113-004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I recently switched to an iPhone 13 Pro after five years with my iPhone 8. I'm not a "first" innovator, and the newer iPhone 14 just did not fill any additional needs for me. Honestly, the three lenses were the major reason. While in a photo workshop in October, someone kindly allowed me to play with his iPhone 13. I was sold. Now, I am going to take you along on my discovery of the phone plus offer a few "hacks" which may liberate you to do even more with a phone camera. <p></p><p>Mixed in will be images with each of the three lenses. I hope to keep a good balance with some techie talk. The experience has lightened the weight when I am exploring new locations looking for future photography. I can now move faster with a day pack devoted mostly to water, snacks and maybe battery pack. <br /></p><p>First, I want to highlight an app that offers many advantages over the standard Apple camera controls. ProCamera was already on my iPhone 8, but I had drifted away from using it until now, when I found it was greatly enhanced. This app offers high dynamic range (HDR) exposures for scenes with a wide brightness range. Here's a beautiful sunset in late October. It used the ultrawide lens.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KOjZzHv_I1fWRqTRtjN-1N1Y-tvkc4vTSWmmDhLgDCpl6qeNjvqiGyWRN3rzZEwt0HOhSGh3gE2BKp_NdJYYsdlTnmB5p8f6SWmIAAV-S1BogGL_uT37-hETsWarmF1KDTuOWQ3mIPhFGyZiku5sr5RsZnEGa8XmSHYdUhge9qzL6QCFYin4iYXd/s1800/Web-October%20Sunset%20at%20Sperr%20Park-IMG_5069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KOjZzHv_I1fWRqTRtjN-1N1Y-tvkc4vTSWmmDhLgDCpl6qeNjvqiGyWRN3rzZEwt0HOhSGh3gE2BKp_NdJYYsdlTnmB5p8f6SWmIAAV-S1BogGL_uT37-hETsWarmF1KDTuOWQ3mIPhFGyZiku5sr5RsZnEGa8XmSHYdUhge9qzL6QCFYin4iYXd/w640-h426/Web-October%20Sunset%20at%20Sperr%20Park-IMG_5069.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Look at the detail seen in the shadows without the sun being washed out. ProCamera analyses the situation and usually takes 3 photo spaces to capture from the darkest to brightest areas. (For ultra cases, it takes 5.) It was done so quickly that I could handhold the phone. </p><p>Let's look at what each of the three lenses covers at the overlook on Cowanesque Lake south of Corning. <br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-CrLv9NlCjiUo3Jn_oAZvUQBv3kmNw23QVrLfpHMyqOGL-TkjYissjZBvPFwKhjMSinpIM-RCP7cqb6MHolCZXbyQepQS5kuPwzmBBWuAFRyDdqu8QYM2iTMqGEuwXsaEgYY_p6S2ZtQE6GHUJ0kAT2Jfus55BXW2CQWbN-rTxOknl9YbsFYYxJm/s1800/Web-%20view%20by%20.5%20ultraside%20lens%20-IMG_5110-Edit.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-CrLv9NlCjiUo3Jn_oAZvUQBv3kmNw23QVrLfpHMyqOGL-TkjYissjZBvPFwKhjMSinpIM-RCP7cqb6MHolCZXbyQepQS5kuPwzmBBWuAFRyDdqu8QYM2iTMqGEuwXsaEgYY_p6S2ZtQE6GHUJ0kAT2Jfus55BXW2CQWbN-rTxOknl9YbsFYYxJm/w640-h480/Web-%20view%20by%20.5%20ultraside%20lens%20-IMG_5110-Edit.tif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />You've seen already the sunset using the ultra-wide lens. Here is an image using the wide lens.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUaHlh9gmVArAlvapfXlN6ij9H_oVJi-R-aD4-DLYIhD9ZgYUe50va6kaGFUHlIE9zDBTOOhxXP-ehGm0pOYnhl1Q7pK3MY12rys0o3KFYSceUVgkdw--Zh_WsTmn_EG8ILxnbW3OAAS6PL76Dsf_AmEFOLaRtM37Pddumvmfvjh468YkxLwOmHH2/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Remnants-IMG_4965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUaHlh9gmVArAlvapfXlN6ij9H_oVJi-R-aD4-DLYIhD9ZgYUe50va6kaGFUHlIE9zDBTOOhxXP-ehGm0pOYnhl1Q7pK3MY12rys0o3KFYSceUVgkdw--Zh_WsTmn_EG8ILxnbW3OAAS6PL76Dsf_AmEFOLaRtM37Pddumvmfvjh468YkxLwOmHH2/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Remnants-IMG_4965.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>For the image above, I developed a trick using ProCamera in manual focus. Photographers choose a small lens aperture so that the background is indistinct. It keeps your eye on the stump in the foreground. The iPhone 13 camera does not have an adjustable lens aperture. However, ProCamera has manual focus plus a feature called focus peaking. Where it detects high contrast around sharply focused places, the screen puts a color highlight on the screen. In the image above, I used the manual focus feature in ProCamera to pull the focus closer to me until only the stump was flashing yellow. That's one of many useful features it offers.<br /></p><p>Next is an image using the tele lens. In this case, I wanted the image to be sharp for foreground and distant. Corning Incorporated's headquarters building shows sharpness from red fruit on the trees and right out to the iconic Little Joe Tower. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXUubgUVPV7wzjODaLBmNtEMOgI1EdQjnII5mMwU4cKLPPyYWn_dkYOXjquo9tgmTgwziZJEkH4m-HiKUePygtqtYCa2rqagH4rd_mwi4HnQ0zXu7Y9s432iQyt8h2SDIw1EagG9KHABtZku-E0w7jTiZmvMyV0uHwxssaRJt6B6aADmeJEP8_wCJ/w512-h640/Web-Autumn%20Reflections%20at%20Corning%20Headquarters-IMG_5045.jpg" width="512" /></div><p>The versatility of three lenses is clearly seen in these examples.</p><p>The small size of a phone opens another window, the ability to place the camera very close to the ground. This can create a perspective not easily seen (unless you like to lay your head on the bare ground or in a snow drift.) Here's an example that used the wide lens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwmdvcCOs02Mb-ZfWuAuJAqEMm40wXMp2yfp346MKfeqQ_09FitM2oEG8Q-0i-QkTFL2EfaNtsubvXFIllvnSdjRAP44FK77IlalVnEOg5kzqUbEQsplHMvRQPC8tAkDsBY7QjsHso9qOjy7tbduFQABpBaH38rHAKzAnxoO9r86_CtOYtkln79EZ/s1800/Web-Last%20Colors%20of%20Autumn-IMG_4941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwmdvcCOs02Mb-ZfWuAuJAqEMm40wXMp2yfp346MKfeqQ_09FitM2oEG8Q-0i-QkTFL2EfaNtsubvXFIllvnSdjRAP44FK77IlalVnEOg5kzqUbEQsplHMvRQPC8tAkDsBY7QjsHso9qOjy7tbduFQABpBaH38rHAKzAnxoO9r86_CtOYtkln79EZ/w512-h640/Web-Last%20Colors%20of%20Autumn-IMG_4941.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>When getting very low, one problem is precisely locating the lens vertically. Tilted images just don't seem very pleasing. Here's an example where I wanted to capture a reflection of a tree in a large water puddle on the abandoned farm road.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyYNnKUyturbkzvFFA5FSFo8UnNDLNCwWIBuHHpW6Tu-DLGXA9d8YWtCubp7EvMoymCBHLeaxGrAZVliat__UwYMwJ6J9HqY7vWwwTYJPpOopm11nifwkgioYPG48HklT4HQ4iigIS2eurX80pPZRgjTVXdD5xIM6wEow1GdhrvNidhPnMe6W5e8y/s1800/Web-The%20Shape%20of%20a%20Tree-revised-IMG_5323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyYNnKUyturbkzvFFA5FSFo8UnNDLNCwWIBuHHpW6Tu-DLGXA9d8YWtCubp7EvMoymCBHLeaxGrAZVliat__UwYMwJ6J9HqY7vWwwTYJPpOopm11nifwkgioYPG48HklT4HQ4iigIS2eurX80pPZRgjTVXdD5xIM6wEow1GdhrvNidhPnMe6W5e8y/w426-h640/Web-The%20Shape%20of%20a%20Tree-revised-IMG_5323.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0opYKfsCvALVVlcilOCopt43yThCAOGhmYuzQiRL2fH9xH3-0kULHOx-Gk-QQtTHZuBzxxOd22UogRUFBgpCPHkbSy1X82cWaVvU9kPLK9ROAygQRIggJgk-cDkFLJJsSrVecRnDud3hUpATJQDMUO1l6gL8U6A93GfE5Pa177dxGdAZ0IeQTC4K/s1800/Web-Phone%20on%20a%20Stand-%20v.%205-20221112-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0opYKfsCvALVVlcilOCopt43yThCAOGhmYuzQiRL2fH9xH3-0kULHOx-Gk-QQtTHZuBzxxOd22UogRUFBgpCPHkbSy1X82cWaVvU9kPLK9ROAygQRIggJgk-cDkFLJJsSrVecRnDud3hUpATJQDMUO1l6gL8U6A93GfE5Pa177dxGdAZ0IeQTC4K/w400-h266/Web-Phone%20on%20a%20Stand-%20v.%205-20221112-011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I did this by putting the phone in a holder attached to a small tripod. The red grips of the Ulanzi ST-03 allow full visibility of the phone screen. Cost $19.95 at Amazon; it adapts to Arca-style tripod mounts. With my phone in a protective Otterbox, the Ulanzi is not directly squeezing the phone case. <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rr_07GVhhinXkOE4KQL-nTn54YzvTSDXNfrK_8IQwhWWjgenCGUVBPjXC9pDFMVgpS315P3XoU2fFINAayxnpfW_ThKDcniSFRWpr2wiA3ZDWzanAxeo_VJrYeAU_kBhH9K7XRb3F5S1B03cXInrLgUc57aCLA8ZEbxuBTvCpqpM3ldLc_cEChhY/s1800/Web-Phone%20on%20a%20Stand-%20v.%201-20221112-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rr_07GVhhinXkOE4KQL-nTn54YzvTSDXNfrK_8IQwhWWjgenCGUVBPjXC9pDFMVgpS315P3XoU2fFINAayxnpfW_ThKDcniSFRWpr2wiA3ZDWzanAxeo_VJrYeAU_kBhH9K7XRb3F5S1B03cXInrLgUc57aCLA8ZEbxuBTvCpqpM3ldLc_cEChhY/s320/Web-Phone%20on%20a%20Stand-%20v.%201-20221112-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's another example of a setup using a tripod. I began from the position seen at right and made a series of small moves until the foreground gate framed the decaying barn with the gate staying just below the lower edge of the barn. It would be tough to do this handheld, and then to wait for the break in the clouds above roof remnants. <p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X_J8_RchttKOy1Uxgi9ipmpPkjjY8NNSuSfoJVxNcMrdXXZ5gLryDDWGBFx1IlVPApNz3Qt0eet8SFTmTkewsDpjHlP5dynNc5d0dc4yXkvvEq23QwsdACTdjhxu7PQGCFSHqsX9YJ5wXSfSi11tyd7cjDZFe-Dw29XfKZ5FDnddd1UDJKGQjUR1/s1800/Web-%20iPh%2013%20Pro%20front%20w-filter-20221118-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X_J8_RchttKOy1Uxgi9ipmpPkjjY8NNSuSfoJVxNcMrdXXZ5gLryDDWGBFx1IlVPApNz3Qt0eet8SFTmTkewsDpjHlP5dynNc5d0dc4yXkvvEq23QwsdACTdjhxu7PQGCFSHqsX9YJ5wXSfSi11tyd7cjDZFe-Dw29XfKZ5FDnddd1UDJKGQjUR1/s320/Web-%20iPh%2013%20Pro%20front%20w-filter-20221118-009.jpg" width="256" /></a>There is one more hack that I've developed. The only lens filter I
ever need is a circular polarizer. I greatly value a CP filter. It reduces glare on shiny surfaces
whether they be on foliage or water, plus it gives a deeper blue on the
sky. I've never seen a filter mount on any phone camera. I've found a fix for that. It combines a SmallRig filter clip with a mating 52mm filter designed to fit the filter clip. See at right:<br /></div><p></p><p>The details are:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> SmallRig 52mm Filter Clip from B&H Photo ($30)<br /></li><li> K&F Concept Magnetic 52mm Circular Polarizing Filter Kit from Amazon ($56)</li></ul><p> Note that the richer blue sky is best done using manual settings in the ProCamera.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6r0tkLEymt87TXbbZ0qQtBNRa3wesKCkL2OSVT53qg1tWFCbeeJ0aH1BvXEVWiyWkNGHntxL8ovXFPWVfHjZ9PABqAGNWMQJq2m9t5OzQEwhD8zIZLhfs5ATZAi7CSZGx5kwPsXk3GOLTtbnRPaLtWlTckpxhjIx6Ezt0beM03Aztnr6REkPafZfp/s1800/Web-20221111-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6r0tkLEymt87TXbbZ0qQtBNRa3wesKCkL2OSVT53qg1tWFCbeeJ0aH1BvXEVWiyWkNGHntxL8ovXFPWVfHjZ9PABqAGNWMQJq2m9t5OzQEwhD8zIZLhfs5ATZAi7CSZGx5kwPsXk3GOLTtbnRPaLtWlTckpxhjIx6Ezt0beM03Aztnr6REkPafZfp/s320/Web-20221111-004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So, when I am traveling light, in the woods or visiting family, I bring a very compact kit of accessories including the Ulanzi holder, the SmallRig clip, magnetic filter and an ultra small tripod seen also at right. Add a lens brush and I'm ready.<br /><p></p><p>The first three items fit in a small zipper bag, and along with the small tripod, are easily included where ever I go. </p><p>Yes, I have found this three lens phone to be a great tool. I'll continue to use my professional cameras and lenses, but maybe I'll reduce my kit by one lens to reduce weight. <br /></p><p>Please feel free to contact me if you have any question on ProCamera or the additional tools I've incorporated into my iPhone 13 Pro kit. <br /></p><p>I'll close with a favorite scene that is prepared using Ulanzi on a small tripod.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3A0DMkL1f7P-9PIPIaGFC9E8bGikKu1eOrhu5bHWfGtf1-HOhsx-YklsQthmCRDkcmOOOCzJ3AklkU-LzHA7eX5-TG4Q3WljmEJmQ_o306YF_oLC3PAj5vkiKjuU1KYmD6D1kLZ9tFJoX1be4Z-obkOjrLADA2HWL9SYObgoaVUPnegJDhyWfPM1/s1800/Web-The%20Barn%20with%20Two%20Trees-IMG_5326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3A0DMkL1f7P-9PIPIaGFC9E8bGikKu1eOrhu5bHWfGtf1-HOhsx-YklsQthmCRDkcmOOOCzJ3AklkU-LzHA7eX5-TG4Q3WljmEJmQ_o306YF_oLC3PAj5vkiKjuU1KYmD6D1kLZ9tFJoX1be4Z-obkOjrLADA2HWL9SYObgoaVUPnegJDhyWfPM1/w640-h426/Web-The%20Barn%20with%20Two%20Trees-IMG_5326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><span><span></span><a name='more'></a></span></ul><p></p><p><br /> </p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-66040028674915859572022-10-27T12:52:00.002-07:002022-10-27T12:52:45.765-07:00Autumn's Second Season<p>My engagement with the scenes of fall has been extended by a simple idea. When the brilliant red maples shed their leaves, it is not over. I move in to see more closely. On a recent Sunday, I walked along Corning's riverside trails and found unexpected inspiration. Hidden in an alcove of Corning Incorporated's headquarters building were some hold-out colors reflected in the facade.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ejqL3TRKFA2H8M6D28mcD-M7CPt2vZ4tXmR7rZtpEyH5AFMJnHZVS3iQ1VEuydGPrd5ObRqKBJdePNNjd57fpy-1u251JFUZ4psMcTD5qIDRjuwygr1ZbkHvb8_CuOUlgoctFxY_kmHN2fy9culmBH80p0MpIxStsUN3HdaNwuaEbHTBlro_8g1S/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Reflections%20at%20Corning%20Headquarters-IMG_5045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ejqL3TRKFA2H8M6D28mcD-M7CPt2vZ4tXmR7rZtpEyH5AFMJnHZVS3iQ1VEuydGPrd5ObRqKBJdePNNjd57fpy-1u251JFUZ4psMcTD5qIDRjuwygr1ZbkHvb8_CuOUlgoctFxY_kmHN2fy9culmBH80p0MpIxStsUN3HdaNwuaEbHTBlro_8g1S/w512-h640/Web-Autumn%20Reflections%20at%20Corning%20Headquarters-IMG_5045.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />Continuing along the river, I found an unexpected wide landscape. Substitute red sumac for the maple's reds. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYcouZ40rOPTGx0qHQcwfty7d_5P-dNpVZttcBXfndzY3GSwXHi68ppl2ArcDqqBR7-4Wzen9jua3FGvVxu7TS5QbdeAt38GfCCuRNPKwDaU-Ifv8GWYjaPfwKbsPSB-LY897tQsx5Zn4H5sIWA8YmXvzNVnY-QiCYARTGgct_G67wRfeGP-bajC6/s1800/Web-Chemung%20River%20in%20October-IMG_5067-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYcouZ40rOPTGx0qHQcwfty7d_5P-dNpVZttcBXfndzY3GSwXHi68ppl2ArcDqqBR7-4Wzen9jua3FGvVxu7TS5QbdeAt38GfCCuRNPKwDaU-Ifv8GWYjaPfwKbsPSB-LY897tQsx5Zn4H5sIWA8YmXvzNVnY-QiCYARTGgct_G67wRfeGP-bajC6/w640-h426/Web-Chemung%20River%20in%20October-IMG_5067-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Now, let's get a look at what I found on another day along an abandoned farm road. Again, it's red sumac.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fXer_bPMwoH8IaseIuYQjtnQtdArK9CxdzGdqYiDTkHn32oSEFrt6p_eUeInOJnzNiHiDpdkcgQQ6B-mEqAr4AMz8RDgm_WcuMtua767p4LnADeaAyUhw6s5uGSU1u4NMJAoS_MHUUEGaJKgA7tX-nFdImoIE0PlrX1uHYHoHMTf7zxZ6RJR8700/s1800/Web-Sumac%20Reds-IMG_4936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fXer_bPMwoH8IaseIuYQjtnQtdArK9CxdzGdqYiDTkHn32oSEFrt6p_eUeInOJnzNiHiDpdkcgQQ6B-mEqAr4AMz8RDgm_WcuMtua767p4LnADeaAyUhw6s5uGSU1u4NMJAoS_MHUUEGaJKgA7tX-nFdImoIE0PlrX1uHYHoHMTf7zxZ6RJR8700/w640-h480/Web-Sumac%20Reds-IMG_4936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A bit farther along the road, I looked down and found this. This time, no reds for a change. Still works. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hm5j-UJaYOf1HMotkbiHW75JK7WciQE58KWHMjoRZgYSOmULP3lXrO2qQ4HwmifOtqgi7zqlXyslfRq06XooibLOPEc-ErWbWeYtqtC1IvhyOajnAPFFypnIscBELjouU8ZftKk1EhzTjB52vRZGt8cAyfZ0-x52Oh0B6cA2wmrXO6WXym-Z2xuX/s1800/Web-Last%20Colors%20of%20Autumn-IMG_4941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hm5j-UJaYOf1HMotkbiHW75JK7WciQE58KWHMjoRZgYSOmULP3lXrO2qQ4HwmifOtqgi7zqlXyslfRq06XooibLOPEc-ErWbWeYtqtC1IvhyOajnAPFFypnIscBELjouU8ZftKk1EhzTjB52vRZGt8cAyfZ0-x52Oh0B6cA2wmrXO6WXym-Z2xuX/w512-h640/Web-Last%20Colors%20of%20Autumn-IMG_4941.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>There doesn't need to be any catchy color, or even color at all, to speak of the second season of autumn. The killing frost earlier this week removed all green from the delicate maidenhair ferns growing in a corner of my garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKnZc_FJWFrlHEK-ZP-q52dPxlfETKPOmR692YRbNic6o8HHlPtNCaZWY9VR6V8GEOip29xwskOE3UBjqWfFks0StbCLdztvCWOy0OBpztxfsOxAlGn3R4hU4xSiOe7huAdg9R-wDxRRtvwU-FxuGnEHH5Us7MRgh3p0ALy56Ua1Hajju_5uSkLBg/s1800/Web-Fadiing%20Ferns%20in%20Fall-IMG_5097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKnZc_FJWFrlHEK-ZP-q52dPxlfETKPOmR692YRbNic6o8HHlPtNCaZWY9VR6V8GEOip29xwskOE3UBjqWfFks0StbCLdztvCWOy0OBpztxfsOxAlGn3R4hU4xSiOe7huAdg9R-wDxRRtvwU-FxuGnEHH5Us7MRgh3p0ALy56Ua1Hajju_5uSkLBg/w640-h480/Web-Fadiing%20Ferns%20in%20Fall-IMG_5097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>But, I have to complete my story with a magical jumble of leaves that I found. I could never have assembled such a screen deliberately. The single feature that stopped me was the beads of water on the overturned leaf in the upper part of the frame. I recall that this was just after a brief shower. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LMNaJmnGhgZ5dFM8ecsYQk0uKS0OYRMbCgqE81E8zbR3cLJOMHvJCbmPrWVKy6VbiMNg0ePzTIr8pQlNe2ZoOaSahg4YaE-yubP7mRHivxidXwv9zQhOl1YdPlbsh_A_yAxnuTyxQ7wXcZLNxIosm-W5cyXn_HNP3iDCdD0-Qj_9Zp2hD7TIRuU9/s1800/Web-Leaves%20on%20the%20Groiund-IMG_4922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LMNaJmnGhgZ5dFM8ecsYQk0uKS0OYRMbCgqE81E8zbR3cLJOMHvJCbmPrWVKy6VbiMNg0ePzTIr8pQlNe2ZoOaSahg4YaE-yubP7mRHivxidXwv9zQhOl1YdPlbsh_A_yAxnuTyxQ7wXcZLNxIosm-W5cyXn_HNP3iDCdD0-Qj_9Zp2hD7TIRuU9/w480-h640/Web-Leaves%20on%20the%20Groiund-IMG_4922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>So, this is my piece on the delights of the second season of fall. It extended my autumn.</p><p>All of these images used my recently acquired iPhone 13 Pro and the ProCamera app that extends controls greatly beyond the Apple offering. <br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i><br /></h3><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-49865641301407851762022-10-18T08:13:00.003-07:002022-10-18T08:13:58.854-07:00Adirondack Autumn Concluded- Seeing in Sixes<p>Waterfalls and autumn colors are a strong combination. Here's an image that I had to work hard to compose and yet leaves me with mixed feelings. Why? The central drop over the precipice hits a huge boulder in the lower right corner and is strongly redirected by 90 degrees to the left. My eye often follows the flow downward to the right and continues out of the frame; but at times I accept the redirect to the center. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL-F-1JFLmK6FUYbM0geauojVu2floFzR2Y1xoJeIIcgyOMu6MvGnJiWo-DMOJKDGpj8j1a30g21sMPVSnjFRJOAMHyc9Xkm1Y86CpM44rMsqkzSOErDPk9lkBLvwZyGSHCEN85IfDoWL8zrWZbIlSJ6Tkx_HzqhGhr27cEgXTZ4rq7zqfRKGRGnA/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-235-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL-F-1JFLmK6FUYbM0geauojVu2floFzR2Y1xoJeIIcgyOMu6MvGnJiWo-DMOJKDGpj8j1a30g21sMPVSnjFRJOAMHyc9Xkm1Y86CpM44rMsqkzSOErDPk9lkBLvwZyGSHCEN85IfDoWL8zrWZbIlSJ6Tkx_HzqhGhr27cEgXTZ4rq7zqfRKGRGnA/w640-h426/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-235-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Another waterfall looks best in monochrome. This has a backstory of a missed opportunity. A fisherman was casting a fly rod next to the left bridge foundation. I wanted to show the beautiful arc of the rod as the line looped out over the stream. That would add a beautiful plus in the composition. Needed to increase shutter speed. In the half minute to make the change, he moved downstream and out of the frame. Lost it!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUjUe5DAb5vrcGsTLxp--RZdqqJqdtVUd1lTlYsjwTpuxSj8gYGozU-k4PdNq6w8xDoT7UFSFh6IbsXvS7JEVF_49nZ6uoxVP3xlUuZJ4Nql8I8U3nFTjN_I9DHkt6efPNYsIImhizW2ZqqxIjvLjBd8YWEE-iSQ-kgIGoeBp0VSP-hz3sPXTbL1V/s1800/Web-untitled-20221005-149-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUjUe5DAb5vrcGsTLxp--RZdqqJqdtVUd1lTlYsjwTpuxSj8gYGozU-k4PdNq6w8xDoT7UFSFh6IbsXvS7JEVF_49nZ6uoxVP3xlUuZJ4Nql8I8U3nFTjN_I9DHkt6efPNYsIImhizW2ZqqxIjvLjBd8YWEE-iSQ-kgIGoeBp0VSP-hz3sPXTbL1V/w426-h640/Web-untitled-20221005-149-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Never assume the magic with continue. Still, I like the image as is.<p></p><p>The Adirondacks are about rocks, often big ones. The huge ones are called glacial erratics. Their size and mass amazes me. A rough calculation suggests that this one weighs about 110 tons. In the fall, the fallen leaves starkly reveal its size.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsCDSq5vSJbWtKs0hOGuC3Gvoe9yU7M2znYhxHaHkJsqm4C0ZHsLfn_lANCXKL2VU97Pbe9Dz2lvwP3ZmURay0ygahkRI_Rzyj-GYAnWNdsqSvstQnjwmjlpaAkMZ3F8cgUCDrQ9UOWQQog9WiSBRUO0Td87J0SVXrnhcHy1luKWa14d5QDM-0PiX/s1800/Web-%20b&w%20erratic-20221007-334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsCDSq5vSJbWtKs0hOGuC3Gvoe9yU7M2znYhxHaHkJsqm4C0ZHsLfn_lANCXKL2VU97Pbe9Dz2lvwP3ZmURay0ygahkRI_Rzyj-GYAnWNdsqSvstQnjwmjlpaAkMZ3F8cgUCDrQ9UOWQQog9WiSBRUO0Td87J0SVXrnhcHy1luKWa14d5QDM-0PiX/w640-h512/Web-%20b&w%20erratic-20221007-334.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In fall, I am often looking at the ground after any rain hoping to see mushrooms. That explains why my right knee is often dirty, as I find it necessary to get as low as possible. The variety of sizes, colors and forms seen in fungi is of great interest to me. This guy was hard to initially see, as it blended in with the freshly fallen leaf litter. It's part of the classification called LBMs, <span> Little Brown Mushrooms.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96U0D8c1tDLJxyBBjCnFrdyEMEoJdxLY1nlKTnNne_pUKnzZI5Ncc5FLxf_pdGmePbhJdpfzVXAE3Sxw4HaWRjqtbhV07nwmnUJV4NwNv5AXUKa4EUaFZCK6oAfTKZSrk7kFV7IPk-JVjtcPl1Zy8rPoBKjre_Lp77YXcjTPMb6ATtzzVuDtgfdS5/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Fungus%20at%20Forked%20Lake%20Trail-20221006-269-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96U0D8c1tDLJxyBBjCnFrdyEMEoJdxLY1nlKTnNne_pUKnzZI5Ncc5FLxf_pdGmePbhJdpfzVXAE3Sxw4HaWRjqtbhV07nwmnUJV4NwNv5AXUKa4EUaFZCK6oAfTKZSrk7kFV7IPk-JVjtcPl1Zy8rPoBKjre_Lp77YXcjTPMb6ATtzzVuDtgfdS5/w512-h640/Web-Autumn%20Fungus%20at%20Forked%20Lake%20Trail-20221006-269-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="512" /></a>While exploring the trails at Lake Durant, I discovered a nice joke. Someone pried open the hollow remains of a fallen tree to position a nice bird box in the center. Maybe a good caption for the photo would be: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8FpBZTYlcOHcwN_ihwLcXXrPOtVf2U1Ybddnr4dWyhtNL3PRGqvx5gbwu_-m4exT3ylUIx6qyZUNkTzydiCwFwWkNopm_qoH8bIrgOQgjLw-aCj1BHgTWwTKYteWBfg_AHrGdiSOAS8e1nbFP_G4WqOx8f-uhn8ka_RBepQhkE6saBlGelQipwQO/s1800/Web-Anybody%20Home--20221007-351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8FpBZTYlcOHcwN_ihwLcXXrPOtVf2U1Ybddnr4dWyhtNL3PRGqvx5gbwu_-m4exT3ylUIx6qyZUNkTzydiCwFwWkNopm_qoH8bIrgOQgjLw-aCj1BHgTWwTKYteWBfg_AHrGdiSOAS8e1nbFP_G4WqOx8f-uhn8ka_RBepQhkE6saBlGelQipwQO/w426-h640/Web-Anybody%20Home--20221007-351.jpg" title="Is anybody home?" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Is anybody home?</b></span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Probably not in October.</p><p>After the group dispersed, our leader Chris Murray noted in a message that there is a second part of autumn, which I take to be when attention shifts to smaller areas closer to the ground and more intimate. Here is the final image that takes it direction from Chris's teaching.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD40doQslbsT74hC5fs9XPMPaaOwbAYBi5Nyyh1RkqjLE_aUFMuqUBgfWubmBXkCV7OKsZ3uzgK1TBiCvnTjco8ACZ5kA6PfyHc9ZYWeesK5eje1GpeiunZ4VOV2vbgS3qxK182VNbTtZipDuLWuRx0GoSAfJQQ9Knmisudc88i6dPwo0ruhQ4izy/s1800/Web-Autumn%20for%20Maple%20Leaves-20221005-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD40doQslbsT74hC5fs9XPMPaaOwbAYBi5Nyyh1RkqjLE_aUFMuqUBgfWubmBXkCV7OKsZ3uzgK1TBiCvnTjco8ACZ5kA6PfyHc9ZYWeesK5eje1GpeiunZ4VOV2vbgS3qxK182VNbTtZipDuLWuRx0GoSAfJQQ9Knmisudc88i6dPwo0ruhQ4izy/w640-h426/Web-Autumn%20for%20Maple%20Leaves-20221005-121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> It offers simple colors and no distractions from the central subject. I am continuing to photograph here at home mostly using a new phone camera with multiple lenses. I will post on my progress learning the new system soon.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul Schmitt</i></h3></div><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-91579794180120766712022-10-12T16:42:00.000-07:002022-10-12T16:42:59.102-07:00Adirondack Autumn Continued- Seeing in Sixes<p>Autumn in temperate regions carries many meanings. It is a sign of the impermanence of life. There are abundant examples in the fall colors, foggy mornings, killing freezes in the garden, apple harvesting and the need for a warm sweater. A calm October day in the Adirondacks stirs the spirits while reminding one that it is ephemeral. A cold front with steady rain will erase the view.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintUueKhw23YrP7P9ixdAxtqbjMpF6ixhDWdDRp2-mwAgsKvHwcGK6E7cjLfK2m23dBYhGFcTGsBIghoT7ACLgEvXg3zTuyDHJyIwclC6vIdm4EpCccZ13iSpl5yG63B9Yja_-e9YjPwtmNuoUi8lsAUfpaRtj4a7K5jtlYAz8940Sky-qKBVoCs5O/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Fire%20at%20Tupper%20Lake-20221005-186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintUueKhw23YrP7P9ixdAxtqbjMpF6ixhDWdDRp2-mwAgsKvHwcGK6E7cjLfK2m23dBYhGFcTGsBIghoT7ACLgEvXg3zTuyDHJyIwclC6vIdm4EpCccZ13iSpl5yG63B9Yja_-e9YjPwtmNuoUi8lsAUfpaRtj4a7K5jtlYAz8940Sky-qKBVoCs5O/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Fire%20at%20Tupper%20Lake-20221005-186.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /> The sensible person does not delay. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TztxOCiMvxrZ_o32Nlk_6O5EAWynD6RNpSr_ekWqsE8nQm6nbTMoWOSGZt0U36JAfT670zkaYuYQzIVTrSTDGFjV4GwFdDKOGvHUWplMlaWQewVgeekVy-URHX7j1fsMF7m8sQcMe1qybWkNY-iiuyrUnGeFioYHa7h9Qs5zkQc7sMufG6qIiHXN/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Walk-20221005-094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TztxOCiMvxrZ_o32Nlk_6O5EAWynD6RNpSr_ekWqsE8nQm6nbTMoWOSGZt0U36JAfT670zkaYuYQzIVTrSTDGFjV4GwFdDKOGvHUWplMlaWQewVgeekVy-URHX7j1fsMF7m8sQcMe1qybWkNY-iiuyrUnGeFioYHa7h9Qs5zkQc7sMufG6qIiHXN/w640-h426/Web-Autumn%20Walk-20221005-094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It is also a time to look deeper, maybe lower to the textures that the falling leaves create. This scene captured my attention. At the tree's base are different measures of permanence. Soon, the fern will wither like the tree's leaves. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH49c10cMEo6h8-KsSKQbVMogOK2O_TlZasc_j2kfXvV5Bap2jKEa5-hx7XOY_r6KCz0OOjc98LzwVzlOSWJYFC3jtTvFsBGQwbFoxPDR78bWadMeeQ5RMT_m88AXAChVA_oHPibDX556mE4lAPdBrMgRGRbC5XW2cczhVs4PK5SpYI2eCxn8GFBUN/s1800/Web-End%20of%20Summer%20Scene-20221006-288-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH49c10cMEo6h8-KsSKQbVMogOK2O_TlZasc_j2kfXvV5Bap2jKEa5-hx7XOY_r6KCz0OOjc98LzwVzlOSWJYFC3jtTvFsBGQwbFoxPDR78bWadMeeQ5RMT_m88AXAChVA_oHPibDX556mE4lAPdBrMgRGRbC5XW2cczhVs4PK5SpYI2eCxn8GFBUN/w426-h640/Web-End%20of%20Summer%20Scene-20221006-288-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Water and autumn colors are sometimes a magical combination. The first image of leaves reflected on glassy smooth water is highly attractive. Add moving water and a bit of fog to add drama.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJF9Anf0TJErvAyDSVTv2oL82bGroLh6hAQWlHpNSPpLLPHdZHLa1WQ03ZeVCiM-0ThXdF8b8k67ah2YFvGsnJTeKnlwldrEgWjs5WzX-UzTX6WCh3WEnwRUfvJqn3lNgjB76O_vAYZ1MX45J8SUZHjJouAQvuiOqp3jTTGM_gzJ1u8uqMeIoEYEn/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-215-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJF9Anf0TJErvAyDSVTv2oL82bGroLh6hAQWlHpNSPpLLPHdZHLa1WQ03ZeVCiM-0ThXdF8b8k67ah2YFvGsnJTeKnlwldrEgWjs5WzX-UzTX6WCh3WEnwRUfvJqn3lNgjB76O_vAYZ1MX45J8SUZHjJouAQvuiOqp3jTTGM_gzJ1u8uqMeIoEYEn/w426-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-215-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Maybe it time for a more serene moment to see the patterns usually overlooked. The red and yellow are backed by green with little to confuse the brain. Lovely.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizapF21tqwTrczhc5z2AUDshcQoh5E7gi7PqD9EbGJfJT8wN4alDQuMlKz7D8btc5G2rXdYWANlIIPWPTyAPM7QubYCBzXt8MqjNCBNgcAkJR4bq1rAIJd4_mCkT4yq75hD8emEn6XGV56HBjKZaE86DF-0hTwNYeZgxRy8ExQ1nYd_-CV0LZGL2IX/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Leaves%20in%20the%20Pine%20Cathedral-20221005-038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizapF21tqwTrczhc5z2AUDshcQoh5E7gi7PqD9EbGJfJT8wN4alDQuMlKz7D8btc5G2rXdYWANlIIPWPTyAPM7QubYCBzXt8MqjNCBNgcAkJR4bq1rAIJd4_mCkT4yq75hD8emEn6XGV56HBjKZaE86DF-0hTwNYeZgxRy8ExQ1nYd_-CV0LZGL2IX/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Leaves%20in%20the%20Pine%20Cathedral-20221005-038.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /> Now for a sundown finale. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxNZsd0qGLenQ28FBI4oe8hqp2ztQtkKtAxSlEHKmKJSp3ol57LXT26qL8Fce4d4VzmdOI2S5MP1mFvnQs5aG6CvxyszxpRbXDi_syglGYwOqv_e513cjhzBshTZpP0NXIFLuzUe_TwNCKrx8r-LPdOIFIky14eDvl1lG7eMwQHhDx-LUnvDEop3e/s1800/Web-Golden%20Birch%20on%20Tupper%20Lake-20221005-183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxNZsd0qGLenQ28FBI4oe8hqp2ztQtkKtAxSlEHKmKJSp3ol57LXT26qL8Fce4d4VzmdOI2S5MP1mFvnQs5aG6CvxyszxpRbXDi_syglGYwOqv_e513cjhzBshTZpP0NXIFLuzUe_TwNCKrx8r-LPdOIFIky14eDvl1lG7eMwQHhDx-LUnvDEop3e/w640-h426/Web-Golden%20Birch%20on%20Tupper%20Lake-20221005-183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It was amazing.</p><p> </p><p>Paul Schmitt <br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723338931757461520.post-83226741643231661472022-10-11T13:13:00.001-07:002022-10-11T13:13:27.986-07:00Adirondack Autumn- Seeing (It) in Sixes<p>Back from two and a half days exploring a small part of the Adirondacks during peak color. The beauty at that time can be overwhelming and even intimidating. It is so easy to create a repetitive package of photos that fail to really explore anything beyond the sweeping landscape view for example. I will limit each of my blog posts to a set of just six images. Each photo is selected to offer a different subject and also use a different expanse of the shot. (In video production, the type of shots used go from the master shot to the close up in six steps.) Consider this an experiment in creativity.</p><p>Let's begin with the early mornings in autumn. It's quiet and chilly that early. Often it offers soft light on a foggy mountain lake as below. A distant point on the lake is obscured by the fog. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUER9cDA-x8qcCtKD3QpwzD4aJTHCBv-Gp2XatR0SYvaw_C7tN1pnKf9M2T38HjsgtoCplEVjGU3bR81g7SgZ35ysTo422F2sRqdo9PEvAJ2-37S92i6cQA2j_Sjr1sZjGZE_TgEyxrnARNUmp_LQVeFFcvO4ezbVFBSaauc2ssmmVFYLvCLBt6Iz/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Reflections%20on%20Lake%20Eaton-20221005-020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUER9cDA-x8qcCtKD3QpwzD4aJTHCBv-Gp2XatR0SYvaw_C7tN1pnKf9M2T38HjsgtoCplEVjGU3bR81g7SgZ35ysTo422F2sRqdo9PEvAJ2-37S92i6cQA2j_Sjr1sZjGZE_TgEyxrnARNUmp_LQVeFFcvO4ezbVFBSaauc2ssmmVFYLvCLBt6Iz/w640-h426/Web-Autumn%20Reflections%20on%20Lake%20Eaton-20221005-020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After day break on another morning, the water is far from placid where the Raquette River cascades toward Long Lake. The golden birch on the distant bank becomes a dappled reflection in the foreground. <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQEvCL1SX3aPvx0IgdjDUun3S-22Q4cETfcTv65u5dLwox4-57mREu_CXRYMFJBQtzMfFeiAGMKAvb4CslxsFHWll3sSP08Y47HeHDV6gORvmBOnh-TyGrP4egs34u_y-CjnlFdGriwsvqkV3Oixq61NZ3nwXA9XYziuwqTjU1OsKuFNVny-sXSh/s1800/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-254-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQEvCL1SX3aPvx0IgdjDUun3S-22Q4cETfcTv65u5dLwox4-57mREu_CXRYMFJBQtzMfFeiAGMKAvb4CslxsFHWll3sSP08Y47HeHDV6gORvmBOnh-TyGrP4egs34u_y-CjnlFdGriwsvqkV3Oixq61NZ3nwXA9XYziuwqTjU1OsKuFNVny-sXSh/w426-h640/Web-Foggy%20Morning%20at%20Buttermilk%20Falls-20221006-254-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Looking more closely in the forest, there is a pleasing symphony of colors. Reds and yellows are separated the the bluish green of a few pine boughs. This is easy to miss amid the temptations of waterfalls and wide angle views.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF15NFtDFQGpNtQadVAF9LkQQKH-waVOjK1C-8xNfvSZwrwA6TQ4IslB7VKFwJ_AVCsNN6rCnfS9ccQkWt97Tu36qWdhzpGGTi0Nqqptb9K0k5OI89Ss_5Zlpdrk_agvkcF6Zl3SCzfdIN0U3c4_c7FRJufEk4UE0e4Z2ud85GVMLmzX5d2ce1Ro3/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Reds%20and%20Golds%20%20in%20the%20Pine%20Cathedral-20221005-039-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF15NFtDFQGpNtQadVAF9LkQQKH-waVOjK1C-8xNfvSZwrwA6TQ4IslB7VKFwJ_AVCsNN6rCnfS9ccQkWt97Tu36qWdhzpGGTi0Nqqptb9K0k5OI89Ss_5Zlpdrk_agvkcF6Zl3SCzfdIN0U3c4_c7FRJufEk4UE0e4Z2ud85GVMLmzX5d2ce1Ro3/w426-h640/Web-Autumn%20Reds%20and%20Golds%20%20in%20the%20Pine%20Cathedral-20221005-039-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>Autumn offers offers many ways to become immersed in the day. Doesn't an afternoon paddle on the lake sounds wonderful? Take your dog too. Heavenly, I'd say.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFTPWTqDb0o-N1zCx1DNGwTZ44KjA2asqsdC_bYpVC8gc2fUz3FiE54H7-ZhcddzaSdUrmF0UmzpHrp0cygNAhG6qPUUTzOnG0yiban5juazKDMef5ALD68gZI-MVhmt3M1nWra8Hb2FYlpf0rCKByFQjneQTNS5PfcliI9TOKEWdoxi0f-f45S7r/s1800/Web-Autumn%20Paddle%20at%20Lake%20Durant-20221005-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFTPWTqDb0o-N1zCx1DNGwTZ44KjA2asqsdC_bYpVC8gc2fUz3FiE54H7-ZhcddzaSdUrmF0UmzpHrp0cygNAhG6qPUUTzOnG0yiban5juazKDMef5ALD68gZI-MVhmt3M1nWra8Hb2FYlpf0rCKByFQjneQTNS5PfcliI9TOKEWdoxi0f-f45S7r/w640-h426/Web-Autumn%20Paddle%20at%20Lake%20Durant-20221005-102.jpg" width="640" /></a>For a new twist, let's abandon the fall colors to look at how weather can create an interesting image. The autumn fog that hugs the lake is flanked by a distant cloud bank, and both are duplicated in reflections on the lake with some detail added by the lake grasses. It resembles some supersonic passage of some strange projectile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_52XDiJM6WG8KA1zStW50fDSUzO3pDWVnuUKQinvwwv96Wvnu4CnsatZd96nV1x-6WCcRJsFZSx70JE0-cBFitnhjBKqNcrnKXp2pKa2zIlMZNC186W4LeyyAA2ZMjZS9oArcUbXYSeHMg3dQCoGLViboqpxZpKEs2_qXbX2zv1trc6jtDTecpad/s1800/Web-A%20Supersonic%20Scene-20221005-059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_52XDiJM6WG8KA1zStW50fDSUzO3pDWVnuUKQinvwwv96Wvnu4CnsatZd96nV1x-6WCcRJsFZSx70JE0-cBFitnhjBKqNcrnKXp2pKa2zIlMZNC186W4LeyyAA2ZMjZS9oArcUbXYSeHMg3dQCoGLViboqpxZpKEs2_qXbX2zv1trc6jtDTecpad/w640-h426/Web-A%20Supersonic%20Scene-20221005-059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Now for the final image from my first day. On that particular night, the lunar cycle was approaching the Hunter's Moon. It's bright. I'm back on the same lake seen above, but at night. The moon is so bright that I can dimly see the form of a canoe and a red kayak on the shore. The fires of a few campers appear on the lake shore. Above the canoe in the sky is Jupiter plus a few stars. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-7JJxNV8H1kM42BD2ilmkj2vUfG8H1Ud-YRzRtASczNWvSTyw52trzAOUkGRPoSvNwiXh5CTAxSLl1pKprqs6QB00kjf1CU8b4wnufAIzInLFX02Lk9c_E3J8og5w3jmHxdHm7bxCwHW2I2uIh0yLa-EeuhIKFzR2f-m3QoP2h_ZHJ1vSU8xRVvy/s1800/Web-%20+1%20Exp-Web-Lake%20Eaton%20Moonscape-20221005-209-Edit__Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-7JJxNV8H1kM42BD2ilmkj2vUfG8H1Ud-YRzRtASczNWvSTyw52trzAOUkGRPoSvNwiXh5CTAxSLl1pKprqs6QB00kjf1CU8b4wnufAIzInLFX02Lk9c_E3J8og5w3jmHxdHm7bxCwHW2I2uIh0yLa-EeuhIKFzR2f-m3QoP2h_ZHJ1vSU8xRVvy/w640-h426/Web-%20+1%20Exp-Web-Lake%20Eaton%20Moonscape-20221005-209-Edit__Final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>What a way to end a day of photography.</p><p>Paul Schmitt <br /></p>Birds-n-Blooms with Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472342853167886929noreply@blogger.com0