Lamp post

This lovely green photo is intended to accompany the previous, red one.  These seem to be the traditional holiday colours after all!  This is the base of a lamp post downtown.  Each one has a small copy of the city's seal.  It's a sheaf of wheat enclosed in a shield shaped cartouche.  It says so in the City ordinances!

F Number	10.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	41.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 82.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/800
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Poinsettia

These plants are sold almost everywhere this time of year.  Typically, they are displayed in offices and houses until the red leaves drop off, and then they are thrown away.  I can never bring myself to throw away a perfectly good plant, so I keep them.  I have at least 2 from prior years sitting nearby.  They are pure green.  It takes a solid 12 hours of complete darkness for two months in order to induce them to get those red leaves, and I haven't tried it because I don't have the right schedule to take them out from under cover and into the sunlight each day.  Maybe when I retire, who knows?

The red leaves are not the flowers - the tiny yellow bits in the middle are!

F Number	5.5
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	34.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 68.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/5
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	3200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Femme

This is Femme.  She's a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - a Swissy.  She loves the outdoors, even if it's chilly out.  She's coming back from her morning walk, and she's happy to see someone at eye level!

I haven't been good about posting... it's hard to find interesting things to photograph in this time after the leaves have fallen and before the snow.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	28.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 56.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

December sky

This is the sky as it looks this morning.  It seems a pretty typical December day.

A group of photobloggers post a photo of their skies each Friday - it's called Skywatch Friday. Click the link to see photos from round the world.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/3200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Chistmas cactus in bloom

The Christmas Cactus spent the summer outdoors.  It's a little ragged, but once it came in the house, itsprouted blossoms from every tip!  What a glorious sight.  I wasn't sure if it was the temperature difference or whether it's the shorter days that triggers this, but I'm very grateful for this glorious colour.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Holiday trolley

On Saturday, the city had a low key holiday celebration.  More like an informal get-together.  The folks from the Dudley Observatory were there with a 6 inch Dobsonian telescope, set up on the steps of City Hall with a solar filter so we could see the sunspots.  Inside there were balloons and crafts for the kids.  Jay St was decked out with sales from the boutiques and these beautiful horses pulled a trolley with smiling people round City Hall.  I don't see horses here in the city very often; it was a treat to be so near them!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	30.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 60.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/25
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Shiny and... old?

It was complete serendipity that brought this car down the road while we were on it.  The thing that struck me most about this was how it sounded - just like Bonnie and Clyde in the movies!  What a beautiful job of restoration.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/100
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Monthly theme day - Action shot

On the first of the month, many in the City Daily Photo community post a photo that realises a common theme.  This month's theme is Action Shots. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants 

This is my youngest, doing what comes naturally: throwing stones into water.  The weather has been wonderfully warm, which explains the lack of a coat when there are no leaves on the trees.

F Number	4.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	18.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 36.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/15
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Fire alarm box

These alarm boxes are on many of our street corners.  They were installed decades ago, before the telephone was a common household item.  If there is a fire, one can run to one of these boxes, pull the handle down and an alarm will go off in the main fire station which will then dispatch fire engines from the nearest fire station to the alarm box.  Each box has a unique serial number so that the fire department knows which box sent the alarm.  This one has seen many days of sun, wind, rain and snow.  It turns out that Gamewell are still in business; still making these alarm boxes after more than 100 years!

F Number	5.4
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	31.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 62.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/25
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

New gate

One of my favourite walks, around the upper pond in Vale Cemetery.  I don't know exactly when it happened, but these fluorescent yellow gates were installed at the path (can't really call it a road!) that leads around the upper pond.  It could be due to the damage from the hurricanes - many trees are still down, although most of the path is walkable now.  Or it could be from the way the north slope is slumping down the hill.  Trees that were once vertical are now leaning over the path at crazy angles as the hillside slides down toward the path.

James at Weekend Reflections collects photographs containing a reflection from round the world. About a hundred photo bloggers post a photo containing a reflection; beautiful work. Click the link and go see!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/13
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Late season broccoli

We have some broccoli that we've been growing in a pot in the back yard.  We've had a little snow, which doesn't seem to bother it at all.  Soon, it'll be really done for the season, but for now I'm enjoying this green!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

I wasn't thinking when I posted yesterday's photo.  I should have saved that for today.  Now I have sky photos two days in a row.  Oops.  At least today the sun is more out than in, although this is more due to the fact that the sun is currently below the clouds (it's morning) than there being fewer clouds.  We live close to Vale Cemetery, and on the grounds there are some very large trees.  Crows like to gather in those trees, and I was fortunate enough to catch one on its way to the morning meeting.

A group of photobloggers post a photo of their skies each Friday - it's called Skywatch Friday. Click the link to see photos from round the world.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/500
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Partly cloudy

It's not just a weather forecast - it's a whole season!  Well, it can sure seem that way sometimes.  The image quality isn't great - I shot through my bedroom window (which can use some cleaning).  This was the last blue I saw - the 'partly cloudy' became 'fully overcast'.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/800
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Historical pillow

Savannah is like most cats - she can sleep anywhere.  Inexplicably, she's chosen to use a history of Theodore Roosevelt as her pillow.  An irresistible photo for me.

By the bye, the audio book was pretty good.  A bit too much hero worship from time to time, but TR was the sort of man who tended to inspire that reaction.

F Number	5.5
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	34.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 68.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

Green eyed monster

My oldest did a bit of trimming and decided to bring the more fragrant boughs in.  I think he's planning to make a wreath.  Lancelot the cat decided he very much likes the idea and pretty much wouldn't leave these alone.  I like the way the flash makes his eyes seem the same colour as the boughs.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/8
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

Reach for the sky

I liked the way the moon way nestled into the tree limbs and thought I'd crop it to make the moon look nicer.  Of course once I started to manipulate it I just made a mess of things.  In the end, I settled on the original image.  One of these days I'm going to actually sit down and learn how to use the Gimp.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Stairway to... funny?

The Schenectady Greenmarket has moved indoors to Proctors (and now carries the Winter Market moniker).  Walking in through the arcade, I saw this clever bit of advertising.  I don't know much about the show itself, but the play on words was too good to pass up.

F Number	3.5
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/5
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Foggy morn

Ever since I was a boy I loved foggy days.  Mysterious and wonderful and rare.  The weather is so warm that we've been given another morning with the mist clinging to everything.  Although it seems as though I took this in black and white, I didn't - this is how it really looks!

F Number	9.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/640
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Yes, more leaves

It's been a strange autumn.  Typically, the leaves are all down by now.  The maples have mostly shed all of their leaves, but some species still have only just started the process.  We are past the peak of colour, but it was a subtle peak this year.  These maple leaves are paler than last year, and very few turned brown. Today, the temperature is supposed to be in the low 60s (F).  Incredible!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	40.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 80.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

This is Aislynn.  She's a leopard gecko, and she is resting in her 'cave'.  There was just enough flash bouncing off of things to light her up.  I don't often crop images, and my clumsiness shows, but it's definitely better even with too much extra stuff at the top.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

Wet leaves in a wet parking lot.  It probably sounds odd, but my childhood memories of autumn centre around leaves.  The dry leaves that blow and rustle and settle in drifts against the curb.  The wet leaves that stick to the ground like magnets.  And the aroma - some call it a smell, but that scent has happy connotations for me.  I'm like a little boy again when I see these leaves.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Monthly theme day - Fences

On the first of the month, the City Daily Photo blogging community chooses a theme for us to post a photo of.  This month, the theme is fences.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
 
I must admit that I didn't look up the theme until a few days ago, and then I scrambled to take photos of fences like a madman.  They were all horrible.  Industrial.  Commercial.  Common.  And then I saw Ciel de Quimper's post and knew that these would not do.  So I started looking through the archives.  And remembered this.

This horse was at the Love Apple Orchard's petting area.  He was interested in me because I was feeding him clover.  At the time I took this, I was hoping the fence would be less... prominent.  Because afer all, isn't the horse more attractive than the fence?  I think so too, but in this case, the fence isn't there to stop the horse from roaming about.  It's there to stop the goats from annoying the horses.  With this fence, this industrial, chain link fence, the horse can walk a few feet and be untouchable.  If he wants, he can be away from annoying goats.  And annoying people.  I felt privileged that he chose to spend a few minutes with me.

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	30.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 60.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

It's easy to be green!

A can of green spray-on hair colour is all it takes to become neon green.  Both parents thought that he wanted to be Frankenstein's monster, but no.  He just wanted to try having different coloured hair!  Maybe we'll repurpose that hair for tonight's trick-or-treating!!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/60
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Confidential to Miss E. He's emulating you!

Weekend Reflections

This is an old photo, taken 23 Sep 2011 in the parking lot where I work.  I meant to post it earlier but never got my act together.  Today, the yellow trees are all bare and the green trees are red.  Autumn is such a dynamic time of year; things change almost daily.

We are forecast to get several inches of snow today and 4 more tonight, which made me reflect on the dynamic nature of the season (and to find this photo!)  So many trees still carry most of their leaves.  6 inches of snow on them is going to be a very heavy load.  Many limbs will break, undoubtedly causing electric power outages over a wide area.  In a strange bit of fortune, we had a heavy autumn snow just a few years ago, so many weak limbs were remove then, which means fewer limbs will fall on power lines today.  We didn't think of it as fortunate when it happened!

James at Weekend Reflections collects photographs containing a reflection from round the world. About a hundred photo bloggers post a photo containing a reflection; beautiful work. Click the link and go see!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	38.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 76.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/40
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

Our first snow of the season fell yesterday, and it was still here this morning.  But that sky! A group of photobloggers post a photo of their skies each Friday - it's called Skywatch Friday. Click the link to see photos from round the world.

F Number	11.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Leaves

Last week, the little guy decided to walk home from the Green Market.  It's a pretty easy stroll from downtown to our house although State Street hill provides a bit of an obstacle.  He decided to avoid State Street and instead, 'take the shortcut' through Vale.  It definitely took us longer to walk through Vale than it would if we'd gone up State Street, but the walk was so much nicer.  The trees are odd this year; some are past their peak colour and some still completely green.  This image of a lone maple leaf among the oak leaves caught my eye.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/100
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

They can do it

These ladies were distributing reusable grocery bags at last week's Green Market.  They were from MVP, a local health insurance provider.  It was a very nice thing to see; MVP have an imposing building right on State Street, but it isn't often that we get to see the people who work inside that building.  Thank you ladies, and thank you MVP!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Colour

This tree always winterises like this.  The colour comes in waves, from the top down.  First red, then orange, and then is sheds all the leaves, ready for winter.  It takes a bit more than a week, so catching it at the right moment isn't as easy as it might seem..

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Milkweed

It's time for my annual milkweed photo.  Form certainly follows function here - the packaging is an exquisite wat to protect the delicate seeds until they are ready to be launched on their journey of propagation.  Who knows where these may end up; what monarch butterflies they'll nurture?

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Apples!

One of the great things about living here in the upstate region of New York is our agriculture.    We don't have many mega-farms up here; most of them are small operations.  Love Apple Orchard in Ghent is one of those places.  They have many different varieties of apples, and they have tractor drawn hay rides through the orchard as well as a petting area where one can pet and feed the goats.  But those apples!

This year, the conditions were good for the orchards in the Hudson Valley - the trees were loaded with beautiful, wonderful apples.  The good thing about picking apples is that you can choose the day (within reason) to go, and we chose the most marvelous October day I can remember in a long, long time.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it was just a perfect day to take the short drive and walk through the apple trees for a couple of hours.

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Last rose?

I didn't take good care of the roses this year.  I started out with the best of intentions but somehow the season ran away from me and I didn't do a good job.  Bugs ate so many rose leaves... I can't believe there is something that likes them!  But the plants somehow thrive despite my abuse.  Here we are, in the middle of October and she has bloomed again - with more buds in the wings!  Nature is amazing.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Sloppy soccer

It was another wet week, but the coaches decided it was OK to play, so we did.  Every child's back was mud spattered from them running on the wet field but they all looked happy to be out there.  The temperature was much more seasonal - high 50s (F).

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	37.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 74.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

A few weeks ago, we were treated to this sunset, right here in the middle of the city.  I was a bit bothered that the power and telephone lines would mar the image, but then I reasoned that this is how it looks, so I jsut took the photo :-)  In the end, the overhead wires don't look all that bad.

A group of photobloggers post a photo of their skies each Friday - it's called Skywatch Friday. Click the link to see photos from round the world.

October geranium

This old friend kept me company me through the summer of 2010, hung with me through the winter of 2010 and bloomed once more in the spring and summer of 2011.  I thought all her blooms were past her, but here she is with another round!  Almost time to bring her in for another winter, but for now, she's still enjoying the sunshine and outdoor breezes.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	40.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 80.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1000
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

First practice of the year

The field has been so wet that the soccer club has had to postpone the first practice of the season twice!  Those two weeks won't be lost though - they'll get tacked on to the end of the season.  The kids were all complaining of the heat: we won't ear that when the season's over!  This might be my first deliberate action shot.

F Number	9.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Late season raspberries

These raspberries come from 'ever bearing' plants at Yonder Farms in Kinderhook, NY (pronounced like kindergarten).  It's less than an hour by car from my kitchen and the day was simply marvelous - 80F and sunny!  We picked apples close by, then went here to pick raspberries and pumpkins.  A great way to spend an afternoon here in upstate NY!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	37.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 74.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Bees in the rain

This is at an outbuilding at a friend's place.  The bees - we call these yellow jackets - have built their nest right up against the glass, and it was raining so they all huddled round the back.  I was safe and dry inside and could not resist taking their portrait.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

Lock gate gear

This gear is the last bit in the geartrain that opens and closes the lock gates - the big doors that hold the water back.  I had a long chat with the lock keeper at Lock 9 one day and he was very patient with me.  I thought that the water pressure against these doors would be so immense that gears like this wouldn't stand a chance.

I was right.

Basically, the doors are only shifted when the water is at the same level on both sides of the door.  Obvious in retrospect, but I had an Aha! over that.

This particular gear is the upstream side of Lock 7 in Niskayuna.  Vischer Ferry is the official location I think.  I found it incredible that the river had got all the way up here - you can see the mud caking the bolt at the right rear.  Amazing technology, these locks.  Almost all of it dating back to the early parts of the 1900s.

F Number	5.4
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	33.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 66.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

My very first decent lightning photo! I didn't have a tripod, so I pressed the camera against the nearest vertical support and hoped for the best.  The sky way ridiculously dark, so I had to guess at the exposure.  I tinkered for a bit and settled on F22 and 3 seconds.  The rain is completely invisible!

A group of photobloggers post a photo of their skies each Friday - it's called Skywatch Friday. Click the link to see photos from round the world.

F Number	22.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	3.2
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Mohawk River pudding

This photo was taken at Erie Canal Lock 7.  OK, so technically, it's the New York State Barge Canal.  It'll always be the Erie Canal for me...

This is the bow of Buoy Boat 109; alas I could not see a name on her!  She's a working boat on the canal, used these days to carry workers to and fro and to pull debris like tree limbs from the canal.  Fancy that - after Irene, the canal is still in clean up mode.  In fact, the canal is closed on the eastern end while damage assessment is completed.

The term 'pudding' for 'bow fender' comes to English via the French boudin or bowel.  First cited in 1625, it referred to what we might call chafing gear today; at the ends of the yard arms to save the robins from wearing on the yard arms.  There are several styles of bow fenders; Tugster shows off a collection in New York harbour from time to time.  Here's one from February 2011.


Making these was always part of the sailor's art.  There's a tutorial you can view to see how it's done.  Here's a different style of fender; still rope-work though, and definitely art!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Dancing!

On the way to the Greenmarket on Sunday, we saw these people dancing.  In the street.  In the rain.  Enjoying themselves!

It turns out they are from St George's church.  Their annual Greek Festival will be held downtown next week.  But they're starting early!  They danced and handed out flyers to shoppers at the Greenmarket.  Very good thinking!

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Lock 7

The NY State Canal system remains closed after Irene.  There are worries about silt, debris and fluctuating water levels along with physical damage to the lock gates and valves.

This is the soonest I've been able to get to Lock 7 in Niskayuna.  There were early (and mistaken) reports that the dam that creates the navigation pool here (Vischer Ferry Dam) had a leak.  It wasn't a leak as much as the water level was so high it was working its way around the south side of the dam.  In the end, lots of fill was brought in and the dam remains safe.

I walked to one of the boaters stranded here by the closed canal system.  All the boaters are in a pickle.  They have power here at Lock 7 but no fresh or waste water hookups, and that makes staying there for a long time untenable.  The only option is to find a big crane and a hauler to carry them over land to the Hudson, where they'll have to find a marina that can take them off the hauler, and in some cases, step the mast so they can sail instead of using the diesel.

It was a sobering thought, bringing to mind the many thousands in Schoharie , Prattsville and Windham who still have no electricity or running water, and who have a foot of mud they need to try to shovel out of their living room.  Irene may not have killed many, but it's going to be a long winter.

This photograph is a pretty good rendering of the colour of the river right now.  It is still full of silt, and is this caffe au lait colour.  It has a strange smell, too.

James at Newtown Daily Photo runs a theme called Weekend Reflections. Around a hundred photo bloggers post a photo containing a reflection; beautiful work. Click the link and go see!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	29.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 58.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire