Cherry tree

I was a good boy - I'm the passenger in the car!  This is the corner of Michigan Avenue and California Avenue.  The cherry tree liked the recent warm spell and decided to break out the flowers.

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	1/100
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Bloodroot

I see these every spring and I never manage to get a photo before they're gone.  Thanks to my resourceful wife, I now know they are called Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis L. These little flowers pop up in early Spring, and then are gone before the rest of the thicket grows over it.  These are up on the bike path as it goes over the Plotter Kill.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Unexpected

Farther down the river, at the Kiwanis Park.  I stopped to look at the damage here.  Last summer there was more than a foot of mud covering this area.  I think this is the Plotter Kill emptying into the Mohawk River.  Most of the mud has been washed away, but that gravel bank opposite used to be at the same level as this side.  I can't imagine how much water was coming down off the mountain to do that.

These flowers were very unexpected.  There are (and were) no houses down here, so it isn't a memorial to a home now lost to the storm.  It's a sobering thing to come across this bright bit of colour amid the drab greys and tans of the river bank.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	26.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 52.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Perseverance

One more down by the river.  Some places are still covered in mud from last summer's storms.  It's very hard to describe what it's like; a uniform tan colour, caked and cracking as it dries out.  This little seedling was the only bit of colour for a hundred paces - it really stood out to my eye when I was there.  The small photo doesn't do it justice.

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	1/640
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Gullies

Walking along the Mohawk River, I often came across small gullies, where rainwater drained from higher ground.  In just about every one, a line of seedlings can be seen sprouting up.  They look like maple seedlings to me, but that's just a guess.  My hypothesis is that the maple seeds got washed into these gullies, and because their wings are bulky, they got stuck here.  It's so neat to be walking on this uniform tan mud and see a thin line of green in each gully.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	37.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 74.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Below Lock 9

Yesterday, I walked from the Mabee Farm along the south bank of the Mohawk River up to Lock 9.  I was curious about the state of the lock after last year's damage from storms Irene and Lee.  The river itself is very low right now.  It is too early in the year for the Spring rains to have raised it, and it's also too early for the lock impoundment dams to be in place.  So the river appears much s it did in the 1600s when the Mohawk people walked these same shores.

Today, the river banks are scoured back and up quite a way.  Those floods last summer were very powerful. Repairs are still ongoing, but the lock gates are installed, the shore abutments of the dam look like they are repaired and the bridge over the dam is open. The official web site has the projected opening set for 1 May, so they still have time to finish up whatever remains.

This photo is my very first attempt at a digital panorama.  When I shot 35mm film, I used to make 'panoramas' by taping the prints together in a gentle arc; following the natural curvature caused by the lens.  Although I'm a life long computer programmer, and I love to tinker with technology, for some reason I've only rarely manipulated my digital photos.  For this attempt, I used free software called GIMP - the GNU Image Manipulation Program.  GIMP allows scripting and other add-ons; I tried a panorama assistant called Pandora.  I followed an introductory tutorial on YouTube; that was enough to get me to combine 3 separate images into the single one here.  It's not great, but since I was hand-holding the camera (no tripod, no level) I found it satisfying.

I exposed all 3 photos the same way, to although the image is a composite, the following is an accurate accounting of the exposure.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Mohawk River at Mabee Farm

Had an interesting day yesterday.  The little guy had a role in the DRAMAcademics production of The Amazing Erie Canal.  It's a combination of learning, acting and singing.  Ruth Henry does a great job writing plays that are fun to be in and enjoyable to watch.  Past plays have included Nellie Bly and Lewis and Clark.  Anyway, this performance was held at the Mabee Farm.  It's a historic site just west of Schenectady, on the Mohawk River.  The original Erie Canal passed within eyesight of this farm, so it is a very appropriate place to stage an educational play about the canal.

Today, most of the original canal is gone; paved over or abandoned in place when the current canal system was switched over to use the Mohawk River where possible.  The river is too shallow to carry traffic much of the year, so the current canal uses a system of removable dams to impound enough water to keep the river navigable for much of its length.  Like the original canal, the current canal uses locks to lift and lower boats from one pool to the next.

Last September, the locks and the dams took a terrible pounding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  Several locks are still being repaired.  It turns out that Lock 9 is sited just upstream of the Mabee Farm (maybe about a mile?) and I decided I'd wander down there to see how the repairs are coming along.  This photo is a few minutes' walk upriver from the farm, looking back at it.

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	8.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	23.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 46.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

The sky this morning was low.  Threatening rain.  The weather bureau assures us there'll be mostly sunny skies today.  I'm taking the motorcycle to work again.  That would make 5 days in a row that I've ridden to work.  In March!  Next week the temperature is forecast to return to more seasonal levels, but we're all enjoying this early taste of summer.  Looking at this photo, I think I see a patch of blue in there.  It looks like the weather man might be right!

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	1/320
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Daffodils today

48 hours later, this is what they look like.  Fully in bloom.  It has been an amazing week for all the plants here.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	23.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 46.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/40
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Daffodils: yesterday

The daffodils are coming up so quickly!  This was yesterday.  Tomorrow I'll post what they look like 48 hours later.  A week ago, there wasn't even any green in this spot.  It is simply amazing how the plants respond to the sun!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	41.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 82.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Painting the town red!

We have a picket fence, and it was looking quite shabby.  We have a brief window when we can paint it between the time the weather is warm enough and the plants start to grow.  If we wait just a little too long, the plants have covered up the bottom of the fence and it's impossible to paint for another year.  We managed to use the good weather to our advantage this year.  The 9 year-old decided on the colour - brick red.  I think it looks a lot better, and I'm glad that chore isn't hanging over my head any longer!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	17.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 34.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Lancelot

Yesterday was a glorious day!  The weather was warm, the sun was shining and it was time to open the windows.  At first, I only opened them a crack, but it was enough for the cats to find the outdoors wafting inside.  This is Lance - he's all grown up now, and he really likes the window when it's open.  In fact, it's a common sight to see him like this, with one arm outside.

F Number	5.5
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	35.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 70.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Motorcycle weather

It's not only the flowers that are out early, the bikers are too!  Around here, it's typical for bikers to store their motorcycles for the winter.  Put it up off of the wheels, take out the battery, put gasoline stabiliser in the tank, that sort of thing.  Then, in the spring, they charge and reinstall the battery, check the tires and wait for good weather before bringing the bike out of storage deep in the garage.I myself don't do any of that - I'm ready to ride at any time!  Normally, I'll get 5-7 days in November, another couple of days in December and February, then 7-10 days in March and then it depends on whether it's raining or not.  This year, I've ridden to work several days each month including January!

This particular rider is my oldest, going off on his Honda Shadow to enjoy the day.

F Number	5.6
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	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Weekend reflection

This photo is 2 weeks old; the snow is all gone now.  But the sky is the same in the photo as it is outside my window, and I thought I'd contribute to Weekend Reflections with this.  Imagine my surprise when I saw what James posted!  This photo is my favourite pond down in Vale.

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	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

It's almost Spring, and that means... rain!  And rain means clouds.  But the sun is not so easily dissuaded, and despite the clouds, insists on making an appearance.

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	1/640
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Golden rings

They are still cleaning up storm damage in Vale.  This old tree was mostly dead last year and the wind took much of it down this winter.  So now, it's been sawn into smaller bits in preparation to be taken away.  My little one is counting the rings.  We counted 37 rings.

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	1/640
Exposure Program	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Swiiiiiing!

So I was supposed to be watching the little one, but he was gallivanting about with his friend and they are both good boys.  So I wasn't breathing down their necks; I was giving them the space to run round and be boys in the park.  Of course, it is almost spring, and everyone knows that in spring a young man's fancy turns to.... the swing set!  And so I hopped on the swing (In?  On?).  I had my camera with me, and I had the not-so-very-brilliant idea of taking a photo.  Whilst swinging.  And when I swing, I go as high up as I can get; my head higher than the top bar holding the chains.  That poses a bit of a logistical problem, because letting go of the chains at that speed and height is a recipe for a tumble.  In the end, I let go one hand and took the shot from my lap - those are my toes at the bottom of the photo, pulling toward the sky.

I tore my coat pocket on the dismount, but oddly enough I was in such a good mood that it didn't bother me at all.  When I got home, I started disassembling the pieces so I could repair it and put it back together again. 

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	18.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 36.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Inland gulls

We took the dogs for a walk in Central Park the other day, and there were seagulls swimming in the pond alongside the ducks.  Gulls aren't exactly common around here, but they aren't complete strangers either.  I never linked them to any particular season; sometimes I see them in the dead of winter.  The closest ocean is in New York City, about 150 miles south.  I wonder what brings these birds up here?

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	1/1600
Exposure Program	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

The shortcut

Walking down to the bottom of Vale, there's a long path with a hairpin turn that goes gently, gradually down the hill.  You can just make out the top part of that path - it's where the wooden fencing ends at the centre of the photo.  It only takes 5 minutes to walk that way, but there's always The Shortcut.  In the summer, this is full of growth; jewelweed and who knows what else fills this up, and overhead, the trees' canopies knit together to close off the view of the sky.  It's steep, but not too bad.  This is the first time I tried this in the winter without snowshoes.  Not too bad.  The steepest part is under that massive fallen tree, and I see I didn't slide at all there.

F Number	11.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/100
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

The other 'first green'

This plant is usually the very first green I see in the season.  The aptly-named Skunk Cabbage.  Although it smells bad when stepped on, it's a marvel of a plant.  It generates enough heat to melt through the March snow cover.  This year, the creek didn't freeze, so they've started early.  They are a strange looking plant, there's no denying that, but they have a certain beauty about them.  Able to grow in places other plants cannot, they have a hard 'shelter' early in the season, with those beautiful green leaves spiraling up into the sun later on.

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	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Making tracks

Looks like a local dog was thirsty.  These tracks are too big to be a raccoon or skunk.  I've seen both of those tracks (and the animals too!) down here.  The skunks have already been active digging up grubs under the frozen grass.  Man, can they dig!

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	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

The winter stroll

I use the definite article - 'The' winter stroll because this is it - there wasn't an earlier stroll and there most probably won't be a later one.  There's been no winter this year!  I don't know how to describe my feelings... I felt compelled to go out and get a whole season worth of photos in just one afternoon.  That's impossible, of course - the sun is already too high in the sky and the shadows are... well they don't match what I see in January.

This is my favourite spot down in the bottom of Vale Cemetery; the upper pond.  The construction equipment is gone and the snow is covering up the recent earth-moving.  The city's busiest street is in front of us, up the hill a few thousand feet away but not a whisper of that traffic reaches down into this quiet little valley.  The crows are active today; wheeling and jousting with the blue jays, they make the only sound except for the trickle of melting snow and the crunching of my boots in the snow.  These geese are migratory; they weren't here a few weeks ago.  So they have already begun moving back south for their summer family time.

The water is only a few feet deep here, but against the white snow it seems as deep as an ancient Scottish loch, and with the quiet all around me, I can indulge my fantasy of travel, imagining myself in a Highland valley waiting for the sun to wheel overhead and bring news of the next season.

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	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Snow! Snow?

Yes, snow.  It finally arrived on the last day of February.  The robins have been here for at least two weeks (very early in the season) and they have been enjoying the berries on these ornamental trees for a couple of days.  The snow doesn't really seem to bother them.  They can't find the berries on the ground, under the snow, so they fly into the trees and pull them off.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	33.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 66.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Monthly theme day - Electricity

Today is the first of March, and on the first of every month, the City Daily Photo community choose a theme for each of us to interpret.  This month, the theme is Electricity. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

I was a bit at a loss for this one.  I'm an amateur radio operator, so the first thing I thought of was an electronic circuit board.  I've got plenty of them around in various stages of completion.  But they don't say 'electricity' to me.  So then I thought about all those electric wires running down the street - that would be 'electric' enough, and representative of where I live, but I think that may be too representative.  So then I started thinking about ways to be creative, but it wasn't until I was preparing a mug of tea that this idea occurred to me.

It's the electronic igniter on the stove.  We have a stove that uses natural gas as fuel, but there aren't any pilot lights; no 'always on' flame like my old stove had.  Instead, there is an electronic igniter that creates a spark when the gas knob is turned to the 'start' position... a spark?  A spark!  Electricity!

I turned the exhaust fan on so that I didn't flood the kitchen with gas, removed the diffuser plate and snapped several photos of sparks in action.  I ended up cropping and enlarging the igniter so that the spark was more impressive.

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	Shutter speed priority AE
ISO	1600
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire