Schenectady photographs

The first ice

2012-01-20T08:32:00.001-05:00

I might have had some difficulty coming up with a title :-) This pressure ridge of ice is almost inevitable. When it snows, the snow plow pushes it from the middle of the street off to the side. I can't get my car off of the street, so they have no choice but to plow it in a heap next to my car. If I am diligent, I dash out and shovel it all by hand to the curb side of the car. If I am not so diligent, it freezes and becomes very difficult to remove, leaving this ridge of ice. You can see how the sun managed to melt some of it by the now-frozen puddles in the street. This will stay here until we get a really big storm; when that happens, the city requires the cars to come off the street so they can use a big front end loader to remove the snow. That machine will hardly notice this little bit of ice, and it'll be gone with the snow.

F Number	10.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	16.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 32.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

First real snow

2012-01-13T08:17:00.001-05:00

We've had a strange winter so far. No snow to speak of. Oh, a dusting here and there, but it quickly melted and was gone in a day or two. On the 12th we got 4 inches of real snow. Wet, heavy and perfect for snowman and snowball-making! Of course, the temperature is hovering around freezing, and we got some rain too, so who knows how long this will remain on the ground?

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	1/60
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

The well-read cat

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have too many books. I haven't got enough shelf space, so this mess is the result. Savannah has discovered this hidey-hole and jumps into it from the table. She doesn't realise she's domesticated - I think that in her mind she's lounging in a tree high above the jungle floor. She's quite the cat.

As for the books, yes I will read them all.

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

Lamp post

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-09T08:06:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-27T11:12:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-18T08:18:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-17T08:28:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-16T08:30:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-15T08:39:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-14T08:27:00.001-05:00

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?

2011-11-10T08:17:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-09T08:23:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-08T08:31:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-11-02T08:26:00.001-04:00

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

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-10-31T08:35:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-28T08:43:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-27T08:29:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-25T08:34:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-24T08:21:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-09-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-03T23:36:00.000-04:00

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

Monthly theme day - Perspective

2011-09-01T00:22:00.000-04:00

Toady, the first of the month, is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo Blog community. Each month, we choose a single subject and we each take a photo that realises the topic. This month, the theme is Perspective. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

This is a photo of an antenna tower. I'm a ham; an amateur radio operator. For me, towers are not only engineering wonders, but a way to make communication possible. Most amateur towers are held up by supporting steel cables called guy wires. These wires don't carry any radio signal; they just hold the tower up. And yet, if I put my ear on one, I can hear the wind singing through the tower and if I touch the guy wire, I can hear the sound pulse travel from one end to the other, reflected back to my ear from the distant end at the top of the tower.

This isn't my tower; I was helping someone with some ham-related work and I just decided to listen to the guy wire. By the time I thought of getting the camera, it was almost dark, and hand-holding the full zoom at 1/20th of a second was a little difficult.

This theme challenged me and I'm not sure I realised the theme as well as I could have. Do visit the other blogs - the community is magnificent!

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	1/20
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Mohawk River flooding

2011-08-30T00:17:00.000-04:00

This is a very famous (locally) river side eatery, Jumpin' Jack's.

The river normally stops about where the swirls and the white dock is at the right. Then there's the parking lot, about 10 cars wide. Then the building seen here. The trees at the back of the picture are across the street. I don't know exactly how high the water is here, but it's at least 10 feet above the normal level.

The water level is expected to fall during the night.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	31.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 62.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Irene

2011-08-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

The big news this weekend here was Hurricane Irene. It tracked up the East Coast of the US, hitting first on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, then glanced out to sea before coming ashore again over New Jersey.. There was pretty severe flooding downstate.

Lots of rain up here; hopefully the photo shows it OK. We have localised flooding - low lying underpasses and that sort of thing are impassable. The wind was strongest on the back side; some trees uprooted and power lines taken down. There is a flood warning for the Mohawk River down at the Stockade; people are talking about levels not seen since 1912, which would be some 20 feet above the normal level. I'm hoping those estimates are incorrect. Will let you know tomorrow.

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

Plotter Kill

2011-08-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

My brother-in-law and his family were up from Texas and we decided to go on a hike in the cool woods. The Plotter Kill is always a nice walk. A bit hilly, but there is a lot to see. We haven't had too much rain, so the falls are quiet.

'Kill' is a Dutch word for creek or stream, and has nothing to do with the absence of safety rails!

F Number	3.5
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

2011-08-19T08:35:00.001-04:00

I haven't done a Skywatch Friday in a while. I was reminded by last night. I was waiting for the space station to fly overhead and saw a brilliant meteor - it looked like a straggling Perseid, Saw the space station pass too. Glorious.

This was taken at St John's cemetery this morning. It was very hazy, and the sun worked hard to peep through this much. This post is dedicated to Klaus Peter. We'll miss you Klaus.

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	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1600
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Sunflower

2011-08-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

This beauty is at our community garden plot. It's not ours, but it's beautiful, isn't it? The bees think so too.

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	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Raindrops

2011-08-15T08:27:00.000-04:00

It's raining today.

We've had the odd shower or thunderstorm move through in the past few weeks, but today is the first steady rain in a while, and so it's notable.

I'm happy for the farm fields which were looking a bit parched. My hydrangea bush is happy, too!

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	1/1300
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Explorers

2011-08-11T08:33:00.000-04:00

On our visit to the Mabee Farm last weekend, we took the opportunity to walk the trail down to the river. The day's topic of Early Technology seemed to lend itself to the idea of imagining what it would be like to walk through that forest and see the river for the first time.

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	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Arrowhead

2011-08-10T07:47:00.000-04:00

I tried my hand at flint knapping this weekend and of course manage to break the first piece I started. With a bit of tutoring and some patience, I was able to salvage this arrowhead out of the knife. It gives me great respect to see how our ancestors had to live.

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	37.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 74.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Film set

2011-08-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

The crew of a movie called The Place Beyond the Plains did some filming here yesterday. The filming closed State Street for several blocks. That's sort of a big deal, as State Street is a major thoroughfare.

This is as close as I was allowed. The bank on the far corner gets robbed in the film. I didn't see any stunts; it was late in the day when I got home and got this photo..

Schenectady comes from a Mohawk name meaning something akin to 'beyond the pine plains'. So it's interesting that the movie has such a similar name. Although I really don't understand how a movie about a man who supports his family by robbing banks has anything to do with Schenectady!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Flint knapping

2011-08-08T00:25:00.000-04:00

There was an Early Technology day at the Mabee Farm this weekend. We got to see some very interesting things; throwing a spear with an atlatl, tanning a hide with smoke, making a dugout canoe by filling with embers and... flint knapping.

Knapping is the art and science of turning a rock into a sharp tool. It was an eye-opener to watch Barry working to make a knife from stone by using stone and antler. That's his hand in the foreground. He's using antler here to knock flakes off the larger piece. My youngest, in the background, is pressure flaking an arrowhead. I gave it a whirl, and very quickly broke the piece I was working on. I did manage to salvage an arrowhead out of it by being careful and watching Barry.

A wonderful day, and a wonderful experience.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/40
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Spirit

2011-08-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

This is Spirit. He is a miniature Appaloosa. He lives at Cooper's Ark Farm with Angelo the donkey. What a friendly horse!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	18.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 36.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Feeding the ducks

2011-08-03T08:41:00.000-04:00

Typically, feeding ducks would find us at Central Park. We took a short trip down the Schoharie valley to Cooper's Ark Farm, in Schoharie. The farm is animals; ducks, chickens, turkeys, pigs, donkeys and horses. I'm sure there are some I missed! Phil took us on a tour, and as part of the tour, we got to do chores.

Farming is still the same hard work it was when my grandfather did it.

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	17.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 34.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Day lily

2011-07-29T00:01:00.001-04:00

We have day lilies out front. It always gets too overgrown and I always intend to do something about it, but I never seem to get round to it. I don't know how these grow so well!

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	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Music at the Greenmarket

2011-07-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

These are some of the Anonymous Fig Leafs, a local band from right here in Schenectady. I really liked their music; low key but they still had plenty of energy on a hot day.

Kudos to the Greenmarket people for giving local musicians a venue!

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

It's been hot!

2011-07-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

It has been hot here the past two weeks. We cracked 100F at least once, and the temperatures have been over 95F for quite a while. The humidity has been high as well, which makes life difficult for pets and older people.

This is Vale Park, right in the middle of the city. There isn't any parking here, which means that the only people who come here walk or ride their bike. It's cool in the shade, even on those scorching days.

Thankfully, the heat has broken, and we're enjoying seasonal temperatures in the mid-70F range.

F Number	4.5
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Sunflower

2011-07-25T08:42:00.000-04:00

My oldest tried his hand at a few plants this year. These sunflowers are one of his. I've been trying to get sunflowers to grow for many years and have never been routinely successful. Squirrels always seems to get them.

He won't tell me his secret. I'm calling it beginner's luck!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	40.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 80.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Black raspberries

2011-07-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

These grow wild right here in the city. They can be found in many places; I'm sure birds spread the seeds. This particular group were found growing in Vale Park.

When I was a boy, we called them blackberries but it turns out we were wrong. My mother-in-law calls them black caps, which is what lots of people here call them. Their true name is black raspberry.

The season is just about over, except for a few hiding in shady locations. Is there anything nicer than going for a walk and picking a handful (or two!) of beautiful ripe fruit along the way? My purple stained hands say there isn't!

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	1/40
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Pretty snake

2011-07-21T00:26:00.000-04:00

The Mabee Farm had a Wags & Wiskers event to benefit the local animal humane society. Reptile Adventures was there, and my little guy just loves snakes! Truth be told, anything that eats rodents ranks pretty high in my book too. I think I remember that this was called a rainbow snake; enlarging the photo will show the marvelous colours on the curves.

F Number	9.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	34.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 68.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Bateaux

2011-07-20T08:44:00.000-04:00

These ladies are docked at the Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction. Bateaux like these were used in pre-Revolutionary days to carry cargo up and down the Mohawk. Back then, the Mohawk was wild; shallows had to be portaged, rapids bypassed. Still, the river was a better highway than the woods.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	23.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 46.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Sunset spider

2011-07-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

This spider was spinning her web in a place where she was backlit by the sky at sunset.

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	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Cat and crickets

2011-07-18T08:34:00.000-04:00

We are babysitting a leopard gecko, and she eats crickets. The crickets are kept in a small cage before they meet her. The youngest cat finds these crickets fascinating. He stuck his head into the small opening at the top to get a closer look.

F Number	5.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	26.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 52.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

Monthly theme day - The colour green

2011-07-01T00:01:00.007-04:00

Each month, on the first, the City Daily Photo blogging community suggests a theme that all of us try to realise. This month, the theme is the colour green. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. The community is so talented, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Around here, green is everywhere. The rain has caused the earth to leap with verdant joy. The grass is green, the fields are green and the trees are green. This tree had its portrait taken while walking in Vale park, near my house.

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	1/25
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Unusual sign

2011-06-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd seen every sign there was to see in the city, but then I saw this one. It's not every day you see a 'Trail closed' sign coming out of downtown! I was a passenger, so no safety rules were broken :-)

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	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Political Rally!

2011-06-29T00:01:00.008-04:00

I don't publish a lot of political stuff - there are plenty of other places for that. But this political rally was so unique that I felt compelled to show it. The designer of this rally has been putting these cartoon characters individually all around the area and today, she decided to assemble them for a protest on the steps of City Hall.

This is very clever and an awesome use of space and colour! The designer made sure to point out that friend and foe alike have joined forces for this protest.

The cause is a serious one. In the southern part of the state, various companies are pushing to get permits to allow them to use a process called hydraulic fracturing - fracking - to break up the underground deposits and release natural gas in the Marcellus Shale geography. People living in Pennsylvania, where such permits have been issued, report ruined wells, foul smells and toxic groundwater due to the chemicals used in the fluid injected into the ground. It is very controversial here in New York, where Love Canal and PCBs in the Hudson River are very recent memories..

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	1/2000
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Wood frog

2011-06-25T11:48:00.000-04:00

This is a wood frog found at a friend's house. I never knew it, but wood frogs don't breed in permanent ponds - they breed in ephemeral pools; pools that are present in the wet season, then dry up. No permanent water, no fish to eat the baby tadpoles! They are also filled with anti-freeze so they can survive the winter in the leaf litter in the forest. As soon as they defrost, the temporary pools are filling up and off they go to do their thing.

This particular specimen was an overnight guest, and went back where he was found. They make the coolest sounds - almost birdlike!

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

The odd shadow is me deflecting some of the on-camera flash away from the frog. I think it turned out OK despite that.

Mulberries

2011-06-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

When we moved here, there was a large maple tree in front of the house. It got very old and the power company took it down before it snagged the power lines down. Several years passed, and this spindly thing began growing out of the stump. It turned into a beautiful mulberry tree!

This is typical of this time of the year. Full, green foliage and berries in every stage of maturity. All of us eat the berries right off the tree, and it's encouraging to see neighbours walking past picking them too. A beautiful and useful tree!

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	1/30
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Fireflies

2011-06-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

I debated whether to post this or not, but my youngest was so thrilled that I decided to share it. It really needs to be enlarged, and even then, the light from the fireflies is very subtle.

We were in the nearby hills cleaning up from our recent ham radio expedition, and the fireflies came out. Well, being 8 years old, fireflies are one of the most incredible sights. He had to try to catch one. And of course, having caught one, he had to catch more. We had a large plastic container and the count kept going up. Eventually, I stopped the process when he reached over a dozen. I have to admit that they are one of nature's wonders. We took them home and showed everyone. Of course, he had to sleep with them in his bed.

In the morning, they were almost all still active, and we convinced him to let them loose in the front garden. This photo is of that garden the next night. To everyone's amazement, those fireflies were still there, still blinking and still flying!

It took several tries with a tripod to get this photo, and it was the best of the lot. It's been 3 days since, and the last firefly flew off tonight. Pretty magical, given that we never see fireflies here in the city.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	8
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Strawberries

2011-06-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

The strawberries are coming ripe! I like how the violet leaf mirrors the berry.

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	1/25
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

My roses are blooming too!

2011-06-08T11:14:00.000-04:00

I tell you, all of a sudden the garden went from nothing to bam! The roses opened almost overnight and they're very lovely along the fence.

I will be away from the internet for a bit. It's time to go play radio again! This weekend is the annual June ARRL VHF contest. If you're a ham, check out 6 meters and up - the bands should be hopping!

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	1/160
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Peony

2011-06-07T08:33:00.000-04:00

The peonies have popped open! I didn't see many ants tending to them this year but they opened just the same.

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	1/640
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Walking onion

2011-06-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

I'm told these are called walking onions because the seed head (the pale bit at the top) gets so heavy that it falls over, dropping the seeds into the ground, starting new onions there. Makes sense to me; this particular onion is about 5 feet from the spot I put the first one, and I find new ones every year!

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	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Shelf mushrooms

2011-06-03T00:01:00.001-04:00

These shelf mushrooms are reclaiming an old, fallen branch down in the bottom of Vale, near the Cowhorn Creek. I had a hard time deciding how to frame this. One of these days I'm going to learn how to use a photo program so I can post-process!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	31.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 62.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Greenmarket crowd

2011-06-02T00:01:00.004-04:00

It was hot last Sunday, unseasonably so for early June. Most everyone went to the Greenmarket in shorts except for the woman in red.

The Greenmarket is getting bigger and bigger, which is very good to see. Our downtown can use the foot traffic. The building in the background is the Main Post Office.

One of the regular vendors, Susie made some rhubarb pickles. I have been eating rhubarb all my life - more often than not broken off the plant and eaten raw. Most people find them too tart that way and probably the most common way to use rhubarb is as the companion ingredient in strawberry-rhubarb pie. That's really, really tasty! Anyway, I tried Susie's rhubarb pickles and I fell in love with them. She uses cloves and a little hot pepper, and they came out tasting like my Mum's pickled onions, which I loved as a boy.

This was a fantastic Greenmarket trip for me!

F Number	10.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/500
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Twilight's last gleaming

2011-06-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

I was able to catch the sun setting over the far ridge. This is one of those photos that really needs to be seen enlarged before it looks decent.

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	-0.66
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Weekend Reflections

2011-05-28T10:25:00.000-04:00

Taken in the lobby at work, I was struck by how bright the reflection was in the darker hallway.

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!

Skywatch Friday

2011-05-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's been another rainy week here in Schenectady, and so this is a fair representation of our 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	14.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	16.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 32.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1300
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Pileated woodpecker

2011-05-26T00:01:00.002-04:00

I heard this bird while I was walking through the parking lot at work, and He flew through the trees, so I was able to see him as well. I was very surprised how big he seemed - I'd say about the same size as a crow. I wasn't sure, but my wife immediately identified this fellow as a Pileated Woodpecker. It was very hard to get close to him, and in the end, I had to crop and enlarge the original to make him large enough to see!

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	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Apple blossom

2011-05-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

When we visited the greenhouse last week, their apple tree was just beginning to blossom. They smell so sweet!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	34.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 68.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Reclaiming space

2011-05-24T00:01:00.002-04:00

This is part of my wife's flower garden. It's become a bit disorganised ever since she got excited about the community garden plot. I decided to clear a bit of space and put in some tomato plants. These are cherry tomatoes. Also making an appearance: violets, a walking onion, strawberries and mint. A word to the wise: mint spreads! Thankfully, we like mint tea!

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	1/160
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Time to mow

2011-05-22T00:01:00.003-04:00

This is what a week of rain does for grass. This isn't my lawn; this is the community garden. I try to mow every week, but it was impossible last week due to the rain. Just behind the mower is a field of dandelions. I hated to mow them over, but having them go to seed would be disastrous for the gardeners!

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

2011-05-20T08:34:00.000-04:00

No one in the area needs to be reminded what these are! It's been constant rain for almost a week. Nature's way of evening up the averages for the previous week of sun.

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	9.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/640
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

White bleeding hearts

2011-05-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

We have two bleeding heart plants. The white ones seem to grow about 3 days slower than the pink ones. They are quite interesting to look at.

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	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

A boy and his tree

2011-05-17T00:01:00.002-04:00

This tree is downtown, on the lawn of City Hall. ts branches are low enough that even a little guy can get up there. Old maple trees are wonderfully shady places!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Flight of the bumblebee

2011-05-14T12:47:00.000-04:00

This is one of those pictures that speaks for itself.

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

Field of wild violets

2011-05-11T22:54:00.000-04:00

Vale Cemetery. The wild violets are in full bloom, and you can see just how many there are. It's such a beautiful place in the spring. It's a glorious complement to the purpose of this place.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	28.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 56.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/2000
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Bleeding hearts

2011-05-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

These plants are stunning. Two weeks ago they were still completely in the ground, not even a green wisp sticking out. In that time, this plant grew over 3 feet tall (1M) and bloomed as well! We love these unique flowers and so do the bees. This is growing on the north side of the house; morning sun and that's it. We've never done anything except watch it grow, and it comes back every year just like this - now that's an easy to care for flower!

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	33.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 66.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1000
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Red Trillium

2011-05-09T08:25:00.000-04:00

This is a native wildflower which blooms in the spring. It's hard to see the flower because it 'nods' or faces down, which is why this is photographed from underneath.

It's a trillium because there are three of everything; leaves, petals, sepals and who knows what else. Once you know what you're looking for, it's not hard to spot them in the woods from those three leaves.

It has another name, which describes how it smells: Stinking Benjamin. I don't know who Benjamin was though!

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	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Gravid fiddler crab

2011-05-07T11:24:00.000-04:00

We have a pair of fiddler crabs. The female moulted several weeks ago and yesterday we discovered she is great with child! Well, not exactly. She's great with eggs. She's carrying hundreds of these things between her tummy and tail. All of a sudden, she had an irresistible urge to climb out of her tank. So we gave her her own tank with plenty of 'beach' for her to stay out of the water as long as she likes. The internet tells me that she';; carry them for about 2 weeks before releasing them into the water, where they float about for another two weeks before hatching and joining the other organisms that make up the plankton.

The pink bits are from the gravel.

Camera	Nikon CoolPix E950
F Number	3.9
Focal Length	19.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	80
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Fired

Tulips

2011-05-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

The front yard gets sun, and the tulips there have bloomed! We planted dozens of tulips but the squirrels ate most of them. So the few the squirrels didn't eat are a pleasant surprise to see.

The National Weather Service tells me that the average date of the last frost is May 20th. We're expecting frost tomorrow night. I hope these are hardy enough to brave the chill!

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	40.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 80.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Wild violets

2011-05-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

These are wild violets. At least I think they are wild - we never planted them! They bloom early in the year and the flowers go away as soon as it gets hot. There are so many of them but I can't bring myself to pull them up to make room for 'real' flowers. I'm such a baby about plants.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	41.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 82.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1300
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Babysitting

2011-05-03T08:37:00.000-04:00

We had a guest with us for a weekend - Jackson. Here, he is sitting in the window on the front porch, surrounded by toys. These expand into tunnels large enough for a dog to crawl through. Or a child. Or a kooky Dad!

F Number	3.5
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Portrait
ISO	125
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Monthly theme day - Mailbox

2011-05-01T10:47:00.000-04:00

Each month, the City Daily Photo blog community suggests a theme that everyone can think about to post on for the first of the month. This month's theme is Mailbox.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I don't have a mailbox! I have an enclosed front porch, and the outer door has a slot cut in it. The postman delivers the mail through this mail slot.

We used to have mail boxes on street corners; places the public could drop off mail for pickup. But those boxes are all gone too. Well, almost - there are some still outside the Post Offices, of all places!

I was at a loss until I thought about what Theme Days are for, and I thought about mail boxes. The postman brings us news and goodies from all over the world - the mailbox is like a window on the world. After that, it was suddenly easy to take the photo of the mailbox's view of the world.

Do make a point of visiting all the bloggers who posted their interpretation of this month's theme!

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	1/1000
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

2011-04-29T08:25:00.000-04:00

I liked the clouds low on the horizon.

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	13.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/2500
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

First rainbow!

2011-04-28T08:32:00.000-04:00

Conditions were finally right for a rainbow; late afternoon, and the sun is low enough to be under the cloud layer, rain passing through, rain stopped here and still coming down gently to the east-northeast.

It's not a Hawaiian rainbow, but it always cheers me up to see one! Hey, if the ground can open up and blossom, why not the sky?

F Number	10.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	29.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 58.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/640
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire