Swan and State

I love this tree.  Every year it puts on a show.  Some years it's blaze orange, some years it's poor Macbeth's incarnadine.  I hear that line every time I see these two trees together.  One is always in colour before the rest.

The photo isn't my best; I was walking the dogs and they don't like to stand still.  In fact, they don't like to stand at all - pulling their leashes violin-string tight is more their style!  But I liked the framing of the trees between the telephone poles.

F Number	5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Landscape
ISO	160
Advanced Scene Mode	Scenery (5)
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Fire!

We had another local fire yesterday.  It was right next to the warehouse that burnt down almost exactly a year ago.  It is an abandoned house and it seems that no one was hurt - fire fighters included.  I saw fire trucks from Schenectady, Rotterdam and Niskayuna.  The house seems a total loss to these unprofessional eyes - we'll know more in a few days.  Lots of smoke covered the neighbourhood for a few hours.  Since the house was vacant and electricity was cut off, the fire chief has called it 'suspicious'.  Not really a surprise.

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	1/640
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	160
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Film set

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

4 alarm fire

Last night around supper time we saw billowing clouds of dark smoke. From here, it seemed as if the corner store was on fire. Walking down there, it was clear that the store was OK, but the building on the south side of State Street was not.

This same building, the former White House Flea Market, had a smaller fire several weeks ago, and was boarded up. Tonight, the attached house was on fire, and it spread.

At least four units were called to the fire: Schenectady 1 and 2, Stanford Heights (Niskayuna) and Carman. There were 3 ladder trucks, like the one in the photo as well as 2 pumpers. Fire crews are still on the scene this morning.

Very fortunately, all the involved buildings were abandoned or unoccupied, so no one was hurt. Arson is suspected.

State and Broadway

On State Street, driving west. The downtown area is looking very nice after all the construction, or perhaps I should say reconstruction. These clocks are interesting in the era of all digital.

Clinton and State Street

The north side of State Street seen from Clinton. The whole area has new facades on renovated buildings. It's very nice. Bomber's Burrito Bar just moved in, which has attracted attention. Maybe we'll see businesses moving back to the downtown area after all.

State Street

State and Broadway, on State Street, looking east.

The past 5 or so years have seen much construction in this downtown area. It's a very nice place to drive through, but like so many Schenectadians, I haven't walked through. Maybe this blog will change that!

State Street hill

This is a typical view going down State Street hill toward downtown.

This is a combination of residential homes and businesses. Most everyone you can see here is passing by, on their way somewhere else. Normally, there is a fair amount of pedestrian traffic; I don't know where everyone is.

In the far distance are the hills that bound the valley of the Mohawk River on the southwest side - Rotterdam Junction or thereabout.