Snowy end of the year

Got back to back storms, and this is what it looked like trying to walk the dog.  All told, got about 14 inches (35cm) of snow.  This isn't going to melt until spring.

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	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Unusual Christmas Tree

We visited the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA yesterday.  They have a Festival of Trees in the museum.  In many rooms, there are Christmas Trees set up by local businesses or charitable groups.  The main exhibit is about American Indians and their art; a subject that is amazing, and the explanation for the odd juxtaposition of the Christmas Tree and the Indian clothing in the photo.  This particular tree heralds the next exhibit coming to the museum - Bats: Creatures of the Night.  Very clever!

Lens	Lumix 14-45mm
F Number	3.9
Focal Length	18.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 36.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/13
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Marcus Ruggiero

This is Marcus Ruggiero.  Marcus is a local musician, born right here in Schenectady.  He has a very easy to listen to voice and writes a lot of his own stuff.  His web site has full tracks - check him out!  I got to listen to him at last week's Winter Market, in Key Hall.  The acoustics aren't the best there, but he was set up great.  Bought one of his CDs - Face It.  Love to support local musicians!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	2.0
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/60
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	1600
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Christmas lights

Some people decorate their houses with lights for Christmas.  This is not easy to photograph, even with the f /1.4 lens.  Of course I might have done better if I'd brought a tripod...

Using a different computer and I haven't installed my Exif tooling yet, so no photo data.

Monthly Theme Day - My Street

Each month, people in the City Daily Photo community choose a theme and we post a photo that we feel interprets that theme.  This month, the theme is My Street.  Julie at Sidney Eye has a page that showcases all the entries - do have a look!

Mother Nature blessed us with a dusting of snow last night.  The little one bundled himself up and made many a footprint and a few snow angels first thing this morning.  Spot the cat escaped out the back door and pulled up short when he realised he was standing in this chilly white stuff.  He sniffed around a bit and came back in.  We have many neighbours who came here from Guyana.  The amount of snow on the ground is so small that it doesn't come up over plastic flip-flops.  (Guess how I know that!)  The weather is supposed to warm up tomorrow - I fully expect this snow to be totally melted by then.  It didn't occur to me to get a snow shovel out.  But my Guyanese neighbours are more careful than I am!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Afternoon sun

Leaving work, the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees.  I don't know what to call this tall grass - I always jokingly called it pampas grass but it grows in wet areas around here.

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

Last ladybug

During a walk in Vale, at the Revolutionary War memorial, this ladybug was sunning itself.  I hope this little insect hibernates or migrates to a warmer clime.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm F/1.4
F Number	Unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/1600
Shooting Mode	Manual
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday in the US. I don't do a lot of shopping, but the name does give me the opportunity to post a portrait of Spot, the black cat.  He's getting older, and is just a bit grizzled but he still has that twinkle in his eye!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm F/1.4
F Number	1.4
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/20
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

All spruced up

Downtown is already wearing Christmas decorations and the city tree is up too.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm F/1.4
F Number	Unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/1000
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Milkweed pod redux

After a week or so, this is what those once orderly seeds look like.  I figured I'd try to take the time to compose a photo instead of snap one on the fly.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm F1.4
F Number	1.4
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/500
Shooting Mode	Manual
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Stockade-athon

The Stockade-athon is an annual 15K foot race run on the streets of Schenectady.  This year, the course took the runners through Vale Cemetery.  It was a beautiful day for a race in November - it rained during the night but the sun was out in the morning.  This is between Mile 6 and Mile 7 - hard to believe the energy these people have!  Go, go, go, one more hill and you're done!

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
Shooting Mode	Manual
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Alternate focus

I was trying to get a photo of the cleaner shrimp in the marine fish tank (that pinkish blob to the right of center) but the autofocus wasn't cooperating.  I thought I'd deleted them all but I guess not.  Upon closer inspection of this straggler, I see that Huck the cat is steadfastly watching over the front flower patch in case any squirrels try any funny business.

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	1/50
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

Some days the sky is a uniform grey.  The leaves are almost all gone from the trees now, but the squirrels somehow manage to collect a big clump of leaves for their nest.


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	1/200
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Signs of election day

Today is election day in the US.  If one watches the news on TV, reads the papers, Twitter, Facebook or the comments to just about any YouTube video, one could easily assume that the only elected official in the country is the president, and that he has the sort of powers to govern that the absolute monarchs of yore couldn't even dream of.

I live in New York, and both major political parties have taken our presidential vote for granted.  There aren't many signs for president out in my neighbourhood, and in fact, there aren't many campaign signs in my neighbourhood whatsoever.  I was reduced to blindly pointing the camera out of the car window to capture this cluster of signs while on my way to work.  Like most of the campaign signs I do see, these are for state level elections.

Furry fellow

These squirrels are galloping all over the place.  This one had just been raiding the neighbour's trash can.  He 'hid' a pizza crust on my window sill and then raced through the front garden to reach the safety of this tree.  He is about 10 feet high.  I stand over 6 feet high.  This makes him a bit nervous, but I moved slowly enough that he didn't try to leap into the street to escape.  These are about the last green leaves left anywhere on the street.  I expect them to be gone within the week.

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
Shooting Mode	Manual
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Monthly theme day - Water's edge

Each month, on the first, the City Daily Photo Blog community suggests a theme for each of us to interpret.  This month, the theme is The Water's Edge.  I struggled with this one, but it was a good struggle.  I was originally going to try something with my Go Pro camera half in and half out of the water but for the life of me I couldn't finish the thought.  I had no idea what would be even vaguely interesting enough to put in a photo to be posted for the world to see.

I thought about the ponds in Central Park and down in Vale.  I thought about the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers but nothing really jumped out at me.  We had a big thunderstorm about 2 weeks ago, and while snapping photos of leaf reflections in the leftover puddles, I saw the most ordinary thing in the world.  The round manhole cover over the sewer.  As usual, the two finger holes were plugged with dirt and leaves, and without thinking, I walked through the standing water and poked my fingers in them to clear them out.  And immediately, my theme day dilemma was solved - there, not 20 feet from my house, were a pair of whirlpools as the water swirled down those holes into the sewer below.

I took a lot of pictures - 23 of them.  It was a bit of trouble to choose the one I wanted.  This one is my favourite because I can make out the shape of the manhole cover.  I tinkered with zooming in and cropping and when I zoomed in, I could see that I captured a leaf falling.  This is the one for me.

Please visit the rest of the community's offerings at Julie's place: cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com

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	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Apple harvest

From last week's Greenmarket.  Maynard Farms has an assortment of apples grown right here in the Hudson Valley.  I'd like to bake a pie with each variety and do a tasting!

F Number	6.3
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Shooting Mode	Program
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Lance is on the case

I have been a viola player for... hm, about 40 years give or take.  All my life, I've lived with cats who like to sleep in my viola case while I play.  I just recently got this wonderful Bam case from my cousin Frank who's a local luthier.  This is literally the first time I've opened it up in the house and it didn't take Lance 2 minutes to walk over and settle in.  I didn't even have time to but the neck bridge on!  It's nice to see the tradition continue.  I guess.

F Number	4.8
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	23.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 46.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Fired

Halloween parade

Yesterday was the last outdoor day for the season for the Schenectady Greenmarket.  Next week, the vendors get to move indoors at Proctors.  Since Halloween is so close, the Greenmarket held the first annual Halloween parade.  There were about a dozen of us who dressed up and walked up and down the market place.  And at the end, we each got an apple!

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	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

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	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	1/250
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Greenmarket from afar

I don't often get to the far end of Jay Street, but we were driving downtown and I found myself looking at the Greenmarket from the other side.  Snapped this one through the windshield.  I was the passenger, so it was quite safe!

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	1/800
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	160
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Mighty oak

That's one big oak leaf!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	19.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 38.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Milkweed pod

This is how the milkweeds end up; leaves gone, pod brown and dry.  Finally, when the seeds are ready, the pod splits open and the seeds float off on the wind.  The next generation.

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

October surprise

The phrase 'October surprise' has been used in the US to mean some news item that isso influential that voters will alter the way they intend to vote (in early November).  I don't talk much about politics here - there are plenty of places one can find that sort of talk - but I like the expression.

We had a big thunderstorm move through.  Thunder, lightning and even some hail.  This is quite unusual for October, but it's kind of welcome because it means the air is warm enough to create a large local storm.  We take the good with the bad!  Both my boys were on the front steps enjoying that warm air.

F Number	5.5
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	34.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 68.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/20
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Skywatch Friday

I took this photo because of those two scruffy birds.  Yes, they're pigeons.  Common, everyday pigeons.  When I was a lad (oh, here we go...) no, wait a minute.  When I was young, it seemed that every house had pigeons on the roof.  There were pigeons in the street, pigeons eating breadcrumbs on the sidewalk, pigeons everywhere.  But as an adult (who, me?) I don't see many of these birds.  In fact, I see more hawks here at my house than I see pigeons.  Apparently, whatever it is that eats pigeons has multiplied.  It's probably hawks.

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.

 

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Tree stump

Saw this on a bike ride through Vale and couldn't resist the reds, greens and browns.

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

Local colour

We had a very dry summer up here in the Northeast.  I wasn't sure how that would alter the way the trees change colour.  If anything, it seems to have delayed the change a bit - many trees are still very green.  The trees on either side of this path are both maples, and only a few yards apart.  The one on the left is mostly yellow while the one on the right is almost entirely green except for those few red ones.  The yellow tree is what I usually see.  It's always interesting to see how the trees and animals adapt to the different seasons.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	36.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 72.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Balloon twisting

A talented young lady called Flutterbug has been at the Greenmarket for the past few weeks, and she's a master (mistress?) balloon twister.  Last week she made a spider for us that was quite realistic.  This week, she settled on a Jack O'Lantern.  Watching her work was as magical as receiving the finished product.

F Number	9.0
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	39.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 78.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/400
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Indoor plant... now

Every spring we buy a few hanging plants.  This year the weather was marvelous for them, but as the seasons change, they can't stay outdoors.  Too delicate for temperatures in the 30s (F) - we've already had one night below freezing.  I can't stand to watch them die in the cold, so of course I bring them inside.  Finding a place for them is always... interesting.  I had sat this one down in the sun and caught a glimpse from behind and thought to myself 'This looks pretty cool!'

Good news - the City Daily Portal is back!  I'd like to thank Julie over at Sidney Eye for keeping us all together over on Facebook.  I'd also like to thank Gerald over at Hyde Daily Photo for his magnificent work compiling a list of members AND a record of our patriarch's blog - Eric Tenin at Paris Daily Photo.  Eric got the idea started, and  many, many thanks are due to the father and son pair Demosthenes and Igor who made the original beautiful City Daily Photo portal.  How many people have you brought together as friends - people who would never have met otherwise?  Thank you so much!  And especially, thanks go to Peter over at Sunshine Cost Daily Photo - Australia for rebuilding the portal after hackers mangled it yet again.  If you're at the beach, I'll be thinking of YOU!  :-)  Thanks so much all of you for making my life richer.

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	160
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Seasonal food

For me, one of the best things about the Schenectady Greenmarket is that it is a showcase for local farms.  Local farmers grow food that thrives in our area, our climate, our seasons.  I have to confess a weakness for seasonal cuisine.  I look forward to the tomatoes ripe off the vine, apples fresh from the orchard - oh, those apples!  Apples that have been stored are a faint shadow of these magnificent fruits that are available now.

This is a display from last week's market, with Indian Corn on the left, ornamental gourds behind that,  a green, speckled swan gourd and white pumpkin on the right.  These are all considered ornamental by most people here, but they are all edible and unlike apples, store well too. 

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	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Leafy path

We took a bicycle ride through Vale Cemetery, and while the youngest was down in the creek bed, I wandered along the path a bit.  Last year's twin storms (Irene and Lee) washed out a lot of this path, and it got a new layer of gravel in the spring.  That's usually noisy to walk on, but not now, with this thick blanket of quiet leaves.

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	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Cowhorn Creek

This is the Cowhorn Creek as it looks right now.  It's hard to believe that this runs through the heart of the city!  Well, runs through is a bit misleading, as it runs in pipes for most of it's course.  Only here, in Vale Cemetery, does it have an unbounded path.  The leaves have been changing colour for a week or so.  Some are still deep green, but the colour is creeping in.

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	22.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 44.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/100
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Lance and the harvest

We'd picked a bunch of veggies from the community garden plot and laid them on the counter before putting them away.  It wasn't long before Lance decided the cabbage leaves made a good bed.  Who knows what goes on in the minds of felines?  He sure looks comfy though!

Lens	Minolts MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/15
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Shrimp moult

The oldest has been keeping a marine (salt water) fish tank for a while now.  One of the residents of that tank is a Skunk Shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis. Apparently the tank agrees with it, because it moults every few weeks.  The first time it happened, I thought it had died, but then it occurred to me that it wouldn't have... dissolved from the inside.  Sure enough, the shrimp was off doing its thing elsewhere.

The shrimp actively seeks out the fish, trying to clean them.  The fish took some time to get accustomed to this, but they all seem to enjoy it now.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	1.4
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Theme day - Silhouette

Each month, the City Daily Photo Blog community choose a theme and many of us post our interpretation of that theme.  Our  much-loved portal is still out of service, but Julie has stepped in and created a place we can post our monthly theme photos: CDPB Theme Day.  Click the link for many photos from round the world!  This month's theme is Silhouette.

This photo was taken in January 2012.  I go out roving the hilltops of the Northeast with my good friend Sigurd.  We set up antennas and talk to as many people as we can before moving on to the next hilltop.  This is a shot of some of the antennas stowed in 'transport' mode.

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	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Side by side

Mother and son, creating dinner fit for a king.  Alas, all they had was me!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	Unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	1600
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Albany 2nd Regiment

This is a photo of part of the encampment of the Albany 2nd Regiment at the 1812 Muster held at the Mabee Farm.  The Albany 2nd are a group of re-creators who show what it's like to live as an 18th century soldier.  I had the camera set on the wrong white balance.  The photo out of the camera was hideous, so I touched it up with the Gimp.  My wife says it looks more period-like.  I agree, but the effect is wholly accidental!

If you are a City Daily Photo visitor, the October theme will be Silhouettes.  Thanks, Julie!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/500
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Mudsicles

We spent a little while at the Mabee Farm this past weekend.  They were host to a historic re-enactment group, the Albany 2nd Regiment.  The Albany 2nd was an American Revolutionary War unit, but they  assembled for a War of 1812 Muster.  Very interesting people, to say the least!  Anyway, being who we are, we ended up down at the river, where the little one found this remnant of last year's Hurricane Irene.  This is mud, washed up in a thick layer during the height of the storm, and it is so heavy that even a year later it hasn't all washed away.  The photo is rotated 90 degrees but I sort of like it this way!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
F Number	unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/25
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Peppers!

Peppers at the Greenmarket.  I couldn't resist these wonderful colours.

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

Skywatch Friday

This was taken a few weeks ago atop Mt Greylock, MA.  I was up there for the September VHF radio contest.  I'm usually very busy up there, but I try to make time to walk around and see the sights.  Greylock is such a beautiful place!  On this day, the fog and clouds were just gorgeous- I had to go back for the camera.  I passed two people doing tai chi exercises and thought the morning sun and the quiet clouds below were a perfect accompaniment.

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	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/500
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	125
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Walking under the new moon

I saw the lovely crescent moon and thought I'd get a photo.  Hooked up the old Minolta lens, dug out the tripod and out I scurried.  It wasn't until I saw the enlargement on the computer that I noticed the family walking toward me.  Somehow, that made the so-so photo of the moon worth it.  The 'star' under the moon is an internal reflection.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f1.4
F Number	1.4
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	3.2
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

New outfits

We went to the Capital District Scottish Games yesterday, and on the spur of the moment bought kilts.  Neither is a traditional kilt.  His is a special design called a 'Sportkilt' and mine is a Utilikilt.  It's a US-made, informal kilt designed to be an informal, all-around garment.  It's cotton/polyester, so it can go in the washing machine and it has pockets!  Can't go wrong with something this practical.

F Number	4.5
Lens ID	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	21.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 42.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

September theme day - People Watching

On the first of the month, the City Daily Photo community chooses a theme that we each try to interpret.  This month, the theme is People Watching.  The much-loved portal is still unavailable, but there is an alternate site where many of us have linked in.

I'm not really a photographer of people.  About the only place I seem to have people in my photographs is when I am at the downtown Greenmarket.  Every Sunday, local farmers and crafters gather downtown to sell their wares.  It's a lot of fun to try all the goodies.  I personally like supporting all these local farmers. This particular day was quite warm, and I'd sat myself down on the curb and was fiddling with the old 35mm film lens I have on the digital camera.  It turns out to be a serendipitous photo.  As I was watching the Mu Mu Muesli lady, she was watching customers.  People watching squared!

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm f1.4
F Number	unrecorded, probably f/4
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/1000
Exposure Program	Aperture-priority AE
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Lance, napping

I know, shocking to find a photo of a cat napping!  They can be so difficult to find like this!  :-)  Lance is a funny fellow.  I think he's imprinted on the dogs.

Lens	Minolta MD 50mm F1.4
F Number	unrecorded
Focal Length	50.0 mm
Exposure Time	1/10
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire