Skywatch Friday

Our annual visit to Pigliavento Greenhouses for Mother's Day.  Local plants, raised by a local farmer, destined for local gardens!

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	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1600
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Police bikes

The local police departments had a show and tell day at Rotterdam Square Mall.  We went for the Child ID program, and near their table were these motorcycles belonging to the Schenectady Police Department.  I knew we had Harleys, but the dirt bike was new to me.  I wonder how often that gets taken out?

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	1/250
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	1600
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Vinca vine

Several years ago, we bought some of this vine (Vinca major) as a decorative touch for the flower boxes at the front steps.  Being a vine, it climbed down the side of the steps and rooted itself into the dirt next to them.  I thought for sure the winter would kill it; snow and ice accumulate exactly in that spot.  Well, the next spring, the vine came back: not in the flower pot, but down below!  This winter we had very little snow, and thus very little insulation on the ground.  I feared the worst for this vine, but to my happy surprise, it not only survived: it flowered!  I had no idea this thing could flower, and here it is, a beautiful purple.

As usual, kudos to my better half who identified it straight away.  I, as usual, hadn't a clue what it's called.

F Number	8.0
Lens ID	-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

Skywatch Friday

A couple of rainy days and then... this! 

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	-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/1600
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Two kinds of blue

Well, blue may be a misnomer, but it makes for a funnier title.  Violets and... I'm not sure what.  It just grows here, unbidden.  I guess that makes it a weed, but I'm not pulling it up.  I think those tiny flowers are beautiful.  Oddly enough, we didn't plant the violets either, so I guess that makes them a weed, 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	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	100
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Tara Kitchen

Tara Kitchen has recently opened downtown on Liberty Street.  We've become friends with the owners Aneesa and Muntassim (I hope I spelt that right - I've only ever heard them spoken!) through their presence at the Greenmarket.  Lovely people, wonderful food.  They're not at the Greenmarket during the summer; they have lunch hours at their own place now.  Of course I couldn't resist.  I had a lamb merguez that was bubbling hot and lovely.  The lamb was perfect and I think I'll be having that again.  This photo was taken as I sat at the long counter in the front of the restaurant.  I couldn't resist the beautiful shapes, colours and reflections.

If you're in the Schenectady area, drop in and sample this marvelous cuisine!  I have no financial interest in the restaurant; I'm just enthusiastic about a new small business opening in the city.

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	800
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Pileated woodpecker

Walking out of work today I heard a very cool bird, and saw this pileated woodpecker digging bugs out of the ground.  I got a few photos of him, but having forgot to set the ISO high enough for the late afternoon light, they are quite blurry.  As he flew across the parking lot to more distant trees, I followed him.  It's still blurry, but I like how it turned out anyway!  This image is cropped from the larger one.  I really need a fast prime lens for this camera...

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