I could have spent hours here this afternoon but only had a few minutes. It was warm, breezy and beautiful. Its a special place perfectly framed by trees above and bushes below. It really doesn't get much better, but, sad to say, it is the last day of August and summer is all but gone. The leaves have already started to change. The camera on the iPhone is really quite excellent! Iphone 6Plus, 1/1150 second at f/2.2, ISO 32, 4.15mm - 2508
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You might not appreciate this, but I thought it was pretty interesting. The clouds were shielding the stars, but they were moving east pretty fast. So even though I couldn't see anything but clouds, I pointed the camera up just to see what it could see in thirty seconds. The clouds turned into a fog and like looking through a fan, the stars came shining through. The shutter of a camera, when it is left open, never ceases to amaze me. But it makes me curious why our eyes can't accomplish the same thing. I mean our eyes stay open, so why can't our retina accumulate the light? Nikon D610, 30 seconds at f/5.3, ISO 400, 105mm (28-300mm) - 6359
Feeble attempt at catching the full moon at the horizon as it rose. The Boston skyline is directly beneath the rising moon and a shade to the left. Very much shrouded by the cover of the summer haze. The lights to the right would be a split second flash of a broadcast antenna in Needham. The moon was orange in the mist and getting a clear picture was next to impossible. This was taken at 1,282 feet on the side of Wachusett Mountain. Disappointed that they close the mountain at sunset, but in fact, they close the access road 30 minutes before. Bummer!! Nikon D610, 1/60 second at f/5.6, ISO 400, 125mm (28-300mm) - 6307
For now, Katie is pondering what pose to come up with next. Hmmm, she thinks, and a moment later, she comes up with a new pose and then another and then another. Such fun taking pictures of little Katie, she is such a treat. You can tell she is dignified and very possibly brilliant. I expect the decisions she ponders in the coming years will begin to warrant this pose. Nikon D610, 1/10 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 6031
Clearly, this mowing attachment has been part of the landscape for more than a quarter century. It is now as permanent as the tree. An example of how nature will eventually survive no matter how we might exterminate ourselves. A lesson in perseverance if there ever was one. Out of sheer respect, the land owners mow and weed around this monument of days gone by. Nikon D610, 1/250 second at f.4.0, ISO 100, 105mm - 6016
It was a beautiful day today, dry, warm, breezy. I had just shot some pictures of a reservoir in Holden and was on my way home. I stopped here because I smelled the freshly cut grass. You can smell it, can't you. What I didn't see when I was taking this picture is the bird flying sharply into the sun nor did I see the hawk that is at ground level about to grab whatever he was aiming for. I have posted this picture on Flickr, if you are interested in zooming in. It was a lesson for me to look more closely at what I am shooting. Nikon D610, 1/1500 second at f/6.7, ISO 71, 17mm (17-35mm) - 6011
I guess I needed another high altitude vista, so I returned to Mt. Wachusett this afternoon and found a different vantage point. You can view all directions from the peak of Mt. Wachusett, but to get this shot, you actually need to drop back down to about 1,400 feet to get this view of the water looking north. For those that don't know, Wachusett is the tallest point in Massachusetts (2006 feet) east of the beautiful Berkshires. Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/13, ISO 71, 35mm (17-35mm) - 5951
The view atop Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont is exceptionally beautiful. The gondola has you at the top in just a few minutes. Those with the nerve can zip line down the mountain.I did not. It is the longest zip line I have ever seen. At 3,650 feet, the weather changes minute by minute. The clouds slide down the mountain and then rise. It feels like you are experiencing heaven's breath slowly breathing in, then out. Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f/3.3, ISO 400, 17mm (17-35mm) - 5888
On the way to Stowe, Vermont, we stopped off to see the Vermont Vietnam War Memorial originally dedicated in 1982 in honor of the 139 men who lost there lives in the Vietnam war. A great quote from Abe Lincoln is etched into the granite monolith honoring the dead, the names of whom are inscribed on the opposite side. What really grabbed at my gut was the half circle stone wall six feet high and 100 feet long surrounding the monolith and protruding from the wall, 139 marble head stones, one for each lost soul. Nikon D610,1/750 second at f/13, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 5696
I made a commitment to myself that every day in 2015 (at least) I would take pictures so that I could get better at the craft of photography. It seems the longer I wait in the day to fulfill my obligation, the more ludicrous the result. This, if you are interested, is an LED flashlight shining through a magnifying glass onto the ceiling. I can't tell you why it looks like this. The light in the center? I get that, but the mountain like perimeter? I have no clue. FYI, this blog post will get a lot of hits because of the title - which is ludicrous in and of itself. Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/4, ISO 100, 32mm (17-35mm) - 5678
The early morning river runs cold breathing this wonderful mist on this otherwise humid and sepia day. The river runs for miles under cover of forest before opening up here. When you are on the shore, as if experiencing a weather front on a very small scale,.you can feel the cold rise from the water. How refreshing. A very pleasant morning indeed. Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/16, ISO 100, 32mm (17-35mm) - 5655
It doesn't matter what this was before I photographed it. It matters only what it has become. If I told you it was a butterfly wing, you would just have to take my word for it. So, you could say it is abstract, because it is. You could say it is art, because it is. You might also say it is ugly, because it is... in your eyes. But maybe you just might say it is beautiful, because it is, in my eyes anyway and I pray, yours.. Nikon D610, 1/6 second, f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 5611
Conch shells are remarkable with their spires and siphonal canals. We collect them every chance we get. I lit this lit by the iPhone light from underneath. To think that it is the home of a snail. I shot it with my Fuji X100T in Macro mode using the remote control App on my iPad. Fun to just mess around with light. Fuji X100T, 2.3 seconds at f/16 - 2149
I have never ventured here before even though it is not 10 minutes from home. The area is beautiful, serene and bustling with natural life. In the early morning, you can see the mist evaporate. It looks pristine, but was once a managed water source for the Town of Clinton. Venturing into the paths, you can see cement and granite dams, pump houses and pipes. It is property in Sterling but purchased by the Town of Clinton in the late 1800's. It has been abandoned as a water resource for a long time since Clinton now obtains all of its water from the Wachusett Reservoir. Clinton had attempted to sell the water rights to Nestle Company, the owner of Poland Springs, but after much debate, that sale was ultimately denied. Efforts exist to return this to a natural flowing river. Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/6.7, ISO 100, 85mm (28-300mm) - 5585
This is about as tropical a view as you can get in Massachusetts. If Gilligan and the Skipper had stranded the SS Minnow on an uncharted deserted isle in Massachusetts, it may very well have been here. Again, this is a different vantage point of an often visited lake. So nice to be able to visit waterscapes from time to time. Nikon D610, 1/180 at f/11, ISO 400, 45mm (28-300mm) - 5494
This is my granddaughter Katie. She is about to be hoisted into the air some three or four feet above the waters surface and is having the time of her life. Her father, doing the hoisting, is passing on this small tradition that was passed to him thirty years ago. It is what we do, all of us. By example, through pure joy, we pass on some of the most important things in life. Yes, its the little things from which we build a lifetime of moments. I am privileged to bare witness to the passing of the torch. Bravo! Nikon D610, 1/3000 second at f5.6, ISO 400, 300mm (28-300mm) - 5329
As I write this, it is pitch black outside except a war is brewing in the skies and electricity is tearing through the clouds. Pictures hardly do justice to the barrage of lighting crackling across the heavens. The National Weather Service is warning of wind gusts of 50 mph from this storm that is moving at 25 mph. I felt a little stupid after I read the warnings to stay indoors and away from open areas. 1/6 second at f/3.5, ISO 400, 28mm (28-300mm) - 5262
Thought I would shoot up tonight. It was an amazingly clear night. No meteors, but oh my, were the stars incredible. You couldn't see but ten or so with your eyes, but leave the shutter open for thirty seconds and Wow! But even thirty seconds is a tad too long because the earth is rotating so fast, the stars begin to streak. Look closely and you can see. Notice the stars have different colors. Many are yellow, some are blue, others are pinkish red. Some others are blue on one side and pink on the other. It's wondrous. Oh, and there is a planet in the sky. Saturn I believe. Nikon D610, 30 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 400, 17mm (17-35mm) - 5182
It was an amazing clear day today. So much so that I decided to take a ride to the top of Wachusett Mountain to see how far my eyes would take me. As you can see, with the 28-300mm lens as far as it could go, the skyline was fairly clear. It is just under 50 miles as the crow flies. I could barely make it out with my naked eye. If you look closely, you can even see the control tower at Logan Airport on the left end of the skyline. I am guessing the hill you see blocking part of Boston is Prospect Hill and the hills around Waltham. The picture also told me that I need to clean my camera and lens! Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/38, ISO 50, 300mm (28-300mm) - 5126
Briefly visited Hampton Beach State Park today. You can see and smell the seaweed covered beach and gulls resting, fighting or flying. I have always been drawn to the sea gulls. Not only does their flying skill impress, but their eyes aren't that different from an eagle, piercing and very intense. I know this guy is watching me. You can tell it doesn't like me taking his picture by the scowl on its face. Nikon D610, 1/500 second at f/11, ISO 50, 300mm (28-300mm) - 5064
As the water falls into the pond from the brook, the bubbles from impact travel in a regular pattern. The only way to capture that motion in a photograph is to allow the camera to see the flow over time. The currents become obvious. What isn't obvious is the path taken. Why do some of the bubbles wander from the standard route? I guess that is what makes watching water mesmerizing. Like a fire, it is unpredictable yet soothing motion. 15 seconds at f/27, ISO 50, 68mm (28-300mm) - 4944
Up until just a few years ago, some of the best Peat Moss was harvested from this bog. Smart people decided it was harmful to the environment, so the land was swallowed up by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). It is now left alone save the occasional photographer or more occasional fishermen. Mostly, it is frequented by migrating birds looking for some splendor in the grass. It is a peaceful place which I have photographed many times, but never from this vantage point. Venture too close to the water's edge and you will experience the definition of a bog for yourself. Steer clear in the black of night, it surely transforms into the black lagoon. Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f/3.5, ISO 400, 28mm (28-300mm) - 4897
I know we all have special people in our lives, Those that are very close to us, those we love and those we admire and respect. I must admit, this gentleman, who will celebrate a Birthday on the 11th, is quite astounding to me and always has been. Now, at near fourteen, I find it remarkable that he remains gentle and kind, thoughtful and compassionate, funny and clever, sensitive and caring, insightful and wise beyond his years. I don't know what course he will follow in the years to come, all I know is that there is a goodness deep within him that is unique and his soul will leave a lasting imprint on the lives of others as he makes his way. Happy Birthday Tyler Dunham Richard. I am very proud to be your grandfather!
Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/5.6, ISO 400, 170mm (28-300mm) - 4864 Loaded my 105mm onto my camera with off camera flash and went hunting for a shot. This one really captured the genesis of a flower. The bud is wound tight with the petals of the flower soon to be, first sealed smooth in a green leaf like husks. As they mature, the petals begin to take form like soft-serve cotton ice cream from dairy queen. There is nothing better than nature! Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/45, ISO 400, 105mm - 4442
I have always wanted to try to photograph cars. I think I would like it. This has to be the cutest little car I ever did see. The Fiat 500 Turbo. Homage to Italy? Perhaps. But, I have been looking for a fuel efficient alternative for months. Something with a smaller footprint on the environment. This little gal won, hands down. Spirited, good looking, fun, crisp handling, surprisingly roomy, economical to purchase and to own. Copper looks great on a car! She needs a name. Hmmm. Nikon D610, 1/3 second at f/13, ISO 400, 45mm (28-300mm) - 4377
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I am Robert McKay Jones, a photographer from Sterling, Massachusetts and North Fort Myers, FL. I take photographs almost every day. I post my favorites here. |