Author Archives: Mike

Moon Bright

Posted by Mike on

West Canada Creek

This morning is/was the full moon. Commonly known as the Sturgeon Moon, but this one happens to also be a Blue Moon. Blue moons are an infrequent occurrence and typically can be one of two types of full moons. They can be the second full moon within a month, or in this case, the third moon within a “season” with four full moons. Summer started in late June and the first full moon was a few days later setting up this season to have a blue moon.

Rather than repeat my typical images at Delta Lake I took a chance and ran up to Hinckley to capture the moon setting over the West Canada Creek. OK, chance might be a little misleading… I checked the Photographer’s Ephemeris to see how the moon will be setting and it lined up well with the access landing along the creek and the dam diverting water toward the power plant.

To capture the moon and actually see it, you need to have quite a bit of light from the sun. The moon against a black sky is very bright and exposing for the moon darkens everything else. This is OK if you are after the moon and all its details, I was looking for the moon in a landscape setting. I didn’t quite get enough light. The moon was setting quicker than the morning light was approaching. So, I captured a bright moon over the water… still happy with it.

Moon Bright
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 15s, 34mm, f/11, ISO 800

It was a good morning. The sounds of the water relaxed me as I was working the scene. We have had an abnormal amount of rain recently. All the rivers and creeks are over-flowing. I could hear the water rushing over the Hinckley Reservoir spillway behind me as I was capturing the moon. I’m having a hard time remember the last time water flowed over the spillway. I could also hear the water flowing over the spillway in front of me filling the bypassed section of the West Canada with water. It was a little early for the birds but I did catch the sound of a coy dog or coyote (not sure which, didn’t want to find out).

After the moon slipped behind the few thin clouds I drove up to the reservoir for sunrise images. Those will be processed later and hopefully find their way into a post…

Peace and Serenity

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I’m gonna leave this right here, take a step back and let you take it all in…

Peace and Serenity
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/400s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200

Side by Side

Posted by Mike on

Macro, Monochrome
Haiku

As someone who had to mow the lawn on a weekly schedule during the grass growing days, I hated dandelions. I never put the effort into “weed” control like my neighbor so my yard would eventually invade his, much to his chagrin. But the moment I started “seeing” the world around me as I began this journey with photography, the dandelion has been a constant and sought after subject.

I have photographed dandelions in every stage of their life. One of my favorites has been hanging on my wall for years (check out Dandie from this post back in April 2016, Grass). When I first moved into my current apartment I’m sure my neighbors wondered about the guy on his stomach out in the grass pointing his camera at the weeds.

I’ll continue exploring the dandelion. I am fascinated by its detail and structure. I wish to never lose my fascination with this weed…

Take Flight

Side by side they wait
Wind to free their hearts one dream
New journeys take flight
Side by Side
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/160s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Wake-up Clayton

Posted by Mike on

Drone Photography
Clayton, NY

I’m still learning about the drone. I haven’t ventured out much with this summer and that really annoys me. I should be flying that thing all over central NY, hell, anywhere I go it should be in the air. I’m hesitant to use it. Part of me is worried I’m going to crash, part of me is worried someone is going to tell me I’m not supposed to be flying it, and there is a part of me that doesn’t like the thought someone might negatively comment on my results. That part, the last part, that is the thinking I need to overcome.

I did have a blast flying it this past weekend. Rather brave of me to let it free over the water. And look, it survived! The video(s) I took still needs to be processed. They are nothing great. I’m still learning what constitutes an interesting video. I need to find that YouTube channel I was watching and learn again. And I need to practice. As soon as the rain stops… lol!

So, back to the image today. Stay on point! Say good morning to Clayton, NY. The sun was beginning to break free of the horizon, the colors were sliding from blue to orange and the sounds of the town waking up were starting to mix with the water lapping at the shore. It was a good morning to be on the St. Lawrence river…

Wake-up Clayton
DJI Air 2S, 22mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Learning to Open

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

Open

Learning to open
Be not hindered by others
Shine on your own time
Learning to Open
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2000s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Sunrise Cruise Ready

Posted by Mike on

Clayton, NY
Haiku

I have been wanting to get up North for awhile this year. And by North, I mean to the 1000 Island region of NY. Specifically, to Clayton. I had visited the area for a friend’s wedding in 2018 and have continually told myself I needed to go back. Sunday was the day for my adventure.

Sunrise was going to be around 6am. I wanted to capture the morning blue hour which put my arrival time at 5am(ish). Two hour drive backs me up to leaving the apartment at 3am and getting the boys (cats) situated put my wake-up call at 2:30am.

Clayton is on the St. Lawrence River and it was a little windy when I arrived. I wasn’t sure if my piloting skills would hold up to flying the drone over water in the wind so I started by running around with the camera. What a beautiful morning. The sounds of water lapping against the shoreline, the intensifying colors in the sky and the overall peacefulness made the drive totally worth it.

I even managed to sit in an Adirondack chair and simply enjoy the view. Highly recommended!

Morning Light

Water and wind flow
Light arises, greet the day
Your journey begins
Sunrise Cruise Ready
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 4s, 18mm, f/11, ISO 400

I did collect enough courage to fly the drone. I haven’t processed the images yet. I’ll save those for another day. I also expanded on the adventure and explored the coast from Clayton down to Oswego. Sticking mainly to the smaller routes and slowly making my way back home. More on that too…

Light Within

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Macro
Haiku

I went for a walk after dinner. No, it wasn’t because I ate too much… OK, maybe a little.

I decided to walk the canal trail. Not usually as many photo opportunities but I can hear the sounds of the Mohawk River. Added bonus today was the sound of the rustling leaves in the trees. The wind was an issue trying to grab my images, but I was OK with that. The concerto Mother Nature conducted was exactly what I needed.

I did find a few images…

Light Within

Self recognition
The path to embrace yourself
Be the light within
Light Within
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/60s, f/2.8, ISO 200