Only twice a year! The Trenton Falls Scenic Trail is only opened twice a year. I missed it last year when it opened after two years of closure due to the pandemic. I was not going to miss it this year. As soon as the date was set for the Spring I added it to my calendar.
Saturday was supposed to be heavy rains (which barely arrived late in the afternoon) and Sunday was going to be nicer. In the morning, I wasn’t so confident I would be able to go as the clouds were hanging around and it was unexpectedly raining (barely, but still!).
Around 10:30am the day started to turn the corner toward being nice… so, I went to the the falls. I was hoping the early morning weather would keep the crowds lite (it did!). Very few people on the trails and at the overlook locations. I was able to get as many pictures as I wanted. The bonus was the overcast sky definitely helped with exposing the water correctly as I wanted long exposures.
After the trail was fully explored I stopped downstream at my favorite location on the West Canada Creek. The area around Morgan’s Mill Dam was totally photogenic as the sun started to make an appearance.
Come along with me and see what used to be a tourist stop in Central New York back in the early 1800’s…
(click on an image to view all pics in the gallery)
It was a long week! The new hours at work are not a problem but there was a Lean Leadership event this week. I was only a participant in one of the events but I was at work until almost 4pm most days. By the end of the event on Friday I was determined to leave on time.
I got home, changed into some walking attire and headed for the trail along the Mohawk River. Temps in the low 70’s, sun shining and a slight breeze. A great way to unwind!
Hopefully you will enjoy my walk as well…
Mohawk River Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/320s, 21mm, f/8, ISO 200
Secluded Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/100s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
Winding Through Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/400s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
Slow Flow Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/400s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200
The Way Back Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/60s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
A quick visit to Delta Lake for the sunset. A few hours before this there were a few clouds in the sky which I would have loved for this image. Apparently, they found better sky to the west. The orange glow was not to be missed though…
Memories of a Sunset Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/200s, 31mm, f/11, ISO 200
I’m getting ready for a trip to Florida and decided to look through my images from my last trip to Walt Disney World. Plenty of images to process. My favorites have already been posted (considering last trip was two years ago), but I did find this one.
It was late at Epcot and I was on my way back to the resort. I stopped for a look at the Morocco Pavilion from the International Gateway. I can’t resist a good reflection and the pavilion is a favorite of mine. I didn’t get one of the tripod legs completely locked. During the 4 second exposure the camera started to fall over. I caught it but not before this image was captured.
I like it! 🙂
When a camera falls Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 4s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 400
But as I mentioned yesterday, the light could not be ignored.
The sun was rising and I was losing the morning blue hour.
Where? The easy answer was Bellamy Harbor. Fine, but not from the end by the control gates. Go to Mill Street and include the water tower. Easy and quick choice. Now, go!
I made it as far as turning down East Dominick Street and I had to stop. It felt like there was an image here. I really liked the street lights and the contrast with the color in the sky. I pulled into the lot next to the church. I tried from the sidewalk but the angle wasn’t working for me.
No cars around and a very wide area in the center of the street. I got everything ready and walked out. It was OK. I think the next image I attempt will be better. There is still something here to capture…
East Dominick Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1.3s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200
There was still Bellamy Harbor. The color in the sky was getting better so I hurried back to the car. I parked at the Mill Street end of the park and walked toward the canal. The elevation of the bridge allows for a great view of the East side of the park. I can include the pavilion, the Hamilton College boat house, and the water tower.
Look at that sky! Yes!
Bellamy in the Morning Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.8s, 13mm, f/11, ISO 100
What’s next? I bet the view from the other side of the canal would be interesting if I can include the lights. I collapsed the tripod and walked across the bridge. The sky is quickly changing. Hurry up!
I get the reflection of the lights in the canal I wanted but damn, the color is fading fast.
From Across the Water Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.6s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100
I’m adamant with myself of not going to the other end of the harbor for my normal view. So? Where to next?
I pass the B-52 Memorial everyday on the way to work. The last few mornings the sunrise has been interesting and I told myself I should have the camera in the car. OK, go see what it looks like now.
There have been a few improvements over the years to the memorial. All good, but to me they are distracting elements for my image. I can make it work…
G’morning Mohawk Valley Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 100
The light show is almost over. One more of this grand bird. I move to the left in an attempt to hide the spotlight under the right wing. I’m also hoping to get more of the color in the sky. Not good for the color as the plane hides the horizon but I do remove the annoying spotlight.
The Mighty Mohawk Valley Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100
I think I came home with a few good images. It wasn’t planned and maybe that helped me. I had to adjust and think in the moment. I bet there are more morning images around Rome that I can capture. It won’t be this morning as last night’s rain is still coming down… maybe next weekend.
The week was definitely a roller coaster ride as far as the weather was concerned. I can’t complain through when the final drop was a good one. Friday was another great day. Once again I was determined not to waste it by being a lump on the couch (well, any more than usual).
I was amazed at the number of cars in the parking lot at Delta Lake when I arrived for the sunset. Was I unaware of an event at the park? No, but a lot of people had the same idea as me.
Get out and enjoy the end of the day…
As I was on my way to the park the sun slid behind a few clouds and created a beautiful array of light streaking down from the sky. I might have pushed the pedal closer to the floor in an attempt to get to the park a little sooner. I was able to catch the very end of the show.
Arrival Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200
The clouds were moving in and the expected rain was approaching quickly. I walked the edge of the beach, weaving my way around all the people, looking for one more peek of the sun before the clouds fully dominated the sky.
Seeker Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/100s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
The beach was crowded and noisy. I walked through the woods to the picnic area on the left. I was looking for a view through the trees but that didn’t materialize. I opted to climb down to the shore and grab a grand vista view of the lake with the clouds.
If you notice two objects in the water they appeared to be a couple of large branches from trees. After I snapped this image a few jet ski enthusiasts came flying past my location. I was a little worried about them hitting the floating debris. I have to admit though, they were quite loud, obnoxious and annoying, I might have thought it wouldn’t be a terribly bad thing if something caused them to not work any more…
Moving In Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/80s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200
Heading back to the beach I noticed a small opening in the clouds. I started looking for a view to highlight the color contrast between the clouds and the orange glow from the sun. I seem to fall back to using the trees on the point in my compositions.
Hole in the Clouds Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200
My chances for one last peek of the sun were fading quickly. I was having difficulty deciding if what I was seeing in the clouds was rain or not. There were still a lot of people on the beach but I really did not want to get caught if it started to rain. If everyone else was going to be brave about the rain so could I.
Growing Darker Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/13s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200
I was determined to stay as the sky progressed from sunset into the blue hour but the more I looked at the clouds coming across the lake I was sure I would end up getting wet. One last image hoping to capture the rain in the clouds and then I would make my way back to the car.
Is That Rain? Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/6s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200
Driving back home a few drops of rain hit the windshield. Did I make the right choice? It didn’t fully rain for quite a while after I got home. I bet if I stayed it would have rained sooner just to spite me… 🙂
One last word. I was processing these images this morning when I noticed the sky lighting up with the sunrise. Beautiful light, clouds to capture the colors and I swear I heard my name in the wind. Finishing this post early could wait. I threw the camera bag over my shoulder I drove off into the morning.
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