Category Archives: nature

Water on the Rocks

Posted by Mike on

Reflection Series – RS02

I was in a bit of a hurry yesterday morning to get my post uploaded before work and I did not explain what this new series will be about. Although, I’m sure it is fairly evident what I will be doing. First a little back story…

Last week for our weekly photo challenge (coined Club 52, thanks Steve!) we were working on reflections. Long time followers will know I have a penchant for a good reflection and I though the choice would be a slam dunk for me. As it turned out I was hindered by a few factors, some beyond my control and one (a new addiction to Game of Thrones) I should have kept in check. It was coming down to the wire and I was running out of opportunities.

Somewhere in the dark corners of my head an idea sprung forward. I thought it might be interesting to use my 8×8″ mirror to create the reflections I wanted to highlight. The rain broke for a brief moment late Saturday and I played with a few compositions in the yard. I was hooked. I thought I might have time on Sunday to complete the challenge but that was not to be. I quickly posted my first attempt and immediately decided to make it into a new project for myself. I am going to be carrying that mirror in the car from now on just in case…

Hopefully I will not flood my stream with these and drive people away. lol

Water on the Rocks Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 70m, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water on the Rocks
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 70m, f/5.6, ISO 100

To Bridge The Journey

Posted by Mike on

Fillmore Glen State Park

To Bridge The Journey Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/13, 1/50 & 1/200s bracket}, 58mm, f/11, ISO 100

To Bridge The Journey
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/13, 1/50 & 1/200s bracket}, 58mm, f/11, ISO 100

Ups and Downs of the Fall

Posted by Mike on

I traveled to Binghamton on Sunday to visit with my daughter and pick up a dresser from my mother-in-law. The day started out cold and rainy but by the time I was 30 minutes from the house it had done a 180. I stopped at a few of the state parks on the way back home to capture the autumn colors. This is from Pratt’s Falls State Park just south of Jamesville, NY and east of LaFayette, NY on route 20. I still need to process the images of the waterfall with the autumn colors in bold display but I really liked this one of the teeter-totter.

Ups and Downs of the Fall Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/5s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Ups and Downs of the Fall
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/5s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Adirondack Color Redux

Posted by Mike on

I’m sure I came off a little whiny on my previous post about trying to capture autumn color in the Adirondacks. I suppose I should have let the frustration subside before writing about it but it was a little disappointing. I’m giving it another try with this post since I was able to capture autumn colors on my hike to the top of Bald Mountain on Friday. Just not the grand landscapes and vistas I was hoping for. And similar to the images in Old Forge at the edge of First Lake, here is my attempt to make some lemonade…

ADK Color - 1 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

ADK Color – 1
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

ADK Color - 2 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 46mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color – 2
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 46mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color - 3 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color – 3
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color - 4 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 50mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color – 4
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 50mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

ADK Color - 5 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 19mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

ADK Color – 5
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 19mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

ADK Color - 6 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 42mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

ADK Color – 6
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 42mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Adirondack Color

Posted by Mike on

The fog was very persistent and I was running out of ways to extend my stay. This is the last image I captured in Old Forge before heading home Friday. This was around 10:30am. I am most certain that by the time I made it back home it was a beautiful day up north, I know it was great at my house… 🙂

Adirondack Color Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/16, ISO 100

Adirondack Color
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/16, ISO 100

Grand Canyon of the East

Posted by Mike on

I have some training for work this week just outside of Buffalo, NY. The start of the day on Monday is 8:30am and although I am usually up in plenty of time to drive out that day I decided to come out early Sunday so I could stop off at Letchworth State Park. This area along the Genesee river has been called (not sure if it is just self proclaimed) the Grand Canyon of the East.

It really is sad that I have lived in New York state for 47 seven years and this is my first visit to this state park. I have been thoroughly impressed with the natural wonders of my home state since I started exploring with my camera and this park was no exception. It was beautiful! It was an overcast day with off/on rain but that did not slow me down. The cloud covered sky added some drama to my images and help cut down on the glare when photographing the water falls.

Did I forget to mention the waterfalls? There are three! Each one amazing by itself and from a spot called Inspiration Point you can view both the middle and upper falls together. I spent 3.5 hours exploring the gorge and the walking trails before my hunger got the best of me and I headed out in search of food. I will be coming back to this park.

This is the view from the first overlook area just after the Castile entrance.

Big Bend - South Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/13s, 24mm, f/18, ISO 100

Big Bend – South
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/13s, 24mm, f/18, ISO 100

Big Bend - North Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/10s, 26mm, f/18, ISO 100

Big Bend – North
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/10s, 26mm, f/18, ISO 100