It isn’t exactly the Monday morning I was thinking I would be experiencing. I originally planned to drive to Ithaca today and visit a few of my favorite state parks, but I had second thoughts considering it is Memorial Day. I was unsure as to any activities in the city that would hinder my plans and I really did not want to deal with other drivers on the highways. LOL
Happy Memorial Day!
After spending the sunset at Bellamy Harbor the other evening I decided to give the sunrise equal time. Once again there are no clouds in the sky but I figured the pre-dawn, blue hour time would produce a few interesting images. The colors about thirty minutes before sunrise did not disappoint.
The very first image captured is my favorite today…
A Bellamy Morning Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1.3s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200
Tuesday was a gorgeous day! Tuesday was why I jumped at the opportunity to work the early shift. Tuesday made it all worth it.
Temperatures approaching 80 degrees. A slight breeze. A few clouds in the sky. Definitely time to go to Delta Lake and explore the trails within the park.
I raced home from work, changed my clothes, grabbed the camera and was in the park before 2pm. Yeah, I know, midday sun isn’t ideal. Says who? Images were waiting for me and I was ready to find them. The muddy colors of spring have finally turned to the greens of summer. I’ll find images to capture.
And you get to come along…
I avoided going to the beach. I walked back toward the front of the park to photograph the area near the park station. The sun was high but the trees around the water still provided shadows.
Blue and Green Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/400s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
There were a pair of blue jays (I think) working on one of the houses around the water. I attempted to get a good image but my lens only went to 100mm and every image seemed too small. That is what I get for only walking around with one lens. I had left the camera bag in the car. Maybe next time. I did like the bench though…
A Place to Relax Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 38mm, f/11, ISO 200
I walked toward the boat launch area as I knew I could hop on one of the trails. I thought there might be something worth photographing near the launch ramp but nothing caught my eye. After a short time the people putting their boats in the water were probably wondering what was up with me. Time to hit the trail.
This Way to the Trail Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/6s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 200
Not a lot to photograph but I did capture these two views of the trail. One with the sun to my back and the other shooting into the sun. Quick side bar…
There is a young professionals group at work. I know and work with quite a few of the “kids”. I do my share of picking on them, mostly in the “teaching them the ways of the force”. To be fair, they put up with me, and that makes them good in my eyes. I was asked to do a lunch and learn for the group. Any topic, doesn’t have to be work related and a few of them know of my photography. I captured these two images to demonstrate the importance of shadows to an image. In my head I was saying “light highlights, but shadows define.”
Go North? Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/15s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200
Go South? Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/30s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200
This trail brings me to the beach eventually. I captured a few images but my real goal was to get to the other trail on the opposite side of the beach. This body of water is lake adjacent. Not really part of the lake but the water rises and lowers as the levels in the lake change. On Tuesday, it was a sheet of glass and I cannot ignore a good reflection. Remember that little patch of yellow tree on the right. We’ll return to that on in a minute.
Reflecting? Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200
The trail eventually came to a dead end (due to high water) so I backtracked to work my way toward the car. I almost didn’t get this next image. I started to walk between the trees and the image was finally processed by my brain. I walked back a few yards to capture the “X”.
“X” Marks the Spot Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200
And now I’m on the opposite side of the water in the “Reflecting?” image.
Wow! An even better view. I stand and stare, taking it all in for a few minutes. And then I remember I’m supposed to be capturing the view. Do you remember the little yellow tree? It is now on the left. I’m fascinated by it, so obviously I need a few different views.
Reflecting 2 Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200
A Little Yellow Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 31mm, f/11, ISO 200
It was a great day for exploring. There are more trails to walk but it was getting close to dinner for the “boys” so I told myself I’ll be back to explore even more of the park.
When I reached the dead end of the trail (before the “X” image) I took a few pics with my phone so I could text my kids and gloat about being out of work already. I processed one using a few apps I have and then finished it with an app called “Prisma”. I’ll end this post with the one I tortured my kids with…
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
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