Eastern sunset

Everyone knows that the sun sets in the west, but if the sky is right, and the clouds are right, you can see the sunset in the east. This is of course because the sun on the western horizion is throwing its warm late day colors onto the clouds in the east. And this can result in some magic.

Dusty miller

This time of year dusty miller takes on a slightly different look, perhaps foretelling the snow that could be with us in a matter of weeks.

A fixer-upper

This reminds of a Sunday drive many years ago a with my family. We saw an old broken down house and made some negative comments about it. My Dad then said, "Oh I don't know... I think it has possibilities!" Then he smiled and added "Possibilities of falling down!"

And we all had a laugh.

Wiltsie & Crump

This Pittsford landmark has been standing since 1886. Mr. Wiltsie and Mr. Crump are long gone, but their names are still proudly displayed on the top of the one time general store. What I have read is their establishment was one of the longest running stores of it's type in the state, but today the street level retail space is nothing so interesting.

124 years is a long time, not as old as the moon, but an enduring accomplishment.

And it is something to have your name live on for so many years. Not many of us will have that distinction.

Parking lot trees

I am fond of trees, especially in the fall. I am lucky to have this beauty outside my office building, in the parking lot. The trend toward having trees in parking lots is a great one. It adds a bit of nature in the middle of the asphalt slab, and in the autumn a nice touch of color.

Fall colors on the Bay

Dreary

Cold rain and stiff breezes stir dark skies...

This is the way October lets us know that the warm days are behind us,

and frigid days lie ahead.

Perfect reflection

I have a Adirondack guidebook by Seneca Ray Stoddard that was first published in 1874 (mine is a modern reprint). I enjoy reading it not only because I love the Adirondacks, but because the language and style is obviously different than if it was written today.

There is a chapter on Lake Placid in which he describes the lake as "a pretty sheet of water". That phrase stuck with me, and this photo reminds me of it. This pond in the office park in which I work is often perfectly still and mirror-like early in the morning, and the reflections can be nearly perfect.

So this 136 year old book provides an inspiration for me. And other than a few details in the background, Stoddard might find the scene pretty familiar.

Meet me at the corner

Two observations...

1. Although I have never been very fond of symmetry in photography, the square aspect ratio I use in this blog compels me to look for balance. And now I seek equilibrium.

2. This photo testifies to the difference between design by humans and design by nature. The linear straight lines are a total contrast to the organic living lines of the natural world. It is imposed design versus the unpredictable design of life.

False color

The thing about digital photography is that you can do almost anything. An autumn photo can become a strange spring-like image with a little fooling around.

Makes you wish more in our world was digital and equally malleable. Middle East conflict? Fix it in Photoshop.

Doors

It's a funny thing.

We use doors dozens of times a day but we don't' really think about them much.

We use them to go in... and use them to go out. Depending on which side of the door you are on it is an exit or an entrance.

They are a means of access, but can also be a means of denial by means of a lock. They can even selectively provide admittance, allowing fresh air in while keeping the flies out with a screen door.

When the weather is nice, we like to be outdoors... when it is too color or hot we like to be indoors.

Here we see a somewhat mysterious and hidden door that could be described as being “down and in”, which sounds a lot better than “being down and out”.

Clouds on the horizon

Anyone that visits this blog knows my fondness of clouds. These billows of water vapor endlessly reveal shapes that inspire my imagination, creating thoughts of distant mountains or pillowy cushions.

Tree lanterns

Vessels of light

fail to bring bright.

The dark sky up higher

overshadows the fire.

Shut tight

These are real shutters covering a real window. Although it looks like the shutters are more-or-less permanently shut, in fact painted shut, they are practical protective coverings.

What I find strange is that many buildings these days have fake shutters. Panels that are mounted to the sides of a window pretending to be shutters. They are just a visual gimmick and nothing more.

So which is stranger... permanently closed shutters, or fake shutters?

White tipped leafs

The contrast of white to green is amazing. It does not seem possible or natural, but nature has it's own way, and often astonishes us with the unexpected.

Victorian elegance

It is fun to live in a time gone by for a few days. Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake The Prince of Wales Hotel dates back to 1864 but has been updated and offers the best of the old and new.

Mystery photo take 5

This one should not be so hard.