Monday, November 29, 2010

What the heck?

It was cold this morning, only 24℉, the deepest freeze this year so far.

When I got to the office park where I work the geese that frequent the ponds were making a lot of noise, like something was wrong. So I stopped to watch and see what was going on.

A thin crust of ice had formed on the ponds, and it appeared the geese were suddenly aware that they could walk on water! You would think that Canadian geese would be well aquatinted with ice, but it appeared not to be so. They were shuffling along and seemed to be amazed by this miraculous change in their environment.

Then I looked up and saw a group of about 8-10 geese coming in for a landing (and unfortunately missed the shot). Their landing presented them with a surprise... as they landed each slid about 10 feet before coming to a stop.

I enjoyed the show.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fake

A beautiful and colorful collection of fresh flowers. But you have been deceived. This shop is a purveyor of artificial flowers. Even on close inspection the flowers remain surprisingly realistic, although not fragrant.

Flowers that do not wilt, loose their freshness and retain their colorful lasting beauty... there is a place for these works of art, but they are not a replacement for natures grandeur.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Strands of gold

They say that money doesn't grow on trees, but as this photo shows, apparently gold does!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Get to the point

Most churches have steeples, and most church steeples tapper to a point. But the point of this steeple is remarkable. If I could magically float up to the top I think I could prick my finger on it.

I have driven by this church for 30 years and still marvel at the sharpness of this spire.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Styrofoam snow

Not really styrofoam, but it looks like it. This is the first morning we woke to the white frozen water crystals. Not enough to bother about, but suggestive of the coming winter months.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Motion picture

OK, it's a still image, but there is a lot of motion in it.

This is what my ride home looks like now... well, maybe after too much caffeine.

Actually this night traffic was movings slow... a rubber neck delay... and so to amuse myself I took out my constant companion and fired off a few slow shutter speed photos.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Concrete quilt

You would think that a concrete brick wall would absorb moisture more-or-less evenly, but here's proof to the contrary. In this case it forms a concrete mosaic of a quilt. I wonder why?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Faded glory

Gone the red, the orange, the gold.
In its place the browns, the blacks, even mold.

But still there's beauty to behold.
The shapes, the contrast, the muted tone.

And in a season yet untold.
Fresh growth will spring, to succeed the old.

It is easy to believe that what is today, is what will always be. But life moves in cycles. What seems like reality is only a passing phase. What fades will soon be restored.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Wheel of misfortune

At first I though this building had a steering wheel! But everyone knows that buildings do not have steering wheels... they have rudders.

Actually this is a fire system valve handle. Essentially a file hydrant built into the wall. It is one of those things you hope you never need to use.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Another reflection

Almost looks like a Photoshop trick, but no, it is not.

Leaving work the sky had this great pink and blue light. Walking over to the pond I was able to capture not only the sky, but the mirror image on the surface of the water.

A minute later and it was gone.

Timing is everything, and being lucky is sublime.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Frosty rocker

So this is how it often works...

I am on my way to work, trying to be observant. I see something unusual, in good light, or unusual... or just something unexpected... but I drive by.

Iv'e got to get to work.

Then something in me clicks, I slow the car down, and simultaneously let out a low sigh!

I turn around... and drive back.

So why is there a frosty bright red rocking chair on the curb in the middle of a pile of leaves? I have no idea.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fog settles in Tryon

In the valley distant is modern day Ellison Park. This morning a thick fog covered the hollow below, creating a dreamy drive through the park.

This lawn, now a county golf course, was once a thriving town occupied long before there was a Rochester. In fact 200 years ago this was the major trade center between Queenston in Canada to the west, and Oswego to the east.

The "Lost City of Tryon" was comprised of a five-story warehouse, flour mill, customs house, a tavern, a distillery, a shoe factory and a number of houses. But once the Erie Canal was built the regional focus quickly moved to Rochester and the Port of Charlotte.

It is hard to believe that here on today's silted and slow moving Irondequoit Creek, large schooners once docked, enabling trade and commerce for the region.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Beauty or ugliness?

Both can attract your attention.

And they can sometimes be hidden in the other.

So I try to take the time to find the beauty in the ugliness. And ignore the ugliness in the beauty.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Big doors

These are the lower gates of lock 33 on the Erie Canal. They are within easy walking distance from my place of work. In fact, if the south wall of the canal was to break, my car and likely me would be under water. There was a canal break a number of years ago a bit farther to the east, and cars and offices and homes were flooded. Fortunately that does not happen often.

These gates are the doors that allow boats and barges to enter and leave the lock. Gates are located on each end of the lock. Once the doors are closed on both ends, the water level can be raised or lowered solely by gravity.

The locks were also symbolic doors when the original canal was built in 1821. It created a doorway to the Great Lakes, and by extension, opened the continent allowing relatively fast, inexpensive and convenient travel. It is the canal that made Rochester a city, along with many other towns in its path.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Birds

The leaves have abandoned these trees, but the birds certainly have not.

In fact there are hundreds of them. Perhaps it is a family reunion? Maybe they are grouping together in preparation to their migration south?

At any rate as they say, "birds of a feather, flock together."


Monday, November 1, 2010

The Calumet

Calumet is the what the French called the American Indian peace pipe. So it is ironic that this building, called "The Calumet", once housed the Buffalo chapter of the Klu Klux Klan. It is equally astonishing that the KKK even had a following in this northern upstate city.

The Calumet is a distinctive art nouveau designed glazed terra cotta building constructed in 1906. It presently houses an upscale restaurant, and was recently purchased and will be restored by a law firm for their offices on the upper floors.