Way up there

Of course cell phone towers are not unusual these days, but finding two (unafraid of heights) workmen on top is not something you see every day. I am not sure why I looked up to see them there, apparently installing another antenna. Perhaps it was a result of my keen observation skills, or just perchance. Most likely dumb luck. For all I know, maybe there are always two men on the top of cell phone towers!

I realize it is difficult to see, even when looking at the larger version (click the image to make it bigger), so I have also included a greatly cropped blow-up (again, click it). I only had a 14mm wide angle lens (28mm equivalent) on my MFT camera, so getting a close shot was out of the question, unless I climbed up the tower myself.

No chance of that...

High water... again

Ellison Park is again flooded. We have had a wet July, and yesterday was a rainfall record maker, yet the weekends have been pleasant.

Cruising the canal

Just beyond the split

A few days ago I posted an image of an abandoned lock from the early days of the Erie canal. I mentioned that the canal had been rerouted to bypass downtown Rochester when it was enlarged and improved back in the early 1900's. This picture shows what remains of the older pathway about a mile away from the lock and just beyond the split to the new channel (the newer section looks like this).

It is pretty amazing that the remnant of a two hundred year old ditch still contains a bit of water a hundred years since it was last active as a canal. Of course I am sure rainwater does collect (and stagnate) in this trough, but still it is unexpected.

Berry red

I love the quality of transmitted light and the brilliant color that can result. These berries seem to be generating color from within.

Reflected light can also impart stunning color, but it never achieves quite the same result.

Stained glass and mosaic can both be beautiful but it is the pure saturated color of the glass I find most dazzling.

Remnant

This is what's left of an old Erie Canal lock in Pittsford, New York. The original canal opened in 1825 and was only 40 feet wide and four feet deep. This lock operated for about 100 years until the canal was improved, enlarged and rerouted to bypass Rochester's downtown.

Although much of the old canal pathways have been repurposed and carry interstate highways, this section has only been disturbed by the return to nature, and is largely unknown and hidden behind Pittsford Plaza. But to those that know, it also provides a rustic walking trail along the former tow paths.

Farmers market

Many towns and villages have farmers markets during the summer months, but I really admire the care and creativity that went into these banners. Don't know who did the illustration, but I like it.

Cattails

The wall

Wood ears

That is what I remember my dad calling them, although they do not look like the description I find on Wikipedia.

These are growing in a shaded part of my back yard on the trunk of a tree. So whatever they are, they are interesting looking fungus (I presume).

Autumn colors in summer

Around here we think of green trees in summer and red/orange/yellow trees in the fall, but that is not always the case. The colorful tree pictured here sprouted autumnal colors right from the start this spring, offering a nice contrast to the more common colored trees that surround it.

Slow: Baby Deer

I noticed something new on a side street I pass each day. Someone must be an animal lover, although I think everyone would love to see a baby deer protected.

Shades and shapes of green

Sometimes shapes and colors in nature look almost as though they are not real... that they are artificially designed, or maybe cut out from paper.

But it is real life and a testament to the variety and diversity found in the natural world.

Boat house

Don't rain on my picnic

Hoping the weather man is right and we have great weather for Independence Day here in the good old US of A.

Wild rose

It probably is not really a wild rose, but a simple old fashion flower that to me possesses understated beauty. But look closely (as usual, click to enlarge) and see the intricacies of natures design.