It would be a cliche to refer to my camera as my flying carpet so pay no attention to this sentence. My camera, however, does, indeed, travel with me, and I gather scenes along the way. Typically there aren’t enough to justify a post so once in a while I thumb through that hamper and find some scenes to speak with you about.
A few weeks ago we drove down to Winterthur, always a pleasant trip. We were early or the March bank was late so most of the daffodils and blue scilla were just watching the weather channel and waiting. The hillsides, nevertheless, were handsome and there were lots of flowers here and there including crocuses such as these.
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I liked the image but it wasn’t a great scene so I “enhanced” it with Topaz’s Impression software filter. I like it better, now.
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I also liked this Winterthur scene below. Some of the blue scilla can be seen but mostly snow drops (Galanthus). What struck me, however, were the tall trees against the dark sky, with last year’s leaves still in place, lit by cross-lighting which is always a more dramatic light (thanks to Kurt Budliger for teaching me that a couple years ago).
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We’ve also been to the beach a couple of times, in fact to a couple of beaches. I wanted to revisit the Foxes of Island Beach (a good name for a novel?). My colleagues and friends have enjoyed many excellent captures there this winter and I had meant to get down before the snow melted but life got in the way. Anyway, a nice visit and here’s one of the results. I was pleased with this uncropped image taken with my lens at 105mm.
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On yet another day we visited the place where summer lives. It was a glorious yes-spring-is-coming day. This scene is from the beach at Holgate. Please no letters and phone calls about the specular light reflections. I did use my polarizer but I love this kind of light and I refuse to dampen it all away. Also, yes, Atlantic City’s casinos should be in the background but it didn’t fit my artistic intent. Let them get their own photographers.
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Now, what else has happened? Oh, yeah, spring seems to have arrived here on campus. I enjoyed this scene this past week as the cherry blossoms emerged.
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Walking on the red trail behind my apartment I found this tree in beautiful bloom. This was more into the woods and so didn’t have an arboretum name plate. My best guess is wild cherry but I’m consulting others more knowledgeable. Regardless of its name it was lovely.
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Finally for this post, Barbara and I attended a party at Basking Ridge and then elected to drive home through Frenchtown, a pleasant little community on the Delaware River with a bridge over to Pennsylvania. We’ve enjoyed a visit here before. One crosses over a small river when entering Frenchtown which continues on to the nearby Delaware. It takes almost as long to say the name of the river, the Nishisakawick, as it does to drive through town. It’s a quirky little village with some fun shops and good eating places.
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Just down Route 29 from the village center we found an eclectic shop owned by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, a search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia. My daughter, Sigrid, knew of it and suggested we visit it. The shop, more a warehouse, is filled with statuary from those countries, numerous other goodies, and a free fresh popcorn. On the way out I photographed this Dancing Shiva in silhouette, a symbolic end to a lovely weekend.
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April 21, 2015 at 7:59 am
Enjoyed reading your adventures in photography.
April 21, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for taking the time to visit, Ken.
April 21, 2015 at 8:26 am
Beautiful images, as always Ralph. It was also a pleasant experience following your ramblings. I’m glad you got a chance to go though my old stomping grounds along the Delaware River with your camera.
April 21, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Thanks, Rich. Just a little potpourri.
April 21, 2015 at 9:02 am
Ralph wonderful images and wonderful stories. Thank you for sharing.
April 21, 2015 at 3:27 pm
You’re welcome, Pat, and thanks for taking the time to look and comment.
April 21, 2015 at 9:31 am
My favorite — the snow drops with the huge trees. Very little and very big. What a great vision you showed us.
April 21, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Thanks, Jeanne. I felt bad about leaving out the images of us on the machines in the fitness center. Next post.
April 21, 2015 at 10:54 am
Wonderful pictures Ralph, and I loved your description of the beach at Holgate: “the place where summer lives”. I’m very eager to get there!
April 21, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Thanks for visiting, Louise. I, too, am getting antsy for the shore. That weekend we actually were there to get the water turned on so I’m ready to go, Memorial Day certainly, and probably full move early June. Best to Dave.
April 22, 2015 at 7:28 am
Good Morning ,
Enjoying your travels while sipping my morning coffee. Thank you for sharing your images and blogging along.
Missed you last night.
April 22, 2015 at 8:02 am
Thanks, Beth. Off to Charleston and Savanah this AM. Probably take some pictures. C’ya.
April 22, 2015 at 7:48 pm
What a lovely place to photograph. Can’t wait to see what you find
April 24, 2015 at 10:22 am
Those foxes of Island Beach, I think you know some…..
Looking forward to seeing you where summer lives. That’s my favorite place, and you keep it fresh for me.
Keep snapping.