Shiver me Timbers

Destruction from the tornado that ravaged Salyersville Kentucky is stark in the powdered snow

Fredericksburg Battle Revisited

By far the moat attractive sight I've seen today are these Southron Belles who paused on the steps of the Silversmith House on Sophia Street as the street battle subsided. The Yanks finally pushed the Georgians out of the city and will begin their disgraceful pillage, but something fearsome awaits their advance on the high ground above Fredericksburg

Big Daddy of Carroll Creek Park

This Big Cat was resting by the Stone Bridge this evening and he turned as I was composing this shot. I estimate his length at 24" and probably 12 pounds!

Devils Den Duel

In 1863 on the 2nd instant of July three guns of the 4th NY faced a Confederate Brigade(Robert's). The artillery dueled as the 4th tried to break the Rebel attack. They were not successful but did manage to hit a native fellow son General John Bell Hood who was in command of the Texans and lost his arm here. Three guns were captured by Hood's Division. In the background is Little Round Top.

Natural Bridge Kentucky

Fifteen miles from my old Kentucky home -- Carrollton on the Southfork
This is a beautiful day for a healthy climb up the trail to the bridge. Late autumn always provides for scenic views as seen here as the late afternoon sun illuminates the underside of the bridge

Purple Cow

I never saw a purple cow.
I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow
I'd rather see than be one.

Beattyville

Sears 35mm KSX 1000 Review

Picked this little jewell up for a $7 donation at the goodwill. 1979 sears KSX 1000. Made by Ricoh (Chinon) and it is their KR-5 model. Came with the 50mm f/2 prime and a 135mm f/2.8 in plastic like the Nikon series E. very compact. No brassing on the body. I understand this lightly used kit would have sold for about $320 new in '79. Uses the Pentax K mount like for our K-1000 camera. I have also a 28mm Pentax to use with it. Batteries leaked a little but no residue in the camera. The flash was dead but I tried two others and both worked. The Nikon speed-light E operated the flash ready signal in the eyepiece and so it acts like a dedicated flash. This camera is small and light -- a bit smaller than the Nikon FG and lighter. The ISO/ASA dial locks down. The match needle light meter is right on, and with it you can easily estimate your shutter speed by the location of the match. The film advance is super smooth. The focus screen is clean and has split image and microprism focusing. There is a red light beside the lens up front that flashed with the shutter and is on while the timer is operating Very nice little feature. The only faults so far are a worn-out mirror bumper, which I will replace, and the missing handle on the timer (timer still works great and locks the mirror up for those critical landscape shots). The film advance works like the Nikon FE as an off on switch-but better. It has a spring to close it. You can operate it to take spot exposure readings. The seemingly stuck shutter probably fooled the person pricing this camera as it did me at first. The body is the hard plastic like the Nikon EM. Leather excellent. Got me a hippie strap and bag with it to boot -- also all original manuals. A nice little addition to my classic cameras and a trash to treasure project SN 189174 body

Creekside Step Sign

Carroll Creek Park. I spotted the sign on one of the paving stones near the entrance. Well done--Roman Engravers font. One can plainly see the step in the relatively clean cold water today. This level of detail and small touches of good taste are found throughout this small city park

Bittersweet

That is what a lady trimming for fall decoration called Bittersweet. I think it quite Autumn looking and very pretty.

Wooly Worm Predicts Hard Winter

Black bands dominate. Prepare for a harder than normal winter. This is a Frederick Maryland Woolley Worm, so the prediction may not apply to your neck of the woods

PenMar Park Panoramic

With the hurricane on its way, I suspect the there will be far fewer leaves on the trees soon. There are two through-hikers resting here from the Appalachian Trail. I suspect that they will be looking for cover soon. I checked with them and they felt like the would be fine

Sunrise Cityscape

Baker Park and a Golden Sunrise
I noted the color in the sky this morning on the clouds when I ventured out and drove down to College & Carroll to catch this shot of the city
Laus Deo !

Turn Turn Turn

To everything there is a season. Autumn turning along Carroll Creek

Made with a 1966 rescued and refurbished TL Super Yashica and 50mm f/1.7 lens with Fuji 400 Superia X-tra at 1.7

Going Head to Head

Yashica TL-SUPER

Vintage 1966 Yashica TL-Super 35 mm with an assortment of four screw-on lenses. Time to implement Sunny-16 as the meter seems hosed. I would have paid as much for the leather case as I did for the entire rig. Plus it accepts my Asahi Super Takumar f/1.4 screw mount-one of the finest lenses ever produced.

Upton's Morning Assault

STAND TO -- In the infantry in the defense when I was assigned to the 101st Abn there were two 100% alerts with all men at the ready. One at dawn beginning at nautical twilight until after sunrise and the other at sundown to nautical twilight. I fear the Confederates had not learned that lesson on the morning of May 10 1864 or else if they did they were simply outgunned. At this site 4000 federals attacked from the cover of the woods 200 yards distant and overwhelmed strong defenses capturing 950 and four guns General Upton had practiced stealth to move his regiments seemingly undetected through the woods and lead the attack. He rewrote infantry tactics later. Tactical error -- The Union did not consolidate and support Upton. Ewell brought his divisions to bear in minutes and Upton beat a hasty retreat badly mauled. By evening the guns were back in CSA hands along with 1000 prisoners. Note breastworks

Mason's Rights

Gunston Hall, Virginia.
George Mason bust. Non-signer of the Declaration of Independence as it failed to assert men's inherent rights. In June of that year he had introduced the rights to the Virginia assembly and they had been adopted unanimously. Beautiful home. It is a most pleasant day to reflect on the original Virginia and US rights. One was that of the press to be completely free of government censure. That intent has been kept by a diligent judiciary -- even in the face of rage recently by some. Free men may use parody, cartoons, and sarcasm to criticize any and all. Blasphemy laws are of none effect in these United States. thank you Mr. Mason

http://www.gunstonhall.org/

What Would Teddy Say

IF I MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
I CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Much has been said these past days about the attacks and killings of Americans by Islamic people on Patriots Day 9-11-12. I came to Roosevelt Island this afternoon to think what Teddy might say were he alive today:

Golden Clouds

Civilian Conservation Corps

.

Mellow Yellow

These giant yellow mushrooms grow from a stump in a shaded spot. They are the prettiest that I have seen and the largest. I estimate the width of those two large leaf-like pedals to be 8" across. The cluster comes from one mushroom root that seemingly branches. They are about four inches high and a beige color with the brown center

The Grove of the Golden Stars

Braddock Heights. In 1919, ninety-three Norway Maple trees were planted by the Potomac Edison Company at the entrance to Braddock Heights Park. This grove was dedicated by the Hagerstown & Frederick Railway on May 30, 1921 to honor the Frederick County soldiers who died in the Great War. 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen

In that number was one Frederick F. Carroll

Profile Silhouette

Frederick is exposed normally in the background and the backlighting creates an interesting silhouette profile. Crop of a photo taken at the Overlook

Picture Perfect Pitcher

A good day at the Antique shops

Woolly Worm

Back home we have a Wooly Worm festival with woolly worm races, queens, etc. The lovely caterpillar will begin to show bands and the bands are predictive of the harshness of the oncoming winter--so goes tradition
http://www.squidoo.com/woolywormfestival

Terminal Termitis

This old tree along the walking path in River Bend Park fell to termites this summer. A closeup view shows their handiwork. No doubt a large colony had been established here
http://www.ehow.com/about_6465342_termite-damage-trees.html

South Mountain Sunset

This beautiful sunset was spotted over South Mountain from The Catoctin Range above the Middleton valley. We had just
arrived at the overlook on the Black Thorn Trail and were enjoying the view when the sun peaked from below a cloud bank over South Mountain. As we watched the sun grew in size as it descended and became increasingly orange-red. A prettier sunset I cannot recall. Note the top of the cloud bank and the play of sunlight along its fringe

In Memoria

Army Sergeant David V Williams
A Frederick Community Gathering

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_Comments.htm?section=a1&storyID=139688#.UDvLIYl5mc0

Bungalo

Tacoma Park. A photo walk today in Montgomery County's first Washington suburban neighborhood built to take advantage of train transportation. This style was derived from India where these style abodes were rest spots. They became popular in California in the early 1900s. Small 1 to 1&1/2 stories

Orange Blossem Special

They followed this great song with my favorite "Fox on the Run". This is the best of the season. The lady with the fiddle was exceptional on the two pieces I was lucky enough to catch. This is normal fare back home.

Stupendous

SPLIT ROCKS
In 1783 Thomas Jefferson was here at Split Rocks on Louden Heights and called this view "Stupendous". This view is looking up the Potomac. The Shenandoah enters to the left below Harpers Ferry. The old C&O Canal is on the Maryland Shore beneath Maryland Heights Jefferson's exclamation was quite appropriate at the time when there were no manmade features
(HT to Guide JB).

Sugarloaf Sunset

This iPhone camera does not do this sunset justice, but the  best camera is the one you have with you.

Ooops ! Oh oh :-((

Maryland Heights Trek

I got this fellow grazing just off the trail. Lovely evening climb

Shifferstadt Garden

Frederick
A delightful spot for a pause on a hot walk home. There are picnic tables here and an internet hotspot. I stop almost daily in season to take advantage of these amenities and enjoy a small picnic on the walk home from the Fort and visit with friends via this iPhone (photo post processed in photoshop express for iPhone B&W and softened. Thanks to D.E. for the inspiration)

Chick Fil A Rendezvous

These cars were lined up for several blocks in both directions at Plaudit Place in Lexington. They waiting for a chance to drive through and demonstrate support for Chic Fil A and its CEO's. They affirm American free speech right to speak and provide support for the retention of the definition of Traditional Marriage between a man and woman. I suspect they will show that support in a more tangible way at the polls in the not too distant future.

Natural Vee

Cunningham Falls
These trees had apparently broken free of their stumps and fallen at opposite angles forming this Natural Vee. They could not be any more precise than if placed so on purpose.

Big Band Night

Baker Park
More my speed. The lady is excellent and the band is good

Pretty in Pink

Carroll Creek
After the rain stopped today I spied a tall flower growing right on the bank. A closer look revealed a weed-like plant about 3' high with an interesting flower group that a couple of bees were working over. There is also a little vine that has grown up the stalk and has the lighter leaves as compared with the darker and narrower serrated leaves of its host I attempted identify this plant but could not find in the Internet. Anyway the bee was "pretty in pink"

I See a Darkness

A graphic novel by Reinhard Kleist.
After the "Johnny Cash Remembered" concert in Baker Park last evening, The Man in Black was on my mind. I stopped by the library this evening and noted a display on what is called "Graphic Novels". They are sort of like big adult comic books. The image of Cash enticed me to give it a try The book was entertaining and historically accurate. The author didn't sugarcoat any part of Cash's life. It is an enjoyable read. In musing on the adult comic book I was reminded of when I was a lieutenant in the 101st Airborne. The Division challenged all the units to a Christmas decoration contest, and I was given the assignment for our battalion. I used the heroine of a military graphic magazine we had to train our soldiers in the Preventive Service and Maintenance -- the monthly publication PS Magazine. The buxom comic star was Connie Rodd, who I had for our display riding on the wings of our Division mascot sporting a low cut fur fringed mini Santa suit --Ol Abe the Screaming Eagle. She was bringing presents to the troops and depositing them around a grand pine tree we had in the font of our Battalion area. We took second for that effort. Unfortunately, Connie fell victim to political correctness in latter years. Today I would have gotten a reprimand rather than a trophy for that production. Connie of yesteryear did a great job in conveying good information to our troops and entertainment at the same time. I wonder if she fares as well today. I suspect not.
See here to compare today and the way I remembered Connie in the early 70s

http://kintlalake.blogspot.com/2012/03/t-in-government-comics-revisited.html?m=1

Ultimate

See earlier post

The Man in Black

Baker Park
The group tonight is doing Johnny Cash sets. The lead singer is dressed in black like Cash and is doing a very good job in mimicking the Cash style of talk-sing with that one of a kind voice.

The Man in Black often gave a rather outlaw image. He always was a good man that got a bit misoriented and missed the mark sometimes, but as he aged he transformed to a true Man in White -- more here
http://orderofcenturions.org/cash_johnny.html

Ultimate Frisbee

Baker Park
Here are a couple of players in action in the park. There are about 16 young folk playing and they are very good. You can see the frisbee in flight at the far right. My son Tyson played this sport in high school in Rockville and later at the University of Kentucky as a club sport. I used it with ROTC classes as a form of athletics and recreation. In the background I hear the band has started and they opened with Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash style group) Meanwhile the bell tower tolled 7:00 pm I'd stay and watch ultimate a bit longer sitting here in the field but the nats are a pain!
(Tech: To get this I focused on the grass in the midst of the players and locked auto aperture and focus or else it would have underexposed the players as it picked would have picked up the skylight Green grass carries a value of about middle gray so it is an excellent aperture gauge in challenging exposure situations)

Painted Ladies

Clarke and South Market
Just across from the Deaf School and Hessian Barracks is Clarke Place and the beautiful old homes of the Vicrtorian Era of architecture begun in the latter portion of the 1800s. These stand-alone homes are know for their gables, towers, and bay windows among other features. There are four visible in this shot. The one in the forefront has undergone renovation this past year and is very pretty. The various patterns of woodwork are typical. See more here on the features and some other beautiful painted ladies

http://www.eastconn.org/tah/FeaturesOfVictorianStyleArchitecture.pdf

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies

Patriotic Displays

Frederick merchants put up many nice displays for Independence day and the weekend. Here is one that I found to be especially interesting. It is located at 202 Patric Street. This window is on the corner of Bentz and Patrick. In front on the Patrick side are two more flowers. The arrangement here reminded me of the fireworks over Baker Park not far from here. The blue and white lighting actuated the color and contrast and the confetti on the floor reminded me of the falling sparkles

Saturated Evening Color

The warm colors of the evening sun and a great little Nikon 35mm AIS lens gave this picture of the stone bridge over Carroll Creek a most favorable appearance. Note the effect also on the brick
See more here on color
http://www.ehow.com/how_7330266_rich-colors-photograph.html

Night Heron Stalking

This Night Heron has found himself a perch near the Culler Lake runoff where he hunts aquatic life swimming just below the silt Note his black crown and white feathers trailing down his neck like streamers. This may be the same bird I captured this spring that had a juvenile appearance and was a bit tricky to identify. This is quite obviously an adult. He has become very tolerant of walkers in the Park and me watching him fish for the past quarter hour.

Architectural Viewpoint

South Street Row Houses
The muted colors in the shaded fronts on these four townhouses had a particular affect on me as I began a photo walk this morning. Each townhouse appears to be the same. The only noticeable difference is the pastel color. The bay windows on each house give a perspective of distance to this composition. The soft light contributes to the effect of subdued coloration discussed by John Hedgecoe and referenced earlier today

http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=john+hedgecoe+architectural+viewpoint&source=bl&ots=x5HQlPp5tt&sig=kY_d2xKSij2SFgm5hdKqC_5nrJY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=X8z5T6HbK8fz6wHt05zgBg&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAQ

Using Found Still-lifes

"A still-life is any object or group of objects arranges, either intentionally or by chance, in such a way to make a pleasing composition... 'found still-lifes -- in other words, objects not primarily arranged for camera"
John Hedgecoe

Found on Market Street. The dried appearance reminded me of the heat wave and dry condition currently.


http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA180&lpg=PA182&ots=x5HQlOx-qm&dq=john+hedgecoe+using+found+still-lifes&output=html_text

Diffused Colour

" Diffused Color lacks the full bodied saturation associated with strong and vibrant hues...an important factor affecting the sharpness or diffusion of colors is that of focus."

Market and Carroll Creek. Note the saturated lavender in the closest plant in focus and the same plant in the rear of the plantar which is out of focus and where the colors tend to merge. The new iPhone 4S supports this kind of photography through automatic focus lock.

Tone as a Picture Element

Winter Fog Enshrouds the Bell Tower

"You are likely to know about tone in the context of black and white photography, where it refers to the range and strengths of grays in an image between solid black and pure white. Tone, however, also applies to color -- it's various hues, shades, and tints -- and can be used to great effect"
John Hedgecoe

http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=john+hedgecoe+tone+as+a+picture+element&source=bl&ots=x5HQlNt3rq&sig=56ikQAhqu4KzEbUeal254Reu_8w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AI35T_ziC6Ts0gGr0cnXBg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAA