vacation

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A great morning at the lake

Posted by Photonstopper on May 23, 2012
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Photo: Great Blue Heron flies low over water. Photo by James Guilford.

In hot pursuit, this Great Blue Heron banks and accelerates low over the water

Sometimes you think you’ve missed the “perfect shot” when, really, you’ve already captured it. Today, vacation day #3, I was visiting Hinckley Lake. I’d not been to the lake in some time and thought I should check in. I came across a Great Blue Heron fishing in the shallows. Just as I got into position to shoot some stills of the big bird, it leaped into the air! I began firing the shutter. I don’t think the bird took flight because of me… I believe it was pursuing another heron fishing around the shoreline from where I was standing. Soon the two birds were charging out over the lake, one after the other and I got what I’d hoped would be the best pictures of the day. I was mistaken. As I was photographing the first bird early in its pursuit, I recorded a couple of images that later surprised me. In my favorite, the heron is banking whilst flying so low to the lake surface a wingtip dragged briefly in the water kicking up a wake! In the second shot (technically made earlier) the Great Blue is stretched out in flight while below, shore birds work for a living on a sandbar. All-in-all a great morning at the lake.

Photo: Great Blue Heron flying low over shallow water. Photo by James Guilford.

Pursuit begins as the huge bird takes off, over innocent bystanders below

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Time out

Posted by Photonstopper on May 21, 2012
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Photo: Great Blue Heron against a clear, blue sky. Photo by James Guilford.

With its outstretched wings filled with air, a Great Blue Heron is a truly awe-inspiring sight.

This, the morning of my first day of my vacation week was spent enjoying nature in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Doing what? Following the progress of the Great Blue Heron families at their rookery, of course! I arrived a little after 9:00 AM and it seemed the birds were only beginning to stir. There was a constant background noise –chattering amongst the birds– but not much activity in the air. As time passed birds began to take flight, seeking food for their burgeoning babies, and I watched with undiminished awe as they flew overhead.

Photo: Family of Great Blue Herons in their nest. Photo by James Guilford.

A family of Great Blue Herons begins their day, preening and sunning in their nest.

The young birds, when they can be seen, appear to have adult feathers and markings and are hard to tell from their parents in the nests. It’s been close to a month since I was last at the rookery (blame weather and work) and at that time I’d seen no chicks at all. Today there were birds everywhere. Adults were making regular food runs to nearby wetlands, ponds, and streams. The parents could also be seen, on occasion, carrying nesting materials, most likely for making repairs.

Photo: A Redwinged Blackbird strafing a Great Blue Heron. Photo by James Guilford.

A Redwinged Blackbird strafing and chasing a Great Blue Heron from its territory.

At the nearby “Beaver Marsh” area of the national park area, I watched for herons fishing. I’d seen one earlier and had hiked to a spot I thought might provide a better view. Just as I spotted the bird, it took off but possibly not because of me. In hot pursuit was a relatively tiny Redwinged Blackbird! The redwings inhabit the marsh in great numbers and are constantly squabbling over territory there. It seems, however, that NO interloper is to be tolerated: the tiny black bird chased the big adult heron, even physically strafing it before turning back towards home.

Pictures and happier times

Posted by Photonstopper on July 18, 2010
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Clouded Leopard #0323
Clouded Leopard #0323

Although it's a Sunday, we consider this the last day of our vacation week. (Somehow it seems wrong to consider Sunday a vacation day but never mind.) We set off on an expected short visit to our own Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We arrived just before official opening for the day today and hope to plan our visits that way often in future: early arrivals get prime parking spots, no lines at the gate, and the animals are active. The flamingos were more interesting today than at any time we have seen them before, close to their enclosure wall as well. The cheetas were also busy: chasing, pacing, and one even jumped up into a tree — also something we'd not seen before. We were shooting photographs a good part of the time, taking it easy and trying not to overheat in the mid-July sun and humidity. It was in the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building that I got my two "shots of the day." A newly-arrived clouded leopard was exploring its indoor enclosure giving me many opportunities to capture its image. I consider the clouded leopard to be the most beautiful of the great cats. At any rate, I shot many exposures of the animal using my little Canon PowerShot G11 and was rewarded with two pictures that I love: a lovely still portrait and a more dynamic image of the cat. Then we went home to hide from the heat. Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind. It won't take long for the stress to build back up but at least we'll have pictures to remind us of happier times!

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A good long day

Posted by Photonstopper on July 18, 2010
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Good Old #6
Good Old #6

We decided as part of our vacation to head to Jefferson, Ohio, and take a ride on the excursion passenger train that operates there: the Ashtabula, Carson & Jefferson Scenic Line. As we were planning the trip we discovered, to our delight, that Saturday would be a rare opportunity to ride the train when it was being powered by a fully-restored steam locomotive instead of the usual diesel. Whoo-hoo! So we packed up our camera gear and headed out early into the muggy morning for the trip to Jefferson. We were among the first visitors to arrive at the downtown departure point due entirely to my mistake — I was under the impression the trip was to begin at 11:00 AM when, actually, it was scheduled for 1:00 PM. Oh well. We walked around the old railroad station there, strolled towards the center of town. We looked for and found a place to eat. Then headed back to the railroad. They were selling tickets and the beautiful little tank engine was nearing a full head of steam. The ride was rocky and full of steam hissing, whistle blowing, coal smoke, ash, and cinders… in other words, very enjoyable. Most fun for me was simply seeing the old engine at work and watching the various reactions children had to their experience: the full range from apathy to terror to delight. Sunday night they actually run the engine on to a specially equipped flat bed trailer, empty the boiler and coal scuttle, and drive it away.

Portage Thunderstorm #0259
Portage Thunderstorm #0259


Saturday night was a scheduled Open Night at the Observatory. Even before heading out conditions were changeable. The mixed forecasts called for partly cloudy skies with the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Seeing conditions, well, the forecast was from no good to okay. Driving towards College I watched a massive thunderstorm building in the east, ahead of me, and three cloud towers billowing in the southern sky; they were all beautiful but didn't promise good skies for stargazing. I opened the Observatory and my first visitors for the night began arriving shortly thereafter. Due to neighboring trees, we hauled the portable 10-inch reflector out to the lawn to catch a look at the Moon which was floating in clear sky. Nice views enjoyed by all present. Even as we watched a shelf of clouds moved steadily from the northwest first obscuring, then covering the Moon and the rest of the sky. As a few more folks arrived we talked about telescopes and adjourned to the Observatory interior to see and discuss the big refractor. In all 23 people took a chance that the sky would be clear enough and visited. By about 10 PM we were all talked out, there were flashes of lightning in the sky along with rumbles of thunder. I closed up, picked up my gear and loaded the car. As I left I could see patches of clear sky and one of my intended showpieces –Antares, the red supergiant star in Scorpius– shining through a "sucker hole" in the southern sky. In the west, flashes of lightning. A changeable sky, indeed.

I got home by midnight ending a good long day.

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Out and about

Posted by Photonstopper on July 17, 2010
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Turn a Leaf #0241
Turn a Leaf #0241

We did some utility running around today but eventually wound up at the Lorain County Metro Parks' French Creek Reservation. We took a little hike there on their well-groomed woodland trails. We also visited their temporary exhibit of captive butterflies. The outdoor tent was a bit cramped but it was fun sharing the space with flowering plants, fluttering butterflies, and other interested folks. We ended our outing with dinner at Max & Erma's where we enjoyed spicy black bean burgers with dark green side salads. A long, warm day but a good one!

Creeping Butterfly #0232
Creeping Butterfly #0232

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Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Posted by Photonstopper on July 15, 2010
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This vacation day we visited the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium for the first time. The day was sunny and hot and the place is quite expansive. At first we were unimpressed by the exhibits but as we worked our way around the grounds and through some of the buildings, we discovered wonderful things again and again.

Polar Bear Butt #0061
Polar Bear Butt #0061

The underwater polar bear viewing area was bright, beautiful, and very popular. Looking up though the clear waters we could see many fish swimming against the mirror-like surface. Of course the big attraction was a polar bear who, while we were there, decided to enjoy the cool waters by siting atop the observing bay window. A good time was had by all.

There were many other opportunities to observe mammals and fish from below the surface. Most people walked right by but the sight of fish "kissing" their own surface reflection was art to me.

Mirror-Fish #0083
Mirror-Fish #0083

Although many of the enclosures used un-photogenic fences and wires to keep animals in and people out, there were also clear-windowed observing areas. If there were not too many greasy fingerprints, animal scratches, or reflections, good views and photos could be made of bears, lions, tigers, and a very curious bobcat.

Focused Bobcat #0071
Focused Bobcat #0071

We both shot too many photos to show off here –and too many photos in general– but had a most excellent time. Even lunch for two vegetarians was a pleasant experience with delicious non-meat spicy black bean burger platters available at a fair price, made to order. Mmmm, good!

We felt we'd had enough for one day and left before seeing the African Forest and Australian areas of the great zoo. I expect we'll return one day, perhaps in cooler weather, to see the rest.

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Lazy, hazy, not-so-crazy

Posted by Photonstopper on July 11, 2010
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She Who Must Be Obeyed determined that today we would get out on our bikes. So we headed to Erie County and the annual Pedal Erie Parks invitational. It was a warm morning and the weather grew hotter as the hours passed. We've had so few miles we chose to ride the 30-mile route. In the not-too-distant past we'd have elected to ride the longer distances ( 50 or more miles ) but, well, we just aren't ready. That doesn't mean the shorter ride was easy. There are a good number of river valleys to cross –quick down, sharp climb out– that got me out of my saddle. I started the day feeling bad physically but by the end of the ride I was doing fine. I'm uncomfortable in hot weather but my body seems happy to be active in it. Her new bike will need some tweaking. This was the Cannondale's shakedown tour and the chain dropped to the outside during one of Her shifts. She also feels the seat height may need adjustment. She also felt "tired" in her triceps; the handlebars or stem may need some work. Otherwise the bike performed well.

Erie County Conversion
Erie County Conversion


Somewhere along the way I spotted one of the nicest conversions of an old schoolhouse (or church) to a home that I've ever seen. Unfortunately I haven't equipped my bicycle to safely carry my new small camera so all I had with me was the cell phone. Kind of a crappy image but it'll have to do. This begins a week of plan-less vacation time. Don't know what we'll do but I hope none of it involves having to resolve some crisis back at the office. This week of summer looks to be lazy, hazy, not-so-crazy. That can be a good thing.

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On the way to work…

Posted by Photonstopper on August 15, 2009
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David Fortier River Park
David Fortier River Park

Going back to work, especially on a Saturday, following a few days off can be less than appealing. Somehow I was ready early today and it occurred to me that a stop in a beautiful place along the way might make the transition easier. Though I rarely visit there, David Fortier River Park in Olmsted Falls is one of my favorite places. The Rocky River runs through a broad channel of rock in Olmsted Falls, smoothed by ages of flowing water. In the shadowed depths of the valley a secondary channel, much narrower, joins the river within the park. Trees and moss grow thick there and most of the time the waters run tame and quiet. To be surrounded by natural sculpture, soft light, beauty everywhere, well that's not a bad thing when you're on your way to work.

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Vacation begins: parade blockaid, basil pizza, and fireworks!

Posted by Photonstopper on August 25, 2008
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Fireworks from Balcony
Fireworks from Balcony

After working Saturday, vacation sort of started today. It was, however, a good start.

There was a quick and pleasant trip to Heinen's for the week's provisions –and one donut each– followed by a drive to lovely Hudson and their annual arts festival. It was a very warm and muggy day that became a hot and muggy day. We got all sweaty just walking around looking at the beautiful artwork on display under tents in the city's downtown park. She bought a pretty pendant, I admired the paintings, and we strolled over to the charming downtown and visited the cook store.

By the time we were ready to leave we figured we would arrive back home at around 2:30 or so and run smack into a road closure affecting the entrance to our development. So we headed off to Whole Foods instead of home and picked up some beautiful produce for us and soy yogurt for She. While there She pointed at the picture on the cover of a frozen pizza box and I said, "I can make that." So the inspiration for dinner was set.

Still too early, in our estimation, to go home so we traveled to Strongsville, mostly to use up some time. Spent some money at Target. Then to Borders where I picked up a nice card and a gift for Mom, whose birthday is coming up soon. A little much-needed rain fell and drove the humidity even higher. Good to see the ground wet, though.

The time was about 4:30 so we figured we could mosey home — the road closure was for a parade being staged as part of our town's Home Days and was to have started at about 3:00. Got home a bit before 5:00 and the road was still closed. So we ducked into an apartment parking lot across from our own home and carried our goods into the house. Darned parades! This blockaid of access to and from our home happens about three times a year and we always seem to be inconvenienced by it. Do people still like parades?

So I started on dinner. The pizza dough came together easily and perfectly. I let it rise for one hour. I punched it down and stretched it to about 12-inch diameter. The beautiful homemade pesto made from home-grown organic basil (Her doing) was spread on the disk. The pesto was sprinkled with a little mozzarella. I cut fresh, ripe tomatoes into thin slices and laid them out on the presto bed. The pie slid from the peal on to the pizza stone in a 500-degree oven. Bake for 10 minutes to golden brown crust. Picked up easily on the peal without sticking to the stone at all. Served with glasses of shiraz and merlot. A lovely dinner. I came off looking like an excellent cook.

Later, around 9:40, the town festival ended with fireworks. Our balcony (aka: Chaunticlair Observatory) was an excellent vantage point for the show. It was very enjoyable with lots of colorful and unusual air bursts above neighboring roofs and trees; it was a perfect ending to an excellent day.

Vacation plans for the week start off with what won't sound like a lot of fun: She is helping her mother with some things. I'll put in a full day of work at the observatory building on a good start I made on my Friday off. Work will include (I hope) some interior painting, electrical, testing paint removal technique for the setting circle rings on the big scope, maybe some landscape cleanup and even a visit to the archives!. May not sound like fun to you but I'm excited to have figured out some things there and to be ready to make more progress.

We also plan  to do some things that will sound more like vacation fun.

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I like U2 more than I knew

Posted by Photonstopper on July 2, 2007
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We spent Sunday afternoon on a 34-mile bicycle ride that took us from Oberlin to Vermilion. It was a nice trip and more of an effort than one might think: terrain is rolling and we had to fight a strong wind out of the north. It was a mostly-sunny day and, as predicted, the temps rose only into the low 70s. Also, as I predicted, I came out of the weekend still in need of rest.

I'm on vacation this week. Today I spent running a couple of errands. I have no definite plans but hope, before the week is out, to have done a little astronomy, installed a light switch in the utility room, maybe experimented with TV antenna placement for better HDTV reception, maybe have done a Web site update or two. Oh yes, and relaxed a bit. I had wanted to do more cleaning at the observatory but we'll see — there are other demands on my time. Tomorrow is all medical: annual physical and dentist for me, diabetes checkup for Missy. And the week will be half shot by then!

Picked up U2's U218 Singles CD at Target for only $9.99. It has several songs I know and like and, it seems, I like more of their music than I knew!

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