tulips

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I plan to plant more tulips this fall.  Red ones.  Lots of red ones.  Maybe some yellow, too.

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lilacs, magnolia and more

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Rochester, NY was once known as the Flour City, based on the numerous flour mills which were located along the waterfalls on the Genesee River in the early 1800’s.  But by the mid-1800’s, flour production declined and seed production increased.  With the addition of parks in the area and the planting of thousands of flowers, trees and shrubs, Rochester became known as the Flower City.  Highland Park, in the heart of the city, has one of the largest collections of lilac plants in the world and they are in full bloom in early to mid May each year. I never thought the lilac was a particularly photogenic flower but I tried to get some decent shots last week when they were in bloom.  What I really wish I could do is bottle the fragrance that they have.  On the day I visited there was a light breeze and you could smell them from quite a distance.

In addition to the lilacs, the numerous magnolia trees were also in bloom.  These are gorgeous, large flowers but they don’t stay on the trees very long so there is a small window of opportunity for photographers to catch them at their peak.

 

Here are a few more photos taken that day.  Click on any one to enter the gallery.

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cosmic rust

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There are plenty of photo ops at dump sites, especially if you like rust.

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my blue heron

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I shot these at the Bay Outlet Bridge earlier last week.  I don’t often see heron here, especially since there is usually a lot of people fishing and that tends to scare them off.  On this day, though, there were few people about since it was only 47° (F) and very windy.  I saw the bird in the shallows by the shore and just had enough time to fire off a few shots.  As soon as I moved to get a better vantage point, he (she?) flew away.

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itsy bitsy spider

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I shot this spider in Webster (Where Life is Worth Living) Park on a rare sunny day. (By “shot” I mean “photographed” since it’s illegal to shoot spiders out of season in NYS). I’ve intentionally ignored the “rule of thirds” on this photo.  I think of it as more of a “guideline” than a “rule”.

cosmic cement – the circles (part 2)

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Circles have been “around” since before the beginning of recorded history.  They seem to appear, seemingly randomly, on almost every continent.  In the Northern Hemisphere, they appear as far north as Thule, Greenland and as far south as Lubbock, Texas. Scientist estimate that these 28 inch diameter circles, depicted in these photos taken in May, 2014 near Sodus, New York, may date between 2008 to 2011.  Many questions arise from these circles; Why are they here? What do they mean? What inconceivable purpose could they serve? Why circles? Why not rectangles? Their meaning remains a mystery to this day. 

PS:  The use of the word “inconceivable” is on loan from the producers of “The Princess Bride”.  They have graciously allowed the use of it for this post.

speed queen

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I thought this was an interesting hood ornament on this truck.  For those that don’t know, SPEED QUEEN is a manufacturer of residential and commercial washing machines in the US.  I didn’t know that they made hood ornaments for trucks, though.

On the day that I’m composing this post I’m informed that the washing machine in the ONEOWNER office complex just broke.  I’m also informed that it’s not worth repairing since it’s beyond the recommended repair age.

addendum: We have purchased a new washer for our complex and it seems to be a perfect fit for out needs. And it’s Candy Apple Red!!!  I see a new series about to start: COSMIC LAUNDRY!

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rain rain

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As I write this, it feels like it has rained everyday since it stopped snowing.  Not really, but it feels that way.

more cosmic cookie sheets

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These shots were added to the “cosmic cookie sheet’ collection recently.  I’ve been a little lax in shooting for this series and for that I apologize.  I will try to put more effort into it in the future.  Click on any photo to enter the gallery.

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Alert readers may have noticed a new page accessible from the top menu called “COSMIC CEMENT”,  an ongoing series of  photos I started years ago.  I like the abstract nature of this series and there seems to a few others ( here and here) also interested in concrete or cement. Check it out if you have time to waste.