| Going out in the snow to record what I've seen is most satisfying. If photography is "capturing a moment" than the ephemeral nature of a snowfall makes it seem almost like taking pictures of a desert flower. Geese on the pond in last Thursday's later afternoon sun will never look the same as in this photo.
My day started out early at the Van Cortlandt Lake. Lake photo compositions are like cheating for photo buffs. There are so many good frames.
As cold as lonely as these photos seem it was a pretty nice day. This photo grabs a little of that warmth.
And a break in the ice on the pond to the side offerd a little relief for the geese.
Lakes make easy compositions but forests are a little more difficult. It is sort of messy in there and someone really should get in there with a trimmer or something.
The north end of the lake is not frozen. I don't think it ever is. 
Because of the snow covering the ground the geese that usually spend their days on the golf course have gathered on the water.
There is another old bridge for the Putnam Railroad there and because of water views on both sides it is a popular place for birdwatchers. I got my favorite photo of the day there.
Across from the north side of the lake is the southern end of a wetland that goes on for miles.
A walk along the old railroad path to one of my favorite places in the park.
There were so many geese there last week that the swans were hiding out.
Not a single golfer came out last Thursday, what a bunch of wimps. I found a hole in the fence and took a nice walk through the virgin snow but I was in way too deep.
I have four photos from Thursday that were ruined by an accident. Back when I used to host Got A Happy Story? I documented a much worse accident in a photographic adventure at Charlie's Hole which might just be the most inaccessible nature setting in New York City. That day was the beginning of the end for my first digital camera, a Canon PowerShot A-630 and the first time I imitated a Golem.
My island photo session was cut short because after the first click I noticed that my ankles felt wet. So I turned around and looked for my footsteps where I very carefully stepped out on this island. I must have missed because my first step plunged my right leg into the muck up to my groin. My left leg flailed into the drink and trying to steady myself with my right hand, that also went into the muck up to my elbow.
There was a little problem with plunging my right hand into the mud because my camera was in my right hand. Well a big problem because I'm very fond of my camera. If the lanyard was not wrapped around my wrist I never would have seen that camera again.
My leg was stuck in this unstable island and by the time I managed to get free I had transformed myself into a Golem. A Golem with soul but still a Halloween horror story that's a little funny, just a little.
I did not use my log to get back. What difference would it make? At that point the water helped wash down my muddy feet. By the time I got back to the river bank every part of me was covered in mud except my left arm and I used that part of my shirt in an attempt to clean off my once happy camera.
This accident was nowhere near as bad but it was a bit cold for walking back to the car with wet feet. Not that I walked straight back to the car and of course I was far more worried about my Canon G-10 than my bones. Here's the spot where I misjudged the end of solid land and found the thin ice. The photo is blurry because the camera was plunged into the snow and still wet.
And the lens was still wet when a father and daughter team passed by on cross county skies.
Oh well, win some lose some. "Hey daddy, wait up."
One swan knew exactly where to be at feeding time.
And not the least bit shy about it but the geese got special treatment.
My day ended with an attempt to dramatize a dead tree in the swamp. Well it is actually a wetland marsh where I get many wildflower shots but I like to call it the swamp. I loved the way the afternoon light was falling on that dead tree and wanted to capture that glow.
I almost had it but I got to "memory card full" first. |
