Rochester's High Falls [Sky Watch Friday]

Right in the heart of downtown Rochester is a waterfall [ca. 80 feet high]; actually, there is a 2nd one further along the Genesee River. I had lived here more than 10 years and was unaware of its existence. My discovery of it is somewhat of an embarrassment. I was flying back from somewhere or other and, as we happened to pass over the downtown area, I looked down and saw the falls. I exclaimed,"Where has the plane been diverted to?" LOL-- my bad-- Anyway, it is a wonderful sight, albeit not Niagara Falls [which is about 1 1/2 hours away].  There is quite a bit here to see/enjoy in the Flower [nee Flour] City. So, come on down/up/over--

Hydrangeas [Today's Flowers]

These babies were in my neighbor's garden - they actually look edible [think scoops of ice cream].

Dahlias [Macro-Flowers Saturday]

The excursion to the Flower Market continues to provide images for MFS. The dahlias really blew me away -- so lush, colorful and full. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, my sister had a friend named Dahlia [from Israel]. I never forgot that name -- Funny the way things in life connect.

Ford St. Bridge at Night [Sky Watch Friday]

This was taken during the same photo walk in which I got the Freddie-Sue Bridge night pic [scroll down several images].  I was in the right place at the right time, by design of course --- Both were taken with a Kodak Z1015 point & shoot camera.

Celosia [Today's Flowers]

Occasionally, the Rochester Farmers Market has a Sunday dedicated to flowers. Talk about kids in a candy store-- everywhere I looked there were splashes of bright colors, interesting shapes and wonderful scents. I shot away and, all too often, forgot to note what it was I photographed--lol-- in this case, I drove to a nursery tonight and looked around until I found the name: celosia. Never heard of it -- In the coming weeks, I will post additional images from that visit. It's going to take some self control not upload the whole kit-and-kaboodle now. Enjoy!

Lilies [Macro Flowers Saturday]

The Easter Lily [top] was shot under natural light in the Baltimore Conservatory; the [Stargazer?] Lily was somewhere around the house -- so much for scientific precision --lol--

Freddie-Sue Bridge at Night [ Sky Watch Friday]

Now I realize it is something of a stretch to post a SWF pic with only a blck sky, but I promised last week to show the night view of this bridge, as a companion to the day time shot. The only down side to night shooting this was that the neighborhood was not necessarily the safest -- so, we went out in numbers. It was worth the risk--

Lilies of the Valley [Today's Flowers]

This little beauty has special significance for me -- my wife's bridal bouquet was comprised of Lilies of the Valley. In a way, they are sort of a metaphor for her. At first glance you are attracted by their obvious charm; then, when you look inside [not so easy to do], you discover their true beauty.

Yellow [Sunday Stills & Macro-Flowers Saturday]

This pic serves as a 'two-fer' in two different postings-- I did not really clean this macro up much -- getting lazy in my old age.  For you animal lovers, I did no harm to the bee.

Freddie-Sue Bridge [Sky Watch Friday]

The Frederick Douglas-Susan B. Anthony Bridge over Rochester's Genesee River is a recent addition to our fair city's attractive sights. Affectionately dubbed the Freddie-Sue Bridge, it has become one of the most highly photographed structures in town, by day or night [stay tuned for my night shot next week]. I apologize for not 'photoshopping' out the log/branch in the foreground; it will get done eventually.

Dogwoods [Today's Flowers]

One doesn't often get so up-close-and-personal with a dogwood. I'm surprised myself by how nice the texture of the petals turned out. The raindrops were genuine--

Backyard Ferns [Sunday Stills]

How nice to have a freebie in this 'pot luck' category this week. I wasn't sure how/if I'd find some rubric under which to justify posting this shot. But, these 'lowly' [literally on the ground] ferns in our backyard made such a fine subject for shooting -- a welcome change for me from the flowers.

Rosemarie's Rose [Macro Flowers Saturday]

This was one of the last on the rose bush of my wife [coincidentally named Rosemarie]. I couldn't resist it [or her] -- I stopped mowing and ran for my camera. Voila!

Colgate Rochester Tower [Sky Watch Friday]

I realize there is not much sky for this SWF post, but there is enough to justify including it. The Colgate Rochester Divinity School has a marvelous (neo)Gothic tower that has always fascinated me. Unfortunately, it is up on a hill and photographing it is problematic; e.g., the best views are always ruined by poles, power lines, etc. BUT, as my wife and I were walking through Highland Park during the Lilac Festival, I just happened to notice the tower through a small opening in the trees. It is the only place in the park where there is a view of it. BINGO! Got the tower [albeit just a glimpse] and foliage.