Hot Air Balloon Rally 2 [Orange You Glad It’s Friday]

  Last week, we left the start of the hot air balloon rally at the point where balloons and their crews had begun to lift off. This week's post continues with their ascension and flight. While I would have liked to go up and photograph groups of balloons over the landscape [we have all seen such images], I lacked the fortitude to overcome my discomfort with heights [and fear of crashing]. Nonetheless, I think you will enjoy these shots.

Hot Air Balloon Rally 1 [Orange You Glad It’s Friday]

    It’s time for a new mini-series: Hot Air Balloon Rally. Two weekends a year, a hot air balloon rally is staged in Letchworth State Park [ca. an hour drive south of Rochester]. What is especially nice about this event is that it is free and spectators are allowed to wander about in the field where the balloons are being prepped for flight. This affords some wonderful photo-ops, as well as interactions with the participants. Today’s posting shows some of the early stages in getting the balloons up and going.
     In the first stage, a deflated balloon is opened and stretched out fully on the ground. The balloons are quite long, and this shot shows only the top end.

The process of inflation begins with powerful fans blowing air through the opening at the bottom.

Once the balloon has inflated to a certain point, the next stage involves  the baskets and using the burners to blow in hot air.

                               Gradually, the balloon fills and begins to assume a vertical position.

                                          Like a sleeping giant, the balloon rises up, but held fast by tethering lines.

The crews enter the baskets, the lines are released and the balloon begins to rise. Check back next week to see balloons in all their glory.

Fall Colors [Orange You Glad It’s Friday]

   Yesterday, Rosemarie and I took a drive south to Bristol Mountain and also along Canandaigua Lake to see how the Fall Colors were progressing. Considering that our neighbor’s tree was nearing its peak [top image], we were optimistic, notwithstanding the grey skies and intermittent rain. As you can see from the pics, we were not disappointed! 

                                                     I guess this must be a red maple.

                               This is the ski lift, shot from the parking lot at Bristol Mtn.

                                This detail was from across the road in front of the parking lot.

                These were from two different locations along the west shore of Canandaigua Lake.

 We were heading back home on Rte. 12N [or had we already reached Rte. 21N?], when this unique tree formation suddenly appeared. I hit the brakes and got out; there was no driving by without stopping to shoot.

Kelby Worldwide Photowalk

    Last Saturday morning I joined a group of about 2 dozen photographers taking part in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk. My group went along Rochester's Park and East Aves. and parts between, not the most photo-op rich area, so we were really challenged. Here is a sampling of shots I'd like to share. Several fulfilled an assignment to generate 'selective focus' images; can you identify which ones?

Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2 [Orange You Glad It’s Friday]

     Continuing [and ending] the mini-series begun last week, here are more images of artwork from  Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery.  The collection is quite varied, as you can see from the limited selections I have posted.  And, it is interesting how often [some shade of] orange was used. Hope you enjoyed this little art walk!

                                     Arshille Gorky - The Liver is the Cock's Comb, 1944

                                                    Adolph Gottlieb - Pictograph, 1946

                                                 Jackson Pollock -  Convergence 1952

                                             Richard Anuskiewicz - Temple to Albers 1984
 

                                                     Albright Knox Art Gallery room

                                                 Albright Knox Art Gallery exterior

Watkins Glen State Park

    Watkins Glen State Park is ca. 80 miles southeast of Rochester. It is a large and magnificent area to walk/hike through. The most popular trail, Gorge Trail, runs through a gorge and contains waterfalls, cascades, streams and pools cut through rock over millennia. From one end to the other, one ascends some 852 steps, so it can get a bit strenuous [for seniors]. But, the views and photo-ops are aplenty. Last week, Rosemarie and I returned to the park after some 40 years absence [last time we walked it was when our girls were all pre-teens]. This trip was made even more special by the fact that I decided to shoot in RAW [+jpg].  I am now converted to RAW....     Here is a selection of shots taken [hand-held] with my Canon 60D, 18-135mm lens.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery I [Orange You Glad It’s Friday]

   A little over an hour’s drive to the west of Rochester, NY is the city of Buffalo. The two cities are quite different in character and reputation, but, this is not the place for an essay on this topic. Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery is a gem and well worth a visit, which we did in early September. My enjoyment of the special exhibit [‘Sincerely Yours’] was enhanced by the presence of objects that were perfect for OYGIF, and by the fact that one is allowed to take photographs [without flash]. While simply recording other people’s art work is not a creative exercise, I still wanted to capture and share these images.

                                      Robt. Delauney - Sun, Tower Airplane, 1915

                                     Amedeo Modigliani - The Servant Girl [detail] 1918

                                                           Henri Matisse - Music, 1939