Gary Filkins [dot] com

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:35 -0400

Yes, that's right.
Pennsylvania has its own scaled down Grand Canyon.
I've got a couple of panoramic shots I put together from the observation area shown in this photo but I'm not sure that this isn't my favorite. We were mostly done poking around and scoping out the area when I walked back over toward the observation 'pad' one last time. As soon as I saw this view, it was one of those purely automatic reflex things to raise the camera and snap one more . . .

This was in line first ...

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07 -0400

I know it doesn't make sense but I took a few photos last week while in Pennsylvania and had one ready to post. Well, this one was ready first and the numbering system I use to keep track of posted photos suggests this one go first.

As I'm in no mood to argue with myself over the numbering system, this one goes first.
The other one will be along in a day or two ... ;o)

Crane Orchard, Fennville Mich.

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:00 -0400

Weez and I went to Saugatuck/Douglas along the Lake Michigan shore on Sunday and climbed Mount Baldhead (commonly referred to as Mt. Baldy). On the way home, we stopped and had lunch at the restaurant attached to the bakery at Crane Orchards.

While we waited for a seat, we sat under this shady tree in the foreground and I snapped 20 photos in sequence that were stitched together to make this final panorama. The field of view here is about 170 degrees from far left to far right.

And if you see this Ann, Crane Orchards was where you and I had lunch the day we went driving in the country on our photo-safari about this time last year ...

Big Dopey

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:43 -0400

This is Big Dopey. Big Dopey - as is evident from his shirt - is a Homie. He was in the 35mm film canister you see in the foreground.

I'm not sure how long he was in there -- or even why I put him in there to begin with.

All I know for sure is I found him today and he's now in a much more comfortable place.

... wish I could remember why he was in that canister in the first place . . .

Serendipity

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:21 -0400

I'm calling this Serendipity because it was only half seen when I shot it.

I saw the man crossing with his cane.

I'd seen the youngster on the right with her (assuming based on shoe color) family just before spotting the man.

Nothing would please me more than to say I'd planned on including them both. That would require better focus. In the photo AND the photographer .. ;o)

What makes this photo today's favorite is the allegorical potential.

Today is my birthday ... I'll let the viewer fill in the blanks from there.

And yes, it was a fine birthday at that.

Christmas Snow

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:15 -0400

Two days ago, this view was dominated by all the trees heavy with snow several inches deep.

Yesterday, the snow was doing that settling thing that erases the illusion of a smooth, satin covered plain.

And today -- well, today is Christmas and there were big, puffy flakes falling this morning to renew some of the visual magic even if only for a day or so.

The forecast for the weekend is more rain (and yes, freezing rain and drizzle) and temperatures in the 40's to perhaps 50 or more.

May we live in interesting times ... my paraphrase of an old curse, origin currently escaping me.

Kindleberger Snow

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:27 -0400

This is for the benefit of all those south of the snow belt.

Today it rained all day -- dirtying and melting and generally making a bigger mess of the snow than it was yesterday.

Now (meaning as I type this at around 6:30pm Eastern) the winds are blowing in a cold front with gusts up to near 40 mph. We're supposed to get another 2 or so inches of snow through the night so Santa will want to bust out the reindeer equivalent of tire chains (hoof chains?) once today's rain freezes as the snow begins to settle on it.

Happy Holidays and safe roads to all !!

White Barn

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:57 -0400

I nearly called this "White OUT" because the general travel conditions were such when it was taken. But it occurs to me that I do have a few photos of said travel conditions and I'd never forgive myself if I had already used the title on this shot when there's a perfectly acceptable alternative staring me in the face.

It is white.

It is a barn.

Shut up Gary -- they get it.

I was channeling Weez for a sec there ... ;o)

Is our children learning ?

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:43 -0400

I'm not sure what else needs to be said.

Or what else "ought" to be said, for that matter.

Snow Day

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:36 -0400

Weez has the day off today due to winter storm conditions and I have the day off today due to an inability to use my vacation time earlier in the year when the weather is not quite so, errrr, wintry.

She's enjoying being able to walk on her treadmill and plan a walk in a nearby park and generally not be at work.

I'm enjoying being able to pretend I'm out taking snow pictures by merely pointing my camera out one of our many windows.

So long as we're both enjoying it's a good day, snow or no snow . . .