Perfect Weather Again

I don't plan on celebrating any of the 2026 holidays and anniversaries at the Saratoga Battlefield but the place remains a favorite of mine. I prefer history, reverence and nature to mindless nationalism. Especially on perfect weather days like yesterday.

Wilkinson Trail

Wilkinson Trail

Wilkinson Trail

Wilkinson Trail

Monument Trail

Wheat Field

Summer is Coming

Summer weather seems to be kicking in this week with upper 80s during the day and upper 60s overnight. This kind of weather means early morning outings for the most part although some hikes up at the battlefield will take place during the heat of the day.

Now that the Waterford flight of locks is flooded I can use the basin between locks E4 and E5 as a reflecting pool (not painted a fake ugly blue) for the occasional sunrise. Maybe tomorrow morning. Here is a link to last season's sunrises. https://www.trulandphotography.com/Color/Projects/Lock5-Sunrises

Here are some scenes, including a 16 second video, from an earlyish morning walk over to Peebles Island.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

Opening Day

Today was opening day for the navigation season on the New York State Canals. I wasn't sure if I was going to go over to Waterford for the first lock through on the flight of locks as it was lightly raining. 

These days, the canal system exists mainly to provide free leisure activity to wealthy yacht owners. Luckily, I ended up catching an early tugboat exiting the flight of locks at the Mohawk River end before the leisure craft got that far along. The Seaway Jennifer was headed to the Oswego Canal.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 62mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 42mm, f/2.8, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

Tomorrow is the Waterford Canalfest which this year will be hosting the Seneca Chief from the Buffalo Maritime Center. I may get more shots tomorrow but here are some from this morning.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100