A New Trail, 249 Years Later

The Battle of Bennington was fought along the Walloomsac River in the state of New York on August 16, 1777. This battle resulted in a setback for British forces and their allies attempting to reach Albany. The failure of the supply mission combined with the loss of about 10% of Burgoyne's invading army basically doomed the invasion.

Of a force of 1,470 fighting for the crown, 230 were killed or wounded, including the commanding officer Friedrich Baum, and 670 were captured. American forces suffered 33 killed and 50 wounded out of a force of 2,000.

The main portions of the battlefield are preserved today as a New York State Historic Site. The new trail which opened this year follows the circumference of the fields along the river where the first stage of fighting ended and Baum was mortally wounded. Some fighting later in the day took place slightly to the west along the river as reinforcements for both sides arrived on the scene. 

Very Happy at Vischer Ferry

I'm finding that, at least for now, I am changing lenses between the 28-70mm zoom and the 16mm lens as needed. It seems to be working out much better than when I was carrying the 24mm, 45mm and 85mm lenses. I think the fact that it is so very wide compared to those lenses, or the range of the zoom lens that replaced them, makes lens changes more natural. It's small size also seems to make a difference.

Yesterday was a perfect day at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve in Clifton Park. The trails were newly mown and dry (not muddy). The Phlox was in full bloom along trails and in the woods. And most importantly, there were no mosquitos (yet). 

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/11, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/350 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 56mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

New Location, Slight Reorganization

I have had folders, both color and black & white, containing galleries from State parks and historic sites in New York for several years. Non NY State government parks or preserves have had galleries but not in this folder, notably Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve. After a visit to another non NY State government preserve yesterday, I decided to organize all such galleries in a New York State Parks and Preserves folder.

The new location, Papscanee Island Nature Preserve, is owned by the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians. Hudson Taconic Lands holds a conservation easement and trails are reportedly maintained by Rensselaer County although a crew from the Town of Schodack was clearing foliage along trails yesterday.

The preserve is located south of, and across the Hudson River from, Albany. It is very similar to, although smaller and less visited than, Schodack Island State Park, a half dozen miles to the south.

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/6.7, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 59mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/22, 1/60 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 100