Cayuga Community College Trail

On this bright winter afternoon I decided to rewalk the Cayuga Community College Trail.

Referencing Rich & Sue Freeman's Take a Hike! Family Walks in New York's Finger Lakes Region Guide Book (Footprint Press), parked at the coordinates below:
Location - N42° 56.727 - W76° 32.662

Stopped to admire the plaque honoring Ruth Sara Goldman.



After checking the lay of the land.



Proceeded down the path.



Came upon the first pond and checked out the bridge.




On a knoll overlooking the pond is a new red bench.




The Goldman swing can still be found on the northern lip of the pond.





Just to the right beyond the pond is an elevated wooden trail.



Came upon the second pond.




There are two bridges and a path on the east side of the pond.



There is a concrete bridge at the northwest corner of the pond. Under this bridge the runoff enters a third pond area.



Went down the path through the woods and detoured to the right for a look at the third pond.




Continuing on the trail came upon a rest area.



Walked east on the trail and passed by Andy, a former co-worker at WMS, and his black dog.



Approached the trail sign and followed the running trail.



Entering a clearing there on the path someone had left bird seed. Eating the seed were a dark eyed junco, a tree sparrow and a northern cardinal. Before I could take a photo another walker who was talking on his cell phone and his dog, Carter, enter the area and put the birds to flight.



Took an alternate path up through the woods. There I discovered an old growth tree.



Went toward the Y-split between the lily pond and a bridge to the main trail.





At the junction noticed this chicken wire protected acorn tree.



After crossing the bridge and entering an open area stopped to photograph my favorite Christmas tree.



Came to the last two bridges before returning to the entrance.



Sat for a moment before leaving.

Winter Photography Workshop

A winter photography workshop was held today at the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC).

This two-part workshop was conducted by Dave Spier. A morning hands-on outdoor session demonstrated how to digitally capture birds, wildlife and plants in the winter landscape. In the afternoon session, Spier took a virtual look at how nearby destinations between Genesee Valley and central New York offered opportunities to capture lighting and composition of landscape and wildlife.

Spier moderates a free nature Montezuma Photography eClub for Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

The program began promptly at 9:00 AM. A group of 27 participants gathered in the main room of MAC. After introductions the group stepped outside and gathered near the bird feeders. Spier pointed out how shooting through the glass doors of the MAC works well. Spier suggested to shot the bird on a branch rather than on the bird feeder.

Walking down path Spier stopped to demonstrate the use of a tripod while photographing a milk pod. A question was asked regarding the histogram. Some photographers feel the histogram is one of the most useful tools available in digital photography today. Spier explained that most camera manuals would illustrate how to use this technique. Spier also addressed exposure compensation.

Before entering the wood Spier noted the edge effect. Here field, bush and pond provide food, cover and shelter making it an excellent place to capture photos of wildlife.

The group passed the observation deck which overlooks Merganser Pond.



Then made its way up Warbler Walk.



Spier stopped at an old grown white oak. There is mentioned looking for texture and side lighting.



Taking a black garbage bag from his backpack Spier layed down in the snow to demonstrate how changing angles can bring a different perspective to your shot.

The group entered the wood and Spier talked about photographing mushrooms and and moss.



The Auburn Photography Club was well represented by the presence of four members - Don & Shannon, Drew, and Dean. Introduced myself to a gentleman who turned out to be Doug Frackelton who used to lived next store to the formerly 77 now 63 in Auburn NY.

Passed on the afternoon session. Wanted to get home to watch the SU/WV game.

Ice Fishing - Fair Haven State Park

Little Sodus Bay Pier

On my way home from the Winter Photography Workshop drove into Fair Haven State Park.

The shoreline was ice jammed.





Shore trees looked frigid.





Ice fishermen were out on the pond.





Little Sodus Bay too had plenty of ice fishing activity.







While conditions seemed just right did not notice any fish on the ice.

John E. McIntosh Home

This house on the corner of Genesee Street and Ross Place was the home of John E. McIntosh.

The house was built on land divided by E.D. Clapp in 1888. The Frank A. Parker family were the original occupants in 1889. Parker operated a business on Genesee Street where he sold crockery, glassware, silverware and chandeliers.

In 1886, John McIntosh joined with Yale engineering graduate James A. Seymour and formed the McIntosh & Seymour Co. in Auburn. The factory on Orchard Street produced reciprocating stationary steam engines. The business eventually would have 400 employees.

McIntosh, a native of the village of Cayuga, lived in this house in the winter. McIntosh served as mayor of Auburn in 1893 and 1894.

Upon John McIntosh's death in 1916 his daughter Florence lived in the home until her death. The house was then converted into apartments.

~ Information provided by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Gen. John S. Knapp Home

This mansion at 107 South Street was originally built by Charles Fitch. For many years this mansion was the home of Gen. John S. Knapp and his family. The Knapps added an addition and the porte-cochere entrance.

Born in Victory and educated in Albany, Knapp read law at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Knapp moved into Auburn in 1860. He was appointed provost marshal of the 24th Congressional District. Knapp served on the board of directors of the Southern Central Railroad, the American Express and several local banks. In 1878 Knapp was appointed quarter master general of the National Guard. Knapp's last position was postmaster of Auburn.

After the death of Mrs. Knapp the property was sold and divided onto four apartments.

For the past several years the former Knapp home has been undergoing restoration.

~ Information provided by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Teaser Tuesday (January 12)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading .





p. 238 - Hood did not believe that armies of devils had worked for centuries on earth to win the hearts and minds of frail and temporary humanity. Stories are lies that lead us to the truth.

Week Two - 50 to Go

Completed Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker. Iron River is a metaphor for the chain of gun shops and dealers that runs along the U.S.-Mexican border. In this police procedural, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Charlie Hood's stream of consciousness narrative depicts the trading of illegal handguns and automatic weapons. At times the horrors of this activity can be upsetting.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

Auburn-Fleming Trail Revisited

TrailHead - Dunning Avenue

Revisited - Saturday, January 9, 2010The Auburn-Fleming TrailMap

This afternoon I decided to take my snowshoes on their initial trek for 2010. Refreshed my memory by looking over my previous entry. Got the snowshoe bag down from the loft in the garage and drove out.

Pulled into the trail head parking lot on the east side of Dunning Avenue behind a gray soccer Mom van with a Buffalo Bills bumper stick. Put on the equipment with little effort and I was off.

Approached and crossed the first bridge.



Came upon an elderly gentleman who said that he uses the trail often.



A short ways down the trail deviated to check out some snowmobile tracks. Evidently snowmobilers are racing through farm fields to the west of the trail and then are using an illegal entry to the trail.





Approached and crossed the second bridge.



Came upon a bridge with no railings or warning signs. Could be a hazard to snowmobilers who use this illegal portion of the trail.



Trail facing South.



Posted sign note made from aluminum.



Trail facing North.



Fire hydrant at south trail entrance.



Trail sign at south entrance.



On the return trip there were four horses in a field to the east of the trail. The landowner was snowblowing his driveway accompanied by his German shepherd. Passed two women who were also snowshoeing the trail. Checked out the well marked official snowmobile trail and was passed by 11 snowmobilers who were considerate.











All in all the trek was a successful first effort. Only tripped up once.

Elvis - 75

Elvis age 75, if he were alive.

What would Elvis be singing today? A mellow country ballad, an inspirational gospel psalm, or a Vegas show tune?

Elvis may have left the building, but he is still the King.

Teaser Tuesday (January 5)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading .





Look at it from every angle. See what you see and then ask yourself if there’s something you can't see.

- Pursuit of Honor, page 83, by Vince Flynn

Week One - 51 to Go

Got off to a fast start. Read Foul Matter by Martha Grimes. Always enjoyed Grimes’ Richard Jury mysteries. Jury is a complicated sleuth and Grimes surrounds him with good characters.

Foul Matter was a disappointment. Perhaps people involved in the publishing industry may find this book amusing. It made little sense to me with the exception of the hit-men.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2010