23.44° On this date FSW would remind us winter is coming. Summer solstice 1428 hrs, say goodbye to the light. Days are getting shorter.
Arbor Day The Spanish village of Mondoñedo held the first documented arbor plantation festival in the world organized by its mayor in 1594. The place remains as Alameda de los Remedios and it is still planted with lime and horse-chestnut trees. A humble granite marker and a bronze plate recall the event. Additionally, the small Spanish village of Villanueva de la Sierra held the first modern Arbor Day, an initiative launched in 1805 by the local priest with the enthusiastic support of the entire population.–Wikipedia Every year for at least the last ten Charlottesville Parks and Rec staff, city leaders, Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, Druids and others celebrate Arbor Day, often designating a Landmark Tree. Today the event was rained out (3 inches of precip before midday). Above, Parks and Rec staff clears out a stormwater drain in McIntire Park downhill from the catalpa. I didn’t get the memo that the event had been rescheduled. Missed the people but the Catalpa was there. Matilda and I took a self portrait with the Catalpa. Charlottesville is recognized as a “Tree City” by the Arbor Day Foundation. We are a tree city with a declining percentage of tree canopy. There is work to be done. Arbor Day 2013 Arbor Day 2012 Arbor Day 2011
Surveying Spring mornings are a delight for the eye and nose. A low hemophagic critter index prevails but it is warm enough to volatilize a universe of scents.
natural black and white Usually I desaturate photographs, I take the color out. It is an extra step that has been introduced to the b&w workflow since the days of shooting only black and white film. On occasion there are natural conditions where the quality of the light available seems to strip most color from the scene. As a person in pursuit of b&w photos I love it when the natural b&w occurs. This is the view from the Martha Jefferson Hospital parking lot. In the distance, the silhouette of the Monticello Hotel, in the far distance, the Blue Ridge Mountains.
be calm Sometimes the world is black and white. I am not pleased with my work today but I am thankful for the opportunity to try again.
Weather I like the effect of snow on our community. People talk to each other and the cars slow down.