Happen to be near Olcott, New York next year about this time of the year? Want to see some really niiiice HUGEEEEE fireworks reflected on water (depending on where you're positioned). Come by Olcott; it's a small lakeside town but ooooh, do they do fireworks well!! Come on by and join the (growing) crowd..... you'll enjoy the show!!! Tonight's show is the BEST I've seen in the three years I started calling western New York (WNY) home. No huge fireworks burst higher than the tower of the San Francisco Bay Bridge at New Year's, but all the same... good enough for me, and it can be just as good for you too!!
You can click on the links below to see some fireworks pictures which will open in a separate window. YES, the smoky golden horizon is the afterglow of a spectacular sunset that dipped below the waters of Lake Ontario just an hour prior! Really!
Enjoy!!
Here's a firework show that's worth traveling for!!!
And here's yet another!!
Friday, July 5, 2019
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Fireworks at Niagara Falls
It's been hot here, as it has been everywhere else, so last night we escaped the heat to see the fireworks, in a not-too-secret location we haven't been for some time.....
I made sure to take both of my tripods (I only have three and about the same number of monopods), so I could use my little smartphone holder to make a video! Due to not knowing if my time is fast/slower than the watch of those launching the fireworks, there is about a minute of no bursts while waiting for the start.
It was even nice for us, when we later watched the recorded fireworks, as it's not the same when one is looking through a camera viewfinder. Heck, on the S5 screen, it looked sharper than a knife, but we were watching the original file too!
To all of my Canadian friends, as well as everyone else, have a great celebration of Canada Day and/or the Fourth of July, and stay safe with those sparklers and boom-items with the kids! Please take a long minute to remember those who did not return from a conflict, and those friends and Families that waited for their loved ones to return.
Otherwise, hoping y'all will enjoy the fireworks!!
I made sure to take both of my tripods (I only have three and about the same number of monopods), so I could use my little smartphone holder to make a video! Due to not knowing if my time is fast/slower than the watch of those launching the fireworks, there is about a minute of no bursts while waiting for the start.
It was even nice for us, when we later watched the recorded fireworks, as it's not the same when one is looking through a camera viewfinder. Heck, on the S5 screen, it looked sharper than a knife, but we were watching the original file too!
To all of my Canadian friends, as well as everyone else, have a great celebration of Canada Day and/or the Fourth of July, and stay safe with those sparklers and boom-items with the kids! Please take a long minute to remember those who did not return from a conflict, and those friends and Families that waited for their loved ones to return.
Otherwise, hoping y'all will enjoy the fireworks!!
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Moonbow over Horseshoe Falls, Canada
Usually I wouldn't post such a fuzzy grainy image, but as it was snapped very late at night with my SSG S5 without support or tripod, while on the Canadian-side of the Falls for the first time in many many months, and getting rained on by the heavy mist of the Falls, I'd say it looks quite good!
We had just watched the 10pm fireworks and instead of heading straight home to the American-side, we decided to take advantage of the time (night) and our location (on the other side of the Falls) to snap some night illumination scenes of the waterfalls. The newer LED illumination can be very awesome to watch, and if you were here in the past when the illumination used was NOT the newer LEDs now used, it's a huge difference. I've seen both versions and it's now much better, plus the colors are crisp and vivid!
So we were there walking slowly around the Horseshoe Falls, being all us wet, and the cameras are wet too due to the mist falling all around us; when WE noticed the rainbow. Typically, the mist of the Horseshoe Falls is much intense and can be seen for miles, while the American Falls there is a mist, but it isn't as heavy and disappears quickly. If closer to the Horseshoe Falls, one can expect to see a rainbow anytime!!
Well, we were at the Horseshoe Falls during the night, and I wondered about this rainbow, when I realized it was a full moon night, and the Moon (and Jupiter) were out and above the horizon!
This wasn't a rainbow BUT a Moonbow!!! Instead of light of the sun during daylight hours creating a rainbow, we were surprised by the quite unexpected moonbow creating such a lovely colored arch!
Still NO pot o'Gold at the other side though! Remember you can click on this snapshot to see it bigger ~ Enjoy!!
We had just watched the 10pm fireworks and instead of heading straight home to the American-side, we decided to take advantage of the time (night) and our location (on the other side of the Falls) to snap some night illumination scenes of the waterfalls. The newer LED illumination can be very awesome to watch, and if you were here in the past when the illumination used was NOT the newer LEDs now used, it's a huge difference. I've seen both versions and it's now much better, plus the colors are crisp and vivid!
So we were there walking slowly around the Horseshoe Falls, being all us wet, and the cameras are wet too due to the mist falling all around us; when WE noticed the rainbow. Typically, the mist of the Horseshoe Falls is much intense and can be seen for miles, while the American Falls there is a mist, but it isn't as heavy and disappears quickly. If closer to the Horseshoe Falls, one can expect to see a rainbow anytime!!
Well, we were at the Horseshoe Falls during the night, and I wondered about this rainbow, when I realized it was a full moon night, and the Moon (and Jupiter) were out and above the horizon!
This wasn't a rainbow BUT a Moonbow!!! Instead of light of the sun during daylight hours creating a rainbow, we were surprised by the quite unexpected moonbow creating such a lovely colored arch!
Still NO pot o'Gold at the other side though! Remember you can click on this snapshot to see it bigger ~ Enjoy!!
 |
| An incredible UNedited Moonbow SSG S5 pano over the Horseshoe Falls! |
Friday, May 24, 2019
NOT Made in the USA
It's not everyday, but we go to stores here and there, a few times a week. It's nice to get out and look around, to see new products on the shelves, and see others out and about too. But I am seeing some things that I am not enjoying at all.
Shirts, blouses and other clothing made in Vietnam, India and many other countries, including China.
Tools and machinery made in overseas factories.
An increasing amount of items displaying a label or description of their product, to the effect that it was "designed in the USA but assembled" elsewhere.....
It's a growing trend that is increasing every week, much to my disappointment.
You probably think "Why?" would this bother me.... YOU too should just take a minute or longer to think about it, and you too would be troubled.
Each day, the population of the United States grows. It decreases also, due to deaths, but in general it increases. More births add to this, along with others legally migrating to this grand new world. Remember, most world countries had developed and grown while the USA as we know it, has only been around for a few centuries. Other civilizations have been already housing their people, been adequately clothed, and had weapons, long before the Americas were conquered and populated by other Nations.
As our population expands with the new, more people are still growing and living longer years. What does this mean? Many new Americans will be born, grow, be hopefully educated, even more hopefully will find work, grow to a ripe age when you will hopefully retire, or as is being seen in these current times, still continue to work beyond your 70s simply because the retirement fund - whether it's Social Security or your own retirement nest-egg, or a combination of both or all - is just not adequate due to inflation.
What does this mean?
With this growing population, there will not be enough jobs for everyone. Some positions in critical fields will always hire qualified experienced people in areas of nursing, emergency services, to name some. Other fields which are not high-paying or critical, will always be available in the always-open service fields, and general construction, BUT what happens when someone does not want to work in a occupation that they feel is not suited for their mind and talents?
Here's the other tickler that many are not thinking about.... Many big companies have moved their factories overseas. We are seeing less things being proudly designed, built and sold in the USA and overseas. To you as a citizen of this great country, and hopefully currently working, if you want to move into another occupation, that may or not be possible due to many factors, such as age and experience, area and season, and even the occupation itself. One thing that is apparent: LESS products are being made in the USA, and if this trend continues, you will see less need for such occupations that make these once made in the USA but now being made overseas, as companies continue to move its building facilities overseas, which is taking JOBs away from Americans and supporting employment in other countries instead.
More people are seeing their jobs disappear to overseas strangers that do not live in their community here, shop in their downtown here, or even play and picnic in the local America city and town parks.
As a result, there are more American unemployment, there are more foreclosure of American homes, there is more families that are moving - if they are that lucky at all - into smaller homes, or simply moving onto the streets of American that were once busy with people and business, but now dirty, unkept and abandoned.
Should you and I be concerned about this? I seriously think so! Should you and your neighbors and friends be concerned about this?
WHO do you want to have your old job? It'd be best if you still had that job, or at the very least have it go to another American, but instead, it went to an unknown individual somewhere in this huge world, and while they are being paid a lower wage, thanks to many American companies, they are at least working!
If this trend continues, more companies will move overseas and
those moves will put more Americans into the unemployment lines.
What does that mean?
Less taxes being paid to local and federal governments. Less working Americans which mean less community and more broken families. Less workers in this country means more abandonment of buildings, downtown areas, and communities. What this all means is more homelessness in America while the same companies that moved their business overseas, is still selling YOU their products, and could care less if anyone in this country is employed.
What can we do to make our resentment of these companies known?
QUIT buying their products. If YOU see your toaster, clothes, shoes, toys or anything else you may buy, was made in a foreign country, do NOT BUY it. If that product does not display the words that it was PROUDLY made entirely in the United States of America, then you should look for a similar product that was made in the USA, or take your business to another shop that DOES sell American-made products!
But you live day-to-day or month-to-month on a tight budget. You don't have enough money to spend on another similar item because it's priced too high for your wallet/purse.
We need to support American-made products just as much as you/we supported those companies which moved out of the USA, and could care less if other Americans are employed or not.
Post your product pictures and share your mind/wallet with words on your social media, to let your friends and family know how upset you are with the LACK of American-made products and how good/bad those things being produced in foreign countries are!
Boycott stores and products that are not made of good quality and are made overseas. Demand your stores and malls continue to support Americans and America by only selling American-made products; they will not know how you feel unless you tell them. You can call them, you can email them, and you can walk into their stores and demand your spoken feelings be passed to a
supervisor/manager that will convey customers' opinions to their management. You can email or write letters to company presidents or CEOs to tell them you want quality products made again in the USA, and you will NOT buy their products that are made outside the USA.
YOU need to voice your concern by letting everyone who will listen, and ensure your voice, and our voices is heard and impacts their future as it has impacted the lives and careers of many Americans.
If WE do NOT buy American and support American products made by companies IN the USA, then we cannot blame anyone but ourselves for how the unemployment has risen, and how homelessness of families increases.
Also, quit buying in shopping MALLs, which take business away from small local downtown and area city/town businesses, and results in your/our downtown areas being abandoned and ugly. An abandoned downtown or any area is not safe, is not pretty, and promotes NO growth or business of that area. An area abandoned by businesses and its people, will be abandoned by its local government and can even impact your local taxes.
I personally want to enter ANY store, and quit saying out loud (as I currently do) that nothing is made in the USA anymore, and if China is making everything we have in America?
Is anything you see in a single day NOT made in China? It's time to change that to Made in the USA!
Shirts, blouses and other clothing made in Vietnam, India and many other countries, including China.
An increasing amount of items displaying a label or description of their product, to the effect that it was "designed in the USA but assembled" elsewhere.....
It's a growing trend that is increasing every week, much to my disappointment.
You probably think "Why?" would this bother me.... YOU too should just take a minute or longer to think about it, and you too would be troubled.
Each day, the population of the United States grows. It decreases also, due to deaths, but in general it increases. More births add to this, along with others legally migrating to this grand new world. Remember, most world countries had developed and grown while the USA as we know it, has only been around for a few centuries. Other civilizations have been already housing their people, been adequately clothed, and had weapons, long before the Americas were conquered and populated by other Nations.
As our population expands with the new, more people are still growing and living longer years. What does this mean? Many new Americans will be born, grow, be hopefully educated, even more hopefully will find work, grow to a ripe age when you will hopefully retire, or as is being seen in these current times, still continue to work beyond your 70s simply because the retirement fund - whether it's Social Security or your own retirement nest-egg, or a combination of both or all - is just not adequate due to inflation.
What does this mean?
With this growing population, there will not be enough jobs for everyone. Some positions in critical fields will always hire qualified experienced people in areas of nursing, emergency services, to name some. Other fields which are not high-paying or critical, will always be available in the always-open service fields, and general construction, BUT what happens when someone does not want to work in a occupation that they feel is not suited for their mind and talents?
Here's the other tickler that many are not thinking about.... Many big companies have moved their factories overseas. We are seeing less things being proudly designed, built and sold in the USA and overseas. To you as a citizen of this great country, and hopefully currently working, if you want to move into another occupation, that may or not be possible due to many factors, such as age and experience, area and season, and even the occupation itself. One thing that is apparent: LESS products are being made in the USA, and if this trend continues, you will see less need for such occupations that make these once made in the USA but now being made overseas, as companies continue to move its building facilities overseas, which is taking JOBs away from Americans and supporting employment in other countries instead.
Should you and I be concerned about this? I seriously think so! Should you and your neighbors and friends be concerned about this?
WHO do you want to have your old job? It'd be best if you still had that job, or at the very least have it go to another American, but instead, it went to an unknown individual somewhere in this huge world, and while they are being paid a lower wage, thanks to many American companies, they are at least working!
If this trend continues, more companies will move overseas and
those moves will put more Americans into the unemployment lines.
What does that mean?
Less taxes being paid to local and federal governments. Less working Americans which mean less community and more broken families. Less workers in this country means more abandonment of buildings, downtown areas, and communities. What this all means is more homelessness in America while the same companies that moved their business overseas, is still selling YOU their products, and could care less if anyone in this country is employed.
What can we do to make our resentment of these companies known?
QUIT buying their products. If YOU see your toaster, clothes, shoes, toys or anything else you may buy, was made in a foreign country, do NOT BUY it. If that product does not display the words that it was PROUDLY made entirely in the United States of America, then you should look for a similar product that was made in the USA, or take your business to another shop that DOES sell American-made products!
But you live day-to-day or month-to-month on a tight budget. You don't have enough money to spend on another similar item because it's priced too high for your wallet/purse.
We need to support American-made products just as much as you/we supported those companies which moved out of the USA, and could care less if other Americans are employed or not.
Post your product pictures and share your mind/wallet with words on your social media, to let your friends and family know how upset you are with the LACK of American-made products and how good/bad those things being produced in foreign countries are!
Boycott stores and products that are not made of good quality and are made overseas. Demand your stores and malls continue to support Americans and America by only selling American-made products; they will not know how you feel unless you tell them. You can call them, you can email them, and you can walk into their stores and demand your spoken feelings be passed to a
supervisor/manager that will convey customers' opinions to their management. You can email or write letters to company presidents or CEOs to tell them you want quality products made again in the USA, and you will NOT buy their products that are made outside the USA.
YOU need to voice your concern by letting everyone who will listen, and ensure your voice, and our voices is heard and impacts their future as it has impacted the lives and careers of many Americans.
If WE do NOT buy American and support American products made by companies IN the USA, then we cannot blame anyone but ourselves for how the unemployment has risen, and how homelessness of families increases.
Also, quit buying in shopping MALLs, which take business away from small local downtown and area city/town businesses, and results in your/our downtown areas being abandoned and ugly. An abandoned downtown or any area is not safe, is not pretty, and promotes NO growth or business of that area. An area abandoned by businesses and its people, will be abandoned by its local government and can even impact your local taxes.
I personally want to enter ANY store, and quit saying out loud (as I currently do) that nothing is made in the USA anymore, and if China is making everything we have in America?
Is anything you see in a single day NOT made in China? It's time to change that to Made in the USA!
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Niagara Falls Fireworks over the Falls Begins 2019 Season
Living in western New York (WNY) does have its perks. Being photographers, Sheila and I are blessed to have fabulous wildlife areas nearby, not to mention the many city parks. Of course the mighty Falls are nearby, and that is a treat in itself!
Did you know that all along the Niagara River, all sorts of wildlife can be seen? Osprey make their home along the river, along with hawks and even Bald Eagles. Even at the Falls, if you are patient and are there at the right time, you can spot Black-crowned Night Herons flying over the Falls just before sunset, along with Double-Crested Cormorants all day long, along with the every-present gulls. Other smaller birds can be seen too depending on the season: Northern Cardinals are busy almost all year round, while others like the Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye are more visible during the colder months.
But what I enjoy most of this area are the fireworks over the Falls!
I must confess I've been lousy at photographing fireworks during most of my life behind the camera. Sure, I've posted the typical snaps of fireworks exploding in the dark night like everyone else, but the majority of those had been captured without a tripod. I couldn't record a decent scene using a tripod at night for almost anything, including fireworks! Really!!
In those early years, I would shoot any fireworks handheld, but at a higher ISO. With patience and a little help from my kid brother Ed, I began using a tripod enough to get better images during the darker hours, and to finally use that tripod to finally get some "decent" results.
Really!
The problem with fireworks photography, is that the events are not so often as to have a simple way to get some practical experience that one will remember a months later! Well, in this area of WNY, in the summer and even a month or so in winter, fireworks are a very integral part of the Niagara Falls area! So, in the few years I've been here, we have been very lucky to attend a few of the many nightly fireworks at the Falls. Along with that attendance, my experience in capturing fireworks have improved greatly, and the images are better with each passing year!
Whatever your reason for coming to WNY, you do need to see the Falls with fireworks blasting the sky above! Seeing Fireworks over the Falls, is really something to be seen and experienced! You'll also get a chance to see something else other than the daylight version of the Falls. It's Nature at its mightiest, and do you really want to see the Falls just as millions of others have seen it?
See it during the day and at night. Go early as crowds gather, some for hours, holding what they hope will be a good spot.
In recent years, they have been shooting off a single rocket 15 to 10 minutes before the hour, as a test for wind direction and strength. The only sure method of knowing IF the fireworks will go off as scheduled, is to ask park personnel or by calling toll-free 1(800)563-2557 for a prerecorded message, or even checking online on their social media accounts of niagarafallstourism.com.
Share your great pictures with friends, family or your pet while at the Falls, by tagging Niagara Falls Tourism when posting those special moments with your world!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsTourismCanada
https://twitter.com/NFallsTourism
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafallstourismcanada
https://www.youtube.com/user/NiagaraFallsTourism
On the American-side, you'll want to share your pictures and moments with these social media sites!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsStateParkUSA
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafalls_statepark
So now you are probably wondering where the fireworks will launch from, and if I will share that information if I know at all?
Of course I do and will!
From Prospect Point on the American-side, look almost directly across the Niagara gorge to the Canadian-side and look to the pier and buildings where the Canadian tour boats dock. To the left of that, you'll see a tiny cove, and to the left of that cove, you will see a tiny point of land. You can expect to see the launch from approximately that area. If you are at Prospect Point, the bursts will be near or in front of the Skylon Tower. On the Canadian-side, an area of about three city blocks of the walkway close to that launch site will be cleared for obvious safety reasons. Niagara Park security will clear the area about an hour beforehand. Keep this in mind IF you decide to see the fireworks on the other side!
Cannot attend but still want to SEE the fireworks? Tune in online at https://www.marriottonthefalls.com/niagara-falls-cam and be sure to have your clock set to NY state East Coast time. Don't forget the time is one hour earlier in summer for Daylight Saving Time (DST). It is NOT a live webcam but you should see most of the bright bursts and smoke.
If you plan to cross the bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, do NOT forget to carry your passports with you! Also, you'll need four quarters per person for the customs building turnstile to return to the American-side! Really!
Here's one last snap of the fireworks at the Falls, and hoping you will have an enjoyable time at the Falls! Hoping to see you there! Remember all pictures can be clicked to see them in a larger size!
 |
| Long-Tailed Ducks cruising the Niagara |
Did you know that all along the Niagara River, all sorts of wildlife can be seen? Osprey make their home along the river, along with hawks and even Bald Eagles. Even at the Falls, if you are patient and are there at the right time, you can spot Black-crowned Night Herons flying over the Falls just before sunset, along with Double-Crested Cormorants all day long, along with the every-present gulls. Other smaller birds can be seen too depending on the season: Northern Cardinals are busy almost all year round, while others like the Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye are more visible during the colder months.
If you want to see the Falls in its uniqueness, then be sure to plan your visit in Winter. Dress warmly and step carefully. Also be prepared for many viewing areas to be closed, but in Winter you'll see the Falls as few do in summer!
 | |||
| Snow-covered Prospect Point Observation Point in Winter |
 |
| Looking north from Goat Island/Three Sisters Islands |
I must confess I've been lousy at photographing fireworks during most of my life behind the camera. Sure, I've posted the typical snaps of fireworks exploding in the dark night like everyone else, but the majority of those had been captured without a tripod. I couldn't record a decent scene using a tripod at night for almost anything, including fireworks! Really!!
In those early years, I would shoot any fireworks handheld, but at a higher ISO. With patience and a little help from my kid brother Ed, I began using a tripod enough to get better images during the darker hours, and to finally use that tripod to finally get some "decent" results.
Really!
The problem with fireworks photography, is that the events are not so often as to have a simple way to get some practical experience that one will remember a months later! Well, in this area of WNY, in the summer and even a month or so in winter, fireworks are a very integral part of the Niagara Falls area! So, in the few years I've been here, we have been very lucky to attend a few of the many nightly fireworks at the Falls. Along with that attendance, my experience in capturing fireworks have improved greatly, and the images are better with each passing year!
 |
| The Prospect Point Observation Tower backlit by fireworks |
Whatever your reason for coming to WNY, you do need to see the Falls with fireworks blasting the sky above! Seeing Fireworks over the Falls, is really something to be seen and experienced! You'll also get a chance to see something else other than the daylight version of the Falls. It's Nature at its mightiest, and do you really want to see the Falls just as millions of others have seen it?
See it during the day and at night. Go early as crowds gather, some for hours, holding what they hope will be a good spot.
In recent years, they have been shooting off a single rocket 15 to 10 minutes before the hour, as a test for wind direction and strength. The only sure method of knowing IF the fireworks will go off as scheduled, is to ask park personnel or by calling toll-free 1(800)563-2557 for a prerecorded message, or even checking online on their social media accounts of niagarafallstourism.com.
Share your great pictures with friends, family or your pet while at the Falls, by tagging Niagara Falls Tourism when posting those special moments with your world!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsTourismCanada
https://twitter.com/NFallsTourism
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafallstourismcanada
https://www.youtube.com/user/NiagaraFallsTourism
On the American-side, you'll want to share your pictures and moments with these social media sites!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsStateParkUSA
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafalls_statepark
So now you are probably wondering where the fireworks will launch from, and if I will share that information if I know at all?
Of course I do and will!
From Prospect Point on the American-side, look almost directly across the Niagara gorge to the Canadian-side and look to the pier and buildings where the Canadian tour boats dock. To the left of that, you'll see a tiny cove, and to the left of that cove, you will see a tiny point of land. You can expect to see the launch from approximately that area. If you are at Prospect Point, the bursts will be near or in front of the Skylon Tower. On the Canadian-side, an area of about three city blocks of the walkway close to that launch site will be cleared for obvious safety reasons. Niagara Park security will clear the area about an hour beforehand. Keep this in mind IF you decide to see the fireworks on the other side!
Cannot attend but still want to SEE the fireworks? Tune in online at https://www.marriottonthefalls.com/niagara-falls-cam and be sure to have your clock set to NY state East Coast time. Don't forget the time is one hour earlier in summer for Daylight Saving Time (DST). It is NOT a live webcam but you should see most of the bright bursts and smoke.
If you plan to cross the bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, do NOT forget to carry your passports with you! Also, you'll need four quarters per person for the customs building turnstile to return to the American-side! Really!
Here's one last snap of the fireworks at the Falls, and hoping you will have an enjoyable time at the Falls! Hoping to see you there! Remember all pictures can be clicked to see them in a larger size!
 |
| Fireworks as seen from the Prospect Point Observation Tower |
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