Hiker on the Appalachian Trail

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Went for a walk along Sunken Mine Road in Fahnestock State Park with side trips along the Old Mine Railroad Trail and a portion of the Appalachian Trail. All told we walked for about two hours.

This picture was taken along the Appalachian Trail where we came across a rather picturesque waterfall. While I was taking pictures a hiker came by. Unlike me he seemed to be serious about his hiking – with proper hiking boots, a large rucksack and the like. I managed to get off a couple of pictures as is crossed over the stepping stones at the top of the waterfall. Unfortunately, the best picture of him (striding confidently across the stones) was somewhat blurred. In my excitement I must have jerked the shutter release. Still this one’s not too bad.

Horse and Rider

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In an earlier post (Approaching Rockwood Hall) I mentioned that we (myself and our dog, Harley) had an encounter with a horse and rider. I don’t think he’d ever seen a horse before and he was very excited – so much so that I had to pull him back to stop him from running in front of the horse. Possibly his only term of reference was the deer that we see in the meadow in front of our house, and I suppose there are certain similarities. Maybe he thought the horse was a big deer. The horse and rider took it in their stride with no sign of fear or panic.

Ice on Roaring Brook

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It’s been quite warm of late (near 60F/15C), but the lake is still frozen solid and there’s still ice on Roaring Brook even if the water is flowing freely. I like the contrast between the brightness of the ice and the dark (with colorful highlights) of the flowing water. The slow(is) shutter speed used captures a little of the movement of the water.

Approaching Rockwood Hall

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I’ve posted before on Rockwood Hall, the former estate of William D Rockefeller in Tarrytown, NY:

Goat Portrait
Rockwood Hall Foundation and Trees
Bridge to Nowhere.
Rockwood Hall – Evening.
A Walk to Rockwood Hall.
Winding Path – Rockwood Hall.
Rockwood Hall – July 6, 2011 – early evening

The grounds were landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead (known for Central Park and Prospect Park). This is the road to the mansion just before it reaches it. The History of Rockwood Hall describes the roads as follows:

Graceful carriage roads led the family and visitors into the landscape. Their design goal was to create a sense of the peacefulness of nature and to soothe and restore the spirit.

Hastings block was used on two miles of the drives near the mansion. The Hastings block is a paving block constructed of traprock, which is laid on a 16″ stone base.

Unfortunately the goats mentioned in Goat Portrait we no longer there (maybe they’re not there in Winter), which was a pity as I’d hoped to introduce our dog, Harley to them. We did encounter a horse, however. I don’t think Harley had seen one before so he was very excited. I even had to pull him back at one point to stop him running under the horse’s hooves.

Three garden chairs

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Chairs

Our local garden club organizes a garden tour every year where we visit a number of gardens around the lake. During this particular tour I spotted these three chairs sitting in the shade. I liked the fallen leaves and the light coming through the leaves as well a the contrast between the earth tones of the leaves and the brighter greens and purples of the leaves and the blossoms. Although the picture was taken in June the leaves give the impression of Fall and it seemed to me that the chairs were waiting for the brighter, sunnier days to come.