Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
This tree stands on what was once Rockwood Hall, the home of William Rockefeller, the brother of John Davison Rockefeller with whom he co-founded Standard Oil.
I’m not sure what kind of tree it is (some people have suggested that it’s a willow, but I’m not convinced). I’ve photographed it a number of times before and have never been satisfied with the result. I’m not entirely satisfied with this one either, but at least it’s better than the others.
Taken with a Sony RX100 M3
I recently came across these flowers apparently abandoned on a paved area in Ossining, NY.
They still looked quite fresh so I couldn’t but wonder what the story was. Why were they there? Why were they abandoned? Why are they in a plastic container with the top cut off? Of course I’ll never know the answer. It all seemed a little sad.
Taken with a Sony RX100 M3
Fall’s coming. Just a little over a week to go and I, for one will be happy when we get there. In my opinion Summer in New York is dreadful for photography: everything is some shade of green; the sun is usually too intense; the heat and humidity make it unpleasant to go out; and when it’s not hot and humid it’s raining. To me even Winter is better than Summer. In order of preference my favorite seasons are Fall, Spring, Winter and (a long way behind) Summer.
Of course that’s just my opinion. I grew up in a place that was not as hot and humid as New York, and if the temperatures get above 80F/26C I’m distinctly uncomfortable.
So, I’m definitely looking forward to Fall!
Taken with a Sony RX10 IV.
Back down near the river again. Just as I was passing the Lincoln Depot Museum I came across these gorgeous sunflowers. Look out Van Gogh!
Taken with a Sony RX10 IV
I was walking back down it was much easier going down than going up) along Central Ave. to catch my train I heard the sound of running water. I looked across the street and noticed a pocket park with a couple of benches, and an information board (see below). In case you can’t make out the rather small text it reads:
McGregory Brook flows from the hills just east of Peekskill to the Hudson River at Riverfront Green Park. Kitchawank people, of the Wappinger confederacy, inhabited the area surrounding McGregory Brook and nearby Annsville Creek prior to Dutch settlement, led by Jan Peeck.
King William III of England granted 1,500 acres to Hugh MacGregorie in 1692, and the brook became the boundary between the original settlement known as Peekskill and surrounding Van Cortlandt lands. Numerous mills and factories diverted McGregory Brook for power, including Dain’s Lumber Company, Naylor Brothers machine shops, Mackellar’s Mills, and Union Stove Works. For many years, Peekskill residents drew water from the Tan Yard Spring, which also surfaced near this site.
Today, McGregory Brook enters a series of culverts at Field Street, flows beneath Downtown Peekskill, and emerges just east of this site. Remnants of industrial infrastructure can still be seen from the footbridge overlooking the waterfall.
Although McGregory Brook is no longer visible on most maps, FEMA’s 100-Year Flood Map clearly shows the pathway of McGregory Brook from Penelope Pond to the Hudson Riverfront. The lack of sunlight inhibits the brook’s natural ecosystem. While few fish, amphibians, or aquatic invertebrates inhabit the brook, filamentous green algae thrives on its surfaces, likely supported by nutrient enrichment from stormwater runoff and other sources.
For more information about Peekskill’s waterways and all of its natural features, explore the Peekskill National Resource Inventory at www.peekskilnri.com. For more information on Peekskill’s rich history, visit the Peekskill Museum at 124 Union Avenue.
Taken with a Sony RX10 IV