View 35: Warp Speed

Long exposure photograph of the Midway Ride, Enterprise, at the New York State Fair, Syracuse, New York

The Great New York State Fair started last week and goes on until Labor Day. It’s the official end of summer for upstate New York as public schools will open a day or two later. It was always a bittersweet time for me when growing up. Loved all the sites, sounds, smells and activities of the fair but knew it was back to school when it was all over.

This year I brought in my tripod so I could take some pictures of the Midway rides as I have never done it before. Being an old Star Trek fan from way back, the Enterprise ride caught my eye and I set up to do some long exposure photos. A New York State Trooper wandered over to ask me what I was taking a photos of. I thought it odd but he explained tripods are a cause of concern nowadays. I don’t know why anyone would think such a thing as I was out of the way, not blocking people from walking around and the NY State Fair does not require a permit to use tripods.

Sadly, this seems to be a world wide issue for both amateur and professional photographers.  People with cameras the size of digital SLRs with or without a tripod are considered a threat to security.  This is just nonsense.  Terrorists never used photography and, if they did, I doubt they’d want to be seen doing it.  Easier to use a camera phone which do not get a second look when used.  I’m going to download and print this The Photographer’s Rights document and carry it with me.  Law enforcement and security staffs should be made aware of these rights.

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View 34: Why do Birds stand on one Leg?

Snowy Egret in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge near Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Ten miles north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge where I spent a morning photographing herons, terns, geese, ibis and this snowy egret. He got me to thinking why I see so many birds standing on one leg.

A Google search revealed this explanation:

Birds’ legs have an adaptation called “rete mirabile” that minimizes heat loss. The arteries that transport warm blood into the legs lie in contact with the veins that return colder blood to the bird’s heart. The arteries warm the veins. By standing on one leg, a bird reduces by half the amount of heat lost through unfeathered limbs.

I’ve since found out another reason for why a wading bird, like this egret, will stand on one leg since I posted on Monday:

Birds also purposely create their own shadows in the water. Apparently egrets can blend better with their surroundings and look like a shrub to a fish by standing on one leg. The word “pedigree,” which is one’s family tree, comes from the French “pied de grue” – crane’s foot. This is sometimes represented artistically as a tree with exposed surface roots or even a bird’s foot in old ancestral diagrams. Take a close look at the egret’s legs and feet if you ever get the chance. The tough skin really does make them look like tree trunks, and undoubtedly fools fishes seeking a bit of shade for cover too.

Don’t you feel smarter now?

View 33: Waitin’ on a Woman

Waitin' on Women on the Ocean City (New Jersey) Boardwalk.

In this case, it’s WOMEN.  A Grandfather, his Son and Grandchildren sitting on an Ocean City (New Jersey) Boardwalk bench overlooking the Atlantic ocean waiting for the women in their lives to return from the nearby shops.  When I saw this, my mind went directly to a popular Brad Paisley song currently being played on Country radio.  Here’s a link to the video: Waitin’ On A Woman.

Like I mentioned last time, I really liked the boardwalk at Ocean City (New Jersy) for it’s family atmosphere and fun.  So much so, went back a couple of nights later when they were having a “Family Night” with bands and entertainment on each block.

Kids dancing to 1960's surfing tunes.

 

Parents have their little girls ready for the Olde Tyme photographer.

 

You can find rides, games, food and lots of fun along the entire 2.5 miles of the Ocean City (New Jersey) Boardwalk.

Editor’s Note: I am now back in sequence with the calendar.  Come back on Monday for the my next view of 2008.

View 32: Ocean City (NJ) Beach

Later afternoon on the Ocean City (New Jersey) Beach

After visiting Washington, DC, the next stop on my vacation was Atlantic City, New Jersey. Atlantic City is known for casinos, the Steel Pier and it’s famous boardwalk. While I found Atlantic City interesting, there’s a another beach and boardwalk a few miles south. Ocean City, New Jersey features a 2.5 mile long boardwalk and 8 miles of pristine white sandy beaches I liked a lot.

It was late in the afternoon when I visited this Ocean City beach and many of the day’s beach goers had already left. This photo has a lot of the elements found on any New Jersey shore beach. A Lifeguard boat and stand, brightly colored beach umbrella, a seagull and a surfer.

With a hurricane spinning in the mid-Atlantic, surfers were taking advantage of the whipped up surf to get in some rides. Others were flying colorful kites, reading and napping in the cool ocean breeze after a hot day.

A surfer catching a wave on the Ocean City (New Jersey) Beach

A mother flys a kite with her son on the Ocean City (New Jersey) Beach

View 31: Cheetah Yawn

Cheetah yawning at the National Zoo, Washington, DC

The National Zoo in Washington, DC, has a Cheetah compound where you can observe these magnificent big cats in easy viewing range. I used the Nikon 80-400mm VR lens to capture this male getting up from his afternoon nap and doing some stretching and yawning like my own housecat does. However, my cat does not have teeth that big or able to reach speeds of 70 miles per hour when chasing prey.

Here are a couple of other prominent National Zoo residents.

Giant Panda

Western Lowland Gorilla