Terry's Journey in Retirement

Chapter 578

2/9/2021

Drone Perspective

3D

Wanted a great sunrise perspective of the Anthony Kill and there was some sun at daybreak but I saw the reflection in the water at the end of the shoot which became a better picture than what I had imagined in my head.

No one was there which made shooting relaxed. In fact there was 5 inches of unplowed snow that I had to get thru with my 4WD. The platform makes a nice helipad. If you can't get the right angle on a subject with a drone, you might as well give up on photography.

Had just a half hour of sun during these unusually cloudy dull days so I went out the places I know nearby. Wanted to get the General Electric Research and Development,  or GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna. Famous place 

As a test of the 1080p 240 frames per second video capability on the drone I set it up in my family room pointed at my hot water bird bath. It's not real exciting but I did learn how these guys fly. They are so quick you don't really comprehend how they are doing it. The Tufted Titmouse launches from the bath and lets off on the power just before appogee then cruise glides down to the feeder very much like flying to Florida in a 727.  They follow the most efficient parabolic arc due to the acceleration of gravity effect we studied in college.

Lots of birds love the bird bath in winter. I had put the heater away years ago but brought it out again this year. Supposedly it only uses $3 a month in energy. Testing the water temp 14 C = 57 F.  Bluebirds have been showing up lately on occasion. Very cool.


 We've come to love breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. It has been a popular spot with many guests but during covid they space out the tables and on this early morning  we had the whole place to ourselves. Sharing the Grandma's Sampler is a great feast.

Took the drone to our town Winter Fest but didn't get any chapterworthy shots. Hit the golf course on the way home for a little snow shoeing. Noticed this nice setting and had Colleen walk thru it. It's sort of candid. Then fearing I didn't get the sun shot that I wanted, waited 20 minutes for the sun to come back out of the clouds. It never did, yet I did have what I wanted all along.

Professor Garver of Union College has studied ice jams for years and has been an advocate for trying to lessen the impact. It's part of the Canal Reimagination initiative.

Have been waiting to capture this with drone. Happened by one morning and boom, they were out there.

Superbowl day was 20 degrees and snowy so we took a little walk by the river. A flock of Robins were feasting on the Sumack and not concerned with to us.

Two eagles appeared and haven't seen them in a while. Nice to have them back.