.jpeg)
Copyright Anna K. Martin 2014 Boston Sunrise
This is best viewed by clicking on the image and seeing it in a larger depiction.
Showing posts with label Charles River. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charles River. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2014
Sunrise Over Boston: The Best View
My daughter, Little Bit, captured the best view of the Boston Sunrise, I think. She scanned and panned the Charles River waterfront and got the long landscape view. This is how the Boston jaunt started and our adventure was a wonderful birthday gift from Little Bit to spend time with her Daddy.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
The Continuing Boston Saga: Crossing the Charles River at the Longfellow Bridge
After catching the sunrise yesterday, we decided to walk over the Longfellow Bridge southward to traverse the Charles River. We negotiated some construction areas to approach the bridge and, lo and behold, some enterprising fellow had placed a small hubcap in the cleft of a tree right off the Memorial Drive parkway.
The hubcap was an eyecatcher and rather appealing to me as urban detritus and I scoffed it up as a momento of the day. Silly me. I think the emblem is iconic of the Cadillac brand. In slang terms, "cadillac" was an early term for an "ounce of narcotic", and was also used to typify something that was the "best of its kind, the standard of excellence, and a paragon". Yes, that typifies the day's activity.
Since I didn't have a bag or knapsack with me (silly me), I dusted it off and slid it down the front of my shirt to carry it. It made me think of Ephesians chapter 6 as a serendipitous "breastplate of righteousness" replete with the image of a shield and the laurel award of honor in silver-plate.
The hubcap was an eyecatcher and rather appealing to me as urban detritus and I scoffed it up as a momento of the day. Silly me. I think the emblem is iconic of the Cadillac brand. In slang terms, "cadillac" was an early term for an "ounce of narcotic", and was also used to typify something that was the "best of its kind, the standard of excellence, and a paragon". Yes, that typifies the day's activity.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Cadillac Hubcap in a Tree
Since I didn't have a bag or knapsack with me (silly me), I dusted it off and slid it down the front of my shirt to carry it. It made me think of Ephesians chapter 6 as a serendipitous "breastplate of righteousness" replete with the image of a shield and the laurel award of honor in silver-plate.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, having girded up your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
To approach the Longfellow bridge, we walked over the Strauss Trunnion bascule bridge built originally in 1924. "Bascule" is a french term for balance. A bascule bridge was counterbalanced with a weight and hinged to swing upward and could be single- or double-leafed, allowing boats to pass. Joseph Strauss was an American structural engineer better known for being the chief engineer of the Golden Gate bridge. The Strauss trunnion was the short shaft that carried the load around which the bridge leaf would rotate to swing upward.
The bridge has some of its age showing in at least the deep surface corrosion.
As we approached the Longfellow Bridge, the bygone red ivy in the foreground and the Red Line transit rushing past in the background. The fall foliage of my early urban commuting time.
Guardian watchers over the bridge with shields and porpoise.
The scull teams are working out first thing in the morning under watchful eyes. Talk about preparing for munificent activities!
Then the serendipitous flock of Canadian Geese overhead portending the fall migration and changing of seasons.
The Longfellow Bridge castings and wrought iron work are need of repair from their original green patina.
The alternative tan would provide the same contrasts with the environment without quite reflecting the sun's warmth as much. It offers a slightly more vintage and aged look than the brown above.
The alternative grey is wonderful but doesn't contrast as much to the pavement and asphalt in the surrounding urban-scape. Paris is a portfolio of branded grey's and this hue has a hint of dismal grime. This may not be a Boston color and notably doesn't provide enough contrast to some aspects of the surround. It doesn't provide any warmth on a cloudy or wintry day.
The alternative mocha is not too much different than the tan. Or is it the same? Maybe a tad warmer to catch the sun. Contrasts well with all the surrounding palettes. I think this would be my choice. What will the future hold? This is a long wait-and-see. We make decisions amongst alternatives and it affects the landscape and the future view and the perspective.
Once we cross the river at the Longfellow Bridge, the green patina at the Mass General Hospital (MGH) Red Line station is wonderful.
Its funny what catches the eye during photo opportunities. My Itsy Bit prefers to catch different angles and perspectives. It all pulls together in a portfolio of images to characterize the day's mission.
14 Stand firm therefore, having girded up your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
To approach the Longfellow bridge, we walked over the Strauss Trunnion bascule bridge built originally in 1924. "Bascule" is a french term for balance. A bascule bridge was counterbalanced with a weight and hinged to swing upward and could be single- or double-leafed, allowing boats to pass. Joseph Strauss was an American structural engineer better known for being the chief engineer of the Golden Gate bridge. The Strauss trunnion was the short shaft that carried the load around which the bridge leaf would rotate to swing upward.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Strauss Trunion Bascule Bridge (1924)
The bridge has some of its age showing in at least the deep surface corrosion.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Strauss Bridge Trunnion 01
Lots of color and pattern.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Strauss Bridge Trunnion 02
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Bygone Red Ivy with Red Line Transit
The Longfellow bridge itself is showing some age in its fencing and railings. Beautiful and ornate in design.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Fence Rails
Just before we turned left onto the bridge to cross the Charles River southward, I snapped the moon over this Cambridge cityplex and realized just afterwards that I was snapping the police officer parked in the early morning watch. Wonder what he thought of us? Oops!
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Moon Over Cityplex
The Red Line transit trundled by in its screeching cacophony to remind me of bygone commuting days.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Red Line Cacophony
The Longfellow Bridge has two towers on the eastern downriver side of the bridge. Without these architectural pieces, it would be just a plain old bridge. My daughter, Little Bit, checking to see why I am dawdling in the early morning.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Tower
I do like the architectural elements to the urban landscape. Facing southward towards the Beacon Hill area.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Tower with Downstream Abutment
Another moonscape over the Cambridge horizon facing North.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Tower with Moonscape Facing North towards Cambridge
Guardian watchers over the bridge with shields and porpoise.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge With Porpoiseful Adornment
The scull teams are working out first thing in the morning under watchful eyes. Talk about preparing for munificent activities!
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Sculling Under a Watchful Gaze
Then the serendipitous flock of Canadian Geese overhead portending the fall migration and changing of seasons.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Canadian Geese Migration in Urban V-formation
The Longfellow Bridge castings and wrought iron work are need of repair from their original green patina.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Original Green Patina
It appears the research has been completed and some alternative colors have been selected for review. The alternative brown offers some contrasting color against any foliage whether a verdant green in spring and summer or a red-yellow-orange foliage in the fall season. It also contrasts against the grey of the surrounding asphalt and pavement, compares well to the changing palette of the background water-scape, and might catch the warmth of the sun in a delightful fashion.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Alternative Brown
The alternative tan would provide the same contrasts with the environment without quite reflecting the sun's warmth as much. It offers a slightly more vintage and aged look than the brown above.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Alternative Tan
The alternative grey is wonderful but doesn't contrast as much to the pavement and asphalt in the surrounding urban-scape. Paris is a portfolio of branded grey's and this hue has a hint of dismal grime. This may not be a Boston color and notably doesn't provide enough contrast to some aspects of the surround. It doesn't provide any warmth on a cloudy or wintry day.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Alternative Grey
The alternative mocha is not too much different than the tan. Or is it the same? Maybe a tad warmer to catch the sun. Contrasts well with all the surrounding palettes. I think this would be my choice. What will the future hold? This is a long wait-and-see. We make decisions amongst alternatives and it affects the landscape and the future view and the perspective.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Longfellow Bridge Alternative Mocha
Once we cross the river at the Longfellow Bridge, the green patina at the Mass General Hospital (MGH) Red Line station is wonderful.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Red Line Station at Mass General Hospital (MGH)
Its funny what catches the eye during photo opportunities. My Itsy Bit prefers to catch different angles and perspectives. It all pulls together in a portfolio of images to characterize the day's mission.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Little Bit Catches the Fire Hydrant
This is Living the Moment. This is the Daily Walk. This is the Artistic Endeavor. This is the Creative Pursuit. This is the Journey. Making memories.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Jaunts: A Sunrise Over Boston Skyline On the Charles River
My middle daughter, usually studying hard during nursing school in the city, wanted to take a day and treat me to photo-taking in Boston for my birthday. We missed the exact day on a timely basis but just made it up today. The most basic part of our plan was to capture the sunrise over the Boston skyline at first light on the Charles River and then to explore some other opportunities after that.
But preparations are usually in order for an undertaking of this munificence. I had to awaken in the wee hours of the morning from the suburbs and work my way to the city to pick her up. There was no one stirring at these early hours. But there are nightly spirits on watch in our town at a local statuary vendor.
The halogen lights over the property cast an eerie glow as the figures stand watch.
Classic Italian feminine figures laden with water jugs on their quiet stroll.
And the nightly fire watchman to ensure no calamity over buildings and property.
It took me about an hour to get into the city. A few minutes to text my daughter her wake-up call. She is such a good kid to do this. Students really prefer to sleep late! She trundled her weekend goods to the car. We rode across the city to a quiescent mall for the parking garage. Grabbed a quick breakfast bagel at the early coffee shop. And trekked to the Charles River to see the emerging sunrise back-lit by orange-yellow street lights.
Not all the mariners have stored their boats for the season.
The colors graduated from soft white to peach to pink to blue to violet across the skyline after the 6:50 scheduled sunrise. The only noises and activity were the recurrent Red Line transit trundling over the Longfellow Bridge every five minutes or so, a jet taking off from Logan Airport and banking southward every two minutes or so pointed westward in a left-to-right fashion, and the soft padding of footsteps of the occasional, early morning joggers. I recall taking the Red Line early into work over two years ago and marveling at the skyline at this time of day. I had a dream then of taking the time to capture it on film or paint.
I had my own personal champion and Statue of Liberty over the Charles River to illustrate my freedom this morning. Clutching her coffee in her left arm and proclaiming her photo catch in her right hand.
I particularly enjoyed the bright orange-red reflections in the water on the right-hand side of this picture where the John Hancock building is lit up with sharply contrasting, reflected sunrise and the distinctive Prudential tower is silhouetted against the waning night. This image facing to the southwest.
These images are reminiscent of Impressions of a Sunrise by Monet in 1872. This is the painting that evoked the character of the then-derogatory term "Impressionism".
Different perspectives and views of the vanishing point for the boat line of a Charles River Marina.
A vanishing point for the fence line on Cambridge-side and north bank of the river.
The dinghies await their appointed rounds.
And the french blue of nestled dinghies.
Mission accomplished. A special time with my middle daughter. We have done these photo jaunts before and this adds to the memories and her time in the city. More to the ensuing saga in a later posting.
But preparations are usually in order for an undertaking of this munificence. I had to awaken in the wee hours of the morning from the suburbs and work my way to the city to pick her up. There was no one stirring at these early hours. But there are nightly spirits on watch in our town at a local statuary vendor.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Statuary Watchmen 01
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Statuary Watchmen 02
Classic Italian feminine figures laden with water jugs on their quiet stroll.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Statuary Watchmen 03
And the nightly fire watchman to ensure no calamity over buildings and property.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Statuary Watchmen 04
It took me about an hour to get into the city. A few minutes to text my daughter her wake-up call. She is such a good kid to do this. Students really prefer to sleep late! She trundled her weekend goods to the car. We rode across the city to a quiescent mall for the parking garage. Grabbed a quick breakfast bagel at the early coffee shop. And trekked to the Charles River to see the emerging sunrise back-lit by orange-yellow street lights.
Not all the mariners have stored their boats for the season.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Sunrise Over Boston on the Charles
The colors graduated from soft white to peach to pink to blue to violet across the skyline after the 6:50 scheduled sunrise. The only noises and activity were the recurrent Red Line transit trundling over the Longfellow Bridge every five minutes or so, a jet taking off from Logan Airport and banking southward every two minutes or so pointed westward in a left-to-right fashion, and the soft padding of footsteps of the occasional, early morning joggers. I recall taking the Red Line early into work over two years ago and marveling at the skyline at this time of day. I had a dream then of taking the time to capture it on film or paint.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Pink and Peach Over the Longfellow Bridge
I had my own personal champion and Statue of Liberty over the Charles River to illustrate my freedom this morning. Clutching her coffee in her left arm and proclaiming her photo catch in her right hand.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Statue of Liberty Over the Charles River
I particularly enjoyed the bright orange-red reflections in the water on the right-hand side of this picture where the John Hancock building is lit up with sharply contrasting, reflected sunrise and the distinctive Prudential tower is silhouetted against the waning night. This image facing to the southwest.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 TBD
These images are reminiscent of Impressions of a Sunrise by Monet in 1872. This is the painting that evoked the character of the then-derogatory term "Impressionism".
Internet Fair Use - Impressions Sunrise Monet 1872
Different perspectives and views of the vanishing point for the boat line of a Charles River Marina.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Vanishing Point Charles River Marina
A vanishing point for the fence line on Cambridge-side and north bank of the river.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Vanishing Point Charles River Fence Line
The dinghies await their appointed rounds.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Dinghies Awaiting Use
And the french blue of nestled dinghies.
Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Dinghies in French Blue
Mission accomplished. A special time with my middle daughter. We have done these photo jaunts before and this adds to the memories and her time in the city. More to the ensuing saga in a later posting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)