Tuesday, August 24, 2010

New York State of Mind


My cousin is quite possibly the only person I've ever met who actually feeds the squirrels. Yes, angels, his squirrels rate their very own food dish. He says it's the only way they will leave the birds' food alone. Makes sense to me.


We managed to sneak in a trip to Letchworth State Park on Sunday, the day after the big party. Letchworth Park is seventeen miles long and follows the path of the gorge carved the Genessee River. This is a shot of the Upper Falls with the railroad trestle in the background. The falls were tumultuous cascades of muddy water after the recent rains.


The mightly Middle Falls. There was a stone platform overlooking it and another one facing it. Standing on the facing platform was like being out on the Maid of the Mist under Niagara. Minus the rain coats.




The sun broke through just long enough to coax out the intense colors of a magnificent rainbow in the mist of the Middle Falls. To the right you can see the shear gorge walls which rise up to 550 feet.

From Wikipedia:

The three major waterfalls — called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls — are located in Portage Canyon, the southern section of the park. The Seneca called the land around this canyon "Seh-ga-hun-da", the "Vale of the three falls"; the Middle Falls ("Ska-ga-dee") was believed to be so wondrous it made the sun stop at midday.


Looking back you can see the Middle Falls and the mist rising from the Upper Falls behind it. You do NOT want to get to close to the edge of the gorge walls. I found out yesterday that my cousin and her friends saw a car fly off the the high road (they were in a car on the lower road) in to the gorge a la Thelma and Louise. Only this was for real and not a movie.


And finally, here is a shot of the happy couple after they reaffirmed their vows for their 30th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, Steve and Nancy. And thanks for being such great hosts. As always. I love you both!

~Olivia J. Herrell

20 comments:

Summer Ross said...

Wonderful pictures.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Summer's right : the pictures were beautiful. I've another long STAT to race away to. Just wanted to say : WELCOME BACK. Roland

Francine Howarth said...

Hi,

Nice pics. Guessing you had a great time.

Re squirrels: I originally fed them (two) by default of feeding birds, and although I hated the little thieving rat-bags, I decided to put out a dish with peanuts just for them. Lo and behold, the next day they were holding a party: 7 squirrels, some hanging from feeders strung in trees, one sitting inside the bird table, the rest cleaning up on the floor! That was it I opened the door and let the dog do the big get off my property stint. Wow. Squirrels went in all directions, one nearly copped as he made a long dash to safety of tree. The dog: wolf hybrid!

best
F

Anonymous said...

I like squirrels, bless his heart for feeding them :-)

Eric W. Trant said...

Feed the squirrels in the spring, eat em in the fall. Isn't that how it's supposed to roll?

Gorgeous pictures.

- Eric

Jemi Fraser said...

Terrific pictures! Those falls are absolutely gorgeous :)

jenny wilson said...

amazing pictures xx

Jules said...

Great pic's. Glad you are back, glad it was a good time and glad you told me about the edge. I would have went there, just that sort of girl :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Terry Stonecrop said...

Love the pix! Glad you had such a wonderful time! Welcome back:)

VR Barkowski said...

Gorgeous photos, Oliva. Thank you so much for sharing. That rainbow is breathtaking!

Raquel Byrnes said...

My husband grew up in NY and he always tells me about how beautiful it is...never really understood until I saw your pictures.

Edge of Your Seat Romance

Anonymous said...

I used to live not terribly far from there. Thank you for rekindling the memories!

The Words Crafter said...

Wow, what awesome (in a true sense of the word) pics!!!! You're quite the photographer, you know.

Um, I like to feed squirrels, too. When we lived in our one bedroom apt on the fifth floor, squirrels would climb up to our balcony where we had bird feeders. We started using only sunflower seeds. Cardinals preferred them, and they gave the squirrels a better meal...

The Words Crafter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A.T. Post said...

Hadn't heard of Letchworth. Looks like an absolutely marvelous place.

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Thank you, guys. I sure missed you. Glad you enjoyed the pictures!

~Olivia

Arlee Bird said...

What an incredible looking place. The photos are great.

lee
Tossing It Out

Natalie said...

Wow. What a beautiful place!

Jules said...

Since you are back.......I have something for you on my blog :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Gardner West, private eye said...

Hey, Welcome Back, Olivia! Glad you had a grand time:]

Those falls are impressive as hell.

Congrats to Steve and Nancy!

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