So close you can almost touch it

Where the canyon ends. So close, yet so far. You can touch both sides of this canyon, but the water below makes it near impossible to continue past this point.

The border between Mexico and the United States (along the Rio Grande in Texas). The mountains are the border patrol along this rivers bends.

Pennsylvania

Kennedy's Mills

Michael jumps from the spot on a large rock, labeled "jump here," conquering his fear of heights and water, killing two birds with one stone.

Paige climbs back up onto the large rock after her jump off of it, trying not to fall on the slippery rocks of Slippery Rock Creek as she does so. (I, myself, slipped more than a couple of times...)

The infamous rope swing. Not too long ago, a young man jumped off the rope a little too close to the rocks rather than water and unfortunately did not make it. Even with the eerie large blood stained rock lingering below, many young people remain undeterred and continue to swing from the rope, performing stunts such as backflips into the water below.

Horderves

Hand passed, homemade horderves

Cheese platter

Cracker tray

Today I got the opportunity to photograph the food that Brick City Catering at RIT provided for a gala held by the Nathaniel Rochester Society. Using the equipment available as well as on-sight lighting and assembling the horderves myself (as that is my job), I managed to get a few decent images. I hope to improve my food photography as my time progresses.

Majestic

The most majestic creature of all

The Fourth

 Land of the free

Home of the brave

Lonely Home Spaces

The West Texas Blues

Mysteries of Montreal

Cat Room

A piece of my final project exploring the conditions and practices in animal shelters. I attempted to keep away from sad animal commercial to focus more on the shelter itself, although the animals still played a large part. The image above is from a shelter in my hometown in Texas in the Cat Room. The cats are offered an array of options to cure their curiosity, including the boxes attached to the walls as shown. 

Crossroads Veterinary Clinic

WARNING: 

The following images are not for the faint of heart. If you have a weak stomach, I suggest not looking through this post.

These images were taken during a few procedures at a local veterinary clinic in Victoria, TX. As the doctor performed the surgeries, he discussed them in full detail so that I knew what he was doing and why. Here he shows me veins while he neuters a small dog. 

The doctor sews up a wound on a large dog's leg. Before he stitched the skin of the wound back together, he cut the extra skin the create a clean scar. As he operates, he lets me know that blood is a good sign. It means the animal is still alive. 

The uterus of a dog.

Architecture Assignment

St. Michael's Church in downtown Rochester

A wonderful visit for anyone interested in architecture, this church displays gorgeous stained glass windows and boasts an amazing organ at the top of two beautiful staircases (above).

Updated Challenge

With work and summer school beginning to pick up, I have decided to delve into my large, untouched photo collection resting on my 2 external hard drives as well as my laptop. I intend to post at least one image per day that I feel was overlooked by myself at the time I captured the picture. I believe this will be a good addition to my challenge. I will also mix in some of my new images from my summer adventures as I see fit!

Day 30

Letchworth State Park

Enjoying a lovely view along one of many hiking paths.

Visitors can also enjoy whitewater rafting along the river. Along the trip, you can also take a nice, cool dip in the water for a small break from rafting.

Day 24

Madison tries her first Garbage Plate at its place of origin, Nick Tahou's Hots, Rochester, NY.

Anyone who visits the area must try the classic dish. It is a local special that many locations serve and try to recreate, but Nick Tahou's is the original. They even have vegetarian options for people like this young lady, and even myself. The original idea behind this plate was to bring a large amount of food for a small amount of money in times of rough economic circumstances. If you visit the location on Main Street, you can read the story behind the famed "Garbage Plate."

Day 23

The other day, I found this little guy on campus. He, or she, was just sitting, baking in the sunlight. I stopped to observe the creature for a few minutes. He didn't seem to care that I was looking at him, even as I moved closer, he remained still. I was scared that he might be hurt, so I contacted a friend that has a lot of animal knowledge.

I decided that, if nothing else, I should help the little guy move to a shaded area to avoid over-heating. So I scooted him with my shoe to a near by shady area. He then began squawking back to a nearby bird that I could hear. I soon left to go get water for him, and maybe some help. I thought he might have had a broken wing seeing as every time he attempted to fly, he failed. 

I later heard back from my friend that he was just a fledgling. A bird fully ready to fly, it just needed to get out there and do it. When I returned to give it water, the small bird had disappeared. I guess he either learned to fly, or natural selection took place...

Day 21

During the summer months, downtown Rochester is filled with a variety of festivals, some have a fee, but many are free! Last night, many people gathered at the East End to listen to a variety of music and eat food from several of the local food truck vendors. 

Day 20

Powder Mills Park- Fish Hatchery

If you are ever bored, or in the mood to see fish, head on over to Powder Mills Park. You can feed fish for just 25 cents! The fish jump out of the water then follow you. It is pretty fun.

Day 18

Challenge Accepted

Team Alcoballics(dill green) challenged Team OGB(purple and blue tie-dye) on the referees call. He called one of Team Alcoballics members out. The team didn't agree with the call and challenged the other team to decide if it was out or a safe run. The challenge?

Shotgunning a beer. Whoever has the emptiest can in the refs hand first, wins. 

Both teams finish at nearly the same time.

The ref determining the winner by who has the least beer left in the can.

Team Alcoballics lives up to their name and wins the challenge!

I guess this is what you get when a beer is the sponsor of the kickball tournament. 

Day 17

The Brookdale Preserve

This trail is beautiful, so much lovely scenery. 

The trail was very quiet and calm. A great place to clear your mind.

Although this trail was very scenic, I am going to make some suggestions for any future travelers to this location, only 7 minutes from the RIT campus!

1. Bring a friend. It is easy to get lost, and will be less frightening with a buddy. The grasses are overgrown, taller than I am at 5'7" in some areas!

2. Bug Spray. I can't stress this one enough. I felt like I was being eaten alive.

3. Boots. Wear water resistant boots. Because of the tall grasses, the trail is hidden at some points, so I accidentally wandered into a marsh and soaked my shoes. Not very much fun for the rest of the trip!

4. Long pants and shirt. The trail is overgrown in many locations, so some flowered plants with thorns have grown into the walking area! (There are also some hidden stumps among the tall grasses, watch out!)

5. Enjoy!

My initial trip here was very unpleasant, mostly due to the mosquitoes, but I would definitely venture back for another more prepared go at it! 

Day 16

Red-winged Blackbird (male)

This little bird kept coming over near where I was sitting on a log and chiming to me, so I decided to do some research to figure out what type of bird he is.

This little guy is a Red-winged Blackbird, apparently very prevailent in North America. These birds love to be near the water, as I found this guy at Mendon Ponds, a park in northern New York. The males have this noticeable red and yellow streak across their wing, like the bird pictured above, while the females are more subdued, often brown. 

* If you are interested in knowing more, feel free to visit the sight below! That is where I found most of my information (some of it was based on my own observations, as well)!

* http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-winged_blackbird/id?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=fb7e4c32a2-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2013_3_07&utm_medium=email

Day 15

The Canada Goose

Many families of Canadian Geese have begun to take up residence in urban areas, such as these families seen here a a pond near a construction sight in a suburb of a city in northern New York.

These geese have an affinity for water and tend to settle near ponds and large, open grassy areas. They also travel and stay in families. 

Unlike many other geese, Canadian Geese have a liking for people, but people do not always like them. They tend to make messes that bother people and are very vocal creatures. 

Day 14

Meet Bobby Lee from Alabama

He enjoys sitting on the beach, getting drunk, smoking, and paying for girlfriends.

He has 9 brothers, him being the 10th and youngest, and 4 sisters.

He is a Vietnam veteran.

And he is a union worker as a brick mason.

He travels all over for his job and has been coming to the Rochester area most summers for at least 10 years now.

He claims he's got a lot of money and just has fun with it. He even wanted to buy my camera off of me!

Bobby showing me how he shot civilians during the war to save his life.

This 64 year old man was not the least bit shy to share his story with me, from the first time his brothers got him drunk off of moonshine at age 11, to his heroine and cocaine escapades in the 60's, stabbing a man who wanted his coat at a local biker bar, up to the two cops that caught him smoking pot on the beach down in Irondequoit and let him leave without a problem.

Before I left, he offered my friend who was with me and myself to smoke a joint with him. No worries, we declined. But thanks for the offer.

Day 13

Adirondack Mountain Club

Members showing each other new ways to enter the kayak.

More experienced members teach newer members 

how to enter the kayak and help them along the way.

Day 12

Learning how to grill.

She built the grill herself!

Day 11

"Stealth"

Stumbled upon joining a kickball team today.

Team name: Raging Alcoballics

Day 10

Sweet, sweet nostalgia