suns along the Mohawk

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The beautiful evergreen that will serve as the 2010 Stockade holiday (f/k/a Christmas) tree arrived last Monday and was erected and decorated next to the statue of Lawrence the Indian.  The tree was donated by Jack McDonald.

As you can see in this slideshow, the tree is stately and shapely with its red bows and lights, and is photogenic from any angle.

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The Annual Stockade Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, December 5, 2010, at 5 PM, with a reception to follow in the Friendship Hall of First Reformed Church.  Connie Colangelo has been heading up the efforts to get the tree erected, with Carol DeLaMarter coordinating the decoration of the fence around Lawrence.  Jennifer Wells will be in charge of the kitchen for the Reception.   See the cover of the December Spy for more details.

Had I arrived  an hour or so earlier on Friday to take these photos, I would have caught the sun making a beautiful natural star atop the tree.

– Saturday morning, I returned to snap the newly-decorated fence –

You can click on the photos in the Gallery below for a larger version of each picture.

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When I noticed yesterday (Oct. 28, 2010) how many leaves were being blown off our Stockade trees, I hurried out to catch the remaining autumn colors on camera, on a sunny Thursday afternoon, at various spots along Union Street (mostly on and near its 200 block).  Some might call the fall foliage “past peak,” but there was much beauty to enjoy.

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You will find a slideshow below with 18 of the photos taken, including a look at the tasteful, newly-painted facade of my former nextdoor-neighboring house at 216 Union St.

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Below the slideshow you’ll find the pictures in gallery format and can click on them for larger versions.

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– the First Presbyterian cemetery was inspiring –

Here’s the slideshow.

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Scroll over a photo in the gallery below for a description; click on a gallery photo for a larger version; clicking on that larger version will bring you to the (usually) even larger jpg. source image.

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– 216 Union Street joins a sizable group of newly-painted Stockade homes –

Of course, leaves were not the only yellow and orange items to be found on Union St. in October 2010:

Naturally, despite the influence of a certain 3-year-old boy, I prefer natural blondes and redheads:

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p.s. Just a year ago, our Washington Ave. cherry blossom trees inspired the posting “not just an April infatuation” (October 30, 2009).  We modestly suggest it is well worth another look.

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– the view on Columbus Day from Washington Ave. up Front St. –

. as always, click on a photo for a larger version .

She caught my attention from a block away. Mid-morning on each of the recent run of sunny days, I spotted a small, flaming-red tree down the block on the south side of Front St., near Governor’s Lane and west of N. Church Street.   Each day, I paused a moment to marvel at the sight, but was heading in the other direction and got no closer.  When I did walk or drive past the tree over the long weekend, the sun was no longer illuminating it and I (being superficial) paid her no attention — not even noticing that it stood in front of 10 Front Street.

Yesterday morning, I decided to get acquainted with the deciduous enchantress, and to capture her with my camera before time, wind and rain diminished the autumnal beauty.  So, I pointed my Canon down the block and to a short walk up Front Street.

Like any good model, the small tree changes its “personality” when viewed from different perspectives and with varied lighting and backgrounds.   My local authority on just about everything, Rob Petito, identified the specimen as acer rubrum, a red maple (and the tag on its lowest branch, which Rob kindly pointed out to me, confirmed his observation).

I’m not sure why one rather scrawny little tree has captured my fancy and given me so much pleasure.   Here are some of my favorite shots of the young Stockade redhead, which Faddegon’s calls a Maple Autumn Flame.

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. . I can’t wait until next October to see my Autumn Flame ablaze again.

update (October 22, 2010):  I revisited my little redhead just nine days after the above photos were taken.   As you can see, some forms of beauty are indeed impermanent (click on each for a larger photo).

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Of course, the cycle that will bring back her autumn beauty has already begun.  Absent some unexpected tragedy, our patience will be amply rewarded next October.

p.s. Down the block, there’s another lovely sight.  A couple weeks ago, during the Walkabout, I snapped a photo of 19 Front St. being painted.  If you haven’t seen the results, here’s the finished product at Liz Gemmette’s home:

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Quite a few Stockade homes have been recently painted, and others (such as 15 and 17 Washington Ave. and 11 Front St.) are currently being prepared for new paint.  Thanks to all the homeowners who continue to maintain and beautify our neighborhood.

A beautiful day, friendly crowds, lovely homes, food and festivities: in other words a very successful Stockade Walkabout for 2010. [update: click to see images of the 2011 Walkabout ; and our connection to WMHT’s Our Town Schenectady.]

Here’s a slideshow of about 40 photos to give you some of the flavor.  Below the slideshow you’ll find the pictures in gallery format; scroll over a gallery photo for a description; click on a gallery photo for a larger version; clicking on that larger version will bring you to the (usually) even larger jpg. source image.

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Many thanks to Lyn Gordon, Gloria Kishton, Carol DeLaMarter, all of the committee members, volunteers and sponsors.