Phases

 

Tired Tindo

 

Dozing Tindo

 

Timothy

 

Between Light And Shadow

 

Snail Flees From Dog Drops

 

Found in transcendent Plattsburgh City downtown.

Impatient For Spring

 

Red On Silver

 

2 in Tucson, 9 in Plattsburgh

 

© 2025 Luke T. Bush

PLATTSBURGH CITY, NY – 2/11/25

So how did a fidgety four-year-old boy grow up to be a patient astronomy enthusiast?

It was difficult for Ed Guenther to stay still when he was young, sitting with his father during a hunting trip. To keep his son occupied the father would draw attention to the sky, pointing out what could be seen up above.

Ed mentioned this during his presentation at Plattsburgh Public Library. The theme of his lecture, Tucson 2 = Plattsburgh 9, was how different viewing locations could be subjectively rated at a particular time.

In Tucson, Arizona local skywatchers would rate poor viewing conditions as a 2. But to someone like Ed that 2 was equivalent to a higher rating in Plattsburgh: 9.

Ed stressed patience with astronomy. If conditions were poor he would wait for the skyview to improve. Even with relatively poor conditions he could record objects in the sky while others just didn’t try.

He has found himself dealing with a difference of opinion with local officials, trying to promote better viewing opportunities.

When Plattsburgh City was planning to change its streetlights to an antique style, glass globes that shoot light in all directions, Ed mentioned that such lighting would affect skyviewing. At night such lamps throw a lot of glare into the sky, making it difficult to see stars and planets as well as the aurora (northern lights.)  The antique streetlights won out.

With the solar eclipse last April he had discussed with the city about turning out streetlights for 3 ½ minutes so that their light wouldn’t detract from the viewing. An official told him that despite such a short time period such a blackout would endanger everyone. Riots breaking out, looters unleashed.

Ed’s next lecture at the Plattsburgh Public Library is scheduled for on April 8 at 6 PM. The topic will be eclipsia, how an eclipse event can affect someone. The event is free. For more info contact Ed at Ephemeradk@outlook.com .

The Hole Story

 

When Blueberries Bloom, Burn, and Boom

 

Steven Frederick sharing his research of the Altona Flat Rock blueberry business.

© 2025 Luke T. Bush

PLATTSBURGH CITY, NY – 2/7/25

During his presentation on the The Booming Blueberry Business – Altona Flat Rock local historian Steven Frederick warned there were guards protecting the area.

Deer flies.  Nasty biters than can leave a small hole in your skin.

But why would Altona Flat Rock need guards?  The sandstone barren, Steven explained, is only one of twenty such places in the world.  Protecting the rare landscape/ecosystem is essential. 

With its usually dry conditions Altona Flat Rock — bordering on Canada — is fire prone.  Fires help the jack pine trees grow, splitting open their cones, releasing seeds.  And after each fire there’s another resilient plant that comes back to life: the blueberry.  After some time there are more large juicy blueberries.

From 1850 to 1957 blueberries were a booming operation, each harvest sent via rail to distributors in Boston.  In 1914 a berry picker could earn up to $300 for the season.  Steven explained in today’s dollars that figure would be equivalent to $12,413, enough money to lay in provisions for a while.

But it wasn’t easy work.  Besides horseflies pickers in the in the early days also had to deal with rattlesnakes.

There’s a constant watch on to preserve Altona Flat Rock.  Steve mentioned that some ATV drivers are ruining the area so cameras have been set up.

Additional protection to go with the deer flies.

Boundaries

 

New Entrance Finally Open

 

Colors For A Gray Day

 

Setting In

 

Yesterday with above freezing temps workers were able to epoxy posts into place with the new railings at Plattsburgh Public Library.  Today temps were down in the teens, once again slowing down completion of the new entrance.

Freezing Temps Delay Installation

© 2025 Luke T Bush

A workman drills a posthole into the new Plattsburgh Public Library ramp way.  Epoxy is used to hold the railing posts in place but the temperature has to be above freezing to set.  The recent cold weather has delayed the final part of the entrance rebuilding.

The Last Detail

 

After a long wait the railings have arrived for the new Plattsburgh Public Library entrance and installation has begun.

Pinned Shadow

 

Smoking & Scrolling