Go Bears!!

B-E-A-R-S Bears, Bears, Bears, WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

It's that time of year again, yesterday the NHL opened the season with a single game and the Bears played their first home exhibition game last night in the Giant Center. Both teams open the regular season on the road this year, the Bears against the baby Pens (BOOOOOOOO) on Wednesday and the Caps against the Thrashers on Friday.

Last night the Bears destroyed the Norfolk Admirals 6-2. Tonight everyone is looking forward to a physical game at home against the WB Penguins.

The top photograph is Louis Robitaille in pregame warm up last year, lets hope the extra weight and muscle he added helps him this year. The other photo is Tomas Fleischmann, word has it that he signed a two way contract with the Caps, but I have not confirmed that yet. On Friday night Tomas helped to lead the Caps to a 7-5 win over the Flyers by getting two goals including the game winner. Good luck this year Flash we want you in the organization.

Pronghorn

A pronghorn or antelope, is North Americas fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

This photograph was taken last September in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone. I didn't know much about this animal then, but after a scare with this male, I soon learned.

Brian and I separated in this field each looking for the best spot to shoot this male and his herd of females. After getting my tripod set up this guy began watching me like I was about to get my butt kicked. After a short time he decided to run, straight at me. Everything in me said do something but the stupid part took over and all I could do was to keep shooting as he approached me at those speeds. He passed by me within feet and just kept going until he reached the next mountain.

I joined up with a couple other photographers shooting the same herd to learn that the pronghorn was really looking through me to the next mountain. It turns out they are in rut the same time as the elk and he spotted competition.

A short time later he returned and posed for numerous photographs, including this one.

Hockey Season

Hockey season will soon be starting so I thought this might be a good time for the HFD photographs. On April 21, 2007 the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire hockey team played the Reading Fire Department at the old arena in Hershey. After a close first period Dan Wolfe scored a couple of goals in the second period to lead the HFD to a 9-4 win over Reading.

Yellowstone

For me Yellowstone is the greatest place on earth. We first went there in July 2005 and I got to go back again last September and October with Brian. I will not say that it is the most beautiful place, that is reserved for Ox Bow Bend, along the Tetons not far south of Yellowstone. With any luck I will get to spend many summers there when I retire.

Both of these photographs were taken October 3, 2006. The first image was captured between Norris and Canyon Village. We watched this coyote for some time as he would find small rodents and pounce on them. Each time he would turn as if to show us his catch hanging from his mouth.

The black bear photograph was taken between Roosevelt Lodge and Canyon Village. This turned out to be a good bear viewing area for us. Each time we traveled this road we seen bears. This bear is a mother, she had two cubs with her that appeared to be about two years old. I know I said I would give the bears a break, but it is a black bear not a grizzly this time.

More Alaska Bears

Yes more Katmai, Alaska grizzly bears. Like the others this was taken July 11, 2007 just below Brooks Falls. Theses young bears were probably two or three years old. They did not catch many live salmon, but they did feast on the adults left over fish. Don't worry I only have a few hundred more Katmai grizzly photos to post, LOL just kidding I will only put up a few more.

Pipes and Drums

March 10, 2007 Harrisburg Saint Patrick's Day parade. Harrisburg firefighters Robert Enterline, B platoon Squad 8 and Jason Loyd, B platoon Tower 1 performed for their first time with the Lochiel Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. Both have practiced very hard and it showed.

The Emerald Society is made up of local firefighter, police officers and public safety personnel. The band is based in Harrisburg and practices at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum. They first performed at the 2006 St. Patrick's Day parade and have since participated in numerous other events including opening for Rod Stewart at Hershey, Pa. Additional information on the Society and museum can be located at http://www.lochielhbg.com/index.php and http://pnfm.org/

Unexpected

Today's photograph was taken July 22, 2005 in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone.

I call it unexpected because when I first spotted these deer they were at the bottom of this hill in the river. Of course I got excited thinking I would get shots of them in the water, but they started up the hill. I waited thinking I could still get a few shots, but I never thought they would come to the top and pose for me. The three bucks stood on the top creating the perfect repetition and rules of third for a photograph.

The Lamar Valley is my favorite place in Yellowstone. This area has the least amount of tourist, most of the people that are there are to watch the wolves. The wildlife is plentiful, although you must work for it. Buffalo are abundant, deer are plentiful, wolves run in packs and there is the occasional black bear.

Getting A Tan

I took this photograph in July 2007 at Seward, Alaska from a small cruise ship.

The Harbor seal ofter called hair seals by Alaskan coastal residents because they are covered with short stiff bristled like hair. They are warm-blooded air breathing animals that reach weights of about 180 pounds. Males can live to about 26 years and females to about 32 years (I was going to comment here, but I will let it go). In Alaska waters they predominately eat walleye, pollock, Pacific cod and capelin.

They day we went on this cruise looking for sea life the waters were very ruff with high swailes. I had to take many shots of these guys just to get something half decent, the part of the boat I was on was moving up and down probably 10 feet. Note the large male laying in the center (I worked for a Battalion Chief that resembled this for a few years).

I'm Cute

Hello my name is Cappy. I got my name from the Washington Capitals, because my family is a bunch of hockey nuts. I am around two years old and have lived with the Myers family all my life. They adopted me from Molly's Place in Mechanicsburg. Stop by Molly's, there are many other pets that need adopted.

In the future you will meet my older brother Kyle, and my younger sister Alex, yes short for Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals. Don't tell her she was named after a Russian man, she is sensitive.

Speaking of hockey our favorite time of the year is starting, hockey season. We love to watch hockey especially the Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals. And Shane's hockey season is starting, I think you will see some photographs of that also.

Gone Fishing

Shane has been asking when I would put another one of his photographs up, so here it is. this photo was taken in Katmai, Alaska just below Brooks Falls in July 2007. The bear is probably a two year old. And no he did not catch this salmon.

I have more Katmai grizzly photos coming in the future.

HELP!!!!

Okay I give up, if there is anybody out there that knows why I can not get multiple paragraphs please let me know. I type the discription leaving spaces between paragraphs, preview it and it looks fine. When I publish the post it I have one paragraph. I even tried leaving a period between paragraphs to take up space and it still comes out as one paragraph. If anybody out there knows what my problem is (okay I mean with the blog) please help.

Brad

Street Life

In November 2006 a young city man was shot and killed at this spot. Later in the month we responded to the same address when the memorial set up for the victim began to smolder when the candles burnt down to the railroad tie.

I like this photograph because I feel it portrays life in the city and our life as firemen in the city. The street has our typical three story row homes, the building the man was killed at is vacant and graffiti covered. From the fire department's side, the station Captain, EMS and an engine man check out the fire, while another from the engine brings the can. The truck driver can still be seen in the window sitting in his seat, the firefighter looking back is a Probie waiting for me.

We took the time to take the memorial apart, extinguish the fire and put it back together again. We still got cursed out by a lady on the street. But it is still a great job.

Cricket Anyone

Today's post comes from Washingtonburg again. My family had the opportunity to play a game of Cricket. In the center photograph Shane makes contact with the ball and in the last shot Linda is about to hit the ball while Shane (holding the bat) gets ready to run. They both did a good job and had lots of fun.

Cricket is a team sport played by two teams of 11 players each, and is similar to baseball. A game can last from a few hours to several days. Rules of the game and additional information can be found at http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/hosking/cricket/explanation.htm

The 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment

The 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. took part in the weekend activities at Washingtonburg. The information in this post came from their web site http://www.24cmr.org/ stop by and learn more about them and there schedule of events.

The 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment, Inc. is a recreated organized militia, as well as a non-profit organization composed of men and women who are deeply interested in preserving and recreating the life and times of the common people of the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War era. Emphasis has been placed on the soldiers and women that served in the Army from the Wyoming Valley area of Connecticut. The dress or uniform of our unit is primarily militarized civilian clothing with a mixture of issued military items, as most of the soldiers were of the settlements in the Valley.

The British Are Coming

This year the Carlisle Army War College turns 250 years old. To go along with their birthday "The Market at Washingtonburg" was held at the US Army Heritage and Education Center September 14-16.

The three day event featured an 18th century market and military fair. 18th century sutlers, demonstrators and military reenactors performed special programs, lectures and demonstrations.

My family had the opportunity to play numerous 18th century games including Cricket and to meet General Washington. Most of my postings this week will be from our experience at Washingtonburg.

It's Almost Rut Season

This photograph was taken in the summer of 2005 at Yellowstone National Park.

In the summer the bull elk keep to themselves roaming Yellowstone eating. The cows can be found in herds with their young normally along the river in west Yellowstone. Not long from now the rut season will begin and a big bull like this one will have his own herd of cows.

This is a fantastic time of year in the west as the bulls keep the cows in line looking to mate. The sound of the bulls bugling is as exciting as watching with them with their herds. Other bulls will show up and attempt to compete for the herd. They may bluff charge and if you are very lucky they may fight.

I wish I was heading west again this year. Check this link http://brianbastinelli.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=4800&Akey=KLB3KPWC for a wonderful image of two bulls fighting, while there look around at Brian's other photographs. Good luck again this year Brian.

Help Me

This photograph was taken July 2007 at Brooks Falls, Katmai Alaska. For a few weeks in July the salmon are at the peak of their spawning and the grizzly are hungry wanting to fatten up for winter.

Only the larger males get to stand on the falls and catch the fish. Below the falls the grizzly bears are in groups according to strength and size, the last in line being the young cubs with there mothers.

After down loading images that day, we had a good time with this photograph. Looking at the fish's eyes and mouth it appears he is saying HELP ME!! HELP ME!!. And if he knows what this bear is going to do to him that may be correct. This large male will only eat the skin off the salmon without killing it before eating the brain and walking away to catch another one. Those parts of the salmon contain the fat and that is all the male wants. The bears below the falls will catch what the male didn't want when it reaches them. And if anything is left after that the sea gulls will fight over it.

Its Friday

Its Friday, the weekend is here. Maybe for regular workers, for me its only Tuesday. I should have saved this photo for Sunday when it will be my last night of work.

This was my first attempt at shooting fireworks. I learned a few things and captured a few good images, of course I get some really bad ones also. The photograph was taken in Carlisle, Pa. during there 2007 4Th of July fireworks display.

He Scores!!!

Today's entry is about my favorite subject to photograph, my son Shane. This photo was taken July 2006 during Shane's first season playing rugby.

Shane has now played rugby for two seasons, he also plays ice hockey and for the first time flag football with a Church league. By the way Shane's rugby team won the championship this year.

Shane is also active in Boy Scouts and plays the drums in school.

I believe you will be seeing more of Shane in the future.

Shane is in the black with the ball.

PRR 643

Like all boys young and old I love trains. Here the engineer is releasing the brakes on Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive 643 to begin one of its many passenger trips at the Williams Grove Steam Engine association show.

Every year around Labor day at Williams Grove Park just outside Mechanicsburg, Pa. the association holds there annual picnic that last about 10 days. The train runs non stop taking passengers for a short journey. There are tractor parades featuring John -Deere, Allis-Chalmers and many other types. And there is a number of steam tractors operating sawmills, thrashers and other vintage farm equipment.

Never go hungry as most the food is home made and worth the wait in line. Before going home it is always good to stop in the butcher shop and pick up some sausage and scrapple.

The show has been going on since 1959, they can be found at http://www.steamtraction.com/

I Want To Be A Fireman

June 2007 over 20 kids participated in the West End Fire and Rescue Company's 10Th annual Child's Dream weekend.

As a child I also dreamed of being a fireman when I became an adult. I fulfilled those dreams and have never regretted it. Six years ago this day 343 FDNY fireman gave their lives so that many others may live. Those men and women make us all proud to wear the blue uniform.

On this sixth anniversary please remember the firefighters that gave their lives that day and the men and women in the armed forces and emergency services that continue everyday to insure your freedom and safety.

Let Us Never Forget

"When a man becomes a fireman, his act of bravery has already been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work...Firefighters do not regard themselves as heroes because they do what the business requires." Fire Chief New York City Edward Croker, 1908. This just seemed appropriate for this day of remembering and morning. The image above was taken May 13, 2007 at 2010 Green Street, City of Harrisburg. Firefighters from D platoon operated at a two alarm fire in the middle of an occupied row.

I guess I should have made this my first post. I am a fireman for a living that enjoys photography. I prefer to shoot wildlife and fires but photograph anything that catches my eye.

My earlier digital images were recorded with a Nikon D70, I have been shooting with a D2X for about a year now. My son Shane has been showing an interest in photography and has been using my D70. Hopefully as he gets a little older he will be able to teach me a few things in post processing.

I am going to try and post a different photograph each day, some days it may be Shane’s photo.

I don’t know if anyone out there other than my family is viewing this blog or not so if you are lurking please feel free to comment good or bad about my images.

Thanks Bradley

Waiting

A fireman’s gear rest idly next to his truck.

Cautious cubs

This photograph was taken by my 11 year old son Shane July 2007 in Alaska. He must have spoken to them and asked them to pose, because they never cooperated for me like this.

Katmai Bear

July 2007, a Katmai grizzly bear catches fish on Brooks Falls.