I know the feeling. Ran for 26 years. Neuromuscular disease ended that. But I can still lift a camera. That last image was worth all the standing. Third Monday April 2025? I'll be out there again.

Thanks. I too love the last one for a lot of reasons. Two years ago I got a shot of a runner with similar sunglasses in which the reflections of the towers of BC are visible in his glasses. It too worked much better in black and white.

If it is the third Monday in April it is Patriot's Day and time for the marathon. I live with two other Jesuits in a satellite community that is about 100 yards off the course. I generally take my first post at mile 21. Because it is a very residential area and a bit of a schlep from the T (the subway) it is easy to find a place at the barricades.

The weather was perfect though probably a tad warm for the runners. Clouds helped to mitigate the effect of full-bore sun. It was an odd race compared with previous years (I've shot six of the past seven). The man who is going to go on to win some five miles later is usually embedded in a pack of 8 to 10. As you will see, the Ethiopian Sisay Lemma was alone, about 1/2 mile ahead of the others. The "pack" behind him was only three, one of whom was last year's winner, but it was minutes before they arrived. On the other hand the women left the start in a tight pack and finished the same way.

Shot with EM1 mkii using 70-300 mm lens at 75 mm.

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A few steps later at 75 mm. He was one traffic lane away from me during this shot.

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The women's pack. Hellen in the turquoise shirt won for the second year in a row. She is going to try for a three-peat net year.

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As I noted, a glorious day.

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Army men running in camo and boots. They must be a podiatrist's delight. Can't imagine. I was a runner for 26 or so years but can't imagine running in combat boots.

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My personal favorite. Shot at 300 mm. Was very happy that I was able to get some reflections. The man is in a wheelchair. I was probably ten feet away or less when taking this.

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Great shots. The architecture is characteristic of Cistercian architecture of the era, a style about which many treatises have been written. The order was founded in 1098. The split between what is now known as the Strict Observance (OCSO) aka Trappist and the Common Observance (O. Cist) occurred in 17th Century. Particularly like the black and white. Nicely composed.

Will give it a shot. I was standing at a strange angle about four steps higher than the ground while attempting to keep overhanging branches out of the frame. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks Doc. Going to VT second week of Feb, weather permitting me to get there. Don't care about getting back.

Thanks. I would have taken many more during the snow but the cold and wind numbed my hands and most of the rest of me. Thought of going out at night and then laughed. Yeah, right.

Had some snow in Boston on 7 January. Took camera to lunch. Took a long time to get back to the satellite house in which I live with two other SJs. The bulk of the snow fell during the 2 hour lunch with a recent grad heading off to med school soon.

Am one month post cataract surgery. First on 15 November second on 13 December. Now have new glasses with an amped up bifocal. Astonishing difference when shooting and processing. Noted a tendency to over-sharpen some things. The biggest surprise post-op was color including finding out that my room is painted white not a shade of nicotine.

Locust Lane, the main entrance to the college.

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Main entrance.

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No snow tires. Decided to walk.

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Gasson Hall in all of its splendor.

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Great work Doc. Took on similar to 2 up in VT when snowed it. May have to convert to black and white to see what happens.

Thank you. It was a great five days. Nice staying at the place being photographed.

Thanks. If I had to choose shooting in color or blacck and white exclusively for a year there would be no debate. Black and white. Easy.

My first month as a fellow at Mass General I asked my attending where "Skit you ate" was. I cannot quote his reply without offending many but I certainly never mispronounced it again.

Spent five days at the Boston College conference and retreat center. It is located in a very large house, more like a small hotel from another era, on the highest point overlooking Cohasset Harbor. In the free times between retreat talks, Mass, and communal prayer, spent time wander on the property with camera. These came from a day of knowing that everything I shot would be converted to black and white.

The view from the boathouse toward the ocean. The private house sits on a large rock. It has its own access bridge and an impressive dock.

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The Cohasset Yacht Club. During the season it is chock-a-block with boats. The October retreat is always quieter though noise is not generally a problem.

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Heading out to open water. The John Quincy Adams estate is to the right. Shot with 7 mm.

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Old steps. The moss was such a ghastly shade of green that this was an obvious choice for conversion.

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Shooting through a window in thouse toward Scituate across the harbor.

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Very nice. Fog and mist are a photographer's best friend.

Thanks. The sun had just started coming over the horizon. Standing a foot to either side and I'd be shooting directly into the sun. Just enough forest to shield.