View of the triple conjunction looking over the Outlet stream from the Liberty Street bridge.

Cheshire Cat Conjunction

For much of the winter Mars has held position in the evening sky, setting around 8 pm. At the same time bright Venus has been moving higher in the western sky, climbing out of the sunset twilight and passing Mars in February. On the 21st of February Mars and Venus were separated by less than half a degree, a close conjunction. The day before the pair were joined by a very thin crescent moon, making a very photogenic grouping in the night sky. The pairing of Venus and the dimmer Mars looked to many like eyes over a smile- Alice’s Cheshire Cat, nearly invisible except it’s smile.

Snow at Watkins Glen harbor.Waiting for a snow squall to pass.
Snow at Watkins Glen harbor.
Snow at Watkins Glen harbor.
The Watkins Glen marina's main pier in winter.
The Watkins Glen marina's main pier in winter.
Watkins Glen marina in winter.
Watkins Glen marina in winter.
Seneca Lake in winter.
Seneca Lake in winter.
Chairs on the pier in Watkins Glen.
Chairs on the pier in Watkins Glen.
Ice fringe in the Watkins Glen marina.
Ice fringe in the Watkins Glen marina.
Watkins Glen breakwater in winter.
Watkins Glen breakwater in winter.
Cruise boat in Watkin Glen.
Cruise boat in Watkin Glen.

Watkins Glen Winter Views

We made a quick trip to Watkins Glen on a day that alternated between snow squalls and sunshine. While Keuka Lake’s eastern branch is largely frozen over, Seneca Lake is ice free. Susan had a meeting at the Schuyler Chamber office, so I took the camera over to the harbor area. A snow flurry passed quickly and I walked out on the pier. The clouds and soft sunlight provided dramatic lighting as I took a few shots, and then it was back to the car to get out of the wind!

While watching gulls bobbing and wheeling in the wind, I noticed a much larger bird joining them. A young adult Bald Eagle was cruising over the marina, playing with the wind. I made a quick lens change and hopped out to try to catch a picture of the eagle, by which time it was much higher and overhead. An adult eagle with bright white head and tail was keeping station to the east, but it didn’t get close enough for a photo.

Bald eagle over Watkins Glen

A young adult Bald Eagle cruising over the Watkins Glen marina.