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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I had a lovely walk along the Charles #river in #Boston last weekend.

200 Clarendon st (formerly known as the John Handcock Tower) is an 800 foot glass tower built in 1979. Designed to blend in with the sky around it, it's doing its job well today reflecting the partly cloudy skies of a summer afternoon.

A shot taken from the perfect park bench, under the perfect tree, next to my favorite river, in perfect weather. I love this city.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I got to spend a #night under some truly dark skies during a new moon. Our #galaxy is spectacular.

The core of the Milky Way galaxy shines brightly behind some pine trees.

The overhead view from my campsite. To my eye, the Milky Way stretched nearly across the whole sky.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

The South American #tallships I got to see in #Boston were spectacular. Thanks for the cheerful greetings!

The four masted Esmeralda of Chile visits Boston Harbor

Esmeralda's crew literally hanging out on the rigging of the ship.

ARC Gloria of Colombia and her colorfully clad climbing crew. What a show!

BAE Guayas of Ecuador sails past Boston's downtown skyline.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Some #photos I took of the smaller #tallships in #Boston for #sail250. It was a great day to be by the sea!

Andrew McAllister, a stout tugboat festooned with American Flag theming, heads across Boston Harbor in front of the downtown skyline.

The Virginia, a small (for this event), stately ship with rich brown sails heads into the harbor. It sails past modern glass clad towers and a shoreline filled to the brim with spectators in colorful summer outfits.

The American Eagle sails past the North End of Boston with the Zakim Bridge playing homage to nearby Bunker hill in the background.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Just outside the #Boston public garden.

Boylston St, Boston, Massachusetts. A brick sidewalk along the public garden. Tall trees on the left, their foliage above, a wrought iron fence to the right.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

A friendly #spider at the local pub, keeping the area free of flying nuisances. Thanks buddy!

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

This fluffy #pigeon appears annoyed that I have run out of seed already.

A white, tan, and black pigeon with slight green iridescence looks angry about the lack of seed they're getting.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

As our final #adventure my brother and I visited the town of Hytop, AL in search a nice dark #sky for #stargazing. Unfortunately local light pollution limited visual observation, but we were still able to get some good #photos of our two closest #Galaxies.

A widefield photograph of the skies around the Andromeda galaxy. This is a few shots from my Canon DSLR stacked in a (mostly futile) attempt to reduce noise. This was my star tracker's first long-distance adventure and I'm happy with it's portability and quick setup.

The Milky Way galaxy from Hytop, AL in mid November. This shot is a four minute exposure taken with my Pixel 8 pro at 2x zoom to crop out some local interference.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

While in #Alabama, my brother and I ventured out to it's highest #mountain: Mt. #Cheaha. The #landscape views were spectacular.

A wide angle view from the top of Bald Rock on Mt. Cheaha. A scraggly tree is in the foreground while the land drops sharply behind it. A partly cloudy sky and the Alabama fall foliage extend to meet each other at the horizon.

A panoramic composite view of the Appalachian foothills in central Alabama, taken from Pulpit Rock on Mt. Cheaha. Layers of hills and low mountains stack behind each other in the haze while the sun tries to find its way through the cloud cover.

A view from one of the (scary) edges of Pulpit Rock on Mt. Cheaha in Alabama. We were able to witness the tail end of the fall colors on this adventure. My fear of falling off of cliffs kept me at least three feet from the edge at all times.

My brother is braver than I when it comes to mountain ledges, so I let him go ahead and took this photo instead. Taken from Pulpit Rock on Mt Cheaha in Alabama.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I went down to #Huntsville, #Alabama to visit my Brother and say hi to my favorite #spaceship: The #Space #Shuttle. Shown here is the RS-25 or SSME and the Pathfinder test vehicle.

The RS-25 or SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) was used in a trio on the Space Shuttle and now powers the SLS (Space Launch System) core. These engines are remarkably reliable workhorses that helped build and supply the ISS as well as send hundreds of astronauts into orbit.

The Space Shuttle Pathfinder sits atop a mockup of it's iconic orange external tank and pair of SRBs used to boost the shuttle into space. The Pathfinder is a 1:1 wood and steel mockup of the Shuttle used for studying and training handling and ground procedures and transport scenarios.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

The #sky was clear and the moon was new, so I decided to shoot the #stars and vaguely aim for #Andromeda. Nearly every bit of my kit gave me trouble, but I cursed and battled on to get a #photo I'm quite satisfied with.

A shot of the night sky, full of stars, in the general neighborhood of Andromeda, sitting top-center. This was taken with an old unmodified DSLR and a DIY star tracker mounted to an Amazon Basics tripod 20 miles from Boston. You don't need fancy equipment or exotic locales to do this, mostly just knowledge and patience.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

I caught a spectacular #sunset over the Charles #river this week.

A golden sky streaked with puffy clouds covers the calm waters of the Charles River on a late October evening.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

There was a King #tide today, so I made an excuse to go to downtown #Boston and see its effects. After working in the city for nearly a decade, I finally made time to go check one out.

Boston Harbor near the New England Aquarium rises right up to the edge of the wharf today. Usually the ocean is 3 to 12 feet lower than right now, so this view is a bit unusual for a Bostonian familiar with the area.

Ships stand tall upon a King Tide in Boston Harbor. I've seen these ships many times before, but they've never towered over me quite as much as today.

A little bit of the Atlantic floods a low spot near the apartments by the aquarium. Waves were gently flowing through the gaps in the wall. I went over to touch the ocean and it was very warm, not surprising for early fall, it hasn't seen many cool nights yet.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

My #pigeon pals are starting to recognize me. This little one came scampering over for some seed once they noticed my arrival. I love working in a proper city.

A Bostonian pigeon stands expectancy upon some bricks by the wharf, awaiting their rations of bird seed.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

The #bay was calm and teeming with life this weekend. The #cormorants and #herons were out getting their fill.

Several cormorants perch upon a pier over the bay. One of them is just landing, it's wings spread out wide.

The glassy smooth waters of Assonet Bay reflect the clear blue sky, and verdant green trees that surround it.

A white heron stands in the water just off shore, waiting for one of the many fish to swim just a bit too close.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

The #Wachusett #Dam up close and from afar. The chance of rain kept everyone at home and we had the place to ourselves.

A shot looking across the valley down the length of the Wachusett Dam from a few feet below it's lip. Large stone bricks make up the structure of this massive dam embedded in the grassy hillside.

A panoramic view from below, near the bottom of the Wachusett Dam. It is quite an imposing structure. Built around the turn of the 20th century it helps supply water to the people of eastern Massachusetts.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

The #Wachusett #Dam #spillway was putting on a show after the previous day's thunderstorms.

A thundering torrent of whitewater barrels down a rocky chasm in the forest. The Wachusett Dam spillway is mostly carved out of the bedrock, and it makes for a great show.

The very bottom of the spillway flows under an arch bridge and into the still waters of the Nashua river below. We saw this in the distance and had to investigate further.

Near the top of the Wachusett Dam spillway looking downhill as the stream rounds the bend and begins to pick up speed. The leaves are just starting to change into their fall colors, a few splashes of red and yellow here and there amongst the green.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Saturday, I spent the morning #hiking on and around #Holyoke #Mountain. It is a wonderful place that I need to visit more often.

The Connecticut river winds it way through the hills, forests, and farmlands of Hadley and Northampton Massachusetts on a partly cloudy Saturday morning.

The "Devil's Football" is a large boulder in the woods on the slope of Mount Holyoke. Glacial erratic boulders like these are always fun surprises to bump into in the New England woods.

A millipede steadily moves his way across the forest floor. Its body has alternating brown and black bands, it's head hints of orange and green, and it's many (many) feet are crimson red. Those feet move in a wave pattern that flows opposite to the direction of travel. It's quite mesmerising to watch.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

A quick preview before I properly "develop" my #photos from today. Today was one of those days you remember forever.

A scenic vista from the mountain top, looking over a meandering river, partly sunny skies, and the full summer's glory of trees.

Sunset along a wide calm river. A bridge with prominent towers spans the distance.

Ancient marking from beasts long dead imprint the landscape. Millions of years separate us, but we occupy the same space.

Looking back at a conquered challenge, beautiful rewards abound for those with the stamina to seek them.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

That weekend under the #stars inspired me to try #widefield #astrophotography more often. I didn't want to drop the hundreds on a tracking mount, so I designed and #3D-printed my own. Last night was the first proper test and I'm very pleased with the results!

This photo shows what this mount can do in mediocre conditions. A dense field of stars and the Milky way galaxy partially obscured by the streaky dark ghosts of trees that were in the way. The stars are nice and round, the focus is decent if not perfect, the framing is okay. I'm very happy with this shot, I didn't expect this much success so soon.

My CAD model of the mount I whipped up in Fusion (360). It's stupid simple, just a 10:1 reduction and some brackets to align things. The big wheel has a 1/4-20 bolt followed by a skate bearing pressed into the underside. The bearing rides on a stubby axle and the bolt allows the mounting of a camera or ball-head.

The mount after printing and assembly, integrated with the tripod, ball-head, and camera. I figured I'd be able to use the pan and tilt functions of my cheap tripod to drastically simplify the tracker design. It seems to work well.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

After years of cursing them for blocking the stars, I can't stop taking #photos of #clouds these days.

A towering wisp of grey cloud rises in the morning sun against a blue-grey sky

A fluffy cloud climbs to catch the last of the setting sun. The tiny silhouette of an airliner in front of the cloud gives the scene a sense scale. Clouds much higher and thinner give the sky a gentle pastel pink and orange gradient. Just your everyday scene on Earth.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

A pair of #pigeons down by the wharf posed for a few #photos in exchange for some bird seed.

A pretty pigeon perches on a park bench, looking at the camera with it's vibrant orange eyes. Iridescent green and purple coloring adorns its neck, and its wings are a complex pattern of black and white.

A pigeon struts its way along the granite edge of the wharf. The clear blue sky reflects in the water behind it. This one is sporting delightfully fluffy birdy-pants.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Spending a couple of #nights under the #stars last weekend rejuvenated my mojo for #astrophotography. Last night I lugged out the old gal and aimed her at a target I haven't shot in years: NGC 6960, the western end of the Veil #Nebula #supernova remnant.

The Veil Nebula is a growing shockwave of compressed ionized gas that is slowly expanding outward from it explosive origin as a supernova about 10-20k years ago. Pictured here is a portion of the western end of that nebula. Filaments of red and cyan gas and dust swirl around and form a glowing "front". A bright star is in the center of frame, it is unrelated to the nebula and is in reality much closer to us. I like that star though because it makes this shot very easy to frame up.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

A better look at the one of the bull #frogs that populated the #pond next to our campsite. This handsome specimen was more than happy to pose for my #photos.

An American Bullfrog sits half submerged in a lily pad filled pond. Evening light bounces off nearby trees and reflected in the water's smooth surface. The frog is looking very Kermit-like with it's spherical bulging eyes and big mouth. This one is also sporting a healthy pair of froggy cheeks in the back.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

A bull #frog and a #dragonfly engaged in a staredown. The #pond adjacent to our campsite was filled with life and extremely pleasant to be around.

A dragonfly sits perched upon a twig over a pond filled with lily pads, and a at least bull frog which has noticed its presence. The two seem locked in a staredown, daring each other to move first. Personally, my bet is on the dragonfly.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

A beautiful #swamp in the #forest #morning light. While camping in Granville #Massachusetts we spent a morning wandering the nearby #woods.

A lush green swamp in the middle of a fern carpeted forest. A small stream leads off to the left,small ferns catch the dappled morning light, and young trees stand around the marshy clearing that lights the scene.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

The moon was new, the #sky was clear (enough), and I found myself #camping under the Milky Way #Galaxy this weekend. My trusty camera busy taking #photos all #night, and the best shots were combined to make this:

The Milky Way galaxy from Granville, MA on July 26th, 2025. Countless stars and the haze of the galaxy fill the frame. The bottom right has dark ghostly artifacts from where the trees were in the (many) source images that make up this shot.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

I was able to get my boat out on the #Taunton #River this weekend. I saw many #birds and got some decent #photos of a few. These #heron and those #swan are shots are my favorites.

A great blue heron sits perched on a gnarled old tree branch sticking out over the river.

Three swans swim near the shore in front of some stately trees in a meadow.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

After years of #hiking in the Blue Hills, I finally laid eyes upon the #river that bears its name. It's right by the highway, filled with mosquitos, and tucked away in a rarely used corner of the park. Yet, this murky #swamp is somehow beautiful (until the bugs find you).

Trees and ferns growing out of a swampy river are reflected in the dead-still water.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

While in York, I went to the local zoo. Mixed emotions as usual. I know they're well cared for, loved, and could be worse off but... At least the domesticated breeds seem happy. Enjoy this sleeping baby #goat.

A sleeping baby goat. It is mostly black with brown streaks and a white patch on its head. Most of its peers were climbing everything in sight, this little one was easier to photograph, heh.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

I had a little #beach #vacation in #York, #Maine this week and had a wonderful time by the #ocean. The #morning and #sunset #clouds were quite striking.

Two people walk along the shore line of Long Sands Beach in York, ME shortly after sunrise on a mostly cloudy day. Shafts of orange sunlight can be seen over the horizon, but the morning overcast lingers on land.

Morning at Long Sands Beach in York, Maine on a mostly cloudy day. Between sunrise and 8AM is designated doggy time, so the shore was busy with pups running this way and that. Across the water at the end of Cape Neddick one can spot the iconic Nubble Lighthouse.

Sunset clouds, captured at Short Sands beach in York, ME.

Beachgoers enjoy the final moments of sunlight at Short Sands beach in York, Maine. A towering cloud out at sea catches the last of the day's light and provides a spectacular backdrop to this serene setting.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

My first good opportunity in months for some deep sky #astrophotography just happened to be on the summer #solstice. To make things even harder my target of choice lives in the light polluted sky to my north. This #galaxy in Draco, known as NGC 6503, was a challenge to #photograph last night.

NGC 6503 is a dwarf spiral galaxy about 21 million light years away in the Draco constellation. Seen here in an amateur photograph surrounded by a field of local stars. This took 5h of shooting, of which about 4.5h was used in this stack. Shot with a Canon EOS700D thru an 8" scope from the suburbs of Boston. Stacked with Deep Sky Stacker, tweaked in Gimp.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Today's photos: a #sunset over the #water, some #goslings and #geese, and my #cat fixated on some local birds

The sen sets over a parts cloudy sky and my local reservoir

A flock of Canada geese and their goslings on the path near my local reservoir

The setting sun glints off of the water of my local reservoir on a partly cloudy day.

Oreo the cat sits, seemingly ready to pounce, observing the birds on the other side of the window

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

I would like to introduce my newly adopted #cat, Oreo. The angels at the local shelter sent me home with this rambunctious little bundle of love, and I'm smitten. It took him only a few hours to warm up to his new home, and he's been exploring every corner thoroughly.

Oreo the tuxedo cat claims his spot upon my bed.

Oreo lounging with me on the couch, late at night, watching trash TV.

Oreo, perched on the window sill, fixated on the birds outside.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

I stumbled upon a pack of three #coyotes in the Blue Hills. Two ran right, one ran left. I figured the left one wouldn't go too far, and managed to get this #photo of them.

A coyote watches us from among the trees. They are waiting for us to leave so they can rejoin their pack mates on the other side of the trail.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

A late #night stroll through the neighborhood took me to my local #train station. I've been eyeing this shot for a while, but the #light inspired me to actually take it that night.

Twin platforms flank a set of double tracked rails that extend into the inky blackness of night. The rails are well polished by frequent use, and the station's mix of orange and blue lights provides interesting contrast in their reflections.

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LVachon @lvachon.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

These #ladyslipper flowers are always a treat to see in the #forest

A solitary pink "lady slipper" orchid sprouts from the fallen leaves of the forest floor.

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