Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Sunrise from the Fire Tower

Sunrise from the Phillipston Firetower, this morning, 10/09/12.
Although my exhibit, "First Contact", opened at Harvard's Fisher Museum two weeks ago (thanks to everyone for filling the museum's seats), I've found myself several times since driving and hiking 3-4 hours to the Harvard Forest to film additional footage.

It's been 18 months since I started filming there on a regular basis. It's become a habit. Or I've fallen in love with the landscape of central Massachusetts. Or both.


Yesterday I drove out in the morning to catch fog-enshrouded lakes in Nichewaug country. Although I'd stayed up late last night, today I left the house just after 5am and drove west with hopes of more fog. Finding none, I thought about turning back. I didn't. Ultimately, I drove through Petersham, Athol and finally to the fire tower access road, Grabbed my new HDSLR and a too-heavy tripod, and hiked in.  I climbed the fire tower just as the sun was rising and mists over the hills was running south along the ridges. The rising sun gently illuminated the fading foliage below me. As the wind whipped the firetower, I clung to the metal bars, set up the tripod and filmed for about 12 minutes, until it started to rain. I don't mind getting wet, but I feared for my gear. I'll use some of that footage in the upcoming e-book version of First Contact.  Here are some photos from the opening of First Contact.  7 of my large photo prints and my 12-minute film about Puritans, Native Americans and the clash over land in 1630 are at the Fisher Museum of Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA through the end of this month. Check it out and let me know what you think. It's a gorgeous drive this time of year.
Roberto Mighty. Landscape
Filming Addict.
This morning 10/09/12