In the early days of railroads, the locomotives were powered by steam. They were only able to travel about 20 miles before they had to replenish their water supply. To provide this ongoing need for water various pump houses and water towers were built along the rail lines. Sadly, many of these structures have been demolished. They became obsolete when diesel engines replaced the steam engines in the 1950s.

We're lucky to have two water supply structures preserved along our trails
and even listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The first is the cobblestone pump  house on Victor Hiking Trails' Auburn Trail in the hamlet of Fishers. A sign on it claims it's the second oldest cobblestone railroad building in existence. In reality, it's the oldest. The other one crumbled to ruins. In Orleans we have a 40,000-gallon wooden water tower sitting beside the Ontario Pathways Trail. These relics stand tall along our trails, a tribute to a bye-gone era.

The trails that take you to these treasures are described in the second edition of Take Your Bike! - Family Rides in the Rochester Area
(Preview the book)
  

Here is a great web site to view wildlife via web cams. Even if you are an avid outdoor enthusiast, you probably don't get to see these wonderful creatures up close. New York Wild currently has 5 web cams showing everything from a fox den to a mama squirrel and 2 babies. 

As stated on their web site: "The mission of New York Wild is to bring to the viewing public, for the entire year, a diverse group of wildlife in their natural habitats within New York State. As habitat continues to be impacted by people, it is vital to recognize the habitat needs of so many species in order to minimize future impacts."

"New York Wild is the first animal cam website that will operate on a year-round basis throughout New York State. Animal cams will be established not only for individual bird nesting seasons, but also for mammals and amphibians, in an effort to offer new insights on animals not commonly seen on animal cam websites."

"Each species will also have information regarding its specific biology and habitat requirements, where they might be found in New York State, and any special concerns related to their well being."

"New York Wild is the first of its kind — a year-round animal cam educational website. The sponsors of New York Wild are delighted to be associated with a program that promotes a better understanding of the wildlife of New York State."

www.newyorkwild.org 

Saturday, July 12, 8:30 PM

To find the answer to this question, join Environmental Educator Angela Yeatman on a Moonlight Hike and Owl Prowl at Wesley Hill Nature Preserve near Honeoye Lake. Do not bring a flashlight, unless it's covered with critter friendly red cellophane. Learn how to tap into your "night sensory awareness" and set off in search of owls, fireflies glow worms and fox fire. Night attuning activities and materials provided. Younger children OK, if accompanied by adults. Take the Anna Brown driveway off Gulick Road, south of the Wesley Road intersection, go through the gate and gather at the pond area. Finger Lakes Land Trust, www.fllt.org, (585) 394-4189. 

Map of Wesley Hill NP

I got a chance to do it the other day and wow, what a treat. Mark Gilbride brought one of his baby alpacas to an event for Finger Lakes Visitor's Connection and gave us all a chance to pet and snuggle this gentle, sweet looking animal. 

Mark and his family run the Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm where they raise alpacas and assist others in getting alpaca farms started. They also offer tours of their farm. Just call ahead (585-624-5477) to make an appointment. The farm is located at 8830 Barker Road in Bloomfield. To read more about alpacas, the Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm or to see more photos, visit web site: www.lazyacrealpacas.com

 No matter what you're doing this summer, plan to be at Rochester's Little Theatre (www.little-theatre.com) between July 11 and July 17 to see the Academy Award Nominated film "Winged Migration."

You'll be treated to a bird's-eye view of birds in flight. Five crews of more than 450 people, including 17 pilots and 14 cinematographers, were necessary to follow a variety of bird migrations through forty countries and all seven continents. All manner of man-made machines were employed, including planes, gliders, helicopters and balloons and numerous innovative techniques and ingeniously designed cameras were utilized to allow filmmakers to fly alongside, above, below and in front of their subjects. The result is a film of staggering beauty that opens one's eyes to the ineffable wonders of the natural world.

Not convinced yet? Take a look at the web site: www.wingedmigration.com. We'll see you at the Little Theater. Tickets are available at the Little Theater and the Bird House, 3016 Monroe Avenue, near Pittsford Plaza. 

(The Little Theatre is also offering private screenings to groups during the day. For details call Sonia Vassell at 585-258-0403.)

Other area openings (check local listings for exact dates, times and places.)
        July 4 - Buffalo - Amherst 3 Theater
        July 4 - Ithaca - Fall Creek Theater

July 12th and 13th, head south to the Susquehanna River and Hiawatha Island, near Owego for a trip back in time. Hiawatha Island is the largest island sitting in the middle of the Susquehanna River. It's land owned by the Waterman Conservation Education Center (www.watermancenter.org) but for these 2 days it will resemble a civil war era community. Local craftsmen will demonstrate natural tanning, spinning and weaving, basket making, soap
making and blacksmithing. There will be historical displays of civil war weaponry, Native American artifacts, Victorian era picnicking, antique farm equipment, log cabin construction, primitive technology demonstrations, and civil war living history.

Begin your walk through time by hopping on the Susquehanna Shuttle, a pontoon boat that leaves from shoreside (the dock at Casey's Crossing on Marshland Road in Apalachin) to the island every 15 minutes. Then, wander through the exhibits and demonstrations, visit the historical sites - remains of a hotel, farmhouse and barn that once stood on the island- and hike the trails. A day of fun and learning for the whole family for only $10/adult, $5/child, $30 per family. The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM, but be sure to arrive before 2:30 PM.

This issue will explain binocular styles and the coatings used on lenses to improve resolution.  There are basically two styles of binoculars widely available for purchase today.

An Italian innovation of the mid 1800s, the Porro Prism has been a standard for over a century.  Offset binocular housings accommodate two internal porro prisms that are used to magnify images. Wider spacing of their objective (front) lenses produces a deeper, more 3-dimensional image than other types.

Popular with hikers because they are lighter and more compact, Roof Prism designs utilize trim roof-shaped prisms to magnify images. Roof prism binoculars are usually more expensive than equivalent porro prism models because of the more precise lens grinding and polishing required.

Coatings can be very important to the image quality you see because glass surfaces can reflect back up to 4% of any light that passes through. Since binoculars have many separate glass surfaces, a binocular built without anti-reflective coatings would deliver a very poor, darkened image. Most better quality binoculars treat all or most of the lens surfaces with vacuum-deposited layers of magnesium fluoride and other exotic elements to reduce light lost though reflection.

Fully Coated Lenses: All air-to-glass surfaces are coated.

Multi-Coated: The manufacturer applies multiple coats of anti-reflective layers to most of the lens and prism surfaces.

Fully Multi-Coated: The brightest and most expensive option, all surfaces are treated with multiple coating layers.

Hikers looking for more accurate color reproduction and brighter images for lower light viewing generally choose better lens coatings.

For more information about choosing the right binoculars for you, you can request a free copy of the Hiking Binoculars Buyer’s Guide, by email at hiking@binocularoutlet.com

  Contributed by:

  Matthew McDermott at Binocular Outlet  www.binocularoutlet.com 

Chesapeake Coffee Company, 98 West Main Street, Victor, NY  14564
(585) 924-8410
Book signing by Rich & Sue Freeman
Treat yourself to a hot cup of Java and a warm bagel or a special delight from their showcase of deserts at this warm and inviting little nook in the village of Victor NY.  Pick up a personalized guidebook from the Freeman's for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

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