Archive for the ‘Barges’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

A sweet death

September 23, 2011

We had a much more productive summer with our yellowjacket feeder than out hummingbird feeder. The Yellow Jackets (not Georgia Tech’s Football Team) were all over the feeder and were drawn to their eventual death by sugar. This little video shows how tempting sugar is and you can see the effects by looking in the red glass.

 

It’s a beautiful time on the River. The recreational traffic has slowed although many boaters continue to ferry themselves between dams to enjoy the Fall views and I think to use up fuel before their boats go up into dry dock. Yesterday a cigarette boat roared back and forth and then completed 3 big circles before heading back to the Yacht Club.

With the day’s getting shorter, I’ve got to make sure I get my pictures early since the summer has spoiled my appreciation of early and late light for getting my pictures. That darn work…getting in the way of my leisure!

 

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Bees and wasps, Fall | Leave a Comment »

More Fun on the River

September 15, 2011

Even with the late day players out there, activity on the River is definitely slowing down. A couple of pleasure craft were out today and this cigarette boat zoomed by a couple of times, probably running out his fuel before he settles it down for the season.

While I was not tracking the River all week, there seems to be less commercial traffic–barges–going to and fro. Perhaps with the cooler temps, the Cheswick Generating Station is not using as much coal and can suffice off of the rail delivery…probably be a couple of barges today just because I said so…

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Boaters | Leave a Comment »

School’s in Session

September 8, 2011

The weather settled down which meant that some fun could return to the River. When the ITS barge was headed up River, I heard a horn from further on up and pretty soon, the Janet Marie was headed back down. They had to play nice to make sure they each made it past one another, no doubt.

And then later, the bullhorn of a HS coach became audible as the women’s crew from somewhere came by working pretty hard on the individual and team boats. That one gal needs to keep her focus on her rowing and not get distracted by the shoreline

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Boaters | Leave a Comment »

Little Catch Up

August 28, 2011

Back from vacation up north but ready to return to the pleasures of life on the River. Am including one video so you can see where we were and how some other Rivers get going.

Also including some pictures not posted along with a view of today’s business both recreational and commercial.

The River remains high as our beach is still minimal and the River flows at a good pace

 

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Birds, Boaters, Sun, Vacation | Leave a Comment »

Busy Monday on The River

August 16, 2011

In between rain storms, folks were out on the River. These fishermen zoomed in from down River and halted near the harbor to try their luck, while this boat full of people ran slowly up towards the marina just as a new storm was rolling in. Glad there was no news to follow-up on with them.

Last week I wondered whether a barge full of coal carries more to the power plant than the rail train. It looks like there is tons of it here, but not nearly as much as 40 or 50 rail cars. Why do the barges then?

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Boaters, Fishermen/Fisherwomen | Leave a Comment »

Weekend Fun…but…

August 1, 2011

Lots of fun things going on the River this weekend. Jet and water skiers along with kids being dragged behind their parents boats.

The high River we saw after the massive rains have begun to give way to the summer heat and the dog days of summer are coming upon us and we all begin to feel the stress of summertime–but it’s that good kind of stress.

I’d say the only missing piece for the summer is to catch a picture of the hummers around the feeder our neighbors left us before they went back to Germany. See the hummers circling, but when they see the camera come off…they scoot away!!!

 

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Birds, Boaters, Summer Heat, Sun | Leave a Comment »

It takes all kinds

July 28, 2011

After the big barge yesterday, it was back to regular traffic on the River. Summertime is a very busy time for this River but I can’t help but think that the folks in this little boat were the most relaxed in all of Pittsburgh. As for the barge, we saw it come down empty earlier in the day and headed back loaded up with coal by the end of the day…wonder how far down River it has to go to pick up coal?  Anyone know?

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Boaters | Leave a Comment »

A new barge

July 26, 2011

A double barge came up River today. Reminded me of the time we took a River Barge cruise along the Seine in France. The Barge was the size of the Arlen B (Specter?) and had a lovely dining room, small but comfortable suites, a reading library and even a hot tub (which never really got very hot in early October) on the Bow.

If we had barges like that on the River, we would stop at exciting places like…

Oakmont- where you could walk up to the Oakmont Bakery for a black and white cookie

Sharpsburg-For lunch at Bonna Terra

Washington’s landing–a visit with the crew team

Pittsburgh–To see the 4th River

Sewickly-where you could visit their collection of maple trees which is where some people believe the area got its name (Sewickley= Indian name meaning sweet water–perhaps related to the maple syrup that was gathered by the Indians)

Tags:,
Posted in Barges | Leave a Comment »

The Vulcan

June 11, 2011

When Consol Energy named the Vulcan Barge (one we don’t see very often) were they thinking about the ancient Roman God of fire (which would have been pretty cool considering that the Consol barges would almost always be delivering coal to power plants) or were they thinking about Mr. Spock, the extraterrestrial humanoid from the planet Vulcan and who earned his repute on Star Trek as the logical and emotionless second in command?

The Vulcan came down River after the big thunderstorms today (the storm was impressive but the pictures I took didn’t show it). I like the crew standing up by the pilot room eating sunflower seeds or putting some snuff “right between your cheek and gums”.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the River if you can get to it (or drive over it)

Tags:,
Posted in Barges | Leave a Comment »

Almost like a holiday weekend

June 6, 2011

It was busy this weekend on the River. Boaters, barges and birds were all aflutter with activity. I preferred to just laze around and watch it all unfold without having to do too much about it. Had a request for a goose video but they were pretty busy doing nothing also until Sunday evening when they decided to go out and visit some boaters in the middle of the River…or perhaps the boaters went out to see them…

Bunch of videos to share. Watch how Harry the Hare stays in the shadow to eat. It’s like he’s dining al fresco under the canopy, although I guess he does this all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

Tags:,
Posted in Barges, Birds, Boaters, Holiday | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.