Standing Watch | 02.16.2025

Standing Watch | 02.16.1025
Ballston Spa, New York 

Heavy snow falls on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Ballston Spa, known locally as “Civil Sam.” Erected in 1888, the monument honors those from Milton, Ballston, and Malta who served in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, and Civil War.

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Albany in the Snow | 02.06.2025

Albany in the Snow | 02.06.2025
Albany, New York 

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Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49) | 02.05.2025

Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49) | 02.05.2025

This is a 90-minute telescopic exposure of the Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49): Located about 5,200 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros, the Rosette Nebula spans 130 light-years across. This vast emission nebula glows red from ionized hydrogen, illuminated by the young, hot stars of the central NGC 2244 cluster. Dense molecular gas and dust within the nebula hint at regions of future star formation. A long exposure captures the nebula’s intricate structure, including bright filaments, dust lanes, and the radiant cluster at its core.

The night sky is amazing.

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Blue and Gold | 02.01.2025

Blue and Gold | 02.01.2025
Grafton, New York

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The Erin Elizabeth | 01.30.2025

The Erin Elizabeth | 01.30.2025

The towboat Erin Elizabeth passed through the open Livingston Avenue Bridge this morning, breaking ice as it eased north along the Hudson River in Albany, New York .

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Tomhannock Ice | 01.27.2025

Tomhannock Ice | 01.27.2025
Pittstown, New York 

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The Horsehead Nebula IC-434 | 01.24.2025

The Horsehead Nebula IC-434  | 01.24.2025

The Horsehead Nebula has always been one of my favorites, and tonight’s clear skies with only 21% moonlight made it a perfect opportunity to capture its delicate beauty. Located in Orion, near the star Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion’s Belt, this dark cloud of gas and dust stands out dramatically against the glowing red hydrogen of IC-434, the emission nebula behind it.

At about 1,500 light-years away, the Horsehead Nebula is part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, a vast region of space where stars are being born. Its distinct shape—resembling a horse’s head—is caused by dense clouds of interstellar dust blocking the light behind it. The surrounding reddish glow comes from hydrogen gas energized by nearby stars, like Sigma Orionis.

Winter skies are perfect for this kind of astrophotography—stable, crisp, and free from heat distortion.

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Deep Sky Photography | 01.21.2025

Jupiter and Its Moons 

The Pac-Man Nebula 

Deep Sky Photography | 01.21.2025

Jupiter and Its Moons Jupiter and the Pac-Man Nebula 

Jupiter and Its Moons Jupiter accompanied by its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These tiny points of light lined up near the gas giant, each a fascinating world in its own right, visible even from millions of miles away.

The Pac-Man Nebula (NGC 281) also known as NGC 281, has a unique shape, living up to its playful nickname. Glowing faintly in hues of orange and pink, it’s a stunning star-forming region surrounded by dark dust and intricate patterns carved by stellar winds and radiation.

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Flaming Star Nebula and Orion Nebula | 01.20.2025

Flaming Star Nebula and Orion Nebula | 01.20.2025

Tonight’s clear sky and cold air provide the perfect conditions for deep-space photography. Winter’s crisp atmosphere, with lower humidity and less atmospheric turbulence, enhances visibility, allowing for sharper and more detailed images of the stars and distant galaxies.

Flaming Star Nebula

Orion Nebula 

The magenta image is IC 405, better known as the Flaming Star Nebula. It’s about 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Auriga and gets its fiery appearance from the radiation of a nearby “runaway star” called AE Aurigae. This star was flung out of the Orion region millions of years ago and now lights up the surrounding hydrogen gas, creating that striking magenta glow.

The second image, glowing gold and green, is the Orion Nebula—one of the most famous sights in the night sky. Sitting about 1,350 light-years away, it’s a bustling nursery where stars are born, surrounded by swirling clouds of gas and dust. The colors come from ionized gases lit up by young, massive stars, creating a vibrant, otherworldly masterpiece.

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Bennington Battle Monument Sunrise | 01.18.2025

Bennington Battle Monument Sunrise | 01.18.2025
Bennington, Vermont

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Dawn Over Troy, New York | 01.16.2025

Dawn Over Troy, New York | 01.16.2025

Dawn breaks behind the 17-foot bronze statue of the Goddess Columbia crowned A Call to Arms above the Soldier and Sailors Monument in Troy, New York.

Why Columbia?
Columbia is a personification of the United States in American mythology, symbolizing liberty, justice, and progress. Often depicted as a noble female figure in flowing robes with a torch or shield, Columbia served as an allegory for the nation’s ideals during the 18th and 19th centuries. She was a counterpart to Uncle Sam, representing maternal spirit, influencing symbols like the Statue of Liberty.

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M33 Triangulum Galaxy | 01.15.2025

M33 Triangulum Galaxy | 01.15.2025

Note: The Triangulum Galaxy (M33 or Messier 33) is a stunning spiral galaxy located about 3 million light-years away in the constellation Triangulum. It is one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye under ideal dark-sky conditions. Measuring approximately 60,000 light-years in diameter, M33 is smaller than the Milky Way but still a significant galaxy with a mass estimated at 10–40 billion solar masses. With an apparent magnitude of 5.7, the galaxy is faint but can be seen without a telescope in excellent viewing conditions.

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Andromeda | 01.24.2025

Andromeda | 01.24.2025
Note: If Andromeda was brighter in the night sky, it would appear six times larger than our moon.

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M42 Orion Nebula | 01.13.2025

M42 Orion Nebula | 01.13.2025

Believe it or not, we’ve had cloudy skies for almost a month at night. Tonight, the sky finally cleared, so I took the opportunity for some deep space photography. This is what the Orion Nebula (M42) looks like tonight, captured from my backyard at about 6:30.

The Orion Nebula, also known as M42, is a massive cloud of gas and dust in the constellation Orion, where thousands of stars are born. It’s the closest large star-forming region to Earth, located 1,300–1,500 light-years away. Visible to the naked eye, it appears as the middle “star” in Orion’s Belt and as part of the sword hanging below the three belt stars. Best observed in January, it’s a stunning feature of the winter sky, easily spotted under moderately dark skies.

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Starbuck Island from the Troy Waterfront | 01.11.2025

Starbuck Island from the Troy Waterfront | 01.11.2025

Much like watching clouds, observing ice formations can be mesmerizing. Yesterday, these delicate, ethereal shapes floated along the Hudson’s dark waters, each one unique and fleeting. One after another, they drifted past, only to vanish into the ice jam beneath the Congress Street Bridge.

Starbuck Island, located between Green Island and Troy, New York, derives its name from the Starbuck Brothers Foundry established on Center Island in 1821. The foundry was among the early iron manufacturing enterprises in the region, contributing to the area's industrial development during the 19th century. The island's association with the Starbuck family and their foundry led to its naming as Starbuck Island.

Additionally, the name "Starbuck" appears in Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick as the first mate of the Pequod. Melville, who spent part of his early life in the Albany area, may have drawn inspiration from local names during his writing.

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Nipper Sunrise | 01.04.2025

Nipper Sunrise | 01.04.2025
Albany, New York 

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Sunset Over the Palace Theater | 01.03.2025

Sunset Over the Palace Theater | 01.03.2025
Albany, New York 

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The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025

 

The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025
Albany, New York 

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Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

The sunspots you see are dark, cooler regions on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. They vary significantly in size, typically ranging from about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) to 50,000 kilometers (31,068 miles) in diameter. To put this into perspective, many sunspots are as large as Earth, which has a diameter of approximately 12,742 kilometers (7,918 miles). Some sunspots can grow even larger; for instance, the largest sunspot ever recorded, AR 14886, was nearly the diameter of Jupiter—about 88,846 miles (142,984 kilometers).
Sunspots expand and contract as they move across the Sun’s surface and can last from several days to a few months. Their size and frequency fluctuate in an approximately 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle, with more and larger sunspots appearing during periods of increased solar activity.

It’s important to note that while sunspots appear dark compared to the surrounding solar surface, they are still extremely bright. If isolated from the Sun, a sunspot would shine brighter than the full Moon. © 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, I want to thank each of you for your support and engagement with my photo and historical projects. Whether this year was challenging or rewarding, we’ve made it through together.

Wishing you all a joyful and inspiring New Year!

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Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024

Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024
Albany, New York 

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A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024

 A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024
Albany, New York 

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Scratches Across The Night Sky | 12.14.2024

Scratches Across The Night Sky
Peak Geminids, December 14, 2024
Saratoga County, New York

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The Kenmore (North Pearl Rain) | 12.13.2024

The Kenmore (North Pearl Rain) | 12.13.2024
Albany, New York 

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New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024

New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024
Albany, New York  

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Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024

Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York

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Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024

Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024
Lake George, New York 

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Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024

Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York

Note: Long exposure of the Palace Theater’s marquee illuminating the corner of Clinton and North Pearl Streets on an overcast morning. Rain softens the scene, casting halos around the glowing lights.

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State Street Rain | 11.26.2024

 

State Street Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York 

Note: Rain isn’t the absence of color; it’s the paintbrush that draws with existing light.

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Wildfire Sunset | 11.10..2024

Wildfire Sunset | 11.10.2024
Note: A wildfire-tinted sun sets behind the American flag at the state capitol on the smokiest day I have ever photographed.

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