Spring on the River

The colors of spring are a most welcome sight after a long winter.

And this year was no exception.

The river was running a little high.

The trees were starting to bud.

The warm day had a slight breeze that kept the annoying black flies away.

It was such a treat to take a stroll through the field that led to the river.

The bees were happily buzzing from one dandelion to the next - the first food flower of the season for them.

Little May flowers and sweet violets grew in patches in the shorter grasses.

The maples were sending out their seeds as the birds called their spring songs from up in the branches.

Mother Nature sure knows how to bring joy to the soul.

Each season has its own special gifts, and this day was one of Spring's finest.

 

Winter in Rye Harbor

This photo was taken about four years ago on a winter trip to the ocean at Rye Harbor.

Part of the State Park system in NH, we have visited here at least a couple times a year for as long as I can remember.

This past year we were never able to make the trip and the ocean was surely missed by us both.

No matter what time of the year, there is nothing like smelling the salty fresh air and seeing the everchanging beauty of the water and waves as they rush along the shore.

The sea gulls, ducks, and sand pipers that are numerous in the summer are no where to be found in the winter.

But if one is really lucky, there are a couple of Snowy Owls that have been known to visit the area.

To them, this is their "south" as they nest and breed in northern Canada each spring and summer.

I have never been able to get a decent photo of one of these beautiful owls, but I was lucky enough one winter to see one.

He was easy to find though - the group of tripods and photographers were a dead give away that something interesting was going on down by the shore.

They were respectful and kept their distance as not to scare him away so we could all enjoy his winter visit.

 

 

Through the Dry Grasses

All of the wildflowers and grasses along the ocean's edge have prepared for the winter ahead.

A few sprigs of green grass remain there as well as in our yard.

They even withstood the heavy frost that we had a couple of nights ago.

The ocean is beautiful no matter what time of the year.

Each season has it specialties, and as much as the cold seems to get to us each year, we wouldn't want to be any other place.

ABC Wednesday - S is for Sea

It is calling.

 It is the Sea that's calling.

I grew up beside it, and there isn't a time I remember it not calling me.

I have been away from it for over thirty years - going back a couple times a year to breathe in it's salty air and smell it's ocean scent.

It never leaves you once you are under it's spell.

It's always calling, and it is getting close to answering it once again.





This is the twelfth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details. 

ABC Wednesday - N is for Nature

N is for Nature..........




 

Nature is my favorite subject to photograph.

Well, I do enjoy chasing after my grandson with my camera, but those photos aren't the ones other people are interested in buying as artwork.

Mother Nature though, provides the most beautiful scenes - even the same place won't be the same twice.

Different views, angles, and lighting conditions play into the subjects all the time.

I don't have the gorgeous sunsets on the ocean, or the majestic views from the mountain tops.

I like to move into my subjects and catch the common things in a different way.

 Mother Nature provides the beauty for all of us artists and we each show it in our own way.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Iced Branch

Iced Branch




 

Winter has finally arrived.

With the temperature to be below zero for the next couple of nights, the hard ice is sure to stick around for a few days.

Keeping warm inside is the goal for the day.

Some baking will keep it extra toasty.

And a movie in the evening with the fleece throw tucked in around the neck sounds great to me!

 

Summer Ocean View - Our World

  Summer Ocean View - Our World



 

It is different in this spot each time we visit it at the ocean.


Different flowers for each season, and even though they are wild flowers, they change each year.


Which makes me think that someone must clear them out.


A couple of summers ago, it was overrun with milkweed and thistle.


There have been none of these plants there since.


I kind of miss the fluff and little Goldfinch birds that love the thistle seeds.


Glad we were able to see it when it was there!

ABC Wednesday - O is for Ocean

O is for Ocean..........




 

It's my most favorite place to be - the Ocean.

And this shot was taken on a hot summer day.

The tide was coming in, and by the time we left, none of the dark rocks were showing.

I have never seen these Maine waters look so green as they did that day.

Usually they are dark blue like the waters further out in the background.

A gorgeous day, a beautiful photo, and a great memory!

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - E is for Excited

  

E is for Excited...........




 Tomorrow we are planning a trip to the ocean - my most favorite place to be. The beach, rocks, cliffs, bluffs, marshes - I love it all. But tomorrow is going to be different for us. We are going on an adventure. If you have read any of my other blogs, then you know we go swimming at the lake everyday. Tomorrow we conquer the cold ocean - in wetsuits! I have never tried one, but we purchased some for using in the lake when it gets colder. I haven't been fully in the ocean since I was a young girl. We're going to a beach with gentle waves without a rip tide. Can't wait! 

 



This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - B is for Balance

 
  

B is for Balance...........




We take a trip to visit the ocean a couple of times during the year. We stopped by in the early spring on a gray, rainy day. Yesterday's trip started out the same way, but the afternoon turned into a glorious one. Walking along the shore with the sea swirling around our ankles, we discussed how much we needed this little reprieve. To feed our souls as only the ocean can do. Bringing it's own special balance and contentment.  



This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Path to the Field - My World

  Path to the Field - My World



  The whispy clouds had just the right pose. The spring green buds on the trees add their own special touch. The blue sky was perfectly vibrant, and the sporadic green grass creates a beautiful lead into the scene. This path leads to field of grass that is used for haying by a local farmer. A most beautiful spot in the spring! 

Empty Docks

Empty Docks

Either we were there that day before the boats were put in the water for the season, or they had already left for a day on the water.

It was odd to see them deserted.

These docks used to belong to lobstermen - they were always lined with rows of lobster traps piled high.

The last few years we have driven by on our ocean visits, those traps have not been there.

And the boats have not been lobster boats alongside those docks.

These shores have been slowly changing over the years, and this is just a part of it.

Lunch at the Lake

Lunch at the Lake

The sun was shining brightly this morning so we decided to make a lunch and take it down to the lake for the first time this season.

By the time we left, the clouds had moved in - no problem, the air was still warm and beautiful.

By the time we arrived there - it was raining.

No problem, we sat at a picnic table under a large old pine tree and ate our lunch.

And while we were sitting there, I heard a familiar sound.

Off in the distance, the loon was calling.

He didn't seem to mind the rain either.

Glad we didn't let it change our mind.

Our Dear Earth

Our Dear Earth

One blue sky above us

One ocean lapping all our shores

One Earth so green and round

Who could ask for more

And because I love you

I'll give it one more try

To show my rainbow race

That it's too soon to die.

These lyrics were written by Pete Seeger to the song titled: My Rainbow Race

I heard this song performed by The Shaw Brothers many years ago, and the words always stuck with me.

I thought it was an appropriate post for this Earth Day 2011.

Green Swamp

Green Swamp

A scene from late spring of last year.

 

The swamp down our road - so beautiful all decked out in green.

 

And the clouds posed so perfectly in that beautiful blue sky.

 

It was one of those days when everything came together just right for a walk along the edge of the swamp.

Autumn Clouds Reflection

Autumn Clouds Reflection

In a previous post, I showed an image of the lake on a foggy autumn morning.

 

The next day, after a very stressful morning of medical tests, we went to the lake for a quiet lunch.

 

And this was the view Mother Nature presented us with.

 

Not a ripple on the water, the sun had the trees brightly lit, and the clouds couldn't have been more impressive.

 

We were all celebrating our good news.

 

When nature smiles at us, all we can do is simply bask with appreciation in her beauty.

Blue Lake in the Summer

Blue Lake in the Summer







Our favorite swim area doesn't look a thing like this now.

The water was drained down, but even if it wasn't, it is all covered with snow and ice.

A few bob houses dot the horizon, but that kind of worries me.

We walked along the edge a week ago, and I could hear it cracking underneath.

As much as I wanted to walk towards those bob houses, I made haste to get off the area I was on.

Perhaps in a couple of weeks we can try it again - without hearing any cracking.

View Under the Tree

View Under the Tree







In my last post I showed the view from the end of the pier.

This is the view of the pier from under a lone tree on the edge of the shore.

We were there on a gorgeous fall day, I can just imagine what this view is like when there is a storm.

The water must crash over the top - what a sight it must be!

ABC Wednesday - V is for View

V is for View............







We had seen this long pier from across the harbor on the other side of the river.

You could tell it was long, but in the distance it looked really small.

We were on the New Hampshire side when we first saw it, and the actual pier was on the Maine side of the harbor.

The next time we visited the ocean, that pier was where we headed.

It was gorgeous fall day and we found it was part of a fort in a big park.

We walked over 5 miles that day - and it was worth every step!

This photo was taken at the very end of the dock, looking back towards the land.

More photos to come!








This is the seventh round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Birds on a Wire - My World

Birds on a Wire - My World






Okay, I know these few birds are not very impressive, but I wish I had brought my camera with me on a trip to town this past weekend.

There are a bunch of power lines that span the river, and there are usually a good number of birds on them during a certain time of the day.

But I had never seen anything like what was on there last time.

All the lines were loaded, and they were all packed close together.

That would have been a terrific photo.

I am hoping they weren't just passing through and taking a break, as I will be on the lookout for them again.

Hopefully I can snag a photo - it was a sight to see!