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.

 

Frozen Lake

We spend a lot of time during the summer at the lake.

A daily swim is not unheard of for us two old timers.

Our winter visits to the lake are usually short and we only go a couple of times during that season.

On a recent visit, we were surprised to see that the usually snow covered lake was missing it's snow.

It was solid ice and was just beautiful.

And so smooth too.

In all the years we have been at this lake, I have never seen it in this condition.

It was a treat, and as it was a sunny day - it just added to the enjoyment.

I didn't have my dslr with me, but my phone sure worked overtime that afternoon.

Winter Solstice

Winter began for us here in New England long before the Winter Solstice date on the calendar.

Tomorrow we begin our journey to Spring.

It will be cold and probably long.

But each day we gain a bit more light.

A good thought to get us through the snowy freezing months ahead.

The older we get the more daunting these months seem.

But the beauty and healthfulness that comes with it keeps us here.

A happy and healthy holiday season is wished for all!

Windswept Snows

It has been quite some time since I have made a post.

I find myself using my phone camera more and more these days and I miss using my DSLR as I have in the past.

Perhaps once the warmer weather comes back this spring things will change.

Until then, I will try to post some photos now and again.

Phone Camera

I am finding that as I get older, lugging around all my photo gear is really quite tiring.

I hate the idea of being without my camera, and I have set aside some of the lenses to make the bag lighter.

Not only is the weight a problem, but the thought of somebody conking me over the head and running off with my gear has also been a worry.

Neither my husband's or my reflexes are what they used to be.

And the white hair does make us more a target.

With all the money I have invested in my gear, I really don't want it ripped off.

So, as an alternative, I find myself using the camera in my iPhone more and more.

And many of the photo agencies I contribute to will accept the images.

Very easy to upload from the phone while on wifi with the various apps that are synced with my accounts.

Way too cool. Way too quick.

And most of all, way safer for my camera and me.

There are many instances where only my dslr will do the job, but these phone cameras have really come a long way.

Now, I just need to find my glasses so I can see the photos on the phone screen! 

43 Days Til Spring

The days have been getting longer - it doesn't get dark now until after 5:00.

They may be longer - but they certainly haven't been any warmer.

The bitter cold has made this winter seem even longer than it usually is.

After the big snowstorm we had yesterday, it was good to hear the news lady mention we only have 43 days left until the first day of spring.

It's on it's way, and I can only think it can't get here soon enough.

Mother Nature paints a beautiful scene with her snowfalls, but they are nothing compared to the glorious spring season that she will deliver in a few weeks time.

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.

Website Finished

It has been about month since I started to redesign the website that hosts my images for sale.

I have been picking at it, changing little things here and there - both on the website and the blog.

I still have a couple of small cosmetic issues that I need to work out with the website, but overall I am pleased with the results.

The slideshow was pretty easy to set up once I figured out how to do it.

Uploading new images could be made easier, but perhaps that is something that will be worked on by the host as time goes on.

I like the clean, new design, and the gray color is different for a change.

I fixed the blocky look on the blog, and streaming a slide show on the side bar worked nicely too.

Check it out if you get a chance - I would love to hear what you think!

Good Old Summertime

It is officially here now - summer really begins once the 4th of July has come.

Although it has been a hot and wet one so far, it is still the best.

The gardens are growing, the robins are on their second family, and we are at the lake everyday enjoying the water.

All the little things that we love at this time of the year.

The blogs and photos have been a bit lax lately, but the older we get, the more we must enjoy all those little things.

Life is good in the good old summertime!

ABC Wednesday - V is for Vista

We were very lucky on this day many years ago.

It was clear and the view was astounding.

The vista spread before us at the top of Mt Washington in NH.

We took this trip on a motorcycle, and the temp at the base of the mountain was close to 90.

Up here was very cold - glad to have brought the leather and the layers under it.

The auto road was dirt back then and the drop on the sides of it were quite steep - especially once we were above the treeline.

Someday we hope to get back up there again.

This trip will be in a car though - and hopefully the weather will be just as cooperative as that first time. 

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

Entrecard Droppers

It seems that the days of using Entrecard have come to an end.

It has been down almost a week now and from what little I can gather across the web - it will be staying that way.

I am glad that most of the blogs I visited on a daily basis are still available in my browser's history.

I have made a new folder in my bookmarks and have added many of them to it.

I will continue to visit them off and on as I have always enjoyed reading what many of them had to say.

I had four blogs in the system, and doing my drops brought decent traffic to them.

I do hope that those who dropped on my blogs will continue to stop by occasionally when they have a minute.

I thank you all who visited these past few years through Entrecard - it was good while it lasted!

Quiet on the Blog

Quiet on the Blog



 

It has been a bit quiet around all my blogs lately.


The summer has been a hot and busy one.


And we are another year older and don't move as fast as we used to - especially in the humid heat.


It sometimes takes twice as long to do something as it used to.


But we have been enjoying this time of the year - a swim at the lake each afternoon has become a welcome ritual.


The bones and joints sure appreciate the weightlessness that only being in the water can bring.


Hope you all are finding a way to enjoy this summer season too!

 

ABC Wednesday - V is for Viewer

V is for Viewer..........




 

These viewers can be found at many of the panoramic view sites across our state.

From the mountains to the seacoast, one will find these metal "binoculars" which allows the user to get a closer look at distant scenes as they move and pan the viewer around on the post.

But one cannot just walk up to one and begin using it.

They cost money.

Not sure how long they run once the money is inserted - I have never used one.

I usually have my camera with me, and I am sure my lenses give me a better look than that contraption can deliver!

 

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

ABC Wednesday - W is for Winter Solstice

W is for Winter Solstice..........




 

Winter doesn't officially arrive until 12:30 am on 12/22/11.

On this Winter Solstice day, the Earth's northern axis, or North Pole, is pointing the farthest from the sun as it will get.

That makes it the shortest day of daylight in the year - the area above the Arctic Circle will have 24 hours of darkness.

Then, the next day, the day's light will start getting longer.

Granted, it is only by minutes, but I bet those who reside in the Arctic Circle region are awfully happy about that!

 

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

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!

Rocky Shore

Rocky Shore




 

New England has some beautiful sandy beaches.

But this scene of rocky shoreline becomes more the norm as one travels further north up the coast.

Maine is known for it's rocky coast, and this is a typical view of a Maine beach.

Still quite beautiful.

Hopefully we will be able to retire to a spot such as this in the next few years.

Surely looking forward to it!

 

ABC Wednesday - S is for Snow

S is for Snow..........




 

Dawn was breaking on this slippery morning as we traveled along the back roads.

After a quick snow storm a few hours before, we caught the sun as the clouds began to part.

The road was a sheet of ice, but worth the trouble to stop and grab a shot.

Within a couple of hours, the snow was completely gone.

As if it was never there.

But we have the proof!

 

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

Layers of Autumn - Our World Tuesday

  Layers of Autumn - Our World



 

Layers of autumn colors at the ocean.

There were bright bushes along the edge of the rocks that lead to the water.

The wispy clouds and the blue sky complete the perfect fall display.

The beauty of Autumn in New England is hard to beat!

 

Autumn Clouds Reflection - Our World Tuesday

  Autumn Clouds Reflection - Our World



 I have joined a new meme for this post. For the past couple of years, I have posted in the My World Tuesday meme. It was ended earlier this summer as the person who ran it, Klaus Peter, passed away. Continuing in his tradition with this new meme, Our World Tuesday was begun about five weeks ago. My first post shows our lake in the autumn in all her spendor. She is beautiful in all seasons, and fall is my favorite. Please join us in this mew meme by clicking the graphic below - all are welcome to visit us in Our World! 

The Next Generation

The Next Generation

My son is taking a photography course for one of his college electives this semester.

And I think I am more excited than he is.

He has asked for my help, but it isn't just the whole subject matter that has me excited.

I get to spend time with him.

Not too much of that goes on these days.

School, a couple of jobs, and a girlfriend takes just about all the time he has.

So when he asks for help - it will the first thing on my list to do.

Passing on all we can to the next generation - it's the best!