Its true - I love lighthouses. I find them so romantic; a structure of strength and reliability and often beauty. I visited the Highland Lighthouse in Truro, MA a few weeks ago and think it is one of the loveliest of the many Cape Cod lighthouses. If you come visit, I will take you there....
Not all Sunsets are created equal. Was on a great Whale Watch this past Sunday which included lots of humpback whales (pictures to follow), the rising of the Harvest Moon and a lovely Sunset..
Throughout the day the air was sweet, the seas were calm and the sun stayed bright and warming for the entire trip. And when it was time to say good night, well, even that was done with style and grace. Good Night Sun!
Click on the picture to go to my Flickr site with more sunset and moonrise pictures.
This has been a great year for hummingbirds at Chatham Gardens. I would guess I have been treated to this tiny birds presence just about every day this summer in spite of my not having a nectar feeder available for them. The flowers of Chatham Gardens have continually provided sweet treats for my tiny visitors from the first lilac and peony blooms, followed by the roses and butterfly bushes. Currently the main attraction are the dahlias, especially a brilliant and hummingbird eye catching red.
Photographing hummingbirds is a challenge I continually am attempting with varying degrees of success. On brilliantly sunny days there is enough wonderful light to use a very fast shutter speed which more easily captures the tiny bird and its rapidly fluttering wings. On overcast days such as today the results often fall short though sometimes an even less then perfect photograph can tell a story.
In today's on and off again rain I was able to capture some photographs of a sadly wet hummingbird seeking some cover in a shrub that provided almost perfect camouflage.
To the resident hummingbird - I know you'll be heading someplace warmer in the near future but I hope you will return to enjoy the shelter of Chatham Gardens in inclement weather and the nectar of our flowers in the sunshine. In the meantime I will have your picture to enjoy during the long winter here on Cape Cod and remind me what I have to look forward to next spring....
And this is why!
On Monday, I went out on my third whale watch this year. The first two were in May and the weather was cold, the seas were unkind and the whales were uncooperative.
But this week was different. the weather was lovely, the seas were calm and the whales were putting on a show. I missed the first breach of this group of whales because I was just awestruck by the sight and forgot I even had a cameral with me.
But they didn't stop at one - we had lots of breaches and many beautiful dives that resulted in great views of their individual flukes. From the fluke photos I was able to identify the three whales, Cajun and Centipede, both females and Polaris, a very unique male whose fluke is almost entirely black vs. the more typical black and white patterns that enable researchers to identify and track individuals.
Click on the photo and you'll see the whole set of pictures that I have from another wondrous day on a Whale Watch.
While the temperatures continue to say Winter there are several signs that say the seasonal cycle is alive and well and that we will most definitely be enjoying Spring; hopefully in the near future.
To me, nothing speaks of Spring more beautifully then the sight of a pair of Bluebirds preparing a nest. A beautiful couple have been scouting out the available houses on the top of the Chatham Gardens hill and I am hopeful that one of them will be their future home.
If you click on the picture it will take you to my Flickr site where you can see lots more pictures of this beautiful pair of Bluebirds while they visit Chatham Gardens.
One of my favorite beach destinations is Skaket Beach in Orleans, MA. It is also a favorite of all of the younger house guests due to the far receding shore at low tide which creates lots of tidal pools filled with interesting marine life to be explored, captured, handled with the occasional attempt to bring said marine life back to Chatham Gardens. Not Encouraged!!!
Not far from the high tide mark is the famous Skaket Rock - a marker of sorts which at high tide is completely submerged. Last night at sunset the rock was clearly visible surrounded by the icy landscape.
A very different picture then I see on summer days filled with bright sunshine and laughing children. But if you have been there on one of those days, just close your eyes and call up that memory. The promise of spring feels really good.
I recently spent six weeks in Durham, NC and I felt homesick as I never have before. I couldn't quite put words to my feelings or be specific about what I missed. But today brought some clarity.
As I watched the sunrise at one of my favorite sunrise viewing spots - Forest Beach Conservation Area - it became crystal clear that I missed the beach, the ocean and the way the sky blazes with color before, during and immediately after the sun has risen above the horizon.
I witnessed beautiful skies in NC too but without the vast openness of the ocean and the beach the drama is minimized and it fails to wrap me in the warmth of the promise of a brand new day.
Today's sunrise filled me with peace and comfort and the promise of a day I will remember for its beauty.
