Boating

Boating
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Went boating today on Town Cove with Betty on her pontoon boat. It was a great way to escape the warm humid air in town and the conditions were perfect for us to manage the boat ourselves. While cruising through the Nauset Marsh area we spotted what turned out to be an Osprey with his/her dinner, a nice sized fish that he carried away as we approached the area where he was dining. if you click on the picture you'll see some addition shots. it was really cool...

Busy Bee

Busy Bee
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

This time of year I am frequently walking around Chatham Gardens with my camera and sometimes I just aim and hold down the shutter button for 3 or 4 or even more sequential pictures. The result is often a bunch of pictures that are identical but sometimes a gem shows up that would not have happened any other way - at least not for me. With a fast shutter speed I captured this bee hovering near a favorite flower - the Catmint.

The Catmint also attracts Goldfinches but they are not as accommodating when I get this close with my camera. But I'll keep trying.

Bluebird

Bluebird
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Spring is in full swing here at Chatham Gardens. The lilacs were spectacular and the peonies just exploded this year. Roses are now blooming and most will continue through the entire summer into fall. Hydrangea buds look promising and should put on a great show this summer as well.

Birding has been consistent with no new sightings here at the Gardens but I had a Bluebird who looked very interested in one of the empty houses. He hung around for quite a while and I was able to get some good pictures as he investigated the potential nest including going in and out several times. But I guess we failed inspection because he has left and has not returned. Oh well, I will take a bluebird visit anytime.

Field at Sunrise

Field at Sunrise
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

I found a new spot today to enjoy the sunrise. It is located very close to my gym, so I'll be spending some pre-workout time trying to capture some new views of the sunrise.

As an added bonus, there is a beautiful oceanfront field that benefits greatly from the changing light - does it remind anyone else of "Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth?

Moonset at Sunset at Harding's Beach

Moonset at Sunset at Harding's Beach
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Last night there was a double treat at dusk. A very lovely sunset which I watched at Hardings Beach, here in Chatham and then about 15 minutes after the sun had actually set, the waxing crescent moon became visible, also in the western sky. The moon set was about an hour after the sunset which allowed about 30 minutes of twilight dusk to be able to take hand held pictures. What a magnificent sky.

Sunrise at Lighthouse Beach

Sunrise at Lighthouse Beach
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

I hoped to get down to the Lighthouse earlier then I did to get a picture of the Lighthouse with the light of the beam visible against the earlier sky. But I also realized that the air was much too clear and the reflection I was seeking was just that, the light reflecting off of air particles, probably early morning ice crystals. I had captured this about a month ago, totally unexpected, and was hoping to get a similar picture from a better angle. Fortunately, there will be many more mornings watching the sunrise at the Lighthouse.

Here is the picture that I had taken in August.

Chatham Light just before sunrise

Chatham Light just before sunrise
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

The lighthouse was a very pretty sight today at dawn.