Snowy Tuesday morning

Thank goodness for the time change. Finally I am able to get up and out the door in time to catch the sunrise! 

Since the sky was cloudy when I awoke I didn't really rush, thinking there would be no sun anyway. Thankfully I arrived at the waters edge just in time.

What a great way to start the day! The air was pretty mild compared to what it has been. Eventually reaching the low 50's. 

 A total sweetheart. All she wanted to do was love on me.

After a few pictures at Jenness Beach and Rye Harbor I thought it would be nice to check in on the local resident Snowy Owl. Uh yeah, I think she's still here ...

Sometimes I wonder who's watching who. She seems quite oblivious to all the local paparazzi that visit on a daily basis. Every time I stop by people seem to be giving her a wide berth so as not to cause any stress. 

After shooting for a while then taking a few minutes in my car to warm up I decided to walk back over and see what she was up to. It was quite a sight to see, she was feasting on a bird she'd caught either earlier in the day or the night before. And though I shot some rather graphic images of her eating I felt it might be best to keep them out of this post. 

It's not difficult to tell she has quite a bit of blood on her front feathers, around her beak and eyes. This is all good because it means she isn't going hungry. Something that was of concern for some of the snowy owls along the east coast.

Once breakfast was consumed she started walking around and eating snow, which I didn't expect. A girl has got to get a drink somehow.

Finally, when the snowy was through pruning, snow eating, and scratching she decided to catch a little shut eye. All the while I looked on at how glorious she is, thinking how fleeting her time here will be. Any day could be her last before she heads back up north to Canada.

nap time = time to go home 

A snowy roadside barn

It's been months since I've felt like blogging, but a letter I recently received from a reader spurned me on to post some wintertime images as well as work up a new header. 

Thank you, Marianne.

As everyone knows the winter has certainly been long and cold. On the bright side it has produced some beautiful snow storms. And plenty of them! This barn and fence sit right along side the road where there is very little space to pull over. So glad I made the effort.

Snow tends to only enhance old fences and barns. Bringing out the charm that can only be found in New England.

Looking over the fence when all I really wanted to do was go right through the gate and into their backyard. I would never be that bold.

I don't think hydrangeas ever really go out of season, do you?

Only 12 days until we turn the clocks forward. March 9th will hopeful be a bit warmer than 20-something degrees. I'm SO done with cold weather! 

Are you seeing any signs of Spring at your house?

Snow day in Kittery, Maine

I know, I never post twice in one day but I really wanted to show you a few shots I took on my way home from Kittery, Maine yesterday afternoon. The snow had just begun to fall so I wrapped a small towel around my camera and tried to capture a few pretty images. Shooting in the elements is definitely not ideal though.

Although it looks like fog what you are seeing in the distance is actually snow

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Just look at this view and you know it's New England. Off to the left you can just make out the Wood Island Lifesaving station.

History is everywhere you look along the coast of Kittery

Isn't this little post office the best? Ahh, the good old days.

As much as I'd hoped to get out in the big snow we had today, it just didn't happen. The roads were bad and I was feeling lazy. Besides, feeling the Bluebirds, Cardinals, etc. was a full time job!

Snow, birds, and bit of drama

Yesterday afternoon the snow began to fall. Something we haven't seen much of this winter, and I'd kind of hoped we wouldn't see again! But, it's New England and there's no telling what's next.

Although it doesn't really look big enough, this is actually a Hairy Woodpecker. Photographing them can be tricky since they are much more timid than the Downy Woodpeckers.  Such a pretty lady she is.

Gotta love the Bluebirds! They've been eating up the Zick Dough for a the past month. Lately they've also been fighting like cats and dogs but once the snow arrived, so did harmony.

As for the drama portion of this post ... Tuesday my husband and daughter, Elise, went skiing. While on a black diamond my husband stopped to see where my daughter was. Turns out she was right behind him going almost 40 mph (we know this from the Ski Tracks app my daughter has on her phone). All my husband remembers after that is seeing pink before my daughter hit him full force, causing her to go flying through the air and land on her head (with a helmet) and shoulders we believe. Instantly my husband ran to her and took her down to see the medics who determined she was okay, but they still rested for a bit in the lodge and had something to eat before continuing to ski for a few more hours. Ya, I know : /

By Tuesday night Elise felt sick to her stomach and had a terrible headache but no vomiting or other concussion symptoms. Finally she ate a little yogurt and some toast and which calmed her stomach but yesterday morning when she awoke her neck was really hurting ... bad. Unfortunately I had to go to work so I called the doctor from my cell and they said go straight to the ER. Since I wasn't home my husband took her where they x-rayed Elise's neck only to have it come back with what appeared to be a line through the 3rd vertebrae. The doctor assumed it was a shadow from the trachea but he couldn't be certain so a CT Scan was ordered. Long story short (and maybe it's a bit late for that) Elise is okay. Nothing is broken but she has to wear a neck brace as there is plenty of swelling, soreness, and stiffness. Needless to say my husband is quite sore too. All will be well in the next few days though. Phew!

And if that wasn't enough, in the midst of the ER drama my older daughter texted me and said her boyfriend messed with her fish tank and killed all her fish. And she doesn't buy cheap fish! *sigh*

Despite everything going on in the teenage world the Bluebirds seem quite content to have a little something to eat on a cold day. As was I when we went out for dinner at Petey's last night ; )

Into the blue

If you've been around my blogging long enough then you know I love time spent by the ocean. It always brings me a great sense of calm. The waves, the gulls, the endless views ... for a moment in time I can feel completely weightless of all the daily burdens. 

Maybe just for a moment you can feel that way too

This has been such a delightful February, weather wise. And though snow was predicted yesterday it didn't materialize. Instead, last night as I lie in bed, for the first time in months I fell asleep to the sound of rain beating on the windows. It was a welcome sound making me think of peepers. But the peepers song is at least a month away.

I know I'm not supposed to love the gulls ... but I do

And the dogs, because no beach is truly complete without a dog

Do anything, but let it produce joy

~ Walt Whitman

I thought I'd add a little mosaic of a few Instagram images from the past couple weeks. I'll be linking up with Mary for Mosaic Monday. 

Are you doing anything special this Sunday?

Memories of winter in black and white

It's a winter wonderland outside. Granted the snow isn't deep but there's just enough to give the landscape a magical black and white appearance.

Today my husband and I will be going back over to my parents house to help them with their new computer. After many years of trying to get them online they finally broke down and decided to go high tech. LOL! It's a bit of a challenge but I know they'll get the hang of it. I always forget how much work it is just to set the computer and homepage up, trying to customize everything, give them some bookmarks and an email address. Baby steps is what it is, just like it was for all of us.


Wishing you a fabulous Sunday! As my husband would say, "Go Patriots!"

Amazing front!

It's been a busy week and I'm way behind with my blogging, photography, and visiting other blogs. Seeing as how I'm finally going back to work this week, after 2 months off, I don't think things will get much better. However, I'll try. 

In the mean time I wanted to show you a couple photos I took last Friday on my way home from the mall. 

The clouds were crazy that day! Just as the sky seemed to be clearing off this enormous front came rolling through. Luckily I was near the local airport so I stopped and shot these two images through the fence for a wide open view. 

I'm still amazed!

The past couple days we've finally had some snow. Everything is just lovely in a light coating of white. Come Monday we'll be back up to 45 degree's so the snow won't last long. It's the saddest winter we've had in a while. Less than 2 months until the time change though so I'm excited about that!!!


I hope you're having a great week-end! So far mine has been spent getting my parents (who are in their mid-70's) online for the first time ever. Way to go Mom and Dad!

Moonset on the bay

Lately I'm not good at getting up and shooting the sunrise or sunset. Instead I prefer to stay in where it's cozy and warm, walking on the treadmill and doing my exercises for my back. However, Tuesday morning I could see the moon waning in the sky and thought it might be pretty to capture it as it set on the bay. So here we go.

Mind you I had no tripod with me

Looking right, opposite the moon

Geese were flying in repeatedly, that is until the sky started to lighten up a bit. It seems they prefer to travel in low light. Hmm... don't they know I'm trying to get a picturesque shot here?

And in a moments notice the moon slipped below the clouds on the horizon

Silly I know but this was my favorite shot. Just a simple gull flying through the air with an added texture

I've been trying to add work to my Redbubble and Society 6 websites. It takes a lot of time to set up photography websites, work on images and then post them, all the while trying to figure out if you're charging to much, to little, or what. Both sites seem to be quite good, though I suspect Society 6 has product that is a bit higher quality. I know they charge enough for their services! Holy cow! But, I guess that's the way it goes if you want someone else to do all the work, right?

  

I keep thinking about going back to Etsy

We had snow yesterday and rain this morning, which turned everything to ice. Seeing as how we are in the northeast though school was ON both days. We're hardy folk here in NH. Or stubborn. Could be a combination of both. Yes, I believe that's what it is. Ha haa!!!


Happy Friday all!

Roses and such

Happy Sunday to all!

Phineas would like me to thank everyone who left a comment regarding my most recent post. Being that he's a cat he can never get to much adoration.  Currently Phin's dealing with a bit of Feline Herpes, causing his right eye to have a runny, yellow discharge. Usually it only lasts a few days and then he's fine. The girls and I wipe it all the time while he leans in for the rub. If things get worse we shall be off for a visit to the vets *sigh* 

Roses

So far I've bought only one bunch of roses this winter but I photographed them every which way I could think of! Oh what fun, and oh-so glorious. Now they lie on the counter, drying up, but it was a good friendship we had. Who knows, maybe it shall continue.

Currently my Amaryllis and (lousy) Paper Whites are in full bloom but I'm thinking more roses are in order today or tomorrow.

*  *  *

All of the following are iPhone-ography and Instagram

Speaking of roses ... above is the 2012 Monets Garden calendar I purchased from Georgianna Lane's Etsy shop. If you're looking for beauty look no further. G has got it!

Again, more Phin. This time relaxing in front of the fire on a chilly January day

And finally, a trip to the local greenhouse, Churchills, last Wednesday morning with my husband. It was a true touch of spring I tell you, especially when a butterfly came flying by! One of the people there said it had shown up a day or two before and must have hatched from a plant brought in for the winter. And yes, I did take the photo with my iphone.

Still no snow here in NH. Not good. Well I like it but it's not good for local businesses. After all, New England is supposed to have snow in January. Instead we have balmy temps in the 40's. A friend of mine from Instagram who lives just outside of Washington DC even has Daffodils in bloom! Hows the weather where you live?

Linking up with Marys Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Welcome to a new year

2012!

Here we are beginning anew and I'm so thankful to enjoy a gorgeous day this January 1st!

As a big leap forward (for me anyway) I decided to start a RedBubble account to offer some of my images to anyone who's interested. So far I have a whopping 3 photos for sale! LOL! There will be more, I promise. Believe it or not I'm already thinking about switching over to Society6. A few ladies I know are there, and seem to really like it, so I signed up to give it a shot.

I used to love photographing this old Apple tree. You can see my most recent photo here. I have several other images of the tree as well but at the moment can't find them. Never forget, organization is key, especially in photography : /

Recently while speaking with the son of the owner of this farm I mentioned how much I love this tree and I hope they didn't cut it down! Please don't cut it down! He said, 'Well, if it starts to die and make a mess it will probably go.' Phew! The tree was still alive and kicking' so it should be safe.

Wouldn't you know less than a week later it lay there on the ground in a heap. I felt such anger inside. It wasn't obstructing anything, and sat on the middle of a hill with a gorgeous sunset behind it almost every night. On the plus side I'm glad I photographed it multiple times. At least I have that.

Last but by far from least, I'd like to remember a couple bloggers we lost in 2011. If there's one thing I love about blogging it's the wonderful network of women we meet along the way. Women who have helped me out with my photography, become my internet friends, or given me inspiration. And there are some who just captivate you with the whole package. Char from Ramblins, and Sarah from the blog Spruce Hill were two such women. Losing the two of them was both shocking and sad. Both ladies remain in my thoughts and heart. I hope they know how much they are missed.

And how was your New Year?