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!

Lighthouses on the coast

Did you think I wasn't coming back? I wasn't so sure either. Lately every time I post on my blog I wonder, "will this by my last time?". December has taken a toll on me and it seems when ever I sit down at the computer to look at my photos I just go blank. Sorting them, deciding which ones to use for a post, editing, trying to find the words ... nothing seems right. Hopefully the new year will give me some renewed energy because right now I'm sorely lacking.

Though I normally photograph something almost every day, lately my camera usually sits on the counter, all by it's lonesome. My new job is still causing me some insomnia so I imagine that's not helping the situation.

Anyway, enough about all that. Last week, on my way to go Christmas shopping, I decided to take a detour and head to New Castle Commons in hopes of lifting my spirits. The view was so lovely but it was so cold at the same time. I stayed inside my car for all of the shots below.

No, this home isn't located at New Castle Commons but it was so quaint I had to pull over and take a shot or two. If it's this adorable on the outside don't you wonder what it looks like on the inside? I do!

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

It was a good thing I took these shots when I did because the snow had all but melted in the next couple hours.

Immature Ring-billed Gulls just chillin', literally

Whaleback Lighthouse

Like the most of the east coast we received a pretty decent snow storm last night into today. It was supposed to be a blizzard with 10"-18" but with all the blowing and drifting I don't know if we even had 7". For those of us expecting 'the big one' it was a rather weak storm. It's probably just as well seeing as how my daughter has to drive in it.

Do you have plans for New Years Eve?

Full moon rising over York Beach

Below is a time elapsed Full Beaver moon (aka Frosty Moon) rising over Long Sands in York, Maine on November 21st of this year.

Nubble Lighthouse

After moving down the beach . . .

This woman was actually out there doing yoga in the moonlight, and it was bitterly cold. Oh but what a moment to live in.

The Nubble

Have you ever been here?

My husband and I went to the Nubble/Sohier Park on our first date. We sat there looking out at the lighthouse engaged in awkward conversation for a little while before we decided to leave. Although we actually shared our first kiss in the parking lot of where we worked (romantic, huh?), the Nubble will always hold a special place in my heart.

You may have noticed the new header, above. I shot it late last year, in December. Because of the snow there were quite a few photographers standing around just waiting for the lights to be turned on at 5:00 pm. It was a rather cold evening but worth every degree. Hopefully I'll be able to get back there on another snowy night this winter before the lights go out on January 1st. So far the ground is bare though.

If you miss the lighting in the winter then maybe you can check out Christmas in July. The lights come on around 9:00 pm from July 29th-August 7, 2011. There's more information available on the official Nubble Lighthouse website below.

Boon Island Lighthouse

The Nubble website

Looking south towards Long Sands

The reason I went to Cape Neddick on this particular night was to shoot the full moon rising. I was trying to figure out where it would be coming up by looking at where the sun was setting. The moon had to be rising opposite the sun, right? Suddenly I realized I wasn't in the right place. The moon wouldn't come up behind the lighthouse, so I took a few shots and headed for Long Sands beach. I'll show you some of the moon photos next time.

All within walking distance

I love a warm Summer’s morning.

I love Hydrangea’s. I love the ocean. I love a white picket fence.

I love that I can enjoy it all within walking distance in New Castle, NH.

 

 

I love this house

 

There’s a lot of love going on in this post . . .

 

*By the way, I don’t actually live in New Castle, though I wish I did. I have to drive to get there, but once I arrive it’s a wonderful place to walk around!

Sunset/Lighthouse Cruise ~ The End

And so we journey to the end of a wonderful evening cruise. By this time is was getting pretty darned cold and I think most people had gone down onto the lower deck to try and get away from the wind. Once the sun finally set, all the photographers went down there as well.

Around this point there was a photographer frenzy on the boat. My husband said it was pretty intense. LOL! I just shot what I could and hoped for the best.




Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort Constitution, formerly known as Fort William and Mary




Whaleback Lighthouse ~ 1872








The sunsets behind Wentworth By the Sea hotel




Approaching Rye Harbor my husband looks out at the remains of an incredible sunset. Besides us, the people behind us were the only ones left on the upper deck, and they were wearing jackets.

Thank you for coming along with me and leaving such wonderful comments. In real time the trip was 2 1/2 hours long. In blog time it was much longer! LOL!

Sunset/Lighthouse Cruise - White Island

Where we last left off ... White Island, Isles of Shoals

Such a beautiful place, and for many years the home of famous poet, Celia Thaxter, whose father was the lighthouse keeper at White Island. In later years she married and moved away but eventually returned to reside on Appledore Island, also one of the Isles of Shoals.




The lighthouse, and keepers home, are in much need of repair. Back in 2002 Lighthouse Kids Incorporated was formed by a group of 7th graders at the North Hampton Elementary School. Their goal is to try to raise as much money as possible to help preserve the White Island Lighthouse Station.

Still, the 1859 lighthouse struggles and is in extremely poor condition as evidenced by these photos.



I'm not sure if someone is currently residing on the island but judging by the laundry on the line it does appear as though someone stays there now and then.



Since 1997 the White Island Tern Restoration Project has been ongoing.

The goals of the Tern Restoration Project are to protect, manage and enhance the breeding population of common (state endangered), roseate (state and federally endangered), and arctic terns (state threatened) on Seavey Island and protect the population on White Island. Efforts have been largely successful since the implementation of the program. In 2006, SML took on management of the Tern Restoration Project with support from the State of NH and NH Audubon.

~ Shoals Maine Laboratory (link)



If you're interested, here is a great article chronicling the success of the Tern Project and their run-in with a White Owl that threatened the success of the population








This photo was taken from the back side of the island looking towards the seacoast.

In the next post we'll see a bit of of Star Island.

Smoke and the water

Did you have a good Memorial Day? Do something nice? Honor those who have served our country?

For years I enjoyed watching the local Memorial Day parade and ceremony to honor Veterans, but for the third year in a row I've spent the day at New Castle Commons with some girlfriends and their families. As much as I enjoy being there it leaves me with a sense that I'm missing something.


Since I was at New Castle I figured I should share the view with my readers. If you didn't already know there are big fires up in Canada. So big in fact that the smoke is traveling right down through the New England states. This morning (Monday)we woke up to the distinct smell of a campfire and a heavy haze in the air here along the coast of New Hampshire. When you look at these photos the smoke is what you're seeing.











I enjoyed watching all the Terns diving into the water. Plenty of Cormorants seemed to be lingering about as well. The fish must have been plentiful just below the surface.

Woody and Buzz fly over head.

What would a day by the shore be without a kite?



Thanks for stopping by!

Eastern Point Lighthouse: Part 2

So here we are, back at the lighthouse one more time.

Looking out into the Atlantic and directly towards the sun, bringing into focus the silhouette of a lobster boat. A favorite view of mine.

Elise was a little freaked out by the sound of the waves lashing against the rocks under the breaker. She was looking down to see if she could see the water, but couldn't.

Bean town

~Photo by Elise~

There I am, freezing. At least the Jackie O sunglasses helped to keep the wind out of my eyes!

I do believe they are being stalked, which can only mean one thing ... bait on board.

The following photos were taken by Elise. Remember she had a fingerprint on her lens, but with a little texture added, overall they came out pretty good. Kind of like a postcard.

Facebook photo: The girl with the longest eyelashes I've ever seen!

This is as far as we went on Dogbar breakwater, just far enough for Elise to find a rock to put her camera on. The wind was whipping and it was cold. I photoshopped out my hair that was standing up straight. Who really needs to see that anyway?

Looking back towards the city of Gloucester. Thanks for coming along! We'll be headed up to Rockport soon for a little lunch.