The perfect end

Sunsets ... something we haven't seen very much of lately due to all the miserable rain here in New Hampshire. I shot the evening sky on June 19th with my Samsung Galaxy s4. To me the clarity is amazing and comes close to capturing just how beautiful it actually was that evening. 

Here's to many more gorgeous sunsets before the summer ends!

The music of a summers evening

I wanted to share with you a few images from an outing I took on Tuesday evening. The Exeter Brass Band was playing at the bandstand and it was high time I made time to go see them! After all, it's been a tradition in Exeter, NH since 1847 so you know they've got to be doing something right. Wonderful old traditions and New England go hand in hand.



You can't tell from my photo but there was a good crowd filled with people of all ages. The weather was perfect for an evening of outside entertainment.

A fellow reveler of the entertainment

The band was wrapping things up when I decided to stroll around in hopes of getting a few decent sunset images. As I wandered over String bridge I couldn't help but notice the sunset on the river. Purples, pinks, yellows, and golds all meshed together to form the perfect palette.










Then I turned around to look up river but was not expecting to see this . . .



It was a most delightful evening : )

Let it rain

If there's one thing I've always loved about the weather is watching the rain or snow fall from a distance. The wind-swept streaks coming down through the sky can be so bold. Seeing them at sunset is all the more dramatic.


* All of these images were shot within a matter of minutes of each other *

I never paid much attention to how quickly the sky changed color during a sunset or sunrise until I started photographinging them. It really is amazing. A matter of 30 seconds can make a dramatic difference in the colors reflected up through the clouds.

The Forsythia I cut last week-end has little green buds appearing. Yay! I also cut pieces from the Double-flowering Cherry tree but didn't have any luck last year getting them to bloom so I'm not hopeful they'll be any different this year.

Have you bought seeds yet? Or Spring bulbs? 

I know it's early here in the Northeast but I'm itching to get things started. Just yesterday I noticed they're starting to tap the tree's for maple syrup. That took me totally by surprise as it seems so early but with days in the upper 30's to low 40's and cold nights I guess the timing is about right. At least for this year anyway.

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

I wish you all a wonderful week-end! Bitter cold temps are on tap for us but then we'll rebound back into the 30's and 40's again next week. Just plain strange. 

Beach Views

Just a few more images from an early evening walk on the beach. The same evening I shot the photos for my 'It's a dogs life on the beach' post.

I know Autumn is knocking at the door but I refuse to embrace it until I'm forced too. Summer is my season. Something that is all to short for this born and raised New Englander.

It's a dogs life at the beach

It's been a while since I've had the time to post but that doesn't mean I've stopped taking pictures! Summer has been a busy one in our house though I can't honestly say it's the summer I'd hoped for. Between my husbands extra long work days lately, the girls crazy schedules, and a 3 room makeover, I seem to keep busy but not often doing the things I want to do. However, I've made time for the evening walks along the beach. An absolute must for my sanity.

On this particular night I decided to photograph dogs for a change. The sun was getting low in the sky, the water was smooth, and the air was warm.

Seriously, every dog should come to the beach and be this happy!




An Arctic Tern perhaps?







I know, it's a sad, old, worn out dog but I had to post the photos.

You cannot imagine how much love and attention the owner was bestowing upon his companion. He took her down to the water and held her in the waves, letting the water wash over her body, lifting and lowering her as the waves came in and then subsided. He carefully guided her out onto shore, carrying her when necessary. At one time this was probably the place she loved being more than anything.




The owner then brought his dog up onto a blanket and gently laid her down, placing a pillow under her head. He stroked and kissed her, never leaving her side, all the while his wife played with their child in the sand and water. Although I cannot say for certain I had the feeling this was a last act of love.

As I walked away tears rolled down my cheeks. This man was probably about to lose one of the first loves of his life and you could tell he was cherishing every possible moment before letting go. It was a very touching scene.









This photo reminds me of my Lily at the beach ... running full speed, hair blowing in the wind, filled with a love of the moment. One thing that struck me was how many kids and dogs were playing together!

Next time I'll bring you with me Lily. I promise!

*Wow! Such a great response to the garden photos in my previous post! I only wish my garden looked as nice as the photos portray. In my own eyes there is still much work to be done and a lot more money to be spent. It's a lifetime project that never ends. About the time it looks pretty good, it's time for a change.

Thank you for always being so generous with your comments.

Sunset ~ Moonrise

Yesterday afternoon I told my husband the only thing I wanted to do was watch the moon rise over the ocean. After dinner we headed to New Castle for an ice cream at the Ice House, with the intent of watching the moon come up by the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse. Looking at the compass on my iPhone my husband didn't think we'd have an optimal view so he suggested we head down toward the beach.

Driving over the bridge next to the Wentworth by the Sea marina, I looked out towards Portsmouth to catch a spectacular sunset over the water. Just to the left of the sunset (I know it's hard to see the yellow house) sits the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion. A beautiful place to visit on a warm day.




Within a few minutes we were on Rt. 1a parked near Pebble Cove motel. From this beach you can walk along next to the ocean over to Odiorne Point. I thought it would be a great place to see the moon rise!



Looking south towards Rye











You can expect to see a lot more Queen Anne's Lace in coming posts. It cannot be helped.




Slowly but surely the sky was getting darker. Moonrise was supposed to be at 9:02 so we knew we'd have to wait a little bit longer.







8:30 . . . the mosquitos started attacking. My husband seemed to be the object of their affection too! With 1/2 an hour to go we just couldn't wait. The bugs were brutal.



Just another shot looking toward Odiorne state park on the left. Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is on the right, identified by the little green light on the horizon.

Now we had to book it back to the car and try for the third time to find a place to view the moon!

As luck would have it we made it to Jenness beach in the nick of time. I jumped out of the car and started shooting. Most of my shots were pretty poor seeing as how it was now dark outside but I managed to get a few decent images. Here's one . . .






And yes, it really was that orange!

Thanks for coming along with us! I hope you enjoyed Saturday night all over again. The evening was so relaxing for my husband and I, and we needed a little 'us' time.

Did you see the full moon this week-end? I hope so!

Sunset on the bay

Hello all! How are things in your little corner of the world?

I've been pretty much straight out the past several days. Last week I finished up working at the beach house. A bitter sweet moment. It was sad to leave but time to move on. Saturday we took my daughter to visit a local college, which was pretty much a day long event. Sunday I took both my girls and their friends to an amusement park for my younger daughters birthday. Again, a day long event.

This week I've started a new job and I'm trying to catch up with all that needs to be done. The job is going well, the catching up, not so much. If you've sent me an email and I haven't responded I will try to do so in the next couple days.

I thought I'd share some sunset photos I took last week. There's quite a few of them so I hope you don't mind!

On the plus side of things, our Hummingbirds finally showed up last Wednesday. Such a treat! Other people said they had Baltimore Orioles but I just saw our first one this morning. Catbirds have been calling too.

Now if the sun would just continue shining and the temps would come up a bit. And the price of gas would go DOWN : /