away for the weekend: December 2016

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

boston public garden

One of Boston's true treasures - in any season
This particular day was cold and blustery,
 and way too sunny - which is normally my preference - but not so great for photos at mid-day
yeah - oh well...


Another lunch break - I hopped on the subway to catch a Boston favorite


make way for ducklings - all dressed for Christmas :-)


this is one of the most popular attractions in the Boston Public Garden
- and one of my favorite childhood stories, written by Robert McCloskey
(although I may be biased as the story takes place in Boston)


A friend said to me - it must be so fun to work in the city during the holidays
Yes, it is!

I'm thankful for my lunchtime photo adventures
- Exploring a city with a LOT of holiday cheer
- Christmas with my family
- Vacation next week!
- My warm home during these cold days

The ducklings and I wish you a very merry Christmas!

I'm joining Tom for Tuesday's Treasures
Michelle for Thankful Thursday
Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday Five

Thanks for dropping in!

Saturday, December 17, 2016

photo challenge week #7 - close-up

Not to be confused with macro
- which I am pretty sure I will be attempting in the not-too-distant future

Little bugger...


Headed to the hardware store - 
Greg: Is there anything you'd like me to pick up while I'm out?
Me: Yes - we're out of suet, but whatever you do don't choose one with nuts...

Yeah - little Nutkins, here, surely is enjoying his peanuty treat
He knows I'm watching him - but he's not looking particularly fazed
As my daughter would say - he's just living his life...

I did a little cropping to get this guy to fill the frame
- but it looked "close-up" to me before
- and I like him so much better than my close-up of the ferns
as long as he stays out of my attic!

Next up - SOOC (straight-out-of-camera) eek!
which will be in two weeks
Have a great weekend!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

photo challenge - outtakes

I am learning so much more from my photo challenge than I had ever anticipated
- the prompts, themselves, are meaningless
and yet, each one challenges me to focus on something specific
- while trying something new
- take a different approach
- look from another angle...
So this week, I'm sharing some outtakes
(aka camera dump - but I'll keep it to a minimum)


Clouds - still clicking away at the John Hancock tower,
I like the fluffy cloud reflections and bright blue sky
this was a close runner up - but leaves me dissatisfied somehow
although, I can say the same for my chosen photo...


The color red - technically not an outtake
I took this photo a few weeks before starting - and archives are against the rules... (gasp)
The red cups drew my eye - but the photo is about morning in a coffee shop


From a high angle - I was really just playing
- but laughed when I saw this one
penguins and tie-dye - Laura has always loved color - and LOTS of it
- and I do believe I caught her catching up on my blog :-)


Door(s) - this is one of my favorite Boston neighborhoods
I often walk through it on my way to work - stopping one morning,
hoping to capture the early sun and feel of a city morning
- hmmm, maybe if there was a family leaving for work or school
 - but then, I would have felt like a stalker...


There were so many ways to approach this prompt
This photo is a good reminder to me, 
 that while I'm feeling completely conspicuous,
kneeling on the sidewalk with my camera near the ground
- only one person even notices me
He looks kind of grumpy - but I don't think he really cares

Next week - back on track with Close-up
- which is actually ready to go - but it can wait...

Happy Sunday - enjoy your day!

Thursday, December 8, 2016

thankful for december

I'm thankful for December
- when the bears settle in for their winter nap (we hope)
- bird feeders are back on our deck
and colorful birds gather on Saturday mornings
- it's the little things -


are blue jays bullies? - hmmm, I don't know - maybe
I'm just taken in by their beautiful blue coloring
I'm shallow that way...


Well, good morning!


Yeah - snow wasn't really my thing - I guess I'll just wait my turn


- ummmm - hello? - are you about finished?
This is supposed to be our feeder...


Is she still watching us?
Gee, lady - isn't it about time that you go take a shower or something?

Who knew birds were so perceptive?
- so that's what I did before heading to our local bird store
to buy these guys a new pole for their peanut feeder
(which was bent over last year, by a bear - bad bear!)
- and hopefully give this feeder back to the chickadees...

So - how can I go about getting that bear gig?
- a winter nap sure sounds good to me, right now

Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday - and Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday 5

Monday, December 5, 2016

west dummerston vermont

We've driven past this covered bridge many times
- hundreds of times -
over the past few years


located in West Dummerston, Vermont
the bridge was built in 1872


and spans the West River - a popular summer swimming spot


After riding through this charming bridge to explore the Black Mountain quarry,
it seemed about time I attempt a photo - or two



I found the quarry fascinating - it was in operation in the early 20th century
the town, growing to accommodate the workers


- and I can't seem to find any information on this old wheel
- what it is, or why it sits here


but I kind of liked it - so, yeah - it is what it is -
an old rusty wheel... painted with graffiti...

Happy Monday - I hope your week is off to a good start!

I'm joining Tuesday's Treasures and

Thanks for dropping in!

Sunday, December 4, 2016

photo challenge week #6 - from a low angle

Dummerston, Vermont - abandoned stone quarry


looking up the rock face of Black Mountain
on a chilly Vermont afternoon
I'm not sure whether Greg knew that this was my next prompt
when he took me on a detour, saying "you want to see something cool?"
Why, yes - yes I do
:-)

next up - Close up
- which I'll post in two weeks
I'm thinking about doing something a little different next week...

Thanks for dropping in!

Canon EOS REBEL T3i
EF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS II
ISO 100 20mm 1/60 sec @ f/4.0

Thursday, December 1, 2016

thankful thursday

Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely wonderful
- downtime at its best

Reflecting back, I'm thankful for so many things:


- sharing holidays with this crazy crew 
even when it's loud and hectic and the stuffing is a little dry...

- finding out there will be a new family member joining us for next thanksgiving
yep - I'm going to be a grandma
:-)


- misty mountain mornings
there is nothing I'd rather gaze at while enjoying my coffee in the morning

- the annual tractor parade - shared with another branch of our family
the best way ever to get into the Christmas spirit!


- riding home from a family outing, when Greg and my son-in-law
spot this beautiful owl in the woods on the side of the road - 
and I actually have the right camera lens with me

and so much more

I'm joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday
and Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday Five

whoa - it's December, already - how crazy is that?!


Thanks for dropping in!