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!

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!

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...

From a low angle

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!

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

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!

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

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!

boston public library

Boston Public library

- established in 1848, it was the first publicly supported city library in the country.

The Copley Square location opened in 1858

 - designed to be a "palace for the people"

I often hear people say that libraries are obsolete

- yeah - they should really come here for a visit

because this library is alive and well

- and while I've been borrowing e-books for several years

this was the first time I actually stepped inside this location

which I'll admit - my first thought upon entering was "huh?"...

but this is not your library of yesteryear

ummmm - sorry - I seem to have a thing for reflections, lately

- kind of like two photos in one - or something like that

and never fear

- you can still find real books, here

Back out front, I stopped to snap these statues

and was photobombed by this dapper gentleman

(love it when that happens!)

So anyway - this was my first real experience with "street photography"

I learned a lot - and have a lot to learn

but as far as lunch breaks go - this definitely sets off the fun-o-meter

- and I'll be back - because, well, exploring Boston is a bit like

awe inspiring...

I'm joining Tom for Tuesday's Treasures

because the BPL is truly one of Boston's treasures

Do you enjoy visiting your local library?

Thanks for dropping in!

photo challenge week #5 - door(s)

"Library doors are a gateway to anywhere."

Boston Public Library - Copley Square

Yeah - so - this challenge had me stumped

doors - everywhere - mostly nondescript...

Then I happened upon the quote above

- and because - well - I can spend hours in a library - exploring

I knew what I needed to do -

Another lunchtime walk to Copley Square,

watching as people entered this majestic gateway to anywhere...

"I always felt if I can get to a library, I'll be OK." Maya Angelou

Next week - from a low angle

Other than home - what are your favorite door(s) to walk through? -
(real or metaphorically)

Canon EOS REBEL T3i

EF-S18-55 f3.5-5.6 IS II

35 mm 1/100 sec at f/4.5

Thanks for dropping in!

happy thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving preparations are well underway
as I look forward to hosting my family, this year.

Earlier this week while walking to my office
- and mentally making a shopping list

I noticed a splash of red - hanging on late in the season
grocery list can wait...

I pause for a moment at the dog park
- city dogs need a fenced-in area to run around in

And back to thanksgiving preparations
I reflect on the many things that I am grateful for

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to
Theresa - aka TexWis Girl
not only for hosting Good Fences for the past few years,
but for gathering a warm and friendly group of bloggers,
- many of whom I think of as friends

Theresa - I will miss your insight and wit
you never failed to put a smile on my face
I wish you all the best!

And for everyone else - a very happy thanksgiving!
(whether you celebrate or not - because, feeling thankful is always a good thing...)

I'm joining TexWis for one last Good Fences

day tripping - saratoga springs

A couple of weekends ago,

Greg and I, along with our friend, decided a little exploring was in order.

Destination - Saratoga Springs

Where there truly are mineral springs - many of them

This area was sacred ground to Native Americans of the Iroquois Nation
known as "Medicine Spring of the Great Spirit"
In the 1800's visitors flocked to area resorts to "take the cure"

New York, later declared 800 acres as state reservation
 - creating Saratoga Spa State Park

 

And - after tasting the water for myself,

I decided that before drinking anymore,

I pretty much needed some kind of guarantee that this was the fountain of youth...

But Greg was enjoying it - (I'll be looking for signs of - you know - youthfulness)

Sunlight playing through the arcade - part of the Hall of Springs

As Greg and Bonnie explored, I was taking my own little photo walk.

The park also has a performing arts center
- ballet -

- and music -

And then - heading into town,

Well, Golly

Batman,

so many fun shops to poke around in

- not to mention a fantastic chocolate shop 

where I bought a waffle cone full of some kind of awesome deliciousness

No photos - I ummmm - didn't want it to melt

To make up for it - I give you this rusty metal pig

- which is way more cool to look at, anyway

And that wraps up our day trip to Saratoga Springs -

but I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself

and I'm not kidding about that chocolate shop - I kind of want to go back - right now...

I am joining Tom for Tuesday's Treasures
and Lady Fi for Our World Tuesday

Have a wonderful thanksgiving!

photo challenge week #4 - from a high angle

morning at Away

my favorite time - relaxed, quiet

enjoying a cup of coffee and reading about lines,

setting my book down and head up to the loft with my camera

time for practice...

Meanwhile - morning sun streams through the living room slider
- Greg, deep in thought - concentrating, learning 

relaxed in his "Vermont comfy clothes"
I'm certain he hears my camera clicking from some far away place - background noise

he'll soon be out puttering in the yard - busy with this or that

but for now, it's that perfect, peaceful slice of time
mornings in Vermont

Next week - Door(s)

I've decided to switch my photo challenge posts from Monday to Sunday
 - blogger's prerogative :-)

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Canon EOS REBEL T3i

EF50mm f/1.8 II

50 mm 1/40 sec at f/3.2

vermont - quiet time

It's the quiet time of year in Vermont
foliage is past its peak and ski season, not yet in full swing
while I enjoy both foliage and skiing,
I enjoy this most

more scenes from the train station in North Bennington

and daughter Laura, clowning around with my new bff

later - entering my favorite book store

- once again, noticing this fence across the street

I wonder why I have never stopped to take photos

without the usual crowds in Manchester Center

I'm free to wander with my camera

Can you believe it's mid-November - already?
 time to think about turkey dinners, family gatherings, tractor parades...
and being thankful for all we have - and don't have
and for me, quiet weekends in Vermont

Have a wonderful weekend!