Sunset on Cape Cod

We took a trip down to Barnstable, Ma on Cape Cod this last weekend. It was a rainy overcast weekend, but fortunately the sun came out briefly for a sunset.One of my favorite times at the beach is that time of last light that illuminates the ocean and the beach.  Barnstable beach is on the bay side of Cape Cod so gets a nice sunset. Our dogs really enjoy playing and chasing their ball on the beach. Though they did have some question about the quality of the drinking water.

The last light looking out toward Provincetown was a rich color of purples and blues. I especially liked the color of the weed beds in their winter state.

Creating with moonlight

One of my passions is photographing moonlight. Magic happens when the full moon rises above the horizon .  It can be the winter moon or the supermoon, of last year.

Full moon rising

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. ~Oscar Wilde

And then there is the full moon rising over the ocean in Maine. This is from York Beach, a moonrise to remember.

Full moon over the Atlantic, York Beach, Maine

Basketball night

Wednesdays in the winter is my basketball night. I have been playing in my league for 20 years. I have noticed that I am not getting any faster and my shots are not improving. Playing against guys that are 20 or 30 years younger makes one more aware of the aging process and the importance of persistence.  I would not consider myself particularly good, but I do show up, week after week. Running up and down the court for a full hour is a good test of stamina. Or more a measure of how far I am in or out of shape. I was looking through images today and found this one of a dandelion seed pod starting to drop its seeds. Somehow that felt rather apt for this evening. 

Fox in the Deep Dark Woods

Continuing on my Illustrations of the Fox story. I have been wondering about the ending of this traditional song. I guess I will just have to see where it goes as the pictures start to evolve. From the deep dark woods:

The fox went out for a chase one night

prayed to the moon to give him light

for he had many a mile to go that night
before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
he had many a mile to go that night
before he reached the town-o.

Night visitors to the Poultry house

I have been thinking of doing an illustrated copy to the children’s song about the Fox, after having several visits from a night visitor.

The fox went out for a chase one night

prayed to the moon to give him light

for he had many a mile to go that night
before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
he had many a mile to go that night
before he reached the town-o.

2. He ran right up to the farmers pen
ducks and the geese were kept therein
he said “A couple of you gonna grease my chin
before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you gonna grease my chin
before I leave this town-o.”

3. He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
slung the little one over his back
he didn’t mind the quack quack quack
and the legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
he didn’t mind the quack quack quack
and the legs all dangling down-o.

4. Old Mother Pitter Patter jumped out of bed
out of the window she popped her head yelling
“John, John the grey goose is gone!
and the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
John, John the grey goose is gone!
and the fox is on the town-o.”

5. John he ran to the top of the hill
blew his horn both loud and shrill
the fox said “I’d better flee with my kill
for he’ll soon be on my trail-o, trail-o, trail-o”
the fox said “I’d better flee with my kill
for he’ll soon be on my trail-o.”

6. He ran right up to his cozy den
there were his little ones eight nine ten
they said “Daddy won’t you please go back again
for it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o
Daddy won’t you please go back again
for it must be a mighty fine town-o.”

7. The fox and his wife without any strife
cut up the goose with a fork and knife
they’d never had such a supper in their life
and the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o
They never had such a supper in their life
and the little ones chewed on the bones-o.

After the Hurricane

It has been a long wet spell here in Vermont. Today the sun has finally emerged after many inches of rain fell. The tropical storm Irene blew thru causing a great deal of damage to our state. Our farm lost trees and the gardens were rather damaged. But we fared far better than many communities in the southern part of the state. The Winooski river flows by our community of Essex. I went out and made some images of the flooding river. I have never witnessed the river this high.Apparently the flood waters surpassed the old record set by the flood of 1927.

Flood waters on the Winooski River

Times Square Rainstorm

reflections after a rainstorm,Times Square, NYC, Nov 2001

I spent a number of weeks in NYC after the 9/11 attack. This image is from Times Square following a rainstorm. The image was used as a center spread in Popular Photography a few years back as an image that demonstrates shooting in different types of light

Thoughts of 9/11 today.

9/11 memorial Tompkins Square Park, NYC

I lived in NYC for many years after graduating from college. I was in the city right after 2001. This is from one of the many memorials that were spontaneously erected around the city. The mood in NYC directly following the attack was something that was very rare, very authentic. Many memories are brought back by the news of Osama’s death.

And also the smell. I lived down on 3rd st , between Ave A and B in the 1980ties. The Lower East side was my neighborhood. I have a good friend from my college years with an apartment on 8th St on Tompkins Square that I stay at when visiting the city.

I have worked out of NYC for many years. My stock photography  editor lives and works in the city. For a number of years I photographed in the city, especially at night, during rainstorms. I will post some of my favorite images from the period. I spent the week after 9/11 in the city photographing the memorials and doing a lot of street images.

Follow your bliss

As far as the cuteness quotient goes these little fellows are hard to beat. Our newest arrivals a pair of rescue bunnies are now living in my barn enjoying the hay and all the space.
“When you follow your bliss… doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.” Joseph

Campbell.~ One of my favorites

 

 

Easter Bunny

 

 

My driveway is now a luge run

My driveway is a challenge. I appreciate my 4 wheel drive vehicle on many days in Vermont. Especially today. I need to find my crampons to go out and tend the sheep. They are hungry. I have taken a tumble on this type of ice before so will try to exercise some caution.