Morning Reflections

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Reflections of a covered bridge and sugar shack this morning at Sugarmill Farm in Barton VT.

More photos from the weekend in Vermont can be found at my website in my Vermont Memorial Day Weekend 2010 album: http://www.carolsmith.zenfolio.com/

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/640, f6.3

Down On The Farm

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Springtime scene in Barton VT. A BEAUTIFUL day up here today!

Can You Dig It??? How Dandee! :)

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Mr S's backhoe sitting amongst the dandelions in our yard in Vermont. Back home in MA, the dandees are gone but they're still around up here......most of them gone to seed.

Heading off to dinner right now. A big thanks to Mr S and our friends Nancy and Tony for putting up with me hitting the wi-fi spots so that I can get my photo up today! :-)

Memorial Day Weekend

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Todays photo is dedicated to all of the men and woman who have bravely served for our country. We remember all of those who have lost their life for our safety and freedom, and those who are serving today. May they all come home safely and soon.

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 500, 1/400, f10, -2/3 ev

A Day Of Beauty

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Abby and Rudy went to the groomer yesterday for well needed baths and haircuts. This is my little girl, Abby. She's a 13 year old Toy poodle who weighs 7 pounds. She's THE BEST dog in the world. My sweet little angel baby!!!!!!

Here's Rudy. You may remember him as the wet schnoodle during the flooding here last month. He's a year and a half old Schnoodle. He's a sweet little guy but boy is he full of spunk!!! He keeps me laughing......what a personality he has!!!!

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!" ~ Dave Barry

The Specs for Abby's photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 1000, 1/15, f5

The Specs for Rudy's photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 1000, 1/25, f5.3

It's Time To Spread Your Wings

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This Handsome male Mallard Duck was spreading his wings after pruning himself today down at Island Grove in Abington MA.

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-2oo mm lens, ISO 640, 1/3200, f7.1, -2/3 ev

THE Place To Be!

Here's my Mom and Dad:

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It was 90 degrees here today. I took the folks to Nantasket Beach where it was 80 degrees and there was a wonderful breeze. We had a wonderful afternoon!

Some people were riding bikes:

Others were fishing right off the coast:

 

But this is where most of the people were. This was a weekday in May! Doesn't anybody work or have school anymore? I think a lot of people were playing hookey today!

The Specs for photo one:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 640. 1/1250. f14, -1/3 ev

The Specs for photo two:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 640, 1/1250, f13, -1/3 ev

The Specs for photo three:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 2500, 1/4000, f16

The Specs for photo four:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 2500, 1/2500, f16

Clematis

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This photo of this beautiful flower was taken in my next door neighbors garden. (hmmm.....does this look familiar Erin G? You weren't home and I was hoping you wouldn't mind me wandering through your yard with my camera gear. I owe you!)

The Specs:

Panansonic FZ8, ISO 200, 1/50, f3.3, vignette and frame added in post.

Thanks Erin!!!! :-)

New Grill Thrill

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It's the simple things in life that make me happy. While I was at work today, Mr S was out buying a new gas grill, as the old one was no longer working. We fired it up tonight for the first of many times. Bring on the summer.........! :-)

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 2500, 1/500, f11. -2/3 ev vignette added in post

Happy 30th Birthday Pac-Man!

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It's hard to believe it's been 30 years. I was pretty good at Pac-Man back in the day and had a lot of fun playing it.

A true pop culture icon that is worthy of todays Photo! :-)..............Google thought so too!

The Specs:

Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, 1/25, f2.8, -1/3 ev

Peaceful Meadows

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For those of you not in the know......Peaceful Meadows in Whitman MA has THE BEST ice cream around. I stopped in the barn this evening and visited with the cows. By the way, the ice cream window was calling me to come over........but I found the will power and refrained. There's always next time...........

The Specs: 

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 2500, 1/200, f6.3, -2/3 ev

Great Hill

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There are beautiful views from the top of Great Hill in Weymouth MA. I used to park up here in High School to look at the lights at night (Wink Wink) :-)  I drove up there today with my Mom and Dad. It was a glorious day today with a temperature of 82 degrees. There was a wonderful breeze........a perfect Spring afternoon!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, 1/1000, f14. -1/3 ev

Are You Thirsty?

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Antiques and "old fashioned' items have such a big appeal to me. I love anything that's whimsical. I saw this stack of old beverage cases today and decided they would be "it".

The Specs:

Panasonic LX3, ISO 400, 1/50, f2.8, vignette added in post

(Rainy) Rhodie Revisited

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We have another rhododendron shot today....this time in the rain!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 2000, 1/160, f11, Accented Edges Filter applied with Photoshop CS3

Pretty Pink Petals

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Fresh flowers have a way of brightening up the indoors. We are enjoying the roses that Miss J received from both her boyfriend and her Dad on graduation day. This particular rose is one from the bouquet that her boyfriend gave to her. So delicate and so pretty......just like Miss J! :-)

The Specs:

Nikon D90 18-200 mm lens, ISO 3200, 1/60, f8

My Buddy James

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Do you remember my buddy James? (Grandma for a day). We went to watch his soccer game this afternoon. He's the one wearing the red.  It was such a beautiful day to be outdoors. James plays defense, and he did such a great job. What a kick this kid has! The final score? A 2-2 tie.

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/1000, f8, -2/3 ev

Commencement Day For Miss J

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Another proud moment for the "S" family! Miss J graduated from Bridgewater State College today where she majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, and minored in Special Ed. We are so proud of ALL of her accomplishments. How lucky the children she will be teaching are, because their lives will have been touched by such an amazing, caring, loving, thoughtful, intelligent young woman with an amazing spirit and a special gift to teach.

She's on her way to make a difference in this world!!!! We love you Miss J and are soooooo proud of you!!

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-----------Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Specs:

Photo one: Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/1000, f6.3, -2/3 ev

Photo two: Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/80, f5.6, -2/3 ev

Our little Bud has grown up!

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Do you remember this photo from last month?:

http://carolsviewofnewengland.blogspot.com/2010/04/hi-bud-hows-it-goin.html

I visited the butterfly garden this afternoon and this tree is finally flowering. I am posting this particular photo because it shows the bud on the left which is just about to blossom, and the bud on the right which has almost fully blossomed.

I have been trying to ID this tree but I am having a bit of difficulty. I am **pretty sure** it is from the Cornus Dogwood family. Anyone know for sure? Let me know! I particularly like the beautiful leaves on this tree almost as much as the flowers.

The Specs:

I used the Panasonic FZ8 again today. Man that camera has a sharp lens. Look at those leaves!

ISO 100, 1/100, f4, -1/3 ev, taken in telemacro mode

I went back to my first love!

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We never forget our first love. Today, I went back to my first love.........my first camera that I loved that is! ;-) I also embarrassed my family earlier this evening. (What a day I had, huh?) The rhododendron bush is out on the FRONT lawn. So, I set up my tripod and used a black sheet of metal as a backdrop behind the bud and took a series of shots. (Geezum crow.....what would the neighbors and the people driving by think? LOL)The lighting was pretty harsh for late day so my biggest obstacle was trying to overcome the hot spots.

The Specs:

Panasonic FZ8 with a Nikon 4T closeup lens attached, ISO 100, 1/160, f4, -1 1/3ev

I must say this camera felt like a toy in my hands compared to the Nikon. I also had to think about how to set up the self timer......I forgot because it's been so long since I used it! But, I really do love this little camera.

So very happy!!!!! :-)

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I am so happy!!!! Last night was the image of the year competition at camera club. There are monthly competitions held throughout the year, and the images that placed first, second, or third during the monthly competitions are eligible to be in the image of the year competition. I am thrilled because I won in 2 categories. Here are my winning images:

Open Intermediate Digital Winner

Titled: "Available Light"

Assigned Category (Portrait) Digital Winner

Titled "My Buddy Eric"

It was such an exciting night featuring the best of the best. I am so happy for the other winners as well. There were so many fantastic photos and I'm really proud to be a member of a club with so much talent!

The Specs:

Todays photo of the day: Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, 1/8, f2.8, vignette added in post

Cowboys Ride In Style!

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I went to the local feed and grain store to buy dog treats today and this display of cowboy hats was just begging to be photographed. Ride cowboy ride............

The Specs:

Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, f2.8, 1/4, -1/3ev

Pretty Pansies

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We all know that I like the color pink, and I like to wear the color pink. :-) BUT, my favorite color combination is blue and yellow. I was wandering around the butterfly garden this evening, and these gorgeous blue and yellow pansies caught my eye. I find these rich vibrant colors to be just stunning, and I hope you like them too!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 800, 1/125, f11, +1ev

Happy Mother's Day

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She has loved me, supported me, disciplined me, comforted me, and has ALWAYS been there for me when I needed her. She is so full of love and goodness. She is my mother.

 She and my Dad are such a big part of my life.........you may have noticed through my writings here on the blog! :-) It's funny how life really does go full circle. I am so blessed to be there for them now when they need me, just as they have always been there for me.

The biggest compliment I can ever be given is being told that I am a good mother. Well, all I can say is that I have learned from the best!!!

This is a photo of my Mom admiring the beautiful orchid she was given today for Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you!!!!!!!!!!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 1000, 1/60, f6.3

Out Of Service

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My youngest son Jay has been promising me that I could practice my "panning" shots on him as he skateboards. We just haven't gotten around to it, but as of now, that is all going to be put on hold.........for at least eight weeks..........Doctors orders............as he was diagnosed with Mono. (Mononucleosis) There will be no heavy lifting and no sports or physical activity due to the risk of rupturing his spleen. With the way he's feeling at the moment, I don't think he really minds. :(  My poor Punkin'!

Please feel better soon Jay!!!!!!

The Specs:

Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, 1/100, f2.8, Posterization filter added in post to give the photo a "grunge" look.

On another note, today is day 50 and I can't help but celebrate when these milestones come along. I have stuck to my goal of taking each photo on the day that it's posted. It's such a good feeling to have succeeded so far. Thanks to those of you who have been regularly viewing and commenting, both publicly and privately. I really appreciate it!!!!

Lilacs

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It was another beautiful day here in New England. Tomorrow we are expecting more rain. I photographed the lilac bush out in the backyard today as it's in full bloom. Such a pretty color!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 500, 1/320, f5.6, subtle lilac vignette added in post as well as the frame.

Seaside Black and Whites

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What was supposed to be a rainy afternoon turned into a beautiful sunny day! This is a fishing boat heading out of Hingham with the Boston skyline in the background.

Here's a sillhouette of a Great Cormorant spreading it's wings.

The water was much calmer in the harbor here at the Hingham Yacht Club. In just a few weeks this place will be bustling with recreational boaters and sailors.

The Specs for first photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/200, f14

The Specs for second photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/640, f9

The Specs for third photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/640, f9

The Herring Are Running!!!!

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What makes an alewife run? Why, romance, of course! This evening, I visited the laddders at the herring run, in Jackson Square, Weymouth MA. There looked to be hundreds, perhaps even thousands of these fish there tonight. It AMAZES me every year when I go down to visit the herring run, that these fish make this run every Spring. I was lucky enough to meet one of the Fish and Game Wardens tonight. He said they expect about 100,000 herring to make the journey from the Carolina coast northward, all the way up to Whitman's Pond in Weymouth MA. And they do this EVERY year. Isn't that just AMAZING??

Alewives are ocean dwelling fish that swim up freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Alewives and bluebacks, collectively known as river herring, are silver colored fish about a foot long.  When rivers become warmer than the sea, usually in early May, the river herring know it's time to return to their roots - where they were born and will in turn give birth to a new generation.  After laying thousands of eggs, many of them (unlike salmon) survive and make the return journey to the ocean.

I spent quite a long time tonight trying to catch the herring jumping up the ladders with my camera. It wasn't easy. The following photo is my best shot, but the quality was not good. I was just thrilled that I even caught one jumping!!! So, when we have lemons, we make lemonade! I cropped the photo and used the Photoshop Filter "Poster Edges" and turned it into an abstract. I'm thinking this photo could be used by Psychiatrists with the question.........""So, please tell me........what do you see in this image"? ;-)

Hmmmmnnnn..........Perhaps I should be visiting a Psychiatrist for even posting this shot!! :-) Call me crazy but I kinda like the quirky abstract look to it. :-)

The Specs for first shot:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 3200, 1/200, f6.3

The Specs for the second shot:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 3200, 1/200, f9

                                                               

The Phlox Are Creeping Along!

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Well, looks like we have some more pink today, but this time it has a hint of purple! I just love the look of creeping phlox along rock gardens and garden borders. These tiny little guys are so pretty!

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 800, 1/250, f16, -1 ev, border and subtle white vignette added in post

I just have to edit this post because another photo op presented itself to me tonight just before sunset. We had some thunderstorms roll through and the sky was just beginning to clear as the sun was setting. This is the result taken in my backyard.

And look!!!!!! There's even some PINK in this shot! ;-)

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 1250, 1/125, f8

A Touch Of Pink Makes All The Difference!

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Mother Nature sure does provide us with some brilliant colors this time of year. This scene would be just ho-hum without the pop of pink in the flowers and the pretty reflection just adds that extra "Ta-Da"!!! I found this little spot in Whitman MA this evening as I was out and about looking for today's photo.

Pink is the color of happiness and is sometimes seen as lighthearted. Brighter pinks are youthful, fun and exciting while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red. They are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive.

Pastries taste better when they come out of pink boxes or served on pink plates (it only works with sweets). Pink makes us crave sugar.

The Effects of the Color Pink

 How the color pink affects us physically and mentally:

Stimulates energy

Can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate

Encourages action and confidence

The Specs:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 800, 1/250, f6.3, -1 ev

Country Roads Take Me Home To The Place I Belong

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I'd like to do a little series on Vermont country roads for today's photos. This photo was taken this morning and I really like the "road" in the field that I'm sure the farmer uses with his tractor and truck as he's working the field. That's Burke Mountain in the background which is located in East Burke Vermont. Note the little bits of snow that still remain on the ski trails. It was 72 degrees outside when I shot this photo!

This was taken along one of my very favorite country roads.........called Darling Hill Road which runs from East Burke into Lyndonville VT. It's a beautiful dirt road with sweeping views to the west of the Willoughby Gap and surrounding mountains, and sweeping views to the East of Burke Mountain. This section here is lined with maple trees and I like the red barn tucked in on the righthand side of the shot.

To go along with the country road theme, I wanted to add these two photos that I took yesterday. Mr S knows that I am always looking for different photo ops, and he stumbled upon this scene while out snowmobiling last winter and he wanted to show it to me. He brought me to a jackpot! I LOVE this quirky unusual series of tunnels along this dirt road! I LOVE how you can see the second tunnel through the first one!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhh........there's nothing better than a drive through Vermont with the camera in hand! I'm looking forward to my next trip back up there at the end of the month. I hope you enjoyed the country roads as much as I did!

The Specs for Burke Mtn photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/500, f9

The Specs for Darling Hill Rd photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/320, f14, -1ev

The Specs for first tunnel photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/200, f14, -1/3 ev

The Specs for second tunnel photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, 1/400, f7.1, -1/3 ev

Up And Out Early

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This was taken from the car driving along the Southeast Expresway at 5:45 am this morning. This is sunrise over Dorchester Bay. We were on a road trip heading up to Barton Vermont which is in the Northeast Kingdom section of Vermont.

This was taken driving through Franconia Notch New Hampshire at about 8:15am. Notice the snow on the top of the mountains??? Is this really May 1st? :-) Typically, there would not be any snow on the mountaintops in May, but a freak snowstorm dumped 2 feet in some areas this week. The temps. immediately warmed up to the 70's, and this is all that is left of the snowfall.

We reached our home in Barton Vermont about 9:15 this morning. It turned out to be a glorious afternoon up here. This photo was taken along a dirt ridge road that is up the hill behind my house.

I am in the car right now down in the village parked outside the pharmacy using the wifi. We're on our way to dinner. Gotta go for now!!!! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! :-)

The Specs for sunrise photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/250. f4.8. -1/3 ev

The Specs for Franconia Notch photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/250, f8, -1/3 ev

The Specs for Barton VT photo:

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/250, f14. -1/3 ev