A Look Back At 2015

As we say goodbye to the year 2015 today, I am posting my annual "favorite images of the year" on this blog post.

The Winter of 2015 is one that went down in the record books here in Southern New England, breaking all sorts of snow total records. I managed to get out a few times with my camera and these are my favorite Winter images.

Spring was especially welcomed and appreciated after the Winter we endured.

We lost my dear Mother In Law in May. It was a very sad time for my family, but we were very blessed to have been able to spend some very special family time at her bed side during her last few weeks. We love her and miss her but know she is in a better place.

It's always a pleasure to visit and photograph the newborn wildlife each Spring.

Summer arrived with an Americana image of my son Nick and Ryleigh taken on the 4th of July. xxxooo

A Lotus Flower

Sunset over Boston

Early morning fog on an August morning at May Pond in Barton VT.

The colors of Fall were about two weeks behind this year, but my favorite Season for photography didn't disappoint. Here is the Strafford Meeting House in Straffod VT.

Jacks Brook in Newark VT

A stand of birch trees along Hazen's Notch in Montgomery VT

Morning reflections along Stiles Pond in Waterford VT

Somewhere in East Groton VT

The Milky Way over the Gothic Barn at Windswept Farm in Barton VT

And the final image.....I had to include my favorite subject!

Wishing you and your families a New Year filled with happiness, good health, and peace on Earth.

First Snowfall of the Season

We received the very first snowfall of this Winter Season overnight last night into early this morning. We got about an inch here in SE MA, and then it changed to freezing rain, and then just rain. I went out this afternoon during the dreary cold rain, hoping to find something to photograph to document the first snowfall.....but most if it had already washed away.

The wind was stiff and brisk down at the North River in Norwell

The first Winter storm caused only minor splash-over at the beaches in Scituate.

The closest I could find to a "snow scene"

It's always fun and exciting (for me anyway) to see the fist snow fall. Just hoping this Winter is much kinder to us here in Southern New England than last Winter was.

Oh Holy Night

Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining.......
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.................................

May your Christmas be filled with wonder and joy.

Red Tail Hawk

Pleeeease.......remind me that I need to bring my camera with me whenever I leave the house. I ALWAYS used to bring my camera, but have been slacking lately. I really learned my lesson today. I was out without my camera and saw this beautiful Red Tail Hawk perched in a tree. I was able to make as many images as I wanted, because this hawk didn't mind me being right there alongside his perch. Nope. I didn't bother him in the least. If ONLY I had the Nikon with me........I would have gotten some pretty amazing images. But alas, (who says alas anyways???????).......I only had my cell phone with me. Sigh.

Christmas is coming

Ten days........I can't believe that Christmas is just ten days away. The most wonderful day of the year!!! I'm having fun with the pictures that I took at the Christmas Place in Abington. Here's another one....

Tonight is the annual Christmas Party at my camera club. It's always a fun night.

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me........

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father....brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother....in perfect harmony

Let peace begin with me....let this be the moment now
With every step I take....let this be my solemn vow

To take each moment....and live each moment
With peace eternally.........

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

I shot this photo today at "The Christmas Place" on Rte 18 in Abington MA. It is a closeups shot of one of the many "themed" trees that are decorated and displayed throughout the store.

I went to Catholic grammar school, and this song is one of my favorite songs that we used to sing. It has more meaning to me now than it did back in those days.

Praying for Peace in this world.......

Chistmas and Children

A little Christmas photo I did with Ryleigh. She makes everything better!

xxxooooooooo

Working The Scene in Barton VT

I have had my eye on this barn located in Barton VT for quite some time. I have wanted to photograph it, but was waiting for the right conditions. When I saw it one morning this Fall, the hill behind the barn was lit up by the sun, and the early morning fog was settled in the low lying area in the forefront. I knew right away that this was the moment I was waiting for.

As a landscape photographer, it's always a good idea to revisit a scene that catches your eye and when you hit it during the right light or atmospheric conditions, it's such a great feeling!

Madame Sheri's Forest

There is a lovely forest with trails located in Chesterfield NH called "Madame Sheri's Forest". Madame Sheri was born in France in 1878 and moved to New York City in 1911. She designed costumes for many of the major Broadway shows. Through my research, I learned that she was a very eccentric woman.
In 1938, she had a Summer Retreat built in the forest of Chesterfield NH. It was called "Madame Sheri's Castle", although it really was not a castle, but rather a retreat home where she would entertain and host parties.It was most noted for the grand spiral staircase that led up to the second floor, and the beautiful stone arches and architecture of the home.
Before her death, the castle had been abandoned and fell into disrepair. On Oct 18, 1962 it was destroyed by fire, leaving only the foundation and the spiral staircase and arches in tact.

I visited this area with two friends in mid October of this year. It was a cloudy dreary day, and it began to shower during our visit. But I was happy to have the opportunity to visit and photograph this site.

The trails leading into the "castle site" are lined with old stone walls.

The staircase and arches are pretty much all this is left of the home.

I hope if you ever find yourself in the SW corner of NH, that you can make the time to visit this site.

Peggotty Beach Scituate MA

What a gorgeous weekend we are having here in Southern New England. This is December at it's finest around here. We took a ride to Scituate and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

This was processed using Nik software HDR EffexPro 2

I hope you are enjoying your weekend as well. 

Foggy Day

A very foggy day today here in SE MA

Island Grove in Abngton MA