Sad Eyes

Carols View of New England...........a selfie view from the Drs. Office. Another semi-annual bought with Bronchitis. Having another love/hate relationship with Prednisone.

High Key Portrait

WEEK 13 OF 52 WEEK PHOTO CHALLENGE

Week 13: Portrait, High Key: Create a light, airy high key portrait

This is my favorite model, taken on Easter Sunday.

You may have noticed (if you are paying close attention) that I have skipped posting the week 12 challenge. The reason for this is because I just haven't taken the week 12 image yet. Oops. I don't want to get too behind so I will post it sometime (hopefully sooner than later) 

American Coot

There is a lot of activity at Whitmans Pond in Weymouth these days. For some unknown reason, there are over a dozen swans living there. I've never seen so many swans on a pond at the same time before. Some of the swans are juveniles, but many of them appear to be adults.
Over the past week or two, the swans have been joined by approximately a dozen American Coots. No matter where the swans go, the Coots are sure to follow. They seem to be living together harmoniously, with no territorial problems from either side.

One guess I have is that the Coots are "hanging" with the swans so that they can benefit from the food that the swans are digging up from the bottom of the pond. But this is purely a guess on my part.

Red Winged Blackbirds

A few weeks ago I went to visit one of my favorite "hidden" spots where I like to photograph the birds, swans, and the like. It was eerily quiet......only the occasional sound of a sparrow singing or a Blackbird chirping. 

Yesterday I returned to this spot and it was a flurry of noise and activity. The Red Winged Blackbirds had arrived for the season and their high pitched shrill and flute like sounds were undeniable. There was a lot of singing and chirping for the songbirds and blackbirds. I spotted a swan off in the distance and I believe she was nesting. It was difficult to tell if she was on a nest or just resting in the wetlands. She was behind the cat o nine tails, the tall reeds, and the tall grasses.......but I believe she was probably sitting on a nest. There was a second swan swimming through the wetlands nearby.

It was nice to see that the Red Winged Blackbirds have arrived. Here's a few images I got of them singing.

Abington Swans 2016

I think my hometown swans are already nesting. The nest must be in a secure location this year. I'm happy about that....although I will miss photographing the nest this year. But, it will be better for them to be tucked away and out of sight.

Mom must be sitting on a nest somewhere because Dad has been fiercely chasing the geese away. I don't think he would be exerting so much energy if he didn't have a reason.

Isn't he handsome??????

I'll keep you posted on any goings-on down at the pond.

Dramatic Sunset with Geese

Last night's sky was amazing. I took Rudy out to do his business and noticed some interesting clouds in the sky. It was pitch black in some areas and brighter in other areas. The sun was due to set in about 30 minutes and I had a feeling we might get a dramatic sky so I grabbed the camera and headed down to the pond. I got many beautiful shots but this is one of my favorites.

I titled it "The Square Dance"

Reflections

WEEK 11 OF 52 WEEK PHOTO CHALLENGE

Week 11 topic is LANDSCAPE, REFLECTION: Find a way to show a reflection of your landscape's natural beauty.

Taken during a walk through Island Grove in Abington with Ryleigh the other day.