Sugar Loaf Mountain in April

The morning was cold and overcast, and spring was in its infancy on the mountain.  Maybe because the day was raw, I kept imagining a Beatrix Potter version of the well-known poster "Doors of Dublin", with woodland critters cozy in their moss-lined nooks and crannies (images 3, 4, 7, and 9) -- showing off their "doors".  I loved the pincushion moss next to an upright pine cone (the only pine cone I saw during my search) in image 5.  Images 8 and 11 are inverse "hearts" -- the former moss on stone; the latter stone on moss; and image 10 reminded me of a Georgia O'Keeffe ram head.

Sorry I punked out yesterday--I think my eye had already adjusted to green--of which there was very littel!  Here are a couple of "close-ups"

Great Falls, Maryland

I awoke early today, excited about the prospect of possibly getting some more photographs of ice on the river, but there was none.  So, on to plan B, which was enjoy the day and see what looks interesting.  I wasn't terribly inspired, as there was not even one cloud in the sky, and the sunrise was rather ordinary.  I spied the large rocks which always look so weathered and beautiful, especially in the early morning light when they were not yet washed out.  I was delighted to see the small alpine flowers in bloom, adding to the attractiveness of the rocky outcroppings.  I saw three Ruby-crowned Kinglets flitting about, their rosy caps in full display.  Lots of herons flying about.  Little to no wind and sun made for an enjoyable morning, although I was dressed for temps in the high 20s.

Nantucket

Spent a few days on Nantucket island in between college visits, where it was  pretty cold, rainy, and mostly gloomy, however, I always love sky-watching, as maritime skies always changeable.  I came across a pond that was so still as to look like glass, and loved the silvery reflection.

Cherry Blossoms

Leaving this morning for college tours, and knowing the cherry blossoms were opening early, this was my "now or never" morning to photograph them.  I arrived around 6:45am, disappointingly late -- I had to park far away and walk a long way. There was an almost full moon, and it would have been wonderful to have been set up looking to the west to literally "shoot the moon".  I hope everyone has fun on Monday, and I so wish I was coming out to photograph these with you.

In Santa Fe--we are working on a project for the Santa Fe watershed.  Their mission is to help the area become "water neutral".  To do this, they must not only conserve, but find a way to create increased filtration from the arroyos which cover nearly 10 times the area of the Santa Fe river which provides 40% of the water for the region.  The aquifer is in dire straits and thus the effort to revive the arroyos.  Our project is to help the watershed tell their story.  Today we were at the upper end of the Santa Fe River (but outside the Forest Service area which is closed to the public) photographing areas of the river that are in a more natural state.  Tomorrow and Thursday, we will be shooting in areas where there is significant environmental damage.  My images may or may not fit the project, I can't begin to tell at this point--but it was a beautiful place and so I am sharing.  Enjoy. 

Interlopers

footprints at Mono Lake 

Mossy Delight

The blog is alive!

I'm lacking time to comment in detail but am so enjoying all the images here. Snow to spring, a pumphouse that resembles Episcopal style church, curling grasses at Kenilworth, white abstracts, a kayak that looks like a banana, and branches against sunset water, - wow! I will try to post a few from NC and Rock Creek when time allows. Saw skunks today at Little Bennett and we stopped to enjoy and sniff a broken leaf. The skunks are all fresh and intact while the leaves are unfurling tender, luscious green. After several whiffs I think I might enjoy the strange scent. Get Out!

(Top image) A kayaker contemplates the scene; (bottom) Filament branches against evening water.

The last snow on Holmes Run