Maine ~ The Pine Tree State

Made a day trip to Wells and Ogunquit, Maine. It was a picture perfect summer day - sunny, warm, not too humid, not too buggy. I think I will look for cities and towns named Wells as I continue my travels. A quick search turned up New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, Vermont.

I found a great nature trail in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells. There were great views of a variety of habitats. It's a fairly flat 1 mile trail with 11 observation decks and strategically placed benches along the way. I walked it mid-day so the lighting was terrible, then I went back around 5 when the lighting was more fun for photography. The refuge was so serene, if I lived in the area I would be a regular visitor. Plus it's free! 

Maine is known as the Pine Tree State - so I made sure to capture a sense of that. Want to know more about Maine? Click here.

I didn't see the state animal (moose) but I was able to get pix of 3 different chipmunks. Not often that they will stay still long enough for a picture once I hear them in the under bush but these 3 calmed down and posed once I spotted them. They were in 3 different areas of the trail so I don't think I was seeing them same one.

I saw a familiar assortment of birds ~ Canada Geese, Cormorant, Great Egret, Mallard. Most were across the marsh so not good photo subjects. A couple walking their dog asked me about the cormorant so I explained to them about why he was sitting on the branch with his wings spread out to dry. I must have sounded like I knew what I was talking about because she asked me if I was a scientist. I just said I was a nature photographer. I look forward to seeing birds that are less familiar to me when I get to other parts of the country.

In the afternoon I was lucky enough to see 2 of Maine's most famous residents - George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. The day before my trip I decided to go see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Oguquit Playhouse and when I got to my seat I discovered the former president was there too. I noticed the Secret Service guys - the jackets seemed a little out of place and then I could see that they were all wired.  It was fun sitting 5 rows behind a former US President! Mr Bush seemed to be enjoying the show. Interesting show for an 89 year old. Clay Aiken had the lead role in the show. Have to be honest and say I wasn't wowed by the show, the music seemed to overpower the songs. I liked the dancing and the cast seemed to be having a good time. Maybe I will try to see show in every state that I visit.

CLICK HERE to see lots more photos posted on Flickr.

Late afternoon sun ~ I'm thinking I might visit this place in every season.

3rd Stop - New York

New York ~ not the Big Apple, but the North Fork of Long Island.

This was another trip inspired by family. Last Sunday I headed to Long Island for a baby shower for Tony and Sarah. They had the shower at Rafael Vineyard & Winery in Peconic, NY. Tony is their winemaker. The 2 expectant grandmothers weren't able to attend so I had fun capturing the party in photos for them. The baby's nickname is Primo so the wine glasses were special party favors.

After the party we spent some time with Sarah's family at their Winemaker Studio in Peconic.

I got to spend time with Phil which is always fun. He lives and works on the North Fork flipping houses. I got to see a house that is almost ready to go on the market after all of his hard work and another house that will be his next project. It fits the description of fixer-upper. I hope I get to see it again after he has worked his magic.

On Monday I woke up to the sound of rain on the roof. That shifted my plans to go exploring with my camera and I enjoyed the hot tub overlooking the beach instead. When the rain let up I had a nice walk on the beach in front of the house where Phil is living in Mattituck.

That afternoon Phil took some time off from his work and we went to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. I really enjoyed their butterfly exhibit - one of the best I've visited. Lots of photo opportunities.

Raining again the next morning when I took the ferry back across the Sound to New London.

CLICK HERE to see more photos posted on Flickr.

2nd stop - New Hampshire

This post is over due, but I am still getting used to this adventure and deciding how to best chronicle my visits to the states.

Last week I made a day trip to Alton, New Hampshire. The Wells family has a little house on Lake Winnipesaukee and it was my sister-in-law Susie’s week at the lake. Jason was there too, along with her 3 dogs. Cousin Wendy and her husband Steve came down from Vermont to spend some time there too.

The weather was windy and there were white caps on the lake. That meant no swimming or boating for any of us on the day that I was there.

It was a nice day to go out with our cameras so the ladies went for a lovely walk in the woods. Wendy and Susie so it was fun to stroll and see what caught our attention.

When the boys were little they loved going up to play around the frog pond. It's man made and hasn't been cleaned out in years!

There were lots of interesting looking mushrooms.

Wendy and I traded cameras lenses so I could try her 55-300mm lens. I ordered one for myself as soon as I got home - love it.

Being in Alton brings back memories of when the boys were young and there would be family gatherings at the lake house. Good times and crazy times. Happy times and some strange memories. There used to always be a line up of colorful windsocks blowing in the breeze ~ on this visit there was only one. The property is for sale and having just gone through the process of selling a family home I know it’s not easy and I know not everyone is going to be in agreement. Change is hard... change is good.

It is a beautiful and peaceful place ~ but I bet I will find more beautiful and peaceful places in my travels. Time to make new memories.

 

CLICK HERE to see the rest of the photos posted on Flickr.

Meet MUSAP

This is MUSAP. 

This little butterfly will be traveling around the USA in my camera bag. Hopefully in the next 10 years there will be a photo of MUSAP in every state. Alas when I visited Rhode Island MUSAP hid in the camera bag. But there isn't any rule that says I can't visit a state for photo adventures more than once!