Early Spring in downtown Amesbury, MA

These were taken in the millyard in downtown Amesbury. 

Oddities in the Woods: Amesbury, MA

It's the beginning of the New Year and winter feels as if it has just begun here in Amesbury. On a few wintry walks I took some photographs which could be summed up as oddities in the woods.

We are all used to seeing vertical trees standing strong and tall. What I like about this first image is that it bends our expectations. This fallen pine tree brought the earth with it and challenges our perception of which way the trees should be reaching.

Although the snow crystals and the mushrooms have similar forms, you can sense their difference in texture. While the mushrooms are organic, vibrant and soft, the snow is geometric and lifeless. The beauty of the winter woods often lies in the small bits of colorful life that can be found in unexpected places.

As the daylight turns to delicate gold, the snow melts slowly off of mossy bark.

In the shadow of a snowstorm, a vine climbs up this tree like a snake, stopping the snowy wind in its tracks.

Fall Colors: Amesbury, MA

Lake Gardner and Powow Hill

Battis Farm

Snowstorm in Newburyport

Portrait of our Cat

This is one of my favorite photographs of our cat. She loves sitting in the sunny window as most cats do.

Outdoors in November

I didn't take a whole lot of pictures this fall but managed to get out for a few short photo shoots. These first two photographs were taken in Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, MA.

On a cold November day we went for a walk in Maudslay State Park. I managed to get Mike to stop and take one photo with me on the condition that I wouldn't take any more pictures of him for the rest of the walk.

This photo was shot on the trail near the Maudslay homestead. Lucky for me the sun was setting over the Merrimac River.

On another quick walk to the Waterfront Park in Newburyport, I stopped to take a photo of the cormorants which adorn the docks. Across the bay are the buildings in Salisbury, MA. 

Just as we left my mother's house after our Thanksgiving visit we saw a band of wild turkeys crossing a neighbor's yard. Such a pleasant sight to see on Thanksgiving weekend. This was taken in Stoddard, NH. 

I continued my photographs of Black and White wet stones with this one at Goose Pond in Keene, NH on Thanksgiving Day. 

Thanksgiving Day with our Nephews

We spent Thanksgiving Day with our nephews. We had a great time taking them on a short hike at Goose Pond, Keene, NH and played some football in the yard.

Korbin and his brother took a break from throwing rocks in the pond to take a picture for their mom.

Our nephew Caellan getting ready to be in the NFL.

James and Uncle Mike wrestle for the football while dinner is prepared inside.

Yankee Homecoming 2015 - Newburyport

Each year Newburyport, MA has a week long celebration of the town's history and culture. I attended the opening ceremony at the Bartlett Mall on Old Fashioned Day and took some pictures of the people enjoying the day.

Children played carnival games and enjoyed the bouncy castle and this blow-up obstacle course.

Children's shoes of all colors outside the bouncy castle.

Kids loved the train going around the Frog Pond.

The pony rides were also popular.

Meanwhile speeches took place as part of the opening ceremony. This little boy looked longingly at the carnival games from his seat on the stage.

Adults also socialized with their friends.

Once they had exhausted the games at the event, children made their own fun like these boys rolling down the hill.

By the end of the day the children seemed pretty tuckered out!

Easter at Plum Island

Nightfall on Oberlin St

Two scenes from the winter sunset on Oberlin St in Worcester, MA

My Street in the Snowiest City in the US

This morning, after yet another snow storm, I thought it was time to venture out into the icy tundra of Worcester, MA and seek out some pictures to show how much snow we have received.

The view from my third floor porch. The neighbors fence has been disappearing more and more with each snow storm. There simply is no where to put it.

As you walk down the sidewalks, the snowbanks tower of you quite literally.

A long leaf has somehow survived to see the sun in this icy tundra.

The roads have been plowed and yet, have they?

Although it was sunny it was -8 degrees when I went out. It is not very welcoming outdoors at all but worth going out to document this historic season of snow!

Views from the Clark Library

Those who have attended Clark University know that there is a great view from the fifth floor of the library. I decided to capture some of these scenes since it is my last year at Clark.

The Kneller gymnasium to the west. This view always reminds you that even though we are in a city, the country is not too far away.

Port of Worcester to the east. The rows of triple deckers with the trains in front speak Worcester.

Woodland St with the downtown Sky Mark building in the background. This one makes Clark feel close to downtown.

The beautiful Woo church with Atwood Hall in the foreground.

Cat Sisters

Last week I did not get much chance to get out of the house and take photos so I decided to take photos of something that is inside my house -- my cats! 

These are the two cat sisters. The closer one with longer hair is Ada and the further one away is Copper. I love this photo because they are looking in the same direction and have the same expression.

In a way I was adding to my family portrait collection from the last couple weeks with this one. It took this photo of my cat Ada to go along with my other family portraits. Unfortunately, I haven't got a good picture of  Copper, yet. I found Ada to be more patient and photogenic.

I liked the sense of motion in the one but wish Ada's face was clearer. I was trying to catch the kitties' playful side.

Ada is a wild lady. Although she's just yawning in this photo she does look a bit frightening.

The cats paused for a moment while wrestling which allowed me to get this shot without any blur. 

The angles of the legs here are what I like the most about the composition. The kitties often clean each other which is always a good time to capture a sweet moment of them.