Wildlife in Parker River Wildlife Refuge

Today I tried out a lens which I got at a yard sale a while back. It's a Sigma 75-200mm push/pull zoom with manual focus. It took some effort to maintain the focus on the subject of the photograph but I got used to this pretty quick. I also had some trouble with chromatic aberration which I believe is due to having neglected the aperture function which is built into the lens itself rather than being a setting within the camera like I am used to.

I took the lens out in the hopes of taking some photos of wildlife at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newbury, MA.

A bird's nest suspended above the sand dunes.

A red-tailed hawk keeps a close watch over the salt marsh

Two otters slink through the reeds in a freshwater pool.

One of the otters stops to have an afternoon snack.

The otters watch the humans as the humans watch the otters.




Overall the photos didn't come out quite like I'd hoped but I think they are alright for my first time using this yard sale find.

In Celebration of the Conservation of Whittier Hill

Although it is still winter, I wanted to post these photos from early fall. I took these on a walk with my husband up Whittier Hill in Amesbury, MA. Today I am posting them in celebration of the conservation of Whittier Hill by the Essex County Greenbelt Association!

Whittier Hill was Amesbury's last unprotected ridgeline which overlooks Woodsom Farm.

The land that has been conserved will now connect Amesbury Town Park to Cashman School and the soccer fields at Woodsom Farm.

This will be a lovely area for Amesbury residents to enjoy for generations!

Near the Tidal Pools at Low Tide

Roger Williams Park Zoo

On a road trip this weekend with my dad we stopped a the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI. Although photography was not my ultimate aim for our visit, I snapped some casual pictures of the animals. It's a great zoo and is half price in January and February. It's a great time to go since there are no crowds. 

Butterfly House in Hershey, PA

On one leg of our honeymoon we did a road trip through Pennsylvania. On our way, we stopped in Hershey, PA to go to the Hershey Rose Garden where they have a Butterfly House.  These are some of the photographs I took there.

Shenandoah National Park

The main stop on our honeymoon was Shenandoah National Park. We spent four days hiking, camping, driving the 100 mile Skyline Drive and visiting waterfalls and mountaintops.

Skyline Drive in Northern end of the park

Big Meadows Campground

Hawkbill Mountain

Stony Man Mountain

Whale Watch

 Mike took me on a whale watch for my birthday. We took a boat out of Gloucester, MA to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. We were fortunate to see two pairs of humpback whales.

By far my favorite photo from the day! The whales came quite close to the boat and were amazingly large. 

Not only are the whales very large but they are also very majestic.

Another whale watching boat also came to visit the whales. 

I was interested in the way that these wild animals have become a spectacle and event for humans to watch. 

Easter at Plum Island

Nightfall on Oberlin St

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