Busy Weekend

It is unbelievable, there is already a daffodil blooming in my front yard!!!!

Spent the weekend doing a Craft show at Plants Unlimited in Rockport. Setting up in a greenhouse it was delightful to be surrounded by all the plants and flowers.

There were about 40 crafters overall.

After a long and tiring weekend, an inspiring stop at Simonton Quarry on the way home produced a large selection of photographs which I am thinking of calling The Quarry Collection! I hope you enjoy these magical and mythical images.

A favorite spot....

Wednesday was yet another of these amazing spring days Maine is experiencing. The wild turkey has made a huge comeback in Maine and they are frequently seen.

One of my favorite spots for photography is Simonton Quarry in Camden. The rocks around the old flooded quarries fascinate me.

As I skirted the quarries, this lovely combination of rock and old pine needles caught my eye.

This is probably where I picked up the tick I found on my arm yesterday! Much too early to be finding these! This rock formation appeared to be one I had not noticed before.

And for the first time the water cried out as the perfect art form, a candidate for my Colors of Water collection of photographs.

Driving home through Searsmont a family was collecting sap from the old sugar maples.

It has been an early maple syrup season, with perfect weather for harvesting.

Beautiful Spring Days

Last Fall was one to the most beautiful I have ever seen in Maine and this Spring is looking as if it is going to be another record breaker.

Snow is holding on in the shady spots while the flowers are exploding everywhere. Down on the pond the ice is melting with more open water every day. I love the whispering sound ice makes as it melts.

Every morning I take a stroll around my garden and delight in the flowers showing their faces to the spring sun.

 

 There are some very happy bees visiting already!

OK Wildlife Experts, What is this?????

Gorgeous day here in Maine. Solomon and I took a walk down to the pond.

We were down on the dock when I saw something on the edge of the ice. We watched it swimming along and tried to work out what it was. My first thought was an otter, but when it climbed out on the ice it looked too small. And it ran very fast towards the shore near us. It was about the size of a cat, came very close and was not even remotely afraid!!!! Please, if anyone knows what this is, let me know.

This last photo is about 6' away from us, my rowing boat is to the left.

A Rainy Monday

It was pouring with rain yesterday morning when I left the house. A big mistake as before I was a few miles down the road the rain had stopped and the sky was exhibiting what I describe as a "folded look". And of course, my camera was still at home. The cats certainly know how to deal with a rainy day, none of this silly leaping in the car and dashing off somewhere! Below is a photograph of Dryad who really knows how to relax!!!!! He is a funny looking cat on a good day! A real sweetie though.

Searsport and a Woodpecker Morning

Yesterday started off pleasant and sunny and gradually the sunlight faded and a chilly wind blew in, the sort of wind that is really penetrating. It is years since I visited the waterfront in Searsport and the opening of a new solar store there was an excellent excuse. Solar hot water is my next goal. A solitary walker down on the shore emphasized the choppy waves.

Taking photographs directly into the sun has always appealed to me.

There was a scattering of old moorings on the shore and this detail of chain reflected in water caught my eye.

This morning was grey and windy, not an inspiring morning to have to get up earlier due to the clocks going forward. (How I wish they would just leave it on summer time!) The day was brightened by the sound of my pileated woodpecker who clearly shared my opinion of the day and was only just getting out of bed himself. I lay in bed for a while looking at him looking out of his hole.

The first crocuses are blooming!

The first crocuses started blooming yesterday!

These is nothing quite so wonderful as those first spring bulbs! I try to plant more every year as the value for money is so huge! Spring does not normally begin to show in Maine until May (although it seems about a month early this year).

It always feels like a miracle when the fragile booms appear each spring after the long and bitter Maine winter and they fill my heart with joy.

Yesterday I sat outside and worked on my taxes with Magic for company. He is a beautiful glossy back cat who loves to roll in the dust!

Late yesterday afternoon I walked down and sat down by the pond as the shadows grew longer and the ice whispered its secrets.

Far across the pond a pair of geese honked a gentle courtship.

This morning the sharp frost decorated leaves with delicate white lace.