It seems that since I started really concentrating on my photography winter has become more and more beautiful and less and less of a chore to survive. The snowshoes and cross-country skis have resurfaced after being stored for several years and I find myself hoping for “just one more snowstorm”.
One of the things I love about winter is the way the snow changes the whole look of the world around us. The blue of the sky seems different. The brown bark stands out in stark contrast to the snow and becomes a dominant color complimenting the blue in the sky and the dark green evergreens. And the textures – oh, my – the textures. Again, bark and branches and dirt roads, all which seem to have a supporting role in the tapestry of summer, have their opportunity to shine in the winter.
So, this morning I strapped on the snowshoes and set out around the property behind our house. I took my 50mm instead of my usual zoom because I wanted to focus on texture and lines rather than large or distant vistas. I was glad, though, that I stuck my wide-angle in my backpack, because there were a couple of “Narnia” scenes I could not resist.
Oh, what a glorious morning!
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This little stone arch bridge on the Benner Road in Bristol Mills was built around 1857 and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. A short distance downstream from this bridge is a dam whose presence forms a very popular swimming hole. Starting at the launching ramp just above the bridge is a peaceful kayaking and canoeing route heading upriver to Biscay Pond and beyond.
While I took numerous pictures of the new snow during the day, this was my favorite shot. Today it just speaks peace to me.
click on the picture to see a larger view in the gallery
On Sunday afternoon, I was traveling home after a full day of church, dinner out with the family, and a little grocery shopping when I noticed the beautiful light pouring through the clouds which were tightly scattered across the sky. Wanting to get some pictures of the rays of sun filtering down to the ocean off of Pemaquid Point, I headed the 10 miles toward home to change my clothes and grab my camera and tripod.
I know, I know. I never should be out and about without my camera and tripod, (head hanging down…) but I wasn’t dressed for climbing around on the rocks anyway.
Unfortunately, by the time I had changed, gathered all my gear, and headed the 3 miles to Pemaquid Point it was only a half hour until sunset. The great light I had been seeing was gone, but I arrived at the Point and found incredible surf rolling in to the rocks.
As there were already plenty of people gathered around shooting in the obvious places, I clambered down the rocks toward a small cove where I could shoot across to the opposite point and the setting sun. The spray may not be as spectacular as in the “obvious places”, but the light was wonderful, as were the circling gulls in the sunset.
I shot most of these photographs with my 18-200mm zoom lens so I could capture the power of the waves surging across the cove, although the “blue” sunset at the top was shot with my Canon 10 – 22mm wide angle lens outfitted with a neutral density filter and a polarizing filter in order to capture the beautiful clouds.
