Mimi's Photo Blog

Cape Cod Winter??

2012-01-31T09:44:00.000-05:00

It was a totally beautiful weekend – but it felt more like the middle of March then the end of January. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the warm weather it did feel a bit weird.

I used my wide angle (12-24mm) lens which I hadn’t shot with for quite some time. One of the characteristics of the lens is that you can get right up close to a foreground object and at the same time get tremendous depth of field – everything in focus from front to back of the image.

Of course you can also get a very wide almost panorama like view.

Took these shots for my friend Carol who has opened my eyes to subjects I wouldn’t have chosen. I converted the vertical to b+w and the horizontal was taken from the same spot. Just experimenting with the lens.

A few miscellaneous shots…

So lucky – we had wonderful sunrises and equally wonderful sunsets.

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T13:44:00.001-05:00

Continuing an annual tradition and posting the first sunrise of the new year.

Spent the rest of the day at Spectacle Island. The Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands sponsor a trip every year on January 1. I had been hoping for snow but didn’t really mind the unseasonably warm, beautiful day. This is the view of the Boston skyline from the dock on Spectacle.

and some more skyline views…

The views from the other side of the Island are quite different.

There was very little wind – I don’t remember ever seeing the water quite this still.

Different season – different look!

Realized I didn’t really miss the flowers – just a different palette.

Some views from the walk to the top of the north drumlin

I was using my telephoto 70- 30mm lens and experimented with lots of different points of focus for different depth of field. I loved this view of the soft grass and fences.

A few from the harbor and one from the return trip.

Some links to other Harbor Islands posts:

Lovell’s Island

and an earlier Spectacle trip

Martha’s Vineyard

2011-10-22T14:44:00.001-04:00

This is the third year that I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a week in October on this very beautiful Island. The harbor in Vinyard Haven where I stay always grabs my attention – mostly sail boats and lots of wooden hulls and spars.

The first place I go is to the Aquinnah Cliffs (Gay Head) – sacred land for the Wampanoag Tribe. It was a stunning day – very hide tide, threatening weather. It’s more than a little inspiring to walk along that beach. But first the trail down to the beach.

and then the cliffs – which are mostly made of clay.

This is one of my favorite shots

There are other beaches – I spent time at lots of them

Of course the Lighthouses

and the really BIG sky!

Camping in P’town

2011-09-20T14:29:00.001-04:00

or more accurately – Truro . I was a bit apprehensive about the Campground – a mostly RV place – but the shuttle to P’town stopped right at the entrance so I decided to take a chance and I’m really glad I did. The photo above is a bit deceptive – in the other direction is a line a RV’s – but it didn’t really matter. I was amazed by how quiet it was. The best part was that there was a path through the woods that led to either Head of the Meadow beach if you took a left at the fork – or Coast Guard Beach to the right. Also it’s just about a half mile walk to Highland Light where I went the for the first sunrise. Didn’t realize there was a golf course right next to the Lighthouse!

It’s a little more than a mile through the woods to Head of the Meadow where I took a very long walk along the beach on this sparkling bright blue day.

I kept seeing the world in horizontals!

Went into P’town to see my friend Andi finish the Harbor to Bay bike ride. While I was waiting I saw this beautifully lit schooner and for a moment I wished I had my long lens. Now I’m happy I didn’t.

Then there was one of my favorite red boats on shore. First photo taken in June.

Next day I went back to Head of the Meadow. It was one of those days where everything looked different depending on which direction you looked.

It’s a bit of a walk down the beach to get to one of the most incredible scenes – many, many seals just hanging out or doing whatever on this sandbar right off the shore. I was spellbound.

On my last evening I walked down to Coast Guard Beach for the sunset. Thankfully I have some photos for there are really no words available to me to describe this scene. I could barely breathe as I stood there.

Boston Harbor Islands

2011-08-26T18:45:00.001-04:00

Boston Light at sunrise from Lovells Island.

After spending quite a bit of time visiting the Harbor Islands last year I decided to volunteer with the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands. The Islands are wonderful – just a short ferry ride and you’re able to explore old forts, swim, camp, hike, or just sit and do nothing. I’ve been helping out at Spectacle Island, Lovells and Boston Light.

A few weeks ago I decided to try camping on Lovells – the first time just one night and then this week, two nights. This is primitive camping – carry in/carry out - no running water. I totally loved it!

There are a few very private campsites – others on the beach which are closer together and two larger group camping sites in open fields. There is a composting outhouse – no smell! and a yurt where the two Rangers stay.

The Island isn’t very big – about 60 acres -

There’s nothing to do – except explore, swim, take photos and just be. It’s quite a meditation to realize from one moment to the next that there’s no place else I’d rather be.

Of course, I was up for sunrise – love that morning light!

Sunset wasn’t too bad either.

Low tide reveals interesting tidal pools.

and some great birds

The Island has been home to Native Peoples, a Fort, Lighthouse with keeper and family. Just ruins remain.

I have more photos of some of the other Islands which I’ll post when I have time.

“Cliff Diving” at the ICA

2011-08-21T11:29:00.001-04:00

An absolutely astounding event – click here and here for links to more info . What follows are my attempts to capture what is really not possible to imagine – even if you’re right there seeing it.

This is the setting – who knows how many thousands of people – I was in the parking lot of Anthony’s Pier 4 with my longest lens – 70-300mm. Most of the shots are not cropped – I’m trying to convey a feel for how vast the whole thing was.

These incredibly fit guys walk out to the end of a platform on the top of the ICA and proceed to hurl themselves into space.

There’s a moment when they seem to just float in the air

The exposures where quite difficult – into the sun – then the shadows of building – just did the best I could. Also couldn’t get any of the entries into the water as my vision was blocked.

This is probably my favorite sequence.

This guy was a real floater!

The crowds started to thin out and I was able to move to get a different angle.

I’m so glad I went!

Catching Up

2011-06-11T12:33:00.001-04:00

It’s been way too long! I’ll start with my latest trip to Provincetown and then work my way back in time.

I haven’t been in P’town in early June for a long time. The flowers were just stunning.

This is the same flower – I kept walking around it to find the best background – I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Took lots of long walks.

A few abstracts

some ducks

and of course the sunrise!

If you’d like to see more please click here and you’ll be directed to my website

Winter in Provincetown

I was luck enough to spend a week this past January in P’town. It snowed the last day I was there.

This is one of my all-time favorite images – there is nothing like morning light!

looks pretty good at night too…

Only in P’town!

a terrific walk in the dunes

and on the bike path

more sunrise

and fog too

to see more from this series you can click here

October at Martha’s Vineyard

Stormy weather but some folks don’t mind!

The wonderful cliffs at Aquinnah

and another place another sunrise

Great fields, fences, tress

and of course the beach

New York in September

Central Park

Upstate

July in Manhattan

2010-07-11T11:27:00.001-04:00

Spent what turned out to be the hottest two days of the summer so far in the City – it was great! Most of the people I know who grew up in New York never did the “tourist” things – for example I’ve never been to the top of the Empire State Building. Well – I’ve decided to change that – took a Circle Line Sunset cruise around lower Manhattan one evening – a terrific way to spend time on a hot night.

Following morning I was in Central Park from 5:00 am till around 8:30. Cars aren’t allowed in the Park before 8:00am so at first it was just me and the homeless. Gradually the runners, walkers and bikers came through – it was glorious watching and hearing – there are tons of birds – gradually waking up

The animals got to cool off ….

Lots of bikes were waiting to be rented.

One of the many things I love about New York are the contrasts!

and finally the view from inside the Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle where I went to cool off.

More Sunset Walks

2010-07-05T12:44:00.001-04:00

I took the ferry to the Charlestown Naval Yard and then walked to the North End. It’s a great way to get a very different view of the Zakim Bridge and of course, The Constitution. The photo above was taken from Paul Revere Park.

My original plan was to walk back to Long Wharf along the Harbor Walk but I got distracted by the view of the sunset on the tracks at North Station.

It got too dark to finish the walk so I took some more shots of the Bridge .

I’ve decided to as many of the different walks around the Charles as I can. So far I’ve gone from Science Park to the BU Bridge on the Boston side and from the Longfellow Bridge to the Mass Ave Bridge on the Cambridge side.

I realized it was about 55 years since I sailed at the Community Boat House. I remembered that it was the only place I was afraid to capsize – the river was horribly polluted then – it’s way cleaner now. It seems far more crowded and chaotic then I remembered tho.

All kinds of boats on the river – including a windsurfer.

Continued to the Mass Ave Bridge and then home.

The next walk was the biggest surprise – I had no idea that the stretch from the Mass Ave Bridge even existed – it’s totally lovely. Lots of open space and even an exercise park.

Solstice Walk

2010-06-26T14:49:00.001-04:00

I decided to celebrate the Summer Solstice by taking a walk around the Charles starting at the Longfellow Bridge – walking towards Cambridge and Memorial Drive – then across the Mass Ave Bridge to the Kenmore Square T station. It was a totally perfect evening. I started the walk at 7:15 hoping to watch the sunset and changing light.

As I came off the Bridge the light was starting to change.

I kept stopping every few minutes to take photos – I couldn’t help myself – it was just so beautiful.

I approached the Mass Ave Bridge as the sun actually set.

It was getting dark as I came off the Bridge – took a few shots of some of my favorite buildings.

and then took the T home.

Memorial Day

2010-05-28T15:11:00.000-04:00

Not my usual subject matter but a friend begged me to go to the Boston Common this past weekend and photograph the display of flags. Such mixed feelings – it certainly seems that we should be able to figure out a better way of resolving conflicts than sending young people out to get killed but I do want to honor those who have made that sacrifice. I did my best to capture some images for my friend.

Spectacle Island

2010-05-16T14:56:00.000-04:00

My first trip of the season – beautiful bright, sunny day – not great for photography – but wonderful to be out there.

I love walking around the Island – sometimes it can seem like I’m in Maine and then it’s obvious I’m not.

A few of the other things that caught my eye.

It’s only a short ride on the Harbor Ferry - $10 round trip for Seniors, $14 for others – one of the best bargains in town!

Mount Auburn Cemetery Revisited

2010-05-06T14:17:00.000-04:00

Beautiful early morning light.

It seems like everything was blooming at the same time

Lots of birds – managed to capture one of the resident red wing hawks plus a few extras.

Provincetown Again

2010-04-24T17:09:00.001-04:00

Couldn’t resist – off-season rates till May 15th – the place where I stay, The Moffett House has a stay one night next night free deal. Took afternoon bus on Wednesday – back on Friday – totally worth it!

Not much of a sunset so I tried some night shots.

Next morning very foggy at 5:30 but burned off after the sun was up – took a long walk to the end of the East End. Great time of year – still quiet – but shopkeepers getting ready for the summer onslaught.

It’s the location! I think I could force myself to live in any one of these.

It’s obvious in many ways that creative people live in P’town …

including novel use for old pottery – crush it and use it to “pave” the parking lot ~ Angel Foods.

Expanded my chair and bench collections….

Debated about going on a Whale Watch – glad I did – saw lots – mostly finbacks which are enormous and some dolphins too. First one is a dolphins– didn’t take many shots – just enjoyed watching them play.

Thursday afternoon was quite threatening – no rain – but great clouds.

and that’s Gail Huff of Channel Five News + Scott Brown’s wife – reporting on a boating accident that had happened the day before. Didn’t like her much better in person but I really like the shot.

Next morning a really spectacular sunrise.

Got in a quick trip to the Beech Forest – a totally enchanted place – where the birds have been known to fly right onto your open hand.

Just time for a few flower shots before I had to leave. As always – more on my website.

Boston Marathon 2010

2010-04-24T13:54:00.003-04:00

For the past six years I’ve had the privilege of doing the photography for the Mass General Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department Marathon run. Dr. Howard Weinstein the Head of the Department has run the Marathon for twenty years. Thirteen years ago he started the sponsored running program which has grown to the point where this year there were over seventy runners running for about sixty kids. The night before there’s a pasta dinner with a medal ceremony for the kids. It is quite an emotional roller coaster being in that room with all those kids with cancer, their siblings and parents – not heavy in any way due mostly to Dr Weinstein’s incredible energy and enthusiasm. In his introductory speech he said that they are now achieving an 85% cure rate and of course they won’t stop till it’s 100%. He also said that whenever he’s struggling during the race he thinks about what these kids are going through and the courage they show and that puts everything in perspective. So here are a few photos from the awards ceremony. Dr. Weinstein – or Howard as most everyone calls him is in the first photo.

The day of the Marathon everyone gathers at the Weinstein’s house which is at mile 20 to await the Mass General runners. The wheel chair racers come by first – they are really remarkable. This year four racers near the front were really close together – I’ve never seen that before – they came thundering by – it was an amazing sight – I’m lucky I could get a shot off because as usual I was moved to tears.

Next the elite women…

and then the elite men…


and then everyone else – all ages – some looking really tired, some like they were just taking a stroll down the street – I saw at least one barefoot runner - and of course all the outfits!


But what everyone is really waiting for is the MGH runners – some run by and wave and others stop and pose with their patient partners.

Prudential Center Skywalk

2010-03-15T10:06:00.001-04:00

It’s been on my list of places to photograph – finally went. Way better than I imagined – 360 degree views – interesting interactive exhibits about Boston history, sport, immigration. Challenging photographically because of reflections and lots of shmutz on the windows. I used a polarizer which helped until the light was too low and then pressed the lens right against the glass.

After I left I took this shot for my friend Carol – a true Mac person!

Provincetown

2010-02-23T11:15:00.003-05:00

Spent a wonderful weekend in P’town – one of my very favorite places – the light, the color, the people, the freedom to just be whoever, whatever. Stayed with a friend at the The Moffett House – off of Commercial Street and close to everything. The weather was fantastic – two sunrises, two sunsets and everything in between.

For years I’ve wanted to photograph this spot – finally!

Always lots to shoot in town….

and on the wharf….

and at Race Point….

and Herring Cove…..

and the dunes….

and Lands End…..

and if you’d like to see more – please click here

Halls Pond

2010-02-14T11:31:00.001-05:00

Stopped by at sunset the other day – much to my delight and surprise the Great Blue Heron was there. I had no idea that he/she was around during the winter. Goes to show how little I know about their behavior - but I sure love watching and photographing them.

To see more photos of the pond in other seasons click here

Jamaica Pond Sunrise

2010-02-12T11:17:00.001-05:00

This morning at the pond.

and then I went to Leverett Pond – seems to be a major hangout spot!

I missed the focus on this last shot but I like it anyway.

Click here for a few more.

Frozen Sunrise

2010-02-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

I had the use of a friend’s car and went to one of my favorite sunrise locations – Memorial Drive along the Charles River. It’s been quite cold so the river was mostly frozen with very interesting patterns in the ice.

And then in stark contrast

I do the publicity for the Brookline Farmers’ Market. Around this time of year I start going through last year’s photos and thinking about what images to use for this year’s publicity. It’s kind of a cheery thing to do –so I thought I’d share some here.

From my Window

2010-01-26T15:08:00.001-05:00

Big rain storm yesterday. I usually open the window to take photos but this time I liked the look of the rain drops on the window.

and here’s a recent sunrise.

Cape Cod Winter

2010-01-12T14:48:00.019-05:00

Seriously cold, seriously windy but a wonderful time. I don't think I've ever seen the ocean quite so frozen!

I love the Cape in the winter - so quiet and a very different color palette.

Many times when I'm out shooting I get fixated on a certain element - this time it was fences.

And just a few more from one of the most beautiful sunsets ever. My friend Andi lives in Brewster- she's an avid biker as well as photographer and finds all these great places for us to go. It was VERY cold - we had to keep running back to the car to warm up for a bit - every time I thought I couldn't go out again the light would change and there I'd be - out again - freezing but so very happy.

If you would like to see more photos click here

First Sunrise of the New Year

2010-01-01T12:35:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to all!!

End of the Year

2009-12-22T11:39:00.011-05:00

I just finished selecting ten "representative" images for the Town Hall Walls exhibit - a juried show at the Brookline Town Hall. It was torture trying to decide and I'm really grateful to my friend, Carol Miller for her help.

In that process I came across some old photos and decided it would be fun to do a post using images that still resonate for me - not necessarily because I think they're "good" - but because I just plain like them.

The following photos were taken about a year after I had become obsessed with photography. I took a trip to New Hampshire in October of 2003 with my second camera - a four megabite Nikon Coolpix 4500.

The next two were also taken in October of 2003 in Rockport with the same point and shoot camera. I remember becoming really aware of how much difference the time of day makes - sunrise and sunset became my favorite times to shoot. The red boat is on my business card and is probably the photo I've sold the most - I still really like it.

In March of 2004 I decided that I was ready and really wanted/needed a digital slr. Although my Coolpix did have manual controls - I wanted to have more control over depth of field, better resolution, etc. than a point and shoot could provide. I finally saved enough money to buy a Nikon D70. I was so happy with this shot - I had been taking tons of flower photos with the Coolpix - some of which I thought were okay - but this was the first one where what I had visualized actually came about.

to be continued.....

First Snow

2009-12-09T14:56:00.004-05:00

Beautiful sunrise after first significant snowfall of the season. Taken from my window on the 7th floor of 1550 Beacon Street in Brookline.

Great Meadows late Fall

2009-11-03T20:59:00.024-05:00

Absolutely beautiful morning - and as I said in my previous post about Great Meadows - it's never the same. Today I was really entranced by the more subtle colors of late fall.

Here are a few contrasting views from different seasons.

Martha's Vineyard

2009-10-11T10:11:00.031-04:00

I just returned from a week on the Vineyard. A friend to whom I'm extremely grateful let me use her timeshare in Vineyard Haven. This first shot is the harbor at sunrise and following photos are more scenes from the town.

Oak Bluffs is one of the two other larger towns on the Island. I'll the photos speak for themselves!

And then there's Edgartown which is a bit more upscale.

Whenever someone hears you're a photographer they say you must got to Menemsha for sunset - so of course I went - more than once. It's really a very small working fishing village - very quiet at this time of year.

But my very favorite place is Aquinnah where the clay cliffs of Gay Head are located. Again, I have no words to describe them - so just the photos.

I was very lucky - a bus driver told me how to find Lucy Vincent Beach - no signs - no mention on most of the maps but I had heard about it and had seen many photos so I was really looking forward to going. I rented a car one day so I could get to all the places that weren't accessible by the buses. The bus system on the Island was actually great tho.

And one from South Beach

It was a great week but I feel as if I've barely scratched the surface. It takes a long time to really get to know a place - I'd love to go again. If you'd like to see more photos just click here and you'll be sent to my website - click on the Martha's Vineyard Gallery.

To the Berkshires

2009-09-16T21:04:00.015-04:00

Took the train out to Pittsfield. Got to take photos from the back of the train - one of added benefits of having a camera that looks impressive is that it makes the conductor say things like - "wow - let me open the door for you - with that camera you shouldn't have to shoot through the dirty glass." It was really great - I stood there watching the receding landscape and shooting for about 45 minutes.

Spent Monday night on the summit of Mt Greylock the highest mountain in Massachusetts. Stayed at the Bascom Lodge which was built in the 30's by the CCC - let's hear it for Socialism!

I thought about the first time I climbed Mt Washington - I was around 12 years old and I was totally shocked when I saw all of the what I - with the arrogance of youth called "lazy tourists" who had arrived at the summit via the Cog Railway or Auto Road. Now I'm just incredibly grateful to be able to spend time in places that I'm no longer able to get to on my own.

I was hoping to get sunrise photos but woke up and saw everything was enveloped in thick fog. Went out anyway and really enjoyed watching the show as the fog gradually burned off.

We were really lucky to have two clear days. It was possible to see the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Whites of New Hampshire and the Catskills and Adirondacks of New York. Couldn't quite get them all in one shot tho!

Great Meadows

2009-08-28T16:41:00.003-04:00

Every time I go to Great Meadows it's different - on this day it was filled with water lilies.

I kept thinking that an Impressionist painter would love this sight - I decided to do a multiple exposure to try an capture that feeling - with apologies to any painters looking at this blog.

Most of the time there is a least one Great Blue Heron.

He/she - I always ask the birders around and no one seems to know - sits patiently on the bank - this time success!

It's such a beautiful place.

Lakescapes

2009-08-18T08:50:00.019-04:00

An early morning canoe trip around Lake Peekskill - it was great to get this new perspective. The first image is from the middle of the lake - with many feathers floating on the very still surface.

As we circled the lake close to shore it it became obvious that there were many ideas about how to "decorate" ones dock.

One of my favorite images

And a few more as we paddled around

and some live ones

Pottery Demo

2009-08-16T10:13:00.002-04:00

My friend Jo did a demonstration of how to "throw a pot" at the Garrison Craft Fair this weekend. She made it look easy - I'm sure it's not. It was beautiful to watch her work.

Summer Day in the City (New York)

2009-08-15T10:03:00.010-04:00

A few random candids

Bryant Park

It's a deal!

Great Cape Cod Weekend

2009-08-05T15:35:00.009-04:00

Oh my - the gardens - the flowers - just spectacular -every place we went there was just so much to take in.

and then of course, the beach...

and the birds and other creatures...

and a beautiful sunset!

Flower Experiments

2009-07-28T11:12:00.002-04:00

I usually prefer available light for flower portraits but I just read a terrific book on macro and closeup photography and was also just given a ring flash. Decided to give it a try with my 18-70mm lens and a 36" extension tube which gave me a true 1:1 macro for some of the shots. Not sure what I think of the results but I'm certainly drawn to the dramatic effect. I think I'll continue experimenting!

Sunset Whale Watch

2009-07-21T09:34:00.019-04:00

I'm really lucky - got a free ticket. It was so wonderful being out on the water watching the show of color as we sped along to the whales feeding grounds. This first photo is of Boston Harbor Lighthouse with the Boston skyline in the background and was taken directly into the sun.

This is series of photos were taken on the way out to and while at Skellwagen Bank.

Everyone was very eagerly awaiting a sighting - again I didn't care - the light show was more than enough for me - but there they were - as magnificent as ever. I loved seeing the light of the setting sun reflected on their bodies.

There were also lots of birds at the feeding grounds.

On the way back we got a closer look at this rather surreal looking square rigger that had been off in the distance.

I can hardly believe I got this shot. I usually don't shoot at high ISO - 1600 in this case - but gave it a try as it was quite dark - very happy with the relative lack of noise. Also hand held at 1/4 sec - let's hear it for image stabilization!

And then another of those shots on the T.

Amtrak to Portland

2009-07-15T15:48:00.015-04:00

It's just a two hour train ride - leaves from North Station where there are some interesting views of the Zakim Bridge. I've been attempting to perfect my technique shooting through the somewhat dirty windows of the train - catching what I call "trainscapes."

First stop was the Portland Art Museum which I really like - small enough not to be too overwhelming with lots of stuff by Maine artists. They have the classiest elevator I've ever seen - wall to wall copy of some poem about buildings as well as the sound of it being read. I'm really bad about finding out the names of things, birds, flowers, ships - just get all caught up with getting the image. Also lots of great windows. I renounced my strong desire to sneak some images of the paintings however.

I hadn't made any definite plans for after the museum but after looking at some brochures on the train I decided to be a real tourist and take what they billed as a "land sea cruise" - which means a trolley ride through Portland followed by a trip out into Casco Bay. So now I had another chance to try and get shots from a moving vehicle!

What really convinced me to shallow my pride and become a real tourist was the promise that we would be let off the trolley at Portland Head Light - which is supposed to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in north America. There is a very beautiful park surrounding the lighthouse and I could have spent all day there but we were given 15 minutes so I spent the time trying to get as many shots from as many different angles as I could.

The trolley dropped us off at the Portalnd waterfront. The whole district has been "revitalized" and is actually very nice.

The trip out into Casco Bay was called a "Lighthouse Tour" - this of course made me very happy.

Evidently unknown to me and I'm sure lots of other people Maine has been in competition with New Hampshire about images of what seem to be old men in rocks. Well New Hampshire lost its Old Man in the Mountains and so now Maine is really promoting theirs. It's pretty tough going though as it can only be seen from the water. If you can't see it email me and I'll give you a clue.

I had decided to travel light and only took one camera - just had my 18-70mm lens which was fine until we came across some harbor seals - that was the only time I missed the telephoto.

Tried more trainscapes on the way home.

The Tall Ships Leave

2009-07-14T12:15:00.003-04:00

Spent the whole day out at Spectacle Island on Monday watching the ships leave. Sorry to see them go.

Want to see more images of boats - click here - and one more shot on the way home on the T.

More Tall Ships

2009-07-14T12:07:00.002-04:00

Saturday was a beautiful day - consequently it was also a mob scene - great that so many people wanted so see the ships - but not great for viewing. I took the ferry to Charlestown but didn't even try to get on board any of the ships - just took the ferry back to Long Wharf - got a fun shot on the way back.

Tall Ships

2009-07-09T11:32:00.018-04:00

I took one of the Harbor Island ferries to Spectacle Island yesterday in the hopes of seeing some of the Tall Ships. There was no formal "Parade" of the ships this year due to "politics" or budget constraints depending on which version you read, so the ships were entering the harbor one by one and there was no schedule. I told myself if I was lucky enough to see one ship under full said I would be very happy. On the way out of the harbor we spotted a ship through the fog - I was thrilled.

I took many shots as she sailed by us.

This was the scene from the top of the North Drumlin on Spectacle Island, which is the highest point in Boston Harbor. It was great to see two more Tall Ships under sail.

The Island itself is quite beautiful with great views. Because of the ever-changing light there were some interesting effects on one of the buildings in Boston.

On the way back to the Harbor there were other interested spectators as well as the opportunity to see the ships that were already docked.

and then perhaps my favorite photo of the day.

If you'd like to see more photos please click here

Fourth of July

2009-07-05T15:59:00.017-04:00

Had to celebrate the return of the sun by going to Long Wharf - forgot that it would be really crowded because of the holiday. Added a few shots to my boats collection.

Scary sight but somehow I didn't feel safer...

Lots of happy people, interesting sights

The new Rose Kennedy Greenway was full - so many different people all hanging out together having a good time.

But then - a tremendous contrast - a group of about 50 of the most unhappy and grim folks arrived - "celebrating" their version of the "tea party." Most people ignored them, I didn't see any media and by the time they arrived in Columbus Park they seemed pretty dispirited - but still foul-mouthed.