A farm in Guilford, VT

The last week in September. The colors are right on schedule.

Guilford, VT

Yes, this is the way I remember Vermont from my younger days. I was glad that I took the daytrip last Saturday. Sunday was not as pleasant and the colors would not have popped out like this.

West Dummerston Covered Bridge

On my daytrip to Vermont last Saturday, I swung over to Dummerston to see how the colors were progressing along the river. This is a very photogenic bridge and offers lots of possibilities. We have had a very dry summer in New England, so the water level was very low. There was some calm water that gave me the opportunity to play with some reflections.

Are you getting a feeling of déjà vu all over again? I did a photo study of the West Dummerston bridge last year. This year the colors were a little further along, but not nearly at their peak.

The Trouble with Harry

Have you ever watched the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Trouble with Harry? It is a dark comedy set in Vermont. It was the debut film for Shirley MacLaine and an early role for Jerry “The Beaver” Mathers. (Okay, all of Jerry’s roles were early, but you know what I mean.)

It is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films, even more than Psycho, Vertigo or the Birds. Why? Well, The Trouble with Harry has actual scenes shot in Vermont. Unlike White Christmas, which was another movie set in Vermont and shot in the mid ‘50s, Hitchcock went through a lot of trouble to create the effects in the studio to keep the illusion. The setting of White Christmas was in the town of Pine Tree, Vermont which had the look and feel of a Hollywood sound stage.

When you watch The Trouble with Harry, which I hope you do, you will see Vermont as it was in the '50s. Much of it is still the same. If you miss it this year, there is always next. Vermont will be there.

A snapshot of the hills overlooking Marlboro Vermont.

Shot at Marlboro College, the white buildings set against the brightly colored trees is quintessential New England.

It is shots like these that remind me of The Trouble with Harry. This was taken near the Vermont-Massachusetts Boarder.

Below is a clip from YouTube of the opening scenes from The Trouble with Harry.

I do have some more fall foliage shots from Vermont coming. Stay tuned.

The colors of my youth

When I think of the autumn colors of my younger days, I see vibrant colors, brooks, and back roads. After moving out of New England and living out west, I though I would never see the colors as I pictured them again.

California goes from green to brown, Colorado has some bands of bright yellow aspen in the mountains and the colors of coastal Massachusetts still do not match my memory. Or is it just my imagination?

Last year I went up about two weeks too early and then I didn’t make it back. This year, I decided to go back two weeks later and see. Southern Vermont hasn’t peaked in color yet, however I didn’t want to miss a good weather opportunity. We could get a storm next week and I could be stuck wondering for another year.

Well, stick around for the next couple of days. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Brattleboro Creamery Bridge

I was a little unsettled the last time I was in Brattleboro driving across Rt9 to Bennington. There was a big bridge construction project going on next to the Creamery Bridge. Worried that it would disturb the scenery to the point where it would be difficult to shoot the bridge, I feared for the worst. Yet, when I drove past last weekend, the construction was done, the traffic was diverted off of the bridge and it really doesn’t cause any difficulties for us shutterbugs.

In fact, it has actually made it a little more accessible. I’m happy to say that one can stroll any part of the bridge without the constant traffic. Also this bridge sports a slate shingle roof testifying that it is still strong enough to take the load. The new bridge that handles the traffic has a walkway providing a great vantage point to shoot this wonderful bridge.

Forgotten Photo Friday, Ten Pound Island Sunset

Just posting a photo that I’m using for my new calendar. This is Ten Pound Island with a stunning cloud formation at sunset. The 2011 Gloucester Lighthouse Calendar features Annisquam Light, Eastern Point Light and Ten Pound Island Light.

Save $2.00 by ordering from this page.

Where did summer go?

Another summer has come and gone. Yes, today is the official first day of fall. Just to prove it, here are a couple of Autumn Meadowhawks.

Good grief! September is almost gone! It’s the 23rd already. Before you know it, I’ll be shooting Purple Sandpipers on Dogbar Breakwater.

It’s still summer

Get out there and enjoy it!

Gloucester Harbor’s new Patrol Boat

Whoo-hoo, you know you want a ride! Shot off of Eastern Point, the new Gloucester Harbor Patrol boat heads up north.

Twin Evinrude outboards.

A look at the helm.

And a water cannon!

Eine Kleine Nachtpost, Pale Touch-me-nots

Just a little post before I got to bed tonight. These Pale Touch-me-nots that I shot Saturday were a hit with the bees.

Can you believe the colors?

It seems that Labor Day a big switch gets thrown and the humidity drops allowing these beautiful colors to just pop! Taken from Saint Peter’s Square in Gloucester.

Back in the water!

The Harvey Gamage has been in the shipyard for several weeks.

It is now back afloat and docked at the Maritime Heritage Center in Downtown Gloucester. Here is the Harvey Gamage looking spiffy with a new coat of paint and repairs.

In this shot of the stern you can see the planks that make up the skin.

But work is not done just yet. Here are some blocks that have been oiled and are hanging to dry. The blue tags list out where the belongs in the grand scheme of the rigging.

Forgotten Photo Friday, Red-breasted Merganser

Uniquely Gloucester.

Sometimes you just get lucky.

Last night I went for a walk around town after work. I was down by Saint Peter’s Square when this juvenile Double-crested Cormorant popped up with a rock gunnel. (Thanks for the i.d.help Easy Diver Chris!) Tough shooting because I didn’t have time to look over the camera and adjust it. It popped up between me and the sun. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Eine kleine Nachtpost

Eine kleine Nachtpost postings are generally images that I shoot and just cannot wait to get up. So that I don’t toss and turn in between the sheets all night, I just throw up a little night post. Today on a walk I came across this scene and just couldn’t wait to get it out there.

What’s it all about? Tune in Saturday morning and I’ll tell you. After all, it is a work night and I got to get to bed!

Meet Jimmy T on Survivor Tonight.

Sanderlings

I love shooting Sanderlings. There are frisky, almost approachable and very challenging with their black-and-white plumage. They run back and forth with the waves and are great sports in that they sometimes will approach me when I plant myself.

Saturday, Becky and I took a walk on Cranes Beach. She knows that I get twitchy when I see shorebirds so she gave me a few moments to take some snaps. After about 20 frames, I caught up with her and we finished our walk.

So that’s why the are called Herring Gulls.

We have a fat and happy gull population here in Gloucester. I am always surprised when I visit other areas on the coast by the apparent lack of gulls in some areas. Here in Gloucester, the population is thriving because the birds do take advantage of food source from the fishing industry.  In places where the industry has collapsed, the gulls are very few in number.

Tenpound Island Light, Late Summer

There is much lament about due to the fact that Labor Day has passed because most feel that summer is over. Well, fall does not arrive until September 23rd. I plan on enjoying summer until it actually is gone. Then we will see.

This is Tenpound Island in late summer.