Friday Morning After the Rain

I was inspired by the clearing skies on Friday morning following Thursday's big rain to get off the couch and out of the house before sunrise, hoping to find interesting skies and seas, and I was glad I did. My mission also included testing the new G7. So, off I went, loaded for bear with two EOS Rs, the 70-200, the 15-35, and the G7 (mostly to check out its video capabilities). My first stop was the Edgartown Reading Room, where I found an inner harbor still full of boats, and a view northeast towards the yacht club, the light house, and the rising sun; then onward to South Beach, where I found a flooded parking lot, a congregation of seagulls, a lone fisherman, roaring surf, and a misty sunrise.

On the Eve of Henri

Even without a weather forecast, the two days of hot, heavy, humid air were a clue that a tropical storm was headed our way, and knowing that Henri would be making landfall today, Sunday, I figured that there might be something to see out at South Beach last night. I was not wrong. In my younger years I would have headed up-Island with my surfboard (file this under "things I'm glad my mother never knew about"), but these days I'm content to be a landlubber with cameras (though I might grab the board and take a peak at Squibnocket tomorrow after it has calmed down a little). I was not alone, as several others had gathered to witness mother nature in all her glory - a right festive scene, though a bit nerve-wracking due to at least one clueless off-Islander whose children were flirting with real danger at water's edge, but thanks to my interference (sometimes having a big mouth is a good thing), she skedaddled them up onto higher ground. As for Henri - meh - he headed straight for us but veered left at the last minute - a little rain, a little wind, a big fat nothingburger. Sometimes we just get lucky.

 

Out and About

Sometimes it feels as if I haven't left my property in days (because I haven’t), and when I do leave I am usually walking or biking so I don’t venture that far, but today, feeling a little stir-crazy, as well as a bit hemmed in by the gray and drizzling skies, I made a break for it and climbed into the Grand (Ma) Caravan and took a little cruise. I had the newly-serviced Lumix along with me and was eager to get my hands back on her, though when I came across the kite boarders on Sengekontacket a part of me wished I had brought the big cameras along for the ride; another part of me, however, likes keeping it simple and enjoys the challenge of working with the tools I have on hand. And you know what? For what the little Lumix is - a handy high-end carry-around camera - it did a more-than-acceptable job, even with its limitations of focal length and shutter speed.
This is not the first time I've photographed this path to South Beach...
...or these retired-for-the-season life guard stands.
Fishermen, heading home up Kelly Street.

Photo-therapy

These strange times continue, approximately one week in. My consolation continues to be my walks - in and around town and beyond - and employing my Lumix to capture the world around me; the walking and creative efforts serving as distractions to an otherwise depressing situation, occasionally running into other humans out and about, walking the streets, all of us grateful to share a smile and a "hello" (from a distance, of course).



A splash of color is very welcome on a gray day.

This bench along the yellow trail at the Caroline Tuthill Preserve has no takers today. 

From a distance, I thought the swans were swimming among white buoys.



Anthier's Pond lies just over this hill.

A South Beach Sunset never disappoints. 

Sometimes we hope for empty streets and no traffic, but after a week's worth, it's getting old. 

Fishermen's Pier - different every day.