Thursday Night and Music in the Square

Thursday night downtown was packed. I can't remember the last time I've seen so many people in town. Fun times on a gorgeous summer evening.

 

First, a few tunes with David on the porch.
Then I headed down to the plaza at what was once the Colonial Inn to check out the scene, eager to try out my new 35mm RF lens and continue to delve into back-button-focus. 
Deb and Jim
Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, still at it and still making people smile...
...and dance... Albert Lattanzi and young cooking protege, Alex.

I Love People

 

How wonderful to see the human face again. One thing I know for sure: people need people.

Mr. Tom Kent. "Want to go for a boat ride?" "Where to?" "Oak Bluffs." Next time, please, but let's just make it a tour of the harbor?
Getting ready to do some magnet fishing. Never heard of it. The next big thing?
Owen and his scup.
Robin, Lulu, Sophia, and Mike. I photographed Robin and Mike ten years ago when their dog, Truman, was their only child. 
Debbie and Louisa, fresh from their show at Old Sculpin.
"Hi, beautiful people. Are you husband and wife?" (nervous giggles) "No, girlfriend and boyfriend." Oops, I always manage to say the wrong thing.
Love these juvenile bicycle marauders. 
Go big or go home. Why have one tattoo when you've got an entire body to cover, as Caitlyn is well on her way to do. Impressive.

Walk to Lighthouse

Kind of a murky, cool Sunday morning but in my continued attempt to shake off the winter cobwebs and get the blood flowing back up to the brain, while also, since Easter Sunday morning being in a lighthouse frame of mind, hiked the two-mile round trip quite easily. I like seeing people and the activities in town, so my route took me down Main Street and then left on North Water and back again. I like mist and fog for photography, and I also saw at least four people that I know (this will end in another month), so it was a productive walk in a few different ways.  

(below) Happy birthday - today! - to Ned Southworth, here with Maggie.

Colors, Lines, and Reflections

It feels great to head out for my late afternoon ramble through town and down around the docks again, this winter seeming longer than usual for some reason. I never know what to expect when I head out with my little Lumix - sometimes the light is blah and nothing strikes my fancy, and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and come home with a gem or two.

Yellow and Blue
The scalloper Becca, all trim and tidy.
I love this boat and I love these lines.
(below) My favorite. It reminds me of a pastel drawing. 

Out from Under Our Rocks

A few lovely days in a row have brought out the local wharf denizens - but no Denny? So good to get out and about again and see a few real humans, along with being able to take in the sky and the water and the fresh air.

 

Scallop gear, packed up for the season. 
Smitty and friends
(below) These scallop drags evoke a ton of memories, believe me; my roots, my heritage, my home.

He is Risen, Alleluia!

It's been my tradition the past few years, whenever the weather is favorable, that is, to greet the rising sun on Easter morning down at Edgartown Lighthouse beach. 

The forecast for today was favorable, so starting yesterday I began checking my photographer's ephemeris to ascertain the best location, and yesterday being also sunny and pleasant, I walked over to the lighthouse to scout out the best angle. I spent last night packing my gear and setting everything up so that when I got up at 5am all I had to do was grab a quick cup of coffee, throw on some clothes, and head out. My plan was to pack my bike cart into the back of my van and use it to wheel the cameras, lenses, tripods, and accessories down to the beach, as it's a good five-minute walk from North Water Street down to the lighthouse. 

My planning paid off and I spent a delightful couple of hours down there, taking in the sunrise, the bird sounds, a gentle wind, and an occasional fellow sun-rise seeker. Last year I was completely alone, which really surprised me to tell you the truth because last year really was crystalline and perfect. This year there were maybe 8-10 other folks wandering around. 

I was worried that it would be freezing cold, but it really wasn't bad. Even with a favorable forecast you never know what you're going to get around here. From my house (a mile away) the sky looked crystal clear, but when I arrived at the lighthouse there was a layer of cloud on the horizon. I had my doubts but everything turned out great. I got there in time, I did not freeze, all of my equipment worked - no small feat - the clouds dissipated, and I got what I wanted. 

It wasn't the same as last year - no two years are the same due in part to the fact that Easter is a moveable date, so the sun never rises in the same spot, and yes, Vineyard weather is very fickle. Happy Easter!