A Bike and a Hike and a Visit with the Woods Creatures

What was supposed to have been a 15 minute bike ride to do an errand turned into a nearly two hour excursion that included an extended bike ride out of town and a hike through the woods. My only intention had been to get a little exercise and do a little scouting for my next vlog project, but of course the little G7 had to come out of my pocket; I just couldn't help myself. There's something about the deadwood in the forest - the shapes, the textures, and the markings - that intrigue me. They remind me of whales and animals and prehistoric creatures. I always find myself drawn to these woodland beings. There were many fungi as well. All sizes and all colors. I guess it's just not possible for me to simply take a walk without turning it into a multimedia production.

A Walk in the Woods, Too Many Mosquitoes, Plan B - Surf's Up!

To be a photographer, one must keep an open mind because things don't always go as planned. Welcome to my photography vlog, where you'll find a little chit-chat, some scenery, and (hopefully) a few photos to show for my efforts.

Video Blogging

Welcome to my new video and photo blogging project, a project designed to get me out of my own way, forcing me to leave the comfort of my own home more often and expanding my horizons, while at the same time providing me with fresh air and exercise. This project will also give me something outside of myself to focus on, especially important as we descend into fall and winter here on the Island. I've been a photographer for fifty years, and this project pushes me into new technological frontiers - the world of shooting and editing video - an all-encompassing process that engages all of my technical skills and creativity. Most of my travels will be on my Island home, Martha's Vineyard, and my biggest challenge will be to see the old and familiar with new eyes. I hope you'll follow along.

On the Fly

While riding my bike back into town after doing errands, I saw that the sky ahead of me in the east was potentially interesting. Being ten minutes before sunset and knowing that every minute counted, I stopped at my house long enough to grab a camera and back pack, hopped back on my bike, and raced eastward as fast as my legs could go, not even sure of where I'd end up. I missed the peak color, but was not disappointed. Again, it's as much about the hunt - the fresh air and exercise - as it is about capturing that prize winning photo, but I'm pretty happy with this one and am glad for this little end of the day gift.

Monday Morning Doings

Leroy and I headed out early for our walk - on a plu-perfect Vineyard September morning - to see what we could see. Leroy's interests are quite simple: trucks! Dump trucks, garbage trucks, bulldozers - the louder the better - with extra points for trucks hauling trailers loaded with lawn mowers; my main interest today was to head over to Chappy to grab some shots of the Memorial Wharf reconstruction project from a water's-eye view. We were rewarded with not only a fun ride on the ferry (Leroy's first) and a great view of the wharf project, but the first thing we came upon, right out of the chute, across the street from Grandma's, was John Anderson prepping the monument for the new flag pole. The orginal flag pole was removed a while back due to the fact that the flag, while being raised and lowered in certain wind conditions, was precariously close to nearby high-voltage wires. The new flag pole, scheduled to be installed next week, is reportedly shorter, eliminating the possibility of the flag or rope coming into contact with the electrical wires (which have also been insulated).

A Quick Getaway

It's hard to believe that for most of twelve years, between 2000 and 2012, I commuted between Brookline and Edgartown every week, leaving my apartment every Monday morning to catch the 10:45 ferry over to the Island, and making the reverse trip on the 5:00 ferry on Tuesday evening back to the mainland. These days I'm lucky to get off the Island every six months, and when I do it feels like a huge production. 

Anyway, yesterday I made a quick trip over to the Cape for an appointment and a couple of errands. Sitting in my car on the freight deck was stifling, but I managed to find an open porthole to stand beside on both trips, which both cooled me off and afforded me the opportunity to take a few snaps, employing the G7x on my way off, and the R with the 70-200 lens on my way home.

  The rowing dory Grace, The Black Dog, and a red umbrella.
Nautical Still Life 
The Alabama. I wish I had noticed the human up aloft in the rigging, but everything happens very quickly on a moving ferry. 
Nautical Still Life #2
Looking westward towards Tashmoo and Pilot Hill
West Chop Light
Buoy #2. "Red right returning."
East Chop Light. 
After being cooped up all afternoon, and since there was still some light left in the day (fading fast, folks), I hopped on my bike and took a short cruise through town where I found, among other things, fisher-boys (and I believe one actual Fisher) down at the town wharf, slaying the menhaden (bunker). 

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.