Dull, dreary days typical of winter. Seems like never enough sunlight. So I needed a dose of color. And some of my favorite color can be found in the many varied rocks I have photographed – some from the Maine coast, some from the local stream beds and quarries, etc. Here’s a sample that lifted my spirits on a recent gray day.
Fifteen images today – all rocks but one. Can you tell which one is not?
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Thanks for the visit.
I didn’t expect to get this week’s selection out on my usual schedule. More on that later. I got caught up in my library of images from my last trip to Maine. Seems there were more images to explore and those were what caught my eye. So, once again, here is yet another new group of images of Maine’s coastal rocks.
Obviously, it is a subject that draws me to it. And that’s what makes our annual visits something to always look forward to.
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For more than seven years I have been posting this blog weekly. Most times it has been a joy. Sometimes it has been more of a challenge. Lately my attention is being pulled in too many directions, making it increasingly difficult to maintain my established schedule. So, just to let you know, I will continue to post but not as frequently.
Thank you for your continued interest. So, for today, I’ll leave you with one last image from Maine – a late afternoon shot on the last late afternoon of our visit!
Just back from a week on the Maine coast. This year the trip was primarily recuperative, less exploring and more staring at the ocean. That said, I couldn’t totally ignore the rocks along the shore (some of my favorite anywhere). Here are a handful of images from my first edit.
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This trip I found myself paying attention to the seaweed, something I had always looked past or sought to keep out of the frame.
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On the drive home we decided to stop for the night in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. An after dinner walk led me to a nearby bridge – an old truss bridge long closed. And I couldn’t resist the opportunity to snap off a few frames.
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More from Maine to come. Thanks for the visit.
If there were only just a few fossils to be found in Maine I’d have no need to go anywhere else to explore with my camera! Wherever I walk, from the shore to the lush woods, there is just so much to focus on. 
With each successive annual trip I expect my enthusiasm to wane – only to be happily surprised by the contrary. The coastal rocks continue to mesmerize me, as does everything else.
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Among the shore rock formations are small pools of water left by the tides, made rich and colorful thanks to various chemical and biological brushstrokes.
The designs in nature are everywhere. The ocean deposits a myriad of interesting subjects.
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Lichen on the rocks.
Lichen in the forest that butts right up to the shore rocks.
And, of course, fungi and various detritus on the forest floor.
Beautiful sunsets, visiting geese in the hundreds, crab rolls, blueberry pie, and the ocean!
My thanks to Eric and Betty for their hospitality.
Thanks for the visit.
Back from my trip to Vermont – the show looks good and will be up for a while. My studio, on the other hand, was a bit of a mess – something that always happens when preparing for a show.
During the course of the cleanup I ran across a small pile of flat rocks I pulled from the creek a long time ago. These rocks were pancake-like slivers that sat on a low shelf like a stack of magazines.
I kept them originally to use eventually as backdrops or as a ground upon which I could set other objects to shoot. But the more I examined them the more I saw them as worthy subjects on their own.
So here is a small suite of images that resulted from my discovery. Perhaps I should do a bit more cleaning – never know what I might find!
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It was a pleasure to return to Isle La Motte this past weekend for the opening of my show. The opening went well. We got to see many friendly, familiar faces and spend relaxing time sitting on the shores of Lake Champlain.
I took only a small number of pictures this trip. These first few are regular subjects for me. I’m always amazed when I see these trees that wrap around the the rock outcrops.
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Sunday Tea before the crowds arrived.
I have to throw this image into today’s mix. On the way to Isle La Motte we sought out this wonderful little shack. Prompted by a PBS show about the country’s best pies (what can I say – it was a very late night when I found the show). Poorhouse Pies in Underhill, Vermont, was spotlighted. Self serve, 24 hours a day, in a small town on the road to nowhere in particular – on the honor system! What a wonderful thought and idea in a world so twisted and jaded. And the pie was great!!
Thanks for your visit today.
As promised, here are the remaining images from my show set to open on Sunday in Isle La Motte (on the shores of Lake Champlain). It’s always a favorite destination for Cindy and me, not only due to the natural beauty of the surroundings but also to the wonderful community that calls Isle La Motte home.
These days there is so much chatter about the fear and insecurity plaguing the country at large. One would think, if one follows news reports, that the land is in chaos, that decency is in short supply, and that daily life is under assault.
It is true that there are many problems that currently befall us. Whatever injustice is suffered by any citizen, it is done as well to you and me. And there is much to rear up against and make our voices heard, hopefully at the ballot box in November.
So, at a time when the negativity seems overwhelming, I’d like to tell you about two communities who reflect so much of what is good.
In the case of Isle La Motte, it was a group of local citizens who fought a battle, lasting years, to save a part of their island. The Chazy Reef Formation is the oldest known fossil coral reef system on the planet – a place of worldwide scientific significance and local pride.
When the reef was threatened by plans to reopen a long abandoned quarry, the local residents banded together to prevent it from happening.
They succeeded but then took it further. Thanks to their efforts, the Isle La Motte Land Preservation Trust was established. Under the leadership of resident Linda Fitch, money was raised to purchase the two primary parcels of land that are now deemed National Natural Landmarks.
Fund raising is an ever ongoing effort. The new barn and education center, general upkeep, etc. all fall on the shoulders of the local volunteers.
The folks on Isle La Motte are proud of their natural wonders and cultural heritage and celebrate it together.
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Community and cultural heritage are the key factors in the joy and celebration I witnessed last Sunday in Gilboa, NY. Gilboa is home to the oldest known tree fossils in the world. In fact, in the past few years, scientists plotted out some of this earliest known forest floor.
In another example of local residents keeping alive local culture and history, an open house was held to celebrate the opening of the History Center at the Gilboa Museum. A beautiful addition was built thanks to the donations made by Mr. Nicholas J. Juried ( seen above with Ms Kristen Wycoff, chairwoman). Son of immigrants, Mr. Juried grew up in Gilboa and returned to fund the museum’s addition in honor of his parents.
A large crowd turned out for the event. My friends Bob and Johanna Titus were present as well (above). Bob took a crowd out for a fossill walk along Schoharie Creek following the formal presentations.
Their new book, the 25th anniversary edition was also on display on Sunday. It gave additional meaning to this gathering – The cover painting of the Gilboa Forest (as assumed by the scientists) was done by the aforementioned Kristen Wycoff!
I’ll end with this image – a 5′-6′ length of tree bark from the Eospermotopteris tree, the one seen in Kristen’s painting. It was donated to the museum just last week by a Gilboa neighbor, just in time for the celebration..
Thanks for the visit.
Lately, most of my time has been taken up printing and framing for an upcoming show. As a result, my camera has been idle more than usual. But the need to explore with my camera is always there for me. So I had to get in a little shooting time. Subject or concept didn’t really matter. That often gets worked out during the process.
For whatever reason, an old favorite book came to mind – a book of prints and drawings by Jim Dine. While I have always loved so much about his work I particularly appreciate the subject matter he often chose – common objects – things that he used, things that he lived with, be it a bathrobe or his tools of the trade.
And that led me to my rock toolbag and this simple little series. Nothing earth shattering, didn’t solve any problems with it, just a simple execise.
I carry these with me on every foray into the woods, quarries, and creekbeds.
And, of course, my camera is always with me as well.
The following images are from the “digital vault” – some of my earlier fossil images – several of which were uncovered for the first time in almost 400 million years thanks to the hammer and chisels seen above.
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Here’s something I recently dragged out of the woods – 3 views.
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Thanks for the visit.
artandfossils 