A New Year’s Day, Goodnight

It was a late arrival to Stage Harbor for the sunset.

But there’s always someone to see…

Black Ducks, nibbling on some greens, paddling out from the shoreline.

A Common Loon snorkeling for just one last bite before bedtime.

And it looked like he found JUST that!  😉

And this gorgeous female Eider, glowing in the setting sunlight, who was obviously…

Getting ready to tuck in for the night.

I spotted her from the drawbridge as I walked further along, and I could hear her murmuring out “goodnights” to her friends.

And even though I missed the sunset, I could see the glow of it as it covered everything I passed by.

And I was treated to a real gift by the time I got to the fish pier, as a beautiful blue light had descended upon the old Stage Harbor Freezer Company that made me stop, take a deep breath…

And just feel blessed to live in such a place where the Beauty is just a short walk away.

Happy New Year, everybody, and goodnight!  ❤

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Red Boat Skipper

The other morning at Wychmere Harbor, I got the chance to meet the Skipper of this lovely red boat.

And such a handsome fellow he was, standing there, still as a statue.

It looked as if he’d just finished his breakfast and a good morning’s preening…

As he waited for his Bufflehead crew to arrive.

I didn’t want to get in the way as they prepared to cast off, so I headed on by, smiling as I thought…

My! how I do love the winter here on the Cape.

It gets so quiet, and you just never know who you’re going to meet next!

😉

A Very “Great” Elegance

Sharing a very special visit with a Great Blue Heron that I met recently over at Cockle Cove one early morning.

He was fishing…

In the company of several charming Black Ducks paddling nearby.

The privilege of photographing these birds is an experience like no other for me.

Each time I visit with them holds a different kind of magic.

They can be so graceful, so elegant in their movement…

And even a bit whimsical at times!

I have them to thank for all the magic, and for allowing me to be in their presence.

And I do……   ❤ ❤ ❤

The Gull-Herring Saga Continues at Red River

Ever since my visit to the Brewster herring run I’ve had my eye out for “gull gatherings” at our local runs.

The other morning as I was driving by my home beach I heard the gulls overhead, and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw flashes of sunlit wings up the tiny Red River creek.

Sure enough, the herring were running and the gulls were arriving for breakfast.

Lining up, to wait.

Now years ago, our tiny herring run at Red River had posted the same “No Fishing” signs as the Brewster run.

But you can’t tell the gulls that.

They wait all year for the herring…

As sure as some wait for that first basket of fish ‘n chips at our local clam shacks here on the Cape.

Herring gulls will always be the surest signposts telling us where and when the fish are running.

Order UP!  😉

Red-Wings in the Fog

I love Red-wings.

And I love fog.

Yesterday morning, early, I had the gift of them both at once in the marsh along Red River.

The sounds of the Red-wings pierced the thick salty air as they called back and forth to one another.

Through the fog the birds seemed somehow larger than life; the colors more vivid and their songs, amplified.

I stood there, enraptured.

It was magical.

Ospreys at Forest Beach Marsh – Closeups

I love photographing ospreys at all distances…

But my favorite fun is trying to get closeups of these amazing birds in flight…

When you can literally see the light glowing through their wings.

Not easy, but I do love a challenge.

I loved this one, where everything is out of focus except…

The EYES.

These are AMAZING birds!  😉