WOW! My last two morning outings have been out of this world - the lighting was pure magic!!

You will need time for this post - it has many shots… I hope it isn’t too long!

Yesterday morning was beyond anything I could have hoped for… As I drove over to the parking area for the Hatches Harbor Fire Road, there was a lot of fog and low-lying clouds. Just as I pulled into the small dirt parking area, I could see stars sparkling in and out of the clouds.

I have to say that I am in the camp of those who dread when we leave daylight savings behind and move the clocks back to standard time. I try not to dwell on it but it is hard when we have sooo many hours of darkness headed our way!

As I walked over to my usual starting place the silence was deafening… it was as if every living creature was just waiting for the fog to lift…. I found myself stopping several times just to listen to the absolute silence - it was a very calming way to start the day.

Recently I went to the North Meadows in Deerfield hoping to see my first green heron of the season. The morning started out with lots of low clouds and fog.

The last two mornings I have been at Bullitt in Ashfield - WOW!!!!! The beautiful early morning fog, fall colors, delicious 46 degree air, gorgeous sunrises and very happy wildlife! The early morning light was astounding -

As quietly as possible I made my way over along the edge of the pond just hoping I wouldn’t flush it. I was trying my hardest to spot it in those tall grasses. At that exact time the sun was just coming up behind where I had seen the bittern land - it was blinding but I kept at it.

I drive by a gorgeous farm field each morning when I head to Ragged. I have been wanting to stop and spend some time there to see if the cows would make their way down towards me. The first morning I tried they didn’t come down towards where I was standing…

A blue moon does not mean that it is the color blue - it means that it is full moon that falls during a month that has two full moons. This only happens about every 2 1/2 years. For a blue moon to also be a super moon is even more rare - the next one will happen in 2037!

I pick up with this post with another early morning trip up to the top of Bonnieux to see the Luberon hills and the villages begin to wake up!

It is time to come alone with me….

Last week, before our current stretch of heat and humidity, I went over to Ragged on a gorgeous morning - great air with low early morning temps. It started off extremely quiet but I kept at it and finally the magic started!

This past May we spent a magical week in Provence. Our home base was in the small hilltop village of Bonnieux - honestly, it was like a dream - so wonderful in every possible way. The village has approx. 1,800 residents and it sits atop a hill overlooking the gorgeous Luberon region of Provence.

For Lorraine’s birthday we were recently in Warren and Waitsfield, VT so that she could participate in the 3 day Mad River Valley Arts Plein Air Festival! We had never been to this area of Vermont - it is absolutely stunning!

As I was coming around the back corner of the first pond at Ragged I stopped dead in my tracks. Right in front of me in great light was this incredible web filled with perfect dew drops that looked like jewels to me!

Once again I have had the incredible privilege of being able to wander private property in Ashfield to observe and photograph sandhill cranes. It is truly a moving experience to spend hour upon hour just watching these magnificent birds.

It is no exaggeration for me to say that the exact second that I set up near some gorgeous phlox flowers that a very fast moving something caught my eye. I looked up from my camera to try and locate it and there it was - a hummingbird moth!!

About 10 days ago I had yet another incredible morning over at Ragged. We had just had another series of rainy days so this particular morning was even more welcome than usual. 53 degrees, no wind and the promise of blue skies!

As we approached the Danbury Bog on our way back - I said, we will go really slowly here - you never know we might see a Bittern! I have been looking each day - on my way out and back as I am convinced Bitterns would be in the bog in this area…

With so much that is going on in our world that is causing so much anxiety and angst I hope that you will find this calming and relaxing. I also hope that it allows you to exhale, if like me, you find yourself holding your breath a lot these days…

Saturday morning we were looking out at the lake when I saw a tiny dark shadow coming up from the water’s edge into the mossy/grassy area….. Of course I ran and grabbed my camera…