Request

Hi eveyone, I have been away and need to get back into the swing of posting. Most of my photography was personal, a class reunion,hockey, photography a baby for a first Father's Day present. I would not want to bore anyone with those images.

Returning home I notice my blog links are missing on my journal. If you would be so kind, please send me your links...much appreciated....I enjoy sharing my favorite blogs.

Mysterious Old Tree Roots

Bob and I visited The Flume at Franconia Notch State, Park last Memorial Day Weekend. We picked a really nice day, it was sunny and cool great for hiking.

One of the Flume's attractions was finding old tree's root growing over boulders, surviving even when the ground washes away beneath the roots. The roots have a mysterious feel, my conversion to black and white adds to that look. I wish there was fog for a final touch.

New Hampshire's State Flower "Lilac", Wildflower "Pink Lady Slipper"

Purple Lilac

Pink Lady Slipper

How lucky we are to live in a state where Lilacs grow. New Hampshire adopted the Purple Lilac as our state flower in 1919. Spring is the time of year when the radiant fragrance of the lilacs grace our yards. Lilacs come in white, violet, blue, lilac, pink, red, and purple, grow best in full sun.

Did you know New Hampshire has a state wildflower, Pink Lady Slipper "Cypripedium acaule" you will find growing in the acid soils of pine/oak woods.

Sulphite Upside Down Bridge Restoration

Railroad track on top of the Sulphite Upside Down Bridge

Photo of an original painting of the Sulphite Bridge during it's operation.

I tried taking a photo but the trees and brush made it hard...we hope to clear this area in the future.

Black and White Copy with title

Over the years, living in NH, I discovered a love for photographing covered bridges. Bob (my husband) and I have located, photographed, all but three covered bridges in the state of NH, the missing bridges are locate in northern NH, I hope to photograph this year to complete my collection. During our tour of the covered bridges I have found bridges restored, a few needing repair. One of the unusual bridges I have come across is Franklin's Sulphite Upside Down Bridge

This unusual bridge, built by the Bridge and Building Department of the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1896, appears to be the only deck-covered railroad bridge left in the United States. It was named Sulphite because of the large amounts of sulfur transported over the rail lines for use by the giant pulp and paper mills not far from the bridge. It is also known as the Upside Down Covered Bridge because the railroad track crosses over the top of the structure rather than running through its center.The Sulphite Bridge was believe to have been set on fire Oct. 27, 1980.

Recently I discovered, Fay Mahoney had a class reunion last year, part of her reunion her classmates hiked the Riverview Trail locating the bridge. After viewing the bridge, Fay decided it was time to restore a piece of history and has started a committee to earn funds to restore. Fay also mentioned, Upside Down Bridge is the only left in the world. The restoration could cost up to 500,000, huge undertaking but worth the hard work and effort to restore a piece of history. Funds are to augment money for grants. To receive grants the City must show an effort for this project by augmenting grant money with a percentage of funds from the city/bridge committee.

If you are interested in helping with the restoration of The Sulphite Bridge, you can write or email. The Sulphite Bridge, P O Box 319, Franklin 03235-0319, Email address: restore1896bridge@yahoo.com

My Meeting With Moose Man, Rick Libbey

Moose Antler

Nature Photographer, Moose Man, Rick Libbey

My first bull moose photo

I would like to share a little information about my lack of wildlife successful photography. I have searched for moose for almost 16 years to photograph. Two years ago I finally found not one but three moose in one day thanks my wildlife/bird photographer friend Donna. Bird photography I am becoming better at, a good lens helps 100-400 Canon.

Last weekend we read an article in a New Hampshire magazine about the Moose Man http://moosemannaturephotos.com/ including a few of his awesome moose photos. As luck would have it, he set up a booth at Franklin's Spring Fling Day. Talk about excitement, I could not wait to meet him!!! Someone I could finally talk to about photographing moose, a professional!!! Rick Libbey was so nice, spent time talking to me, sharing a local spot where I might find moose, information about Moose, what to look for, feeding spots, how not to scare the moose away once you spot.

Check out his site for his pictures (outstanding), note cards, jewelry and book are for sale. Men have a pin up calendar, I have Rick's moose calendar hanging up in my office <<>>.

Macro Buds and Blooms...."Finally"

Yellow Broom Shrub


Crabapple Tree Buds

Cranberry Ice Dianthus

Flowering Plum Tree

Pink Pussy Willow and Black Ant

Finally I am starting see life in my yard, budding and blooms on my flowers, plants and shrubs. I have been wanting to shoot macros, today was the day!!!

This past weekend Bob and I planted and cleaned up the yard, we have a lot more to do. It was just so nice to get out there and see plants poking out of the grown.

Paradise Road, Bethel, Maine After the Storm

A few weeks ago we were meeting my photo group at Grafton State Park, Maine. Bob and I decided to go a day earlier and explore the area, Bethel is beautiful mountain town.

We found Paradise Road, views surrounded both sides of the road, prime real estate, I would love to own a home on this road. My pictures were taken after a storm was lifting.

After our tour we found Gideon Hasting House, 22 Broad Street Restaurant and Inn located in Bethel, ME. A restored beautiful place, homemade Italian food. John Amann's owner, sister gave us wonderful service and delicious meal. We certainly will return to Bethel Maine Bed and Breakfast Italian Restaurant Bethel Maine Bed & Breakfast B&B Lodging

Portsmouth, NH Photos Meet Up

St. John's Episcopal Church

Memorial Bridge connects NH to Maine

Dock

I turned around and found this view..

Sunset over Memorial Bridge

Last Saturday 34 members of our photo group met at Portsmouth for a walking tour, taking pictures. I have visited Portsmouth but this was the first time I walked the area, the way to tour the city.

Visiting Portsmouth you will find a beautiful seaport, rich with history, shopping and eating places. Soon Prescott Park gardens will be in full bloom, great area for macro photography. Strawbery Banke takes you back in time, seeing restored New England homes and working artisans. Oh I love this place!!!

Silver Lake Railroad, NH

Restored Silver Lake, railroad station

Restored Engine

Riley Bros Diner Lyon MA

Bob's GPS took us on a backroad, Village Road, Route 113, Silver Lake. What a pleasant surprise, we found a restored railroad station and a display of railroad cars. This station was the former Madison stop for the Boston and Maine Railroad from the late 1800s until the line's abandonment in 1972.

The station has been restored over the period from 2002-2007, and much of its original features are intact. Silver Lake Railroad is open July through Fall offering a 40 minutes ride traveling through the Chain of Ponds area, passing lily ponds, beaver ponds, scenic valley and mountains.

In the near future a restored 1941 Sterling Riley Bros Diner will open serving ice cream.

POST SCRIP:

Will said...
I work at Silver Lake RR and i must say it's great.. the owner is great, and very generous. If anyone is interested in more information, the SLRR email is silverlakerr@yahoo.com ... *** we also operate last weekend in september, and the first weekend of october, and have the halloween train the second weekend of october.. thanks for putting up this site!!!

Trees With Character and History

I have noticed my interest in photography has opened my eyes to all sorts of potential photo opportunities. My newest interest, photographing beautiful or old craggily trees, roots growing over boulders.

The weather was cold, windy not a really good day for taking photos but I don't follow the rules ::::grinning::::: I found a beautiful old white birch Flaghill Rd., Salisbury, Easter Sunday.

Check out my new tree album Trees - a set on Flickr

Unique Mailboxes

My photos are copyrighted...I appreciate your interest my photos of unique mail boxes. My photos are not free to use for your site. Please contact me if you are interested BUYING photos.

 

My back roads excursions, I have come across unique and decorative mail boxes and I decided what fun to start collecting images of my finds. Clever mail box ideas people come up are unbelievable.

You can find mailboxes show casing work themes, hobby related, replicas of homes, pets, animals, recycled milk cans, water pumps and flowers...etc.

 

Discovery: New Scenic Street (HDR Filter Playing)

Original

HDR

Orton Effect

A few weeks ago we were exploring back roads, we went to a local town's ski slope to take pictures. On the way down the mountain, we took a left realizing we never traveled this part of the road. I am so glad we did, I will be visiting the unspoiled area different seasons to photograph.

I sent my pictures as I usually do to a few close friends (we exchange daily images we shoot). My friend Bruce a shooting partner, challenged me to try the Orton effect using an HDR plugin, RdDynaMix HDR for Photo Shop. Which effect do you prefer?

Anheuser-Busch Factory Tour and Photo Opportunity Of The Clydesdales

I have always wanted to take a tour of Anheuser-Busch Factory Tour in Merrimack, NH Bob (my husband) read the company was offering a photo opportunity with Clydesdales (the first Saturday of everyone month). I have always loved the Clydesdales, having the opportunity seeing the horses close up, even pet one and photograph was inviting. Gather my equipment we headed out.

Frankly I went to see the horses but while there we took the free factory tour and we were not sorry. The tour guide talked about the history of the company, the process of brewing and packaging. After the tour you are able to sample two glasses of free beer choices and pretzel. The hospitably room also offers soda for not drinkers like us.

The Old World style Clydesdale Hamlet, the stable and courtyard are where the east coast Clydesdale are based and pampered Clydesdales are housed.

Bob's Charting Out Tours of Sugar Houses and Maple Sugaring

Cooking down process, the smell is wonderful.

A display of grades of Maple Syrup

Pond View Maple Sugar House, Weare, NH

Maple syrup runs weather is warm during the day and cold nights.

March to us means New Hampshire's Maple Weekend, March 28-29, 2009. Bob found a site New Hampshire Maple Producers' Association - Welcoming Page This year we would like to visit and photograph different sugar houses. Bob is researching, mapping out, and entering the addresses in our GPS. We have a process .

We have found wonderful recipes, tasted freshly made maple syrup, sugar on the snow, learned about the grades syrup and cooking process. In addition I have the opportunity to photograph the sugar houses, process and scenery. You can view my previous year's images click on bpdphotos.com. I'll be adding new images after the tour.

Benu's Friday Finds

Benu at Creativity--Bits and Pieces blog has started a new feature. Friday Finds.

FRIDAY FINDS will be open for entries every Friday. You may share new finds or old. First, post "A FIND" photograph in your journal. (You may copy the FRIDAY FINDS header and place it in your blog with a link back to the FRIDAY FINDS weekly column along with your entry. To do this click on the image above and save it to your computer, then open it as an image in your journal and include link to this page with that image.) Next, return to this page and add a link to JUST your entry page, not to your entire blog. To do this, click on the heading of the entry in your blog and you'll get a window that is JUST that entry. Then, copy the URL from the browser address window at the top of your screen. Paste this URL address as a comment under FRIDAY FINDS COMMENTS here. That's all there is to it. Anyone may share a FIND. All are welcome.

My Entry

Fisheye Photos: Concord, NH State House

I bought my Fisheye Lens (/ef 15mm f.2,8), adding a new dimension, creativity to my photography. Not everyone likes the distraught look when using the Fisheye Lens, I happen to like the look.

Fisheye Lens are useful for wide landscapes, wide day or night sky shots and interior pictures of houses, vehicles, architecture and other confined spaces. The lens offers very sharp images. I am learning what works best with this lens, I am having fun!!!