Merry Christmas!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Joyous New Year! Here's a glowing shot of the tree we cut down and decorated. Cheers!

The house on Christmas Eve, with fresh snow from yesterday.

The now frosty creek.

Mornin'

Evenin'

Antisocial climber

A new angle on tree climbing.

A tree half ascended or half descended.

Rootimentary

Falling Fast

09/20/09

I know this post arrives late in the season, but I thought some might care to see the rapidly changing colors of upstate. Particularly notable is the rapid decline in late Oct-early Nov.

10/25/09

11/7/09

Big Trucks

As the rains continued into autumn, we noticed a flood in the front yard during the heaviest days, a river pouring down the hill and pooling at the edge of the property. It didn't take much tracking to find the faulty drainage ditch where sand and soil, likely from winter snow plow and runoff, had blocked the way. It only took two days for the local town crew to come out to fix it right up.

I was lucky to catch them at work, dashing out with the camera upon returning home and finding them at work, proving that I still have a fondness for big machines, an attraction first demonstrated as a wee tyke when I frequently borrowed a book on how they build the roads and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel from the library.

New ditch!

In the Big House

It's been nearly two months now since the cold drove us from the cabin up to the big house where the luxuries of insulation, heat, and a fireplace awaited. We held out as long as possible, figuring it would be the middle of October by the time it grew uncomfortable enough to flee. Nah, only made it to the last day of September.

Another angle on the house and garage.

Cabin, we miss you and hope to see you again next summer.

Oh deer

With their regularly scheduled show time falling at dusk when it's difficult to snap hand-held telephoto pics, quality deer photos have been a challenge. But here are some gems from a recent early appearance.

This family of three has grown increasingly curious about us.

He only thinks he can hear me through the window.

Night Time is the Light Time

It really was this dark.

Yet here is a long exposure taken minutes later.

And here's a dangerous one.

And this is the album cover. I think it should be called Nightlight, but someone suggested that it doesn't sound tough enough.

September

The month may be long gone, but here are some images showing the brink of autumn upstate.

Ent hunt

We spotted this fella on a walk down a quiet road. I asked him about The Hobbit movie but couldn't rouse him to get any answers. Not sure if he was sleepy or uppity.

A closer look.

Who cairns?

OK, a cairn is made of stones, but look at these things. They were found down a gravel seasonal road and their origin remains unknown. Though perhaps they were built by the owner of the strangely placed home below, many miles from any body of water.

Secret Ceremony

Recent reconstruction of the back deck of the main house led to a strange discovery, this never before documented instance of flower pots bowing before their deity, the canoe. While I remain tolerant and non-judgmental, I can't deny my surprise.

Fruity Fall

In the already long gone days of early autumn, the yard was aglow with crab apple and pear trees bursting with ripe fruit.

I've never eaten so many pears in one month, best roasted with honey.

Tricks in the Light

A bit of fun with long exposures and a remote control.
Thanks to Dan and Owen for their glowing contributions.

Please keep left for chaos, right for infinity.

Oops, chaos led to music and infinity to the cross.

I call this one, "Crazy Face."

Pyramid of fire.