I have attempted to make this image hundreds of times over the years - usually unsuccessfully - either I get the bird wing angle wrong, or I miss him altogether, or the background is wrong, or the sun is too bright........or, or, or. But this time, I like what I got! The zoom-blur effect adds just a touch of implied motion in a still image.
This is another of my favorite activities while in Provincetown - climbing up to the top of the Pilgrim Monument. The 252-feet high tower (which rises 350 feet above sea level) was completed in 1910 with a dedication ceremony by then President Taft. It's the tallest all-granite structure in the United States and all the granite came from Stonington, Maine.
The staircase up involves alternating steps (116) and inclined ramps (60). It is a fairly easy climb all things considered.
The spectacular view is a worthy reward. View toward the east.
This panorama (click on image to view in full width) isn't really so wide as to capture the curvature of the earth - I was holding the camera through the safety bars while trying to pan evenly without dropping the camera while not banging into the bars - I like the effect although it wasn't intended.
The view toward the west.
About three-quarters of the town's land area is comprised of the Cape Cod National Seashore parkland with beaches, bike trails, dunes, and just beautiful scenery everywhere. This fall day was windy, bright, and fresh for wandering about.
These dunes line the east side of the cape in the protected Cape Cod National Seashore. When the Pilgrims arrived 400 years ago, the cape was fully forested. Generations of overuse led to the dunes of today. Under current parkland designation and oversight, the slow regeneration of the land is underway.
This life-saving station was built in the late 1800's and was originally at Nauset Beach south of here in Chatham. Beach erosion required it be relocated so the National Park Service moved it to Provincetown in 1977. There were more than 1000 shipwrecks off this small stretch of Cape Cod coastline back in the olden days and life-saving stations were often busy rescuing folks.
Late afternoon light reflected in an outbuilding near the life-saving station.
Enjoying the late afternoon golden light and cool breeze.
Long shadows in deep ruts in the late afternoon.
When it's time to head back home, this sign is posted on the highway. It creates a clear picture of the width of the United States to follow this road all the way across.
A short distance farther is this sign. There must be a large number of turtles to merit their own sign.
No comments:
Post a Comment