Red Skater, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Round and round and round she goes.



The only sounds are the laughter of her children, the scrape of skate blades and the occasional shriek of a hawk or the chatter of a squirrel. Life is good.

Winter Cold Snap, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The reason there are no people walking the beach at low tide on this sunny day is because it's about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind is blowing 15-20 knots, and most sensible folk are inside where it is warm.

At Bartlett Pond, same cold, same wind but, with lots of ice. It may be harsh weather conditions but still, it is stunningly beautiful. (Both images above are in-camera panoramas).

The Blues Brothers?, Kingston, Massachusetts, USA

"Jake and Elwood" are seated and ready to experience the new Stars Wars movie in 3D-RPX. (Amy's iPhone image).  It's hard to believe that the first Star Wars movie came out forty years ago. Where did the time go? If I could have the time back for a do-over, would I? Would you?

A Christmas Day Flight, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The weather forecast here in southeast Massachusetts was for rain then windy and clearing. Turned out we got a bit of a white Christmas in addition to a rainy deluge. The wind was so strong that this poor flamingo was blown all the way up here to New England from Florida. A reverse snowbird?  Maybe I should drive him back home to his land of perpetual warmth and sunshine - and stay there with him?

Where It Began, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Massasoit, the great Native American leader, is credited with helping the pilgrims survive and prevent starvation during the early years of the Plimoth Colony in the 1620's. Overlooking the harbor, his larger than life statue stands proudly. ("Plimoth" was the contemporary spelling back then).



Though there are other stories about the beginning of European conquest of the "New World," the story of Plymouth Rock seems to have been parlayed into a very successful landmark.

Winter, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I wonder what thoughts go through a swan-brain when the 30-acre pond they swim on all year suddenly is frozen solid? Clearly, they adapt.



The last few leaf stragglers......



...have all fallen - winter is really here.

Simes House, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The Simes House stands tall in late afternoon sun after a light snowfall.



Sun low on the horizon and snow on the ground must mean........



... it's getting close to Christmas!



Which means tree decorating......



.....and celebrating both the Christmas season and the first year end since the Simes House restoration project was officially completed in 2017. My other blog posts over the past few years about Simes House are at this link.

Union Chapel, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The sign says "Union Chapel, 1870," but what caught my eye was the timeless and placeless quiet of a small church by the woods after a light snowfall.

Myles Standish State Forest, Carver, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

At more than 16,000 acres (6700 hectares), the Myles Standish State Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activity for visitors to this natural wonderland. I had the Red Ranger for company on my recent visit. (Click an image for a higher resolution version).



I am fascinated with canopy images which illustrate the ability of the the trees to keep a small interval between themselves - they grow close but not too close. Seems like there's a lesson there.



Stark, white branches, devoid of leaves make a strong contrast with the background of evergreens. Campgrounds, ponds, trails and other outdoor attractions in this State Forest beckon folks who enjoy the soft quiet of footfalls on a pine needle carpet.

Snowfall, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Gray skies and a light dusting of snow cover much of White Horse Beach. (Click an image to view a higher resolution version).



With the temperature right around freezing, it is either an umbrella or shovel event - or, most likely, both.



Regardless which, the trees get water for their roots - either as it falls or when it thaws, promising another green spring in just a few months.

A Cold Walk, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It may be cold out walking but, the cold does not reduce the pleasure of gazing out to sea.  (Click an image to view a higher resolution version).



Long, even, rhythmic, rollers crash on the beach below.



And Shakespeare says, "What light through yonder window breaks?"  'Tis the late afternoon wintry sun of Manomet.

Quissette Harbor, Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA

Bright sunshine and a temperature in the low-forties Fahrenheit make for a nice quiet outing on Quissette Harbor in Falmouth on Cape Cod. (Click to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



Blustery, watercolor clouds rendered in black and white accompany a late afternoon sun on the harbor.

Pond Hockey, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It is barely light on a Saturday morning - the temperature during the last two nights was well below freezing -  the neighbor kids have waited months for this day - it's time for pond hockey! .



A few hours later, the sun streams through the trees lighting the ice and casting long shadows. I bet these kids will carry with them for all their lives, the memory of playing on this little neighborhood pond - the sights above coupled with the echoing sounds of pressure cracks, the scrape of sharpened steel blades on ice, and the slap of a wooden stick on a rubber puck. These are sights and sounds of a lifetime.

Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

On a recent walk, my own shadow/silhouette in the foreground of this view of the 450-acre Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary heightened my awareness of finding other silhouettes...... (Click on an image to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action)......



......like this one......



.....and this one, too.



One of the very few markings in the sanctuary, I read and gave thought to this sign. As a former bureaucrat, I know that choosing exactly the correct wording to list prohibitions in concise terms is no small feat.  Anything missing?

Come out to Beaver Dam Road in Manomet/Plymouth and enjoy this newest jewel in Mass Audubon's many properties. Here's a link to a recent blog post commemorating the opening of this extraordinary property.

Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It wasn't a big snowfall - only an inch or so - but it was enough to make Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) stand out brightly and make me dash out to get some pictures while the snow was fresh. (Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



In any season PBT looks good.



PBT is an extraordinary performing arts venue right here in Manomet!



Imagine walking up these steps on a beautiful spring/summer/fall evening to enjoy a world class performance.



The stage may be quiet now but, the theatre staff is working diligently behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming performance season.

Here is the 2018 schedule:

"The Last Five Years" in May,

"The Drowsy Chaperone" in June,

"Guys and Dolls" in July,

"Bye, Bye, Birdie" in August,

"Damn Yankees" in September, 

"Dames at Sea" in October.

Tickets are available now either by phone or online. Don't wait - get them while you can! Support this enriching community resource.

Out and About, Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I find the late afternoon December light in Plymouth Harbor to be inspiring. (Click on an image to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



Combine that special light with very few tourists on this cold and windy day and the setting is downright magical.



The lobster pots in the background are arranged on the wharf into a sort-of Christmas tree design with the colorful buoys serving as ornaments.



Panoramic view of the quiet town wharf.

Over at nearby Pilgrim State Park, this lobster art is aglow in the late afternoon sunlight.

Same artwork, different angle of view.  Plymouth - "America's Hometown" - a nice place anytime of the year.

Nobska Lighthouse, Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA

Sometimes, timing, opportunity, and weather all come together to create ideal conditions for a particular photographic location. In this case, Nobska Lighthouse on Cape Cod. The current structure was built in 1876 but the lighthouse function has been ongoing since 1826. (Click on an image to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



On this particular morning, it was cloudy, overcast, cool, with low visibility but, I knew a weather front was pushing through over the next few hours. The clouds would break-up, blue sky would peek out, the air would be fresh and sharp, and cloud formations perhaps dramatic.....



....it was a promising set of circumstances to do a study of the Nobska Lighthouse.



The seasonal wreath and bow was an added nice touch.



The evolving sky was as expected and desired.























One of these views is my favorite image - I'm just not sure which one!