After the Storm, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Nelson Beach is walking distance north of downtown Plymouth. A low key, family friendly area with beach and adjacent playground and converted rail walking trail - and parking is free if you can get a spot.



The gulls like it, too.



The rain has just passed and the skies are clearing leaving that fresh-scrubbed look.



The tide is in and tourists are few. A good day for us locals.

Out and About, Milton, Plymouth, Sagamore, Massachusetts, USA

Maple Lane at Brookwood Farm in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. Not much color yet.



I've lived in my current home for eight years and this is the first sighting of a coyote from my sunroom window - deer, turkeys, otters, foxes, and all manner of other small critters but, this is the first coyote.



Oddly, he was nibbling on the bushes just like the deer.



The waterfront in downtown Plymouth is taking on that fall/winter look already.



A busy day at both the Cape Cod Canal and the adjacent bike/walking trail.



I don't often see a sail boat with the sails raised through the canal.  The wind must have been perfect - the day sure was.

A Walk in the Woods, Fall, Myles Standish State Forest, Carver, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

 

The outer wall of evergreen pines hides what's going on behind. Closely following the perimeter of this pond in the 12,000+ acre Myles Standish State Forest, a delightful 2.6 mile trail winds through the adjacent woods. Fall colors are splashing out.



It's a well-worn and cared for trail.



Frequently with adjacent water views.



It is mostly easy walking except for the occasional tree root sticking up.



If you prefer the water, kayaking is a common activity here, too. This huge forest/lake property has been state protected for more than 100 years - since 1916 - and enjoys year-around outdoor experiences including hiking, horse riding, camping, swimming, biking, kayaking, snowmobiling - it's a popular spot.

End of Summer, Adams, Massachusetts, USA

A field of goldenrod waving on a slope of Mt. Greylock in the Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts.



The field is interspersed with random purple wildflowers.

A lovely vista can be enjoyed from the summit of Mt. Greylock. At almost 3500' MSL, it is the highest peak in Massachusetts.

In the valley east of Mt. Greylock, a converted former railroad track is now a 12+ mile walking, biking, and rollerblading path through Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Adams.

A great name (sounds like it's spelled). Like most converted rail routes, it's nearly level for walking - I got in a few miles with a steady target cardio pace.

A beautiful day on the Cheshire Reservoir.

The easterly view from Mt. Greylock looking down onto the countryside around the town of Adams.



I liked the common element - trees and legs, similar yet different.



Hints of the coming fall.

At the Beach, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I only went to the beach on this day to sit a spell and take a walk. I had no idea the sky would be so spectacular. This view from White Horse Beach is looking south toward Manomet Point.

The view north towards Priscilla Beach.



Again, view south, Manomet Point in the distance. Before I moved here almost 25 years ago, I never really thought that the beaches would be so beautiful. And often uncrowded - even in the pre-Covid days. A beautiful secret - southeastern Massachusetts.

At the Beach, Manomet Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It was one of those days that makes winter worth it.



Warm but not too warm, a light breeze, and a few puffy clouds.



And if you don't want to sit, it's good for walking.



And if you want a section of beach all to yourself..........

Mayflower II, Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The Mayflower II is back on the dock in the downtown harbor area of Plymouth. This year commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing here.

Newly restored and refurbished sails and rigging after the recent multi-year effort.



An exterior detail view.

Out and About, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Another wander out and about in Boston as the summer days begin the annual slide towards fall. It's still warm outside but, not hot like it was a month ago. This is the Rose Kennedy Greenway at Hanover Street.



Rose Kennedy Greenway at Hanover Street.



Boston Harbor view toward East Boston.



Boston Harbor and the Seaport district in the distance.



A tourist sailing cruise preparing to board passengers for an outing.



Tourists at the archway at Rowe's Wharf.

Lines, angles, glass, and clouds at the InterContinental Boston.

The Exchange Place building towers above Congress Street.

What a fine city is Boston!

Quissett Knob and Harbor, Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

 

Driving with the windows all down, arm resting on the frame half in and half out, the radio blasting - it was one of those kind of summer days for a trip to CapeCod and a visit to Quissett Knob in Falmouth.

That's the knob at center-right above.

There are beaches on both sides of the peninsula - one facing the harbor, the other facing the bay.



Days like today I wish I was on a sailboat.



Perhaps its the brevity of a New England summer that makes me enjoy a day like today with such appreciation.

I hope these sails are all raised soon.........

Sunflowers, Tangerini's Farm, Millis, Massachusetts, USA

It is a special and magical moment to stand in a field of sunflowers. Many stalks taller than I am, waving gently in the breeze. And the bees - oh, the bees - thousands of honey bees and bumblebees busily doing their thing on the flower heads. Though we were within inches of each other, they didn't seem to mind my presence nor me theirs.  We each had a task to perform - they to gather or consume pollen, me to enjoy the moment and to take pictures.



I had made the reservation online to visit Tangerini's Farm on this stormy, rainy day on purpose. First, I have found the muted and diffused light suits me in trying to capture images of these beautiful flowers. And second, I assumed the weather would keep away the crowds. It worked out well on both counts. The only crowds were the bees and they were busy.



Many of the flowers had already been picked but, there were still quite a few standing.



Next year I'll try to get there before the visitors arrive with clippers in hand - $3 for the first flower.

Did I mention there were bees? ..........

The bumblebees seem to consume on site.

The honeybees loaded up both legs with pollen for a trip back to the nearby hive.

Bees weren't the only critters on the farm.



What a place, Tangerini's Farm. They have many other seasonal crops, a farm stand, retail store, ice cream window, and lots of parking. I am already looking forward to next summer.