Very nice. Fog and mist are a photographer's best friend.

Thanks. The sun had just started coming over the horizon. Standing a foot to either side and I'd be shooting directly into the sun. Just enough forest to shield.

Thanks. The finale is the result of mist and/or fog, a photographer's best friend, unless driving through the mountains of VT at night.

The interior was more documentary. The trees were of the "this is great" variety. Sitting on porch reading, looked up, grabbed camera and stepped out to shoot. Capture One helped afterwards.

Thanks. Went through a fallow period. Most of the work I like has been done when on retreat or living in another country. Some days I am very aware of my age and choose not to grab the cameras and go out. Because of muscle disease walking longn distances is a problem.

Thanks for commenting. The weather was very cooperative.

Thanks. It is very much so. Saw that mushroom and heard a little voice, "black and white."

The monastery of the Maronite Monks of Adoration is located in Petersham, MA, about 75 minutes west of Boston. A community of 20 monks lives in the monastery built within the past 35 years in a very rural setting. No bars on the phone to be sure. Weather was very pleasant even with the occasional rain. Mornings were between misty and foggy. As morning prayer ended around 6 AM there was time to capture sunrise and ample space to wander about with the camera.

The monastery with the guest house to the right. It was a simple guest house but all-in-all one of the best rooms I've ever had for retreat. Food was Middle Eastern and mostly vegetarian though not exclusively.


The monastic church. The Maronite Rite is very different from the Roman. Parts of it are chanted in Syriac.

(Download)

Not sure what type of mushroom it is. Had an interesting time getting up from the ground after taking this.

(Download)

The little guy definitely needed to be featured in black and white.

(Download)

Simply walked out of the room and shot.

(Download)

Haven't been up to a lot until lately. Covid restrictions put a dent in travel. Am getting out more with camera and spending more time processing. Will have to check out the digital artistry section.

Excellent composition.

GREAT shot. Love the play of light.

Am sitting here smiling. My late college roommate was a world class sailor, competing in many long distance races. He is the first one to tell me "The second happiest day in a man's life is when he gets his boat. The happiest is when he sells it." Cameras are much lower maintenance.

Thanks. It is a good thought but the place we went is no longer available and as I followed my dad into medicine well, we talk a lot.

Thanks. My dad had a small place on the river for fishing. Outboard motor. Haven't gonve fishing since he died many years ago. Some things just aren't the same.

Had to make a trip to Cohasset yesterday. Perfect weather. The Cohasset Yacht Club offers sailing lessons to youngsters. Sat in front of the house and shot away. Having grown up in the coal mine regions and mountains of Pennsylvania, sailing was definitely not part of my early experience. Have only gone out once or twice, and that was about 20 years ago. Missed an opportunity to do so in Sydney Harbor due to an urgent demand that came up at the last moment. Still regret that but there was no option.

Boats being towed toward open water. The yacht club is chock-a-block with boats moored in the water. Presents a challenge even to experienced sailors.

(Download)

Another group being towed out.

(Download)

The wind was a little tricky.

(Download)