color

While most of the trees are still wearing green pops of bright color are starting to emerge.

A recent stretch of cool days and cooler nights probably triggered the change. I wonder if our recent rainy days helped too.

before the rain

The wind had started but the rain held off until late in the day yesterday. It was a good time for a return visit to the sculptures in Maudslay State Park.

I found two sculptures that weren't there on my earlier visit; as it turned out they were my favorites of the show.

The first is "Rising Up", created by Nancy Sander. A life-sized puppet of a woman hangs high in a tree, a sign below her saying:

"Her body shivered with fear as she began to rise up from the ground. She felt her mind teetering on the Edge of Madness! Then, suddenly, she relaxed as she realized she was merely magical."

Magical is a good description!

My second favorite is "Raven's Edge", created by Jane Wang. There are two ravens, one made of wool, and one of electrical wire. The artist's statement:

"As always, been thinking of this planet of ours in these troubled times. Ravens are magical creatures, sometimes seen as harbingers of death and destruction, warning of what will happen if we don’t take action."

sculptures at Maudslay

This year's Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay opened on Sunday. When I realized the sculptors would be setting up their work the day before I decided to head to Maudslay for a preview on Saturday.

While most of the sculptures were in place there were a few with only signs. I will return!

Click here to see the photos that jumped into my camera from my initial visit. They live in the gallery outdoor sculpture at Maudslay :: 2026.

reflections in a pond

A late afternoon walk in Harold Parker State Forest last Friday allowed me to enjoy reflections in Field Pond.

Trees, blue sky, and white clouds painted a wonderful picture.

strawberry blonde

Found in a garden, a Strawberry Blonde sunflower...

It's amazing how many different varieties of sunflowers exist. I find I like them all!

a sunflower

Sunflowers bloom during the summer but somehow they say autumn to me.

This beauty is in a community garden in Portsmouth, NH.

solo

A solo dahlia in shades of orange caught my eye today as I wandered through the gardens of Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.

photos! great elephant migration

I headed into Boston Monday afternoon to visit The Great Elephant Migration. I considered visiting on Saturday but quickly realized that I didn't really want to drive and that the commuter rail doesn't run as frequently as I'd like on the weekends. Monday was a good choice for me. It was a train, walk, visit the elephants, walk, train day.

The 100 life-sized elephants are made of an invasive plant called Lantana camara by artisans in Southern India. Each is inspired by a live elephant.

There were many other people there with me, all fascinated by and enjoying the sight of elephants on Commonwealth Avenue.

Click here to view photos in the gallery great elephant migration :: Boston.

The exhibit is described in the WBUR article 100 elephants arrive in Back Bay with a message of coexistence.

dike walk repeat

I took advantage of the last day the Hellcat Cross Dike is open this year, returning to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to walk it again.

view from the observation tower at Hellcat

photos! Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

I felt a need to wander through a (different) garden so I headed to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. It's almost 3 hours from home; I opted to drive 2/3 of the way there on Monday, heading to the garden just after opening time Tuesday monring.

My senses were happy as I walked among late summer flowers and Thomas Dambo trolls.

Photos can be seen in the gallery Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens :: 2026.

Click here to jump to the gallery.