Denise Goldberg's blog

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

a walk in the woods

Warm air, blue skies dotted with clouds, it was a good afternoon for a walk in the woods.

Maudslay State Park surprised me with mostly dry trails interspersed with just a bit of mud. My hiking shoes needed a good cleaning when I arrived home!

pine cones and needles

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

footsteps

Walking by the ocean is peaceful. The sounds of the water and the birds leave room for reflection and the changing surface of the sand provides a fresh canvas as the tide turns.

The tide is rolling in. It will soon smooth the sand, removing the footsteps of the beach walkers.

footsteps on the beach

Sunday, February 25, 2018

a splash of color

A bird of paradise delights the eye with a splash of color.

bird of paradise

Saturday, February 24, 2018

first flowers

A bit of purple, a bit of white, a first sighting of snowdrops and crocus served as a sign for the season that is still almost a month away.

crocus

snowdrops

Friday, February 23, 2018

painted

The Cairns birdwing is a species of butterfly native to northeastern Australia. The bright colors of the wings and body bring to mind the work of an artist.

Cairns birdwing butterfly

I always feel lucky to see these beautiful creatures when I visit a butterfly conservatory.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

unseasonal

A second warm day continued our mid-winter respite before (predicted) cold returns tomorrow. It pulled me to the ocean for a walk at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

I prefer to walk the beach as the tide is heading out but my plans and the tide didn't coincide today. I arrived an hour before high tide which meant that I needed to keep my eye on the waves as I walked. The water was faster than I was only once, not too bad!

on the beach, at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

a taste of spring

Today's temperature reached high, supporting outdoor walking wearing spring layers. I headed to Maudslay State Park around noon with the thought of walking down the road bordering the park. Staying on the road was a good decision; I peered into the park to see muddy trails decorated with pools of water.

It was a good day to be outside.

canoes on shore, water and ice

Monday, February 19, 2018

winter trees

Trees without leaves form an interesting profile, enhanced by a reflection in clear water.

trees in profile

Sunday, February 18, 2018

overnight snow

The ground was clear when the sun set yesterday; it is a sea of white today. While snow was still falling early this morning, the sky has now changed to a clear blue as the temperature edges above freezing.

snow-covered branches

Saturday, February 17, 2018

fence posts

I've always wondered about the purpose of these fence posts across from Odiorne Point (in New Hampshire). There doesn't appear to be any wire or fencing material, just posts in a pattern of curving lines.

fence posts in the water

Friday, February 16, 2018

misty morning

Mist on the horizon topped by layers of clouds created a mystical view from the New Hampshire coast.

along the New Hampshire coast

Thursday, February 15, 2018

warmer

It's the 3-year anniversary of one of the crazy blizzards that hit this area in 2015. It was the 6th winter storm in three weeks, a storm that dropped up to 2 feet of snow in the area. I remember that winter!

I was happy with today's mild temperatures. I'm still wishing for spring but for now a day edging close to 50 degrees feels pretty warm. Tomorrow is supposed to bring more of the same, with a possible return to winter over the weekend. My fingers are crossed...

frozen and flowing water

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

seasonal

Today was cool with the forecast for the next few days calling for rising temperatures. I look forward to shedding layers for my outdoor activities, walking and wandering.

The canals in Lawrence are still wearing winter ice.

mill building in Lawrence, frozen canal

Saturday, February 10, 2018

perched

A beauty of a butterfly, the malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) wears shades of brown and green.

malachite butterfly

Friday, February 09, 2018

pink

While my plan for the day was to visit with the butterflies, I was also delighted to see the splash of color created by these tiny flowers.

tiny flowers in pink

Thursday, February 08, 2018

flitter, flutter, butterfly!

Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to capture butterflies (with my camera), sometimes they sit still. I'm always happy to stand and watch.

butterly at rest

two butterflies

More photos of these beautiful insects can be seen in the gallery flitter, flutter, butterfly! 2018.

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

crunch

The ground was clean when I started my walk this morning; within the first mile snow started falling.

Flurries changed to steady snow, accumulating in a sheet of white. I could hear the snow crunching beneath my feet, a sound of winter.

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

west to warmth

I've felt a need to visit butterflies over the past couple of weeks, keeping an eye out for a good non-weather-event driving day. Today dawned cold and dry; although snow showers were predicted west of here it felt like a good day for a drive. I drove to the west, following Route 2 then popping a bit south to South Deerfield, MA.

As I entered the Magic Wing Butterfly Conservatory I felt a sense of wonder. I stood still for a bit, watching the butterflies flitting about, landing on flowers, staying still momentarily, flying again. I walked, soaking in the tropical warmth, looking at bright flowers, enjoying the magic of butterflies.

butterfly and flower

Photos of the butterflies are coming soon.

Sunday, February 04, 2018

from the bridge

I stood on the bridge to Plum Island watching pieces of ice floating with the tide.

view from the bridge to Plum Island

Saturday, February 03, 2018

RubyFrost apples

I had my first taste of a RubyFrost apple today; it won't be the last! It's a relatively new apple from New York, first marketed in 2013.

From the New York State Apple Country website:

RubyFrost® boasts a beautiful rich color and definitive crisp texture, blending a delicate balance of sweet and tart flavors.
RubyFrost apple

Do you have a favorite variety of apple? Mine changes as the season changes.

Thursday, February 01, 2018

pools

As the tide goes out pools of water (sometimes) remain on the beach, hosting reflections.

reflections in a pool of water, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge