Saturday, September 23, 2023
Friday, September 22, 2023
on the beach
Low tide was at a good time this morning and today is the last day without predicted rain. That meant I was pulled to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a walk on the beach.
The refuge was quiet, the beach used by a few people and a lot of birds. Sea gulls rested, sanderlings scurried across the sand.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
5:01 PM
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
autumn color
While most trees in the area are still wearing leaves of green, an occasional maple is wearing bright red.
It's an early sign of autumn approaching.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
6:22 PM
Sunday, September 17, 2023
late dahlia
It's been a good season for dahlias.
I was delighted to find this beautiful bloom in Maudslay State Park during my wander there last Thursday. Here's hoping that they continue to decorate local gardens for a little longer.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
11:58 AM
Saturday, September 16, 2023
outdoor sculpture at Maudslay
It is time for the annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay event. This year's show runs from September 10th through October 1st. I usually try to visit early in the show, often returning for a second look.
On Thursday I headed to Maudslay State Park to wander through the sculptures.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
7:33 AM
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
early morning
It was quite early when I opened my eyes this morning. The ground was wet from last night's rain but no water was falling from the sky. It felt like a good time for a garden walk.
Even though we are nudging into autum there are still dahlias sharing bright colors.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
2:41 PM
Monday, September 11, 2023
approaching low tide
Friday's walk on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was delightful. While there were other people around the end of the boardwalk I enjoyed a solo walk.
I walked.I watched gulls and sanderlings feeding by the edge of the ocean.
I absorbed the beauty around me.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
3:52 PM
Sunday, September 10, 2023
the wait is over
Yay! I woke up at 3:52 AM when the lights and the air conditioner popped on; the power was back!
The power was out for 37 hours. I feel very lucky; the weather wasn't too bad from a heat standpoint, and there are still areas around me without power. Not having power makes me realize how much it affects everyday life. I'm glad it's back.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
8:05 AM
Saturday, September 09, 2023
waiting
My timing yesterday was superb. I managed a pilates class, a walk to and from the class, and a walk on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. I arrived home just as the sky turned black.
While sheltered in the house I watched and listened to a wild storm. There was rain, thunder, wild wind, and hail. Yikes! I can't believe how lucky I was that my badly leaking windows were replaced this week! The power flickered, then went out completely. When I looked at the power company's web site I saw a projected restoration time of 5 PM. That time came, still no power. I looked again to see that the restoration time was 5 PM on September 9th, a full day after the outage began. Now, I'm waiting. And I'm hoping the power returns today.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
8:37 AM
Monday, September 04, 2023
black-eyed susans
As the season changes some flowers have faded while others continue to wear bright colors.
Black-eyed susans create a splash of yellow in the garden.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
1:54 PM
Saturday, September 02, 2023
painted slats
A wall outside of Newburyport Art shows a series of painted slats of wood. Each is a separate (and very narrow) painting. Placed together, they almost read as a single piece of art.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
3:06 PM
Thursday, August 31, 2023
still pink
While most coneflowers in local gardens are wearing faded petals, I found one this afternoon that is still wearing pink.
Do you think it held onto the pink because it wanted to pose for a photo?
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
5:19 PM
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
a spider web
As I walked in a garden yesterday morning I saw a large spider web. Early morning dew highlighted its structure. I saw no sign of the spider creator.
What an intricate creation!
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
6:11 PM
Monday, August 28, 2023
early morning
When my eyes opened early this morning it felt like a good time for a garden visit.
I enjoyed a solo walk through rows of dahlias.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
6:28 PM
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
back to the beach
The beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge closes on April 1st each year for the piping plover nesting season, remaining closed until the birds are done with it. Both endangered piping plovers and least terns nest on this very narrow beach. The birds deal with encroaching tides and wildlife; they don't need the feet of humans targeting them as well.
On August 18th a small section of beach reopened to people. The sections of beach from parking lot 2 to the north and from parking lot 7 to the south is now open. While that is a relatively small section of beach it was enough to pull me to the coast for a walk yesterday. I arrived about an hour before low tide, a good target time for walking. The beach is highly sloped from parking lot 1, with the slope easing as I walked to the south. I walked on both sections of open beach, a wonderful return to a favorite spot for walking. Thank you birds!
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
2:16 PM
Friday, August 18, 2023
wet
This morning the sky was gray, there was fog in the air, and the forecast called for rain. I decided to walk anyway, grabbing my bright blinking lights so I would be seen and an umbrella in case the rain fell.
The rain started as sprinkles but before I finished my loop it started pouring. It was as if a faucet had been turned on. I was glad I decided to wear an older pair of running shoes; I poured water out of them when I got home! It was a good walk even though I was very wet when I returned home.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
3:41 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2023
dahlia in white
A cool temperature and cloudy skies tempted me to visit the gardens of Portsmouth this afternoon. Many flowers were past peak bloom but many remained in their prime.
This beautiful dahlia is a target of bees and bugs.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
4:37 PM
Friday, August 11, 2023
Monday, August 07, 2023
gloriosa daisy
When I went searching for a name for this flower it matched as a blackeyed Susan. I've always seen that flower with clear yellow petals; apparently there are variations with the dark color of the flower's center extending into the yellow.
It is also known as a gloriosa daisy and wears the formal name of Rudbeckia hirta. Sunshine brightens the petals of this beautiful flower.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
4:11 PM
Wednesday, August 02, 2023
photos! two gardens
Wanders in two gardens last weekend made me feel like fall is approaching. The flowers were beautiful but nibbled by bugs and starting to fade.
The flowers live in Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve and Chanticleer Garden.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
7:51 AM
Saturday, July 29, 2023
a tiger swallowtail
In spite of the heat my sister and I visited Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve early yesterday. We walked between sun and shade, looking for flowers.
As we walked past a small pond we saw tiger swallowtail butterflies feeding on the flowers.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
4:58 PM
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
dahlia delight
Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH has a wonderful dahlia display garden that runs the length of the greenhouse. While most of the beds in the garden are the home of roses, the focus of this week's visit was dahlias.
I love seeing the beauty and variety of these flowers.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
8:12 AM
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
rabbit, rabbit
I went to visit the flowers but I also spent time watching baby rabbits.
Bunnies enjoyed the grassy areas at Fuller Gardens, resting, eating grass, watching people watching them.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
8:43 AM
Sunday, July 23, 2023
sunflower colors
When I think of sunflowers I usually picture yellow petals.
Sunflowers come in different colors. This variegated red and cream flower caught my eye as I wandered through a garden.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
11:37 AM
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
daylily in red
My eyes popped open about an hour after sunrise today; it was time to move.
I took advantage of the quiet of early morning to wander in a nearby garden.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
4:59 PM
Monday, July 17, 2023
Friday, July 14, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
painted wings
Today I felt the need to visit some butterflies.
I am lucky to have 2 butterfly conservatories within a reasonable driving distance from home. While my preferred conservatory is Magic Wings in South Deerfield, MA, at 91 miles from home it's too far for a quick trip. I chose to visit The Butterfly Place in Westford, just 21 miles away. It was a good visit, a time for a bit of camera play and a time to chat with other visitors, to feel butterflies land on me and fly away again. This beautiful creature didn't share its name with me. I'll keep searching.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
7:11 PM
Monday, July 10, 2023
a thistle and a fly
As I was walking yesterday I saw a garden decorated in bright pink thistle. When I returned later with my camera a fly was enjoying the flower.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
8:51 AM
Thursday, July 06, 2023
cornflowers
The petals of a cornflower are interesting; they almost look like individual flowers pieced together in a circle.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
3:45 PM
Sunday, July 02, 2023
Friday, June 30, 2023
Thursday, June 29, 2023
larkspur in blue
Today was a good day for a wander in the gardens of Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.
The shade of blue this larkspur is wearing is wonderful.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
6:07 PM
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
at Halibut Point
I headed to Halibut Point State Park this morning for a change of scenery.
It was a good day to wander along the rocky coastline.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
6:00 PM
Friday, June 16, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Sunday, June 11, 2023
morning peonies
An early morning walk in the garden was a good time to visit peonies. While most are past their peak bloom this one is still pretty in pink.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
11:45 AM
Thursday, June 08, 2023
mountain laurel
I found mountain laurel in bloom in an expected location today.
These beautiful flowers popped up along a trail in Harold Parker State Forest.
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
3:39 PM
Tuesday, June 06, 2023
peonies in pink
The predicted rain stayed away this afternoon so I took advantage of the dry weather to wander at Maudslay State Park. I found peonies in full bloom in two gardens in the park.
What a wonderful shade of pink!
Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
5:19 PM
Saturday, June 03, 2023
deep purple
A bearded iris in deep purple caught my eye as I wandered through a perennial garden early this morning.

Posted by
Denise Goldberg
at
9:37 AM