frozen

Smooth ice is interspersed with rapidly flowing water on the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine. It's winter!

in the harbor

A walk along the Eastern Promenade in Portland provided a view of a ship sitting in the harbor. It created a splash of bright color to contrast with the blue of sea and sky.

wrack line

Walking the beach as the time of high tide drew closer allowed a glimpse at the wrack line, the line of debris left on the beach by high tide.

still waters

The waters of the Merrimack River wore a smooth surface at high tide yesterday afternoon.

I'm always happy to walk to the center of the bridge to Plum Island to catch a view like this one.

to Parker River

As I drove past the entry station at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon a sign caught my eye.

Where public access to refuge lands does not require the presence of a federal employee or contractor, activities on refuge lands will be allowed to continue on the same terms as before the appropriations lapse. Any entry onto Refuge System property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor's sole risk.

While I would have been happy to trespass by walking in on the beach if the gates had been closed, I'm glad the entry was not blocked.

It was an hour before high tide when I arrived in the refuge. My preference is to walk the beach as the tide is going out since it leaves a wonderfully smooth walking surface, but sometimes the timing of my visit doesn't coincide with outbound tides. Today it was a bit of a challenge to keep my feet dry - and with the temperature in the low 30s, that was important! I walked close to the water's edge, keeping an eye on the inbound waves, moving quickly when the water intruded.

I feel a sense of peace as I walk by the ocean.

a window

A walk along a canal in Lawrence just north of the Merrimack River this afternoon left me standing across from Pemberton Mill, a replacement for the building with the same name that collapsed in 1860.

I was fascinated by the curves in the windows. I wonder when the metal grills over the glass were added to the structure; somehow I can't imagine that they were part of the original structure.

icy reflections

With cool days and cold nights many of the ponds in the area wear a partial skin of ice.

delicate

As I wander through the photos from my visit to the butterfly conservatory ten days ago I have the feeling I will need a return visit before too long.

Delicate flowers thrive in the butterflies' home.

a walk on the beach

It's always a good day for a walk on the beach!

Chill air and a bit of wind accompanied me as I enjoyed the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge early this afternoon, about an hour after high tide. I shared the sand with people and birds too.

solstice

The winter solstice today brings unseasonable weather, rain and warmth. Cold leading up to the (calendar) change of season contributed to ice starting to form on local ponds.