blue & white

Blue sky has returned after yesterday's blizzard delivered a coat of snow to the ground.

cloud play

With a blizzard warning posted for tomorrow, a coastal walk in today's dry air seemed like a good idea. The sky changed from gray to more interesting layers of clouds as I walked on Plum Island.

winter colors

It's winter.

Trees and bushes show bare branches. The ground cover has faded to shades of brown and rust. The ground is almost free of snow for now; the landscape is wearing winter colors.

magic

The play of light in the afternoon sky was pure magic.

I was looking to the south and east from the ponds at parking lot 4 in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge when I saw these wonderful clouds.

looking inland

I walked the Hellcat Loop at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon, taking advantage of unseasonably warm temperatures.

At the end of the loop I enjoyed views of a frozen pool and of Plum Island Sound.

early camellia

A chilly section of the greenhouses at Lyman Estate is the home to many camellias.

While it's about a month early for the winter bloom I was happy to see a beautiful white camellia in full bloom when I visited on Saturday.

seeking flowers

I felt a need for color and flowers today. Although there weren't many flowers in bloom, a visit to the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate helped.

follow the boardwalk

The boardwalk from parking lot 3 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge curves as it approaches the entry to the beach.

smooth sand

The tide was flowing out as I walked the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon.

The water-swept sand was smooth. With only a few people walking, the sand wore just a few footprints.

holding a rose

A hand holding a rose is painted on a wall in Lawrence, MA.

The mural brings color to old mill buildings.