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.

top photos :: 2018

As the calendar fades to the end of the year it's time for me to wander through the photos that I've published in 2018 to find my favorites. It's always an interesting exercise.

From the beginning of the year, here are my selections.

looking north

on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
tulips

a splash of color
inland waters

looking to Plum Island
bright

a Rudbeckia hirta
quiet waters

on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
fading

gloriosa daisy
fallen leaf

on a wet autumn day
in the woods

a fallen tree, a mushroom, and moss
unfurling

showing the beauty of a chrysanthemum
delicate

flowers opening
a pop of red

berries in snow and wet
perched

a malachite butterfly

These photos are collected into the gallery top photos :: 2018. If you'd like to see larger versions of the photos or you would like to view them as a full screen slideshow, click here to jump to the gallery.

assembly required

I decided recently that it was time to look for (and purchase!) a new computer desk. The one I was using is over 20 years old; it was inexpensive at the time I purchased it and it now looks pretty worn.

I spent some time browsing sites online and decided to purchase a desk that I found on wayfair.

The top is glass and the legs are steel; once it was assembled it felt very sturdy.

I always wonder if I will be able to manage assembling items like this desk. This time, the answer was yes! The instructions were clear, and overall the assembly process was easy. The only issue I had was attaching the keyboard tray to the sliding supports. Everything except the tray was pre-drilled. Given that it was black, it was hard for me to see the tiny indentations where the screws needed to go. Once I saw them I was able to get the screws started before attaching it to the supports. Whew!

I like the simplicity of this desk.

minimal

While my primary purpose of visiting the butterfly conservatory last week was to find color, I remain fascinated by the glasswing butterfly. Its transparent wings allow it to blend in with its surroundings, sometimes hiding in plain sight.

across the river

The Merrimack River came into view as I walked the trails of Maudslay State Park on Saturday. It wore a (mostly) smooth surface, creating wonderful reflections.

intricate

The design on this butterfly's wings is stunning!

I couldn't convince it to come away from its very green perch; I'm happy that the wings are still visible.

Maudslay afternoon

It was a warm December day, a beautiful day for a walk in the park. Today's walk in the woods destination was Maudslay State Park.

When I started out I felt like I had the park to myself. After a bit of walking I started to encounter people and dogs who had chosen to walk the loop in the opposite direction.

It was a beautiful day!