indoor flowers

Feeling a need for color, I headed to the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate this afternoon. I was happy to find flowers blooming.

waiting for snow

This sculpture of a cormorant is perched on a railing over the water in Portsmouth, NH. Dressed in a colorful scarf, it looks like it is waiting for snow.

I suspect the waiting is over; snow spread over the area earlier today.

black & white

As I walked through one of the gardens at Maudslay State Park this afternoon I passed a birdbath filled with ice. A feather in black & white was perched on the edge.

calm

Inland waters wear a smooth surface, a calm playground for some ducks.

reach for a flower

On this gray February morning a photo of a flower makes me smile.

I'm very happy that I have discovered local greenhouses to feed my need for color when it's cold outside.

flying

This sculpture of a great blue heron always makes me smile. In colder months it usually wears brightly colored socks.

If you'd like to visit, the sculpted bird lives along Route 1B in Portsmouth, NH.

look up! kites...

Today was a gift, a (second) day of spring temperatures in the heart of winter. I headed to the New Hampshire coast with plans to walk near the water.

The coast wasn't too far away when I looked up to see the bright colors of a kite in the sky. That told me that Hampton Beach should be my first stop.

I walked onto the beach, walking, then standing still to watch kites flying. The kites were anchored, either tied to the railing separating the walk from the beach or tied to boards buried in the sand. I spoke with the owner of four of the beautiful flying objects. He told me that he started flying kites when he was a child but that he abandoned the practice as he became an adult. Later kite flying became a passion for him.

I'm very happy that he shares his love of kites!

clearing

When I arrived at the coast yesterday afternoon the sky wore gray. By the time I headed inland blue returned.

It's interesting to stand at the high point of the lift bridge to Plum Island. Chunks of ice were flowing through, moving quickly.

frozen

While snow and ice seem to extend to the horizon, it's likely there is some not quite frozen water hiding in that sea of white.

winter chill

The air wears a winter chill. While it has warmed up since the deep freeze of this past Thursday, it took until after noon today to warm into the 20s.

The forecast for Monday and Tuesday calls for non-winter warmth with temperatures predicted to be in the mid-50s. I look forward to enjoying spring-like days before a chill returns to the air.