Another day, another dollar and another adventure.
I drove over to the Rays so we could caravan over to Historic St. Mary's City for a walk-around. But before we started, I got a tour of the latest round of Sidewalk Art. And I was not disappointed.
Two of the artists posing with their creations.
A Polly Pocket creation.
And I sorta parked on these dolphins . . . or sharks . . . pretty sure it is one or the other. Regardless, they were very well done creations.
And this patriotic piece. The original concept had been to do one huge American Flag here but time and reality set in and D settled on this.
Still, nicely done,.
And Michelle's efforts. Again this is a neat tradition for Memorial Day.
Hooah!!
Then we were off to fun, excitement and discovery!! But, first, a small picture of some patriotic gals.
And this one. Hahaha, a natural pose.
There's the Dove. This is a replica of the original ship which, along with her sister ship, the Ark, brought the first settlers to this new colony.
It's hard for me to conceive of over 180 people crossing the Atlantic in two boats like this. Amazing skills and incredible courage.
Hooah!!
I brought along the SX60 and let Addie take it out for a test run. I admit, I have a hidden agenda other than just being the fun-loving and easy-going Grumps I usually am. I wanted to introduce Addie to all the fun that can be had with a camera.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll have a Photo Safari companion. Woo-Hoo!!
I'm looking forward to seeing her pictures. If she ever downloads them. She was big on taking the pics but not as enthusiastic about downloading them.
Bummer.
Along the St Mary's River. The beautiful countryside of Merry Land.
And my budding Edward Weston!! Or, even, the next Dorothea Lange!!
Hahaha, it could happen!!
Here I called to her and had her pose for me. Sweet Granddaughter she is, she patiently posed for me without complaint.
And when we rounded the corner, Matt pointed out this guy way up in a tree. A Great Blue Heron!! How cool is that!?!
There he is in all his solitary and camouflaged glory.
Good catch, Mateo!!
Then we spent some time at Cross Point looking at the activity in the river. Like a jelly fish and some small carnivorous fish.
No COVID restrictions here.
Enjoying the day.
Now you know why it is called Cross Point.
Nothing but fun with this crew.
While we were at the Point, this little flotilla came cruising by. What a great way to spend the day.
Hmmmmm, I wonder if she knows she's the only one supplying the go-go power?
But the quickly got coordinated and then moved out at a lively pace.
Addie was off getting pics.
As was I. I am gently surprised at my attraction to cemeteries. Even without pictures they're interesting places to explore and daydream. Imagining the lives represented by these stones is an interesting pastime.
And the views are, ofttimes, sublime.
The small bay that comes up to the college. The school has a small fleet of sailboats for their students. It really is a beautiful campus.
There she goes, a bundle of energy, questions and timely observations.
M&M
The Rays. Minus a couple.
The Rays left before I did. Mateo and the girls had a date on the river with the Ainas. Kayaking was in order for the rest of the day.
And for me was left the inevitable ramble round-about. And seeing.
These fences fall into my penchant for lines, patterns, repetition,. I had my fill today. It was so much fun for me to wander, look and shoot.
And I caught these guys on their leisurely way back to the bay. The one in the rear had the best job of all. She shoulda brought a camera along.
The buildings are all replicas of the original settlement and, generally, built on the same spot where they located the remains of the buildings.
Quick aside, this guy had, evidently been up to some mischief and gotten caught. He was being hectored by an angry blackbird and, finally, found refuge here.
Black vultures . . . whoda thunk!!
I was having a good time composing pictures. Usually I am a walk, see, point, shoot, walk kinda guy. However, today I was a walk, see, think, compose, shoot, walk kinda guy.
Today I was thinking about my pictures . . . well, trying to anyway.
Long ago I won a prize in a photo contest in Germany. My submission was a B&W of an old lock in one of the burgs. I had that in mind as I played with this lock.
Hahaha, give me a break. I'm creatin' here!! (Picture Ratso Rizzo crossing the street and confronting the taxi)
I wish I had a bit more power to work with these images in editing. My iPhoto is adequate but hardly powerful.
Hahaha, B&@ and grand wood. My siren call. Lines and patterns, too. You can sorta see why I took this shot. But, still, there is something there . . . I just missed it is all. But I'll keep at it.
Looking small. What a world there is around us.
"Even the prettiest flower will die one day. It's Nature's way of teaching us that nothing lasts forever."
A long view of an old farm with the old church behind it. For an eastern seaboard state, Merry Land has a lot of open fields and farmland. A recipe for natural beauty.
I found myself using the trees and other objects to help frame my subject. I think this is one of the first times I consistently used this tool in my photography.
Am I learning? Am I growing?
Ah, the dandelion.
"If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn."
And they're so utilitarian. So much so that pioneers brought them with their others plants when they conquered the West.
Catherine Maynard brought the first lowly dandelions to Seattle, Washington for use in the medical practice of her husband, David "Doc" Maynard.
One early Seattleite, Dorethea Thornson, recalls combing her Seattle neighborhood for dandelions, which her mother would serve up as dinner greens, and gathering the blossoms for her grandmother's wine-making. Her reminiscence reminds us that what we now spurn as a troublesome weed was once considered a useful medicine and a tasty and nourishing vegetable.
Color. I'm really enjoying the blazing blue skies of Merry Land.
And the beautiful homes and lawns around.
There's just so much to see and shoot.
And towards the end, I was treated to a glimpse of a Cedar Waxwing. Wow!!
I can remember where and when I saw my first ever Cedar Waxwing. Hahaha, it's a distinctive bird.
And, ending on a happy note, I finished my Mickey and Minnie Hawaiian Adventure today.
It was a fun puzzle to put together. I put together Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto first and then worked the rest of the puzzle in around them.
Keen fun.
Not bad at all. Good times, good people and good memories. I'm getting it all. Now if only the stupid bakery had been open.
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