I'm back!

A series of events at home had conspired to keep me busy and needing focus on other things.

Today is the last program of the year for the Wilhelm Reich museum and hopefully after that I will be able to change focus and get on with some other projects. The market is doing well for me,(I'm an equity trader by day). My mom has Parkinson's and there are times that what she needs is more important than my own time. And one of my aunts was diagnosed with cancer. The outcome for her is looking good.

I have spent some time getting pictures and even had a couple of great days out with a friend. So, here goes!

Summer is ending and the goldenrod has been just incredible this year. Down towards Farmington the fields were a carpet of gold. This is one of my favorite flowers, I just love the color and the variety and abundance of insects that visit goldenrod (Solidago spp) is great. I haven't really had the chance to get some photos this year, but there's always next year.

It's also a bittersweet end to the summer when I see the first blooming of goldenrod. It means cool weather is coming, and I always hate to see summer end.

We had some cool nights last week, it did drop down to 40 and after having 70-80's that was too much of a shock.On the day the front was coming through, I went out to Little Kennebago Lake with a friend. It was overcast and threatened rain, which of course it did. There is something about being in a kayak in the rain that makes it more fun.

So I got to see some of the locals. A cow moose, a few common loons and a common snipe.

Canada Lily

It's amazing how a plant can disappear from your radar and then years later poof! it's there.

It has been years since I've seen a Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) . Last year I saw a seed head, but no flower. And now here they are,in all of their glory.

Saddleback Mt.

I've been busy the past several days, but last Monday, I took a hike up Saddleback Mt with a friend. I love the alpine environments of the Northeast. At 4120' it's the 14th highest in Maine and with The Horn, (a summit attached to Saddleback), 4041' and the 21 highest . And that also means it around treeline. The Appalachian Trail runs along the summit ridge, views are great and the weather isn't always the best. We hit it on terms, calm winds, temps in the 70's.

Scattered patches of krummholz are about on the top, like this clump of balsam fir(Abies balsamea) and labrador tea(Ledum groenlandicum).

Mountain Sandwort (Arenaria groenlandica) was very abundant. It thrives in disturbed areas, especially in places disturb by frost. The trail was fringed with it.

I love the bonsai qualities of the krummholz.

Beauty of the woods

Tamarack (Larix laricina)

Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)

Rosa rugosa

Violets

Lady slippers

Lady slippers,moccasin flower, whatever you call them it's still Cypripedium acaule. When the mosquitos are at their worst and the blackflies are swarming, you can be sure they are blooming.

Maine woods in bloom.

False Hellebore (Veratrum viride)
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara )

Fern

Purple or Red Trillium (Trillium undulatum )
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Violets

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniesis)

Lady slippers

They are past,their flowers are all dried,but the perfect prelude to summer.

Hawkweed and roses

Normally I don't photograph macros in full sunlight. They wash out, and can look downright bad.
But what do you do when your subject only blooms in full sunlight?
Don't fight it,embrace it. Get on your belly, grab your longest lens, and shoot.

And if you want roses.