Jun 22, 2008
Evolution of a Storm
What began as a beautiful morning gradually turned into something of a totally different nature. Soft cotton ball clouds became cumulus, then took on a gray under-color as the wind noticably picked up. The darkening heavier clouds began to race across the sky at a different speed and direction than the lighter, higher clouds. Before long it seemed as though the two systems became entangled. Now the green-tinged leaden clouds were so low they touched the trees and the thunder spoke from near and far in a constant crack and rumble. Raindrops on my lens. Time to go in.
Jun 18, 2008
Fauna
I shot these photos in a short period down at the inlet yesterday mid-morning with the exception of the deer which I caught behind the house at the edge of the orchard in the afternoon. We're seeing more deer lately. I'll have to protect my precious tomato plants this year as deer like the fruit as well as the plant itself. I read that a mixture of one raw egg well stirred into a gallon of water then sprayed on the plants should do the trick. The protein is the deterrent. We'll see...
Each Morning a Gift
Often, as a musician, I would make dinner for my wife then head off to work coming back in time to make her a good breakfast and then to bed. I much prefer waking just before morning, making the short trip down to the inlet to greet each new sunrise and get a good idea of what is in store for the day, not to mention that it is a likely time to catch fish.
Jun 17, 2008
Jun 16, 2008
Local Shops
Here are a few of the many small shops in our area. We patronize them when we can. Rothman's gave us a good deal on new Maytag washer and dryer. The Jamesport Country Store was the source for the wicker on our front porch and the hot pepper jelly in the pantry. The Chowder Pot Pub has won the "Best Chowder in Southold" prize several times and is well worth a stop. Thistle Bees is a good place to get hand knitted clothing, photo cards from the area and unique gift items all special in their own way.
Jun 15, 2008
There Be Fish
Generally speaking, there are fish around from March into December if the water temperature is anywhere near normal for that part of the year. Different temperatures within that range appeal to different species and trigger different habits, feeding, spawning, migrating, etc., so fish come and go more or less on a schedule and after a while one kind of knows what to expect. Of course, the fish may not be where you are when you want to fish, or may not be feeding or may just be stubborn or "put down" because some jerk just went through your fish with a motor boat or jet ski. (Just what do they think you're doing with a fly rod in your hand?) Sometimes one can see evidence of fish when they come to the surface, just a dorsal fin coasting at the rate of speed of the current, or a swirl as it turns quickly to eat or avoid being eaten. Here are a series of photos of evidence of fish. In the first two there is a phenomenon afoot. Large predatory bluefish and/or striped bass have worked from below in concert to school menhaden ("bunker"), and then pick them off at their leisure. The bunker are swimming tight to each other like any herd does when wolves are about. They often jump when the big critters come up from below to pounce. Casting into the school can result in a fish accidentally snagged on your hook, not a well-taken bite, as those bunker are too worried to feed and are only aware of the immediate danger below. When one is snagged and being brought to shore most often there will be a tremendous pull and you'll be left with half a fish or less. It is difficult to get a fly under the school to where the big boys are but if you can, a 30 to 36+ inch fish may be your reward, as just happened twice to me last week. (I tie flies with barbless hooks only and release my catch 99% of the time.) If you click on and enlarge the first picture you can see where an escapee just splashed back into the water only to quickly rejoin all those little dorsal fins in that desperate school. In picture two the dorsals and the "boil" are a little clearer (hard to get at a distance with my wee 3x zoom). Picture three shows fish swirls as do four, five and six, the later in a fresh water lake.
Jun 14, 2008
Random Blooms
My favorite photo in this series is that of the begonia taken by Amy. I am fascinated by the contrasts in color and texture, the softness of the near-field bloom and the sharp focus of the lichen on the star magnolia tree.
Jun 13, 2008
Orient
Orient is a quiet hamlet located on the North Fork in Southold Town. The hamlet center has a post office, ice cream store, small general store and not much else. What it does have is beautiful old homes some of which were built by whaling sea captains and baymen who worked the shellfish trade. Some of these homes can be toured from time to time and several have historical plaques describing the significance of the dwellings from Revolutionary times and much earlier.
Jun 12, 2008
Quiet In The Morning
A road is not far away but I hear no traffic. It's early enough that the birds have just begun to sing and the angle of the rising sun bathes everything with a golden glow. I feel contentment as I look about and see that things are good.
Jun 11, 2008
Rural Scenes
These photos are from New Suffolk and Cutchogue. The watermill was felled by a tornado several years ago when my family was here for a reunion. I'm so glad folks felt it worth repairing as it wouldn't seem right without it. I've added two barns to the collection in my blog, both wonderful specimens. The other two photographs were taken at a property at the junction of Depot Lane and Oregon Road where an artist has several installations in the yard around the studio. One can see more works through the large studio windows. I must find out who it is.
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