Eastern Promenade 29 June

EastPromenade29jun08

Originally uploaded by atteancanoe.

The sun broke through the cloudy sky - we had thunder showers earlier this morning and this evening - but it was nice to be overlooking Casco Bay watching the sailboats disappear into the fog. There was a cool ocean breeze and the tourist were bundled in their jackets.

Portland Headlight

Originally uploaded by atteancanoe.

For the past 38 years i have been taking photos of this structure and it always seems to amaze me how i see something new.

this old light, under the order of george washington, has been guiding ships as sea into the portland harbor, since 1791

Cape Elizabeth

Originally uploaded by atteancanoe.

It started to shower as we were driving through Portland - along the city streets caution lights were flashing, indicating the draw bridge was up. After waiting at the light at the bridge, an empty orange and white oil tanker passed under the bridge.

by the time we arrived at Fort Williams and got out of the RampVan, the orange and white oil tanker was already headed out to high seas.

Ft-Popham Kennebec River

It was a nice day to visit the mouth of the Kennebec River where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Imagine the surprise being in a Confederacy ironclad warship and sailing broadside to Fort Popham:

“Fort Popham’s armament consisted of 36 cannons arranged in two tiers of vaulted casements. Each cannon weighed roughly 25 tons and fired solid shot, each weighing almost 480 pounds. The back side of Fort Popham was built with a low moated curtain containing a central gate and 20 musket ports.”

I was surprised to find a parking spot where I could easily wheel out of my RampVan and feel like a tourist.

Playing around with a photo editor when I got home was as fun as taking the photographs.

Casco Bay - South Portland

Normally we sit at the park on the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine and watch Casco Bay, while eating a sandwich. Once in a while we head over to South Portland to get a different view and watch the personal boats and the commercial boats, while they are busy playing in the wind.

This photograph was filtered using Corel PhotoPaint.

I Feel The Wind

I Feel The Wind

These eyes observe the twinkling stars shining in inky blackness above, on a long winter’s night, while standing on the frozen surface of the lake. The arctic wind brushes across my upward tilted face. Do others know this peaceful experience?

Standing in the wilderness clearing, the wind carries the scent of pine and cedar. I hear the cheerful birds singing on this warm spring day.

While sitting on the rocky cliffs above the sea, giant waves crash below me - telltale signs from a distant summer storm. I hear the thundering roar of the wind. My skin is cooled by the fragrant salty mist. Seagulls glide higher and higher.

Leaves are floating by on the diagonal autumn wind, while the colorful mountainside trees slowly become their naked color of gray. I wish i would have worn a sweater.

Graphic Filters

It is always fun to tinker around with various filters in Corel or Gimp.

Potholes - Highways and Snow Fields

This afternoon driving into Portland, I’m starting to get used to the huge deep potholes in most of the Maine highways. Potholes along the RailRoad Crossings are the winners so far - they are horrible.

Looking at the snow in the farm fields and in everyone’s yards I noticed the snow seems to be melting leaving behind strange arrangements of potholes? I have never noticed this before.

Do you ever feed wild birds from your bare hands

In 1972, I used to travel up to the mountains on the northwestern border between Maine and Quebec, Canada. I went to high school in Jackman, Maine. My parents had a log cabin on the shore of Big Wood Lake.

When it snowed, the wild birds waited for the feeders to be filled. The wild birds were never scared to eat out of your bare hands.

Try it some time….

First march snowstorm

I think spring time will be late this year and we will have plenty of snow through April.

Using a large snowblower and a pick-up truck is a great way to move the snow without leaving large piles of snow. This especially works well, when backing out of the driveway, allowing you to see when the traffic is coming.

I remember when it was almost impossible to back out of the driveway, when the snow plow left huge banks everywhere.