Rainy Morning with Blackbirds (not shown)

West Boxford, MA

Love this

Andover, MA

Looking forward to looking through these when I stop moving myself and have a bit more time.

http://www.outofedenwalk.com/blog/lab-talk/2014/03/moving-pictures/

Canadian Geese in Field

West Boxford, MA

Metal Giraffe and Idea of Egg-Bush

Harvard, MA

Horse, Rain, and Smoke

Boxford, MA

Animal Lawn Ornament Collection

 Andover, MA

North Andover, MA

Hay Scale

 West Boxford, MA

 North Andover, MA

Petals on Sidewalk

Andover, MA

Neighbor's Daffodils

West Boxford, MA

Easter Cross at West Boxford Church

 West Boxford, MA

Adding this picture in honor of the running of the Boston Marathon.  This is the BRC last year visiting the home of Dave McGillivray, the race director of the Boston Marathon to show our support after the bombing. 

Patrick and Mocha WIth Trees and Shadow

West Boxford, MA

Finished the essay A Walk in the Hills by Edward Abby tonight and I think it really captures the hiking spirit.  The essay tells of a simple walk of about 130 miles in southwest basin and range country.  A walk driven by the desire to be alone in the open and by the need to reach the few sources of walk along the route.  I hope that someday I take that sort of a walk or a cycling version.  The longest hike that I have ever taken without any hiking companions has been two or three days which was half the length of Abby's adventure.  Plenty of water on my routes also.  That said, as long as Patrick is happy to hike with me I don't think I'll be setting out on a week solo trip.

Shadows Extend Over the Lawn

 West Boxford, MA

Sunset over Lake with Stone Wall

North Andover, MA

Luscious Lawn, McMansion Style

Andover, MA

Puppy on Snow Trail

West Boxford, MA

Ubiquitous Daffodils

West Boxford, MA

Black Bear Crossing Sign

West Boxford, MA

Birds in the Trees

West Boxford, MA

A hectic songburst erupted outside the window while I read in the afternoon.  This is what I found outside.

Buds and Branches

West Boxford, MA

Finished the tremendous book Silent Thunder today.

Oreo Cow and Calf

West Boxford, MA

Buds

West Boxford, MA



 listened to this in the morning- really a good one

"Magdelene—The Seven Devils" by Marie Howe

http://www.onbeing.org/program/feature/magdelene-the-seven-devils-by-marie-howe/5336

Patrick and Mocha on Night Park Bench

North Andover, MA

Sky at Dusk and Sound of Wind

West Boxford, MA

Shapes of Trees and Sound of Peepers

West Boxford, MA

Hills of the Battenkill

 Cambridge, NY

I saw wonderful views of plunging springtime roads of Vermont today.  God's country out there.  None photographed for the blog as I was in control of a speeding bicycle or car for all of the good ones.  I missed a turn to Cambridge and used the cycling GPS to reorient.  It sent me down some dirt roads in New York of the steep, soft, and severely rutted variety.  Good preview of what I had to ride the afternoon - fortunately I got back to pavement in a few miles or I would have missed the race start.  Battenkill race was a good check in on race skills - fitness, bike handling, mental focus - all in sorry shape I must report.  But I do love to ride my bike!  The adventure of the day was my solo drive to and from the race - my longest in 9 years.  I took advantage to sightsee views of the hills, crank my Mexican music, and stop at all of the places that I wanted to stop.  As you can see below, the views of Vermont from the road pull offs are not too too spectacular, so I suppose I don't blame Patrick for speeding past them on our previous trips on this route.  Pictures below are the Vermont stretch of highway between Greenfiled, MA and Brattleboro, VT.  The area around Bennington was particularly alluring.  I imagine there are a lot of adventures to be had in those hills.

And.....the peepers are out!

Ghost Leaves

North Andover, MA

Herons Have Arrived

North Andover, MA

This went up outside my office today.  Hopefully, it won't get any use for a long while.

Tree Trunks and Ice on Hovey Pond

West Boxford, MA

Melting Beaver Dam Pool

West Boxford, MA

Texture of Grass

Boxford, MA

Last Snow Edges the Trail

West, Boxford, MA
Former Nason Property

Without snow to hinder her progress, Mocha explored off trail, scampering through the woods and puddles.  She also rediscovered sticks.