In the Bleak Midwinter

This past year was quite difficult for many.  This coming year looks a bit shaky. There is quite a bit to hope for, and also much to pray about.  Good luck to us all.

“In the Bleak Midwinter” is a Christmas Carol written by Christina Rossetti in the mid-19th century.  It is a song about survival.  These images are from Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA, USA.

Herons Along the Blackstone River

It is very hard if you’re out in nature in New England on a routine basis to not develop a fascination with herons. These wonderfully large and patient birds are actually quite easy to photograph. Working stiffs, they only get annoyed with you if you get so close that you screw with their fishing. Can’t say that I blame them. Their markings and scars give each bird a distinctive purpose. For whatever reason, it has been a great year for heron along the Blackstone River. I thought I share a few environmental and reflective portraits as the season wanes.

Blackstone River Heritage Park, Upton, Massachusetts

Blackstone Valley Bicycle Path, Millbury, Massachusetts

Woonsocket Falls, Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Blackstone Valley Bicycle Path, Millbury, Massachusetts

Driftwood at Gate 35 in New Salem

Gate 35 is one of the Quabbin Reservoir’s most interesting and in some ways spiritual walks.  Although we saw several other hikers this past week when visiting, we still felt very much out of civilization after walking less than a mile to the Reservoir itself.  Once again, we find that the water is quite low.

The beach that you see here is normally not a beach.  We could almost walk around from the left fork (where the old Rabbit Railroad ran) to the right fork, old State Route 21’s descending into the water. Water this low, however, sometimes brings with it one of the inanimate world’s most expressive gestures, driftwood.  It is scared along the shore, and it has moved since the last time we were able to spend some time here last year.  We did see moose tracks, but somehow I don’t think the moose were involved.

The driftwood seems to want to offer up a story from its own history.

But of course, we can only guess.

Just as a reminder, my exhibition, Quabbin Memories, Boston’s Water, is continuing at the Jewish Community Center of Worcester for those interested.  There will be a formal opening on Sunday, May 5 from 3 – 5 PM.  Thanks.

 

The Great Trees of Worcester

It’s not easy being an urban tree.  They don’t live all that along, on average around thirteen years.  These trees have lived longer.  In winter, you can see how great they are, though some are past their prime.  You can also see how fragile they are.