Monday, April 22nd, Lake Wyola Dam

The water level has risen on the lake as the DCR prepares for summer. I've seen several people fishing in boats and off of the dam. It was only in the 30s this morning though. Here's a quick photo or two for you, and they were quick. I was 10 minutes late for work. This was just after 6:30am.

In the bottom picture here you can see that water is flowing over on the left. We didn't have that during the winter.

Wednesday morning Turkeys

If anyone ever writes my biography they will probably call it "Late for Work." Sigh. Had to stop for these turkeys in the road at the bottom of the "S" curves this morning. They seemed oblivious to my vehicle.

 

 

One quick one from Saturday

Proof that spring is coming....

Snow on Friday

It was the last day of school before April vacation and we had snowy weather. I took some pictures .

Turkeys in Haskins Meadow, Amherst

For the last two mornings I've seen a flock of turkeys in the plowed up earth at Haskins Meadow, up near the Leverett town line. This morning I tried to get a photo in the rain, emphasis on "tried". I think it might be too dark to show up well.

Demolition on Shore Drive

As promised, my neighbor is having the camp/house at #40 Shore Drive torn down. It's actually down now. He plans to build a garage on the site. Here are some photos of the demolition work from this week-

Sometimes I photograph for beauty, and sometimes I photograph to document our lives, our history, the changes in our neighborhood. This is definitely about photographing the changes in our neighborhood. It may not be pretty, but is a reminder.

Also, of note, the house with the red roof was not there 8 years ago. The house that was there was demolished seven years ago, right around when that little girl in the picture was born. It is the same owner who is now demolishing the camp/house now.

the ice is finally gone

Yesterday morning when I headed out there was still the thinnest sheet of ice on part of the lake. By the time I came home in the afternoon it was gone. So the ice is finally off of the lake. Yay! I don't have a picture of it yet, but I will get some in the next few days. Goodbye Winter! Welcome Spring!

beautiful Thursday afternoon

My daughter's birthday is next week. In anticipation of some vacation time we have planned this year I gave her an early birthday present. She insists it isn't a birthday present, but a vacation present. Anyway. She helped pick it out and now we have another photographer in the family. I hope to be able to show off her photography in future blog posts, but for today anyway these are all mine.

Here's a picture of her taking a picture of me. 

I let her lead the way as we searched for places to get unusual and unique photos. I'm not posting any of her photos today, but here are a few of mine. These pictures are only possible when the water levels are low during the off-season at the lake.

After this adventure, we went back up to the Association Hall. Just in case you think the snow is really gone. Here's a little reminder-

We dropped off her camera (she had run through her first set of batteries) and the mail at home, and continued on her bicycle through the neighborhood. Then we stopped at the small Association beach on Shore Drive. There is still the thinnest sheet of ice on most of the lake, but it is melting every day. It was after 6pm by the time we got here, so sunset was approaching. Again, low water levels made it possible for us to walk where we would not be able to during the summer. I enjoy being able to get camera angles that I can't get during the warmer months of the year.

So there you go. I did see a couple of geese, but none that I could get a good picture of. We are also starting to see some of our snow-birding neighbors returning to the neighborhood so warm weather is definitely on it's way soon.

wildlife on a Tuesday afternoon/evening

So psyched! As if seeing lots of turkeys at the bottom of "S" curves 3 times today wasn't good enough, we saw 3 deer on our street, right next to our house!

Birds and snow

Was not expecting to make the commute to work this morning in SNOW. I know it probably won't stick, but it was/is snowing out there this morning, even down in Amherst.

As I passed the cove I saw a very large bird, and possibly some babies in the water. I stopped the car and reached for the camera, but the bird caught sight of me and flew into the underbrush where I couldn't get a good shot. I hope it's there again tomorrow. I won't get a chance to look for it tonight.

Photos from the Lake Wyola State Beach on Saturday

It was around 50 degrees on Saturday when I took my camera for a walk down to the state beach. I had the place mostly to myself, except for one lone ice fisherman who was way out, along Shore Drive.

First, let's look at just before the state beach. Frozen water on the parking lot side, but then liquid on the lake side (with the lake still being frozen.

I walked along the path, shown in the above photo to the lake edge to meet the ice again.

That tree has been there for a long time by the way. I assume the owners have been away for the winter and will be surprised when they finally return.




Here are some more shots from the beach, and some looking back at the buildings too-

On the way back home, I spotted the pink mailbox. I see it every day, but suddenly I'm jealous. :-)

So glad it is finally warming up and I'll have more chances to get out and share the changing of the seasons. More soon I'm sure.

Around the neighborhood on Saturday

It warmed up to about 50 degrees on Saturday. I managed to get myself kid-free and escape the house for over an hour with my camera.

This camp is set to be demolished next week. The man who lived there died, and my next door neighbor bought the place. He's having it torn down so he can build a garage.

This guy was out ice fishing. I think he was crazy because the ice is definitely melting, but he didn't fall in.

Horses at the corner of Laurel Lanes and Wendell Road

I walked over to Ames Pond, where South Brook goes under the road toward the lake. Not sure how these came out but there is a waterfall and a sculpture that seems to be in the pond. I've never gotten up close to it myself.

I went down past Pine Brook camp without taking any photos, and headed for the cove along Lakeview.

Christmas Dog is still up-

And I found some flamingos-

I'll do the state beach in it's own post since this is getting a little long here.