Farm Country in St. Mary's County

 Quite a few years ago, I was delayed getting to work by a car accident and the police had me detour through some big farms to get back to work.  I went back to visit the area (Brown Road, Cedar Lane Road, Blacksmith Shop Road), to find some photos of the scenery that makes our County what it is.

Leonardtown area farms

Blacksmith Road

Curves

I liked the patterns in the crops.

Autumn Photo to be in 2024 Calendar

My photo was in a calendar contest and won a place as one of the 14 photos to be their 2024 calendar for Community Bank of the Chesapeake/Shore United Bank.  I entered their contest because they have done some nice things for our Camera Club in the past.  The calendar will come out around November.

Sunflowers

I took some photos of a nearby sunflower field.  I got permission first from the farmer.  I was happy to see them.  They look very pretty backlit.  Then I photographed some from the grocery store indoors.  I liked both.  Nice and cheerful.

#sunflower 

Solomon's Island Beach Waters

Some lovely beach scenes from Solomon's Island.  I used a magenta filter to enhance the setting sun creating a lovely pink glow on the beach area. (not a public beach)

Lahaina and Kula historic photos from 2010 and 2015

We are so sad about the terrible fires in Lahaina, Kula and Kihea.  Here are some memories of our visits there in 2010 and 2015.  I think we have visited 5 times, but the older ones are mostly slides.  We visited Kula Lodge on almost every trip, but so far I think it is still there, although a lot of places nearby are badly damaged.  In Lahaina, we visited the Old Lahaina Luau, stayed at the Makai (Sunset) Inn, took the semi submersible submarine from the Lahaina harbor, walked Front Street and saw the huge banyan tree and more.   We have also stayed in Kihea, but I haven't heard much about where the fires are there.

Lahaina Harbor

Lahaina

Pioneer Inn, Lahaina

Makai (Sunset) Inn, Lahaina

Old Lahaina Luau

Kula District

Jacaranda tree in Kula

View from Upcountry toward West Maui

Kula Lodge

Kula Lodge Gardens

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum Visit

We visited the Jefferson Patterson Park kayak launch area, the re-created Indian Village and the barn in Calvert County.  The site located on the Patuxent River was involved in the war of 1812 Battle of St. Leonard Creek and has archeological evidence dating back to 7500 BC.  It was a fairly warm day and probably nice to be out on the water. We had a pleasant little picnic in the shade.  We have mostly visited during big events for the Celtic Festival, the New York Bee Gees and the hot air balloon festival, so it was different to see it quiet and peaceful.

Kayak Launch Beach area

Barn farm equipment

1812 reminder

Trail to the Indian village exhibit

Yucca

Gilbert Run Park in Charles County, MD

Gilbert Run Park is a pretty little park near Charlotte Hall, MD with a fair amount of amenities like a snack bar, a lake, fishing, boat rentals in the season, picnic tables, recreation for kids, birds, and trails.  I like the bridge connecting the boats to a picnic area.  There are sometimes birds nearby.  On this particular day, I saw a family of little ducks swimming closely together for safety, followed by the unusual black duck (muscovy?) and a young boy slowly following these ducks and geese in the lake.  

Such cute little ducklings, possibly mallards

The follower

I think this is a black muscovy, but I'm not entirely sure.  It was unusual.  I think they sometimes have a white patch of feathers, but I didn't see that.  The red warts on the face are more extensive on males, so this is probably male.