Flag Ponds Nature Park June 7, 2022

We visited Flag Ponds starting at the handicapped parking area.  There is about a half mile entrance walk on a hill which would have been difficult for us.  The park charges a day use fee, $8 for non-Calvert residents or $5 for residents.  We walked out to the beach and pond area.  It was lovely, with beach grass, a view of the cliffs in the distance and a fairly quiet beach in early June.  There was a boardwalk and trail that also had a short walk to an observation pier (which we didn't take).  There were a few people on the beach and a lot of wind.  We didn't find a bench, so we ate lunch in the car, bug free.  I also took a walk to Duncan's Pond  as far as the bird blind, and Fisherman's trail to another marshy pond.  The Duncan's Pond trail had 6 inch grass, which was unfortunately tick heaven.  I quickly spotted a raccoon, later followed by 3 or 4 osprey at a distance and 3 deer in the woods.  I made out the spots on a fawn as they rushed away, even though I was fairly quiet.  I also saw 2 small lizards, geckos or skinks run under the boardwalk.  Both had red stripes down the sides, but I couldn't identify the blur as they slipped by.  The trail was quite muddy.  Fisherman's trail went to a brown marsh probably with cedar trees since there were some tree's knees, where I didn't see any animals.

Near the beach

Ponds

We enjoyed seeing this wind brushed driftwood.

The cliffs

I didn't expect to see a raccoon.  The raccoon probably thought the same.

Osprey

Cabin at Fisherman's trailhead

Fisherman's pond

Tilghman Lake Park June 3, 2022

Our latest adventure was to Tilghman Lake Park in La Plata,MD.  This park was well planned, with a trail that connected to Laurel Springs Regional park and an exercise course with photo suggestions around the lake.  The lake trail was easy for me with some great spots to picnic and fish. Apparently, the lake was stocked with small fish for catch and release.  I ended up walking further than I needed to because I almost found the entrance to the trail and turned around to go the other way.  I saw several pretty butterflies, including a mourning cloak and painted lady butterflies.

Mourning cloak butterfly

Kousa weeping dogwood

Painted lady butterfly

These people looked like they were having fun, so when they spotted me with a camera they created a joyful pose.

Michigan Beach Photo is now for sale at Fine Art America

 

While camping nearby, I planned to photograph this beach at sunset.  At the last minute, I decided not to go since we were enjoying dinner with some new friends.  The lady reminded me that it was time to leave and encouraged me to visit the beach.  So I arrived with barely enough time to spare and photographed this lovely reflection.  I was very glad that I visited the beach.

Now available on my new Fine Art America site as a canvas, metal, acrylic or wood print, mug, pillow, greeting card, etc.  It is similar to the photo below with a little extra dune on the right.

Tau Herculids Meteor Shower May 31, 2022

I stayed up to look for a few meteors.   The night was quite pleasant with a soft breeze in St. Mary's County.   Having no idea where to point my wide angle lens, I was taking a photo when I noticed a bright meteor a little more over to my left.  It wasn't in the frame, unfortunately.  Fortunately, it was close to the Milky Way, and that would make a nice photo.  So, I moved the camera over and took some more photos.  I didn't see any more, although I thought I saw some out of my peripheral vision.  After looking at the back of my camera today, I could barely make out a small meteor just above the trees to the left of center in one photo.  I don't do much night photography, so I don't own a good wide bright lens for thousands of dollars, so I just tried it out with what I have and the stars blurred a little.

For photo geeks here were my settings ISO 2000 21 mm f/6.3 30 seconds 

Chapel Point State Park

We drove to a tiny park in Charles County last week, taking a chance that it wouldn't be as trashy as some of the reviews mentioned.  Charles County did make an effort to reduce the trash, with signs and trash cans.  It was fairly yucky, but had potential and had a postage stamp sized beach.  I couldn't imagine going there in the summer with a crowd of people.  We didn't have a lot of time anyway, so we didn't stay long.  I did find an interesting looking old barn in the woods in the hunting area that helped a little.  I played with an overexposed photo of it a little to see if I could make it look like an old grungy photo.

Old Barn

Old Barn in color

Hunting Area

Beach

 

Trail in the woods

Here is what I left out of the photos.  

It is ashame that some people are so inconsiderate!

Fantasy Palms

I am always learning new things about Photoshop.  So, I created a fantasy photo of a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset with a bent palm to enjoy while I am sitting at home dreaming about the vacation I can't take.  I used a photograph from a few years ago and bent the palm tree to look extra dreamy and peaceful.   Hopefully, someday I will be able to photograph something similar. 

Now available on my new Fine Art America site as a canvas, metal, acrylic or wood print, shower curtain, mug, pillow, greeting card, etc.

Gilbert Run Park

We visited Gilbert Run Park in Charlotte Hall, MD for a walk and to spend some time by the Lake last week.  The walk by the dam berm was easy, but the walk in the woods was quite uneven for us, so we had to turn around.  I enjoyed seeing the geese, the water, and the boats.  We had a nice picnic lunch and Jim enjoyed some ice cream at the concession stand.  I would recommend a visit if you like being outdoors.

Nice bridge to take you around the lake

Water Abstract

Uneven ground

Roses planted by the Boyscouts