I think we may have gone too far. Two little girls in their cute little costumes got out of a car on the street and started walking up the driveway and got half way and turned around and ran back to the car never to be seen again. It seemed maybe we did too much. We only got four trick or treater's all night except for family. We thought the graveyard and hanging skulls looked great. Oh well. Happy Halloween everyone!

Nikon D610, 1 second at f/3.5, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 1490

I think this will be the last fall photo for this year.  I was able to take far more autumn shots than I thought were possible. This beautiful field owned by all of us (DCR) is used for producing hay now.  Years back it was real farm land, but real farms have all but disappeared. Maybe that will change. Today, I also reprogrammed my camera so that my shutter button does not focus, I use the AF button on the back of the camera to focus.  I love the new setting.  I can focus on a subject and then move wherever I want to frame the shot and then click the shutter release. No refocusing. Awesome! 

Nikon D610, 1/1000 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 1456

Astounding weather!  Storms last night sun, clouds and winds today, but temperatures in the 70's.  Remarkably there is color still in the trees enhanced by the drama in the skies. This is Muddy Pond and water levels are pretty low because we haven't received the rains we usually get this time of year contributing to the stamina of fall color.  No complaints from me.  I could easily take two more months of weather just like today. 

Nikon D610, 1/3000 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 1397

I was interrupting her homework and Katie had little tolerance for my antics. It's hard for a ten-year old to hide their true feelings, I understand. I don't take her disapproval to heart. You can see her disapproval in her eyes but not just there, a ten-year old girl can exude displeasure from every muscle in her body. They have already earned their doctorate in attitude. She will love me later.

Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/11, ISO 100,100mm (28-300mm), off-camera flash - 1376

Halloween is just around the corner and out from the shed come all the baubles and trinkets of the season, this being one of the highlights. I am not sure that all the visitors will be taken aback but at first glance, it is no sight for sore eyes. Making this creature stand out like you see here requires some lighting magic. I'll see what I can do.  Trick or Treat at your own risk.

Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/11, ISO 100, 45mm (28-300mm) Off camera flash - 1361

The early morning sun casts very long shadows that somehow mark the path into the old logging trails next to our house. Lots of leaves fell after the windy weekend, but so many more are still hanging on so late in the season. The air is so crisp and clean this time of year making an early morning walk almost mandatory.  

Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/11, ISO 1600, 36mm (28-300mm) - 1313

A bit of color has fallen to the ground but there is still plenty in the trees yet to fall. The oaks are still green. So getting a head start cleaning would be a wasted effort. Trouble is here in New England, by the time all the leaves have fallen, the snow will most likely be on the ground as well leaving us little time, if any, to clear away the billion or so leaves. It is a cycle we repeat year after year after year. 

Nikon D610, 1/350 at f/8.0, ISO 1600, 32mm (28-300mm) - 1288 

I took a couple of hundred pictures in the streets of Salem, Massachusetts today. It is a crazy place this time of year with more witches per capita than any other city in the world. Bus loads of tourists from all over the world land here just to see the spectacle. People advanced in years didn't seem to want to be at the center of my camera, yet children smiled and waved. Those dressed in costume posed as if they were famous. If looks could kill, I would have surely been wounded by this gentlemen. Such is life.

Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/8.0, ISO 400, 300mm (28-300mm) - 1191

This morning, the light was razor sharp and blazed through the trees setting them on fire. I don't remember a fall that lasted as long.  The temperatures have been perfect and the rains have been kind. The trees are still hanging on to the leaves and the sun is tracking low in the sky making every day a gift. What a treat.

Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/8, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 1072

Landscape photography is all about time and place. The more right the time and the more right the place, the better the photograph. Early morning is always the best time to capture the best shots, so it helps to be out there just in case. When you resist, it is nice to have a devoted spotter give you a heads up to opportunities.  This picture is the result of scrambling to respond to my spotter this morning. She knew, the light, the mist and the color, it was glorious.  I love her for always thinking of me!

Nikon D610, 1/60 second at f/13, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 980

Composite

Isn't it a bit strange how a tree can fall, yet not hit the ground, or in this case the water. Fighting gravity and reaching out, perhaps to provide a landing perch for birds. No matter, another beautiful fall day.  Not many left, but counting our blessings for those we have had. 

Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/9.5, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 903

Fall comes to all things in New England, even tiny islands the size of a water lily. It is remarkable to think that a tree grew here some years back and through the process of wetland protection, that tree became a tiny island home to a wide variety of plants and animals and that even here, fall has taken hold and colors change with the season.

Nikon D610, 1/45 second at f/22, ISO 100, 200mm (28-300mm) - 0876

We have a globe in a back yard garden. I don't really know what its purpose is, but today it caught my eye and I can't stop looking at it.  There appears to be a miniature world inside. I just find it mesmerizing to see all the tiny leaves of every color. ​My daughter might say fairies live there.  I can't argue.  Maybe they do. Who am I to argue?

Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 0839

I usually spend my time with nature, but today was different.  I spent 90 minutes with Lilly, the daughter of a very good friend shooting her senior pictures - ably assisted by her boyfriend Nick.  I wouldn't have been able to succeed without Nick holding the reflector and creating perfect light!  What fun, but developing the pictures is just as exciting and surprising.  Yes, I love taking pictures, but I think I love developing them more.  It is so interesting to see what worked and what didn't and learn what to do more of next time (and less).  Thanks Lilly!

Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 200mm (28-300mm) - 9904

I had a lot of trouble selecting the picture of the day today. The rain had just stopped, the air was still and the water was like a glass mirror. I decided on this one because I had shot this bridge many times, but this was the best because of the color, stillness and reflections through the arches. Fall is falling quickly now and we are all soaking up as much beauty as we can. I posted my other choices of the day on Flickr.

Nikon D610, 1/15 second at f?16, ISO 100, 25mm (17-35mm) - 9813

Capturing the color as the sun set and lit up the color in the trees was quite a challenge and I am not sure I was completely successful. Back-lighting was essential. I think it was more striking in reality. Hoping you get a sense of what I saw and how vibrant  the translucent glow of the leaves was through my eyes.

Nikon D610, 1/1000 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 35mm, (17-35mm) - 9729

Capturing picture perfect fall shots seems to be a slam dunk this year.  They jump out at you as you walk, as you drive, as you gaze out the window.  Apparently, it is our warm temperatures this fall that is helping to provide our vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. Aren't we blessed. This is Goodfellow Pond and is the middle child in a three tier reservoir system in Leominster, Massachusetts. It is fed by Notown Reservoir and feeds into Simonds Pond which them flows to a water filtration plant as part of the Notown Reservoir System. If you travel east on Route 2, you will see this at Mt. Elam Road. 

Nikon D610, 1/30 second at F/13, ISO 100, 35mm (17-35mm) - 9716

This winery, Nashoba Winery,  is close to home but it isn't a place I frequent.  They specialize in white wines along with fruit wines like apple and pear. On October 17th, they will be harvesting Chardonnay. For $40, you can participate in the harvest from the Lugs to the Winery. To the tasting of last years results. Sounds like fun. But alas, no reds.

Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 36mm (28-300mm) - 9682

I have always thought I could create wall art to suit Marriott, Ritz or the Four Seasons.  Certainly the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, or worse. Frankly, I think anyone can.  It needs to be colorful and original. It must compliment the surroundings without over-powering.  It can make no statement, take no sides or give no right or wrong impression. Like a great movie soundtrack, the art needs to be moving to those who care to look, yet blend in for those who care to ignore. Art, take it or leave it!

Nikon D610, 1/8 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 9674

Home again and finding so much to appreciate. Didn't walk twenty feet from my door to find today's photo of the day. This framed shot jumped out at me as a great example of how nature creates stained glass windows for our eyes every day. Like a kaleidoscope, the panes change moment-by-moment as the sun follows it's never-ending path and the winds rustle the leaves. If you have trouble with faith, just look up, it is always there. 

Nikon D610, 1/750 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm, (28-300mm) - 9654

I failed getting sunrise this morning. The thunder, lightning and rain kept me from setting up my tripod and giving it a go. Then there was the lack of a rising sun that really put a damper on the attempt. Funny how it rained the day we arrived and now the day we are leaving Cabo San Lucas. The Gods gave us a wonderful week. Here is the lobby of the resort we called home this week. I always appreciate the symmetry architects and designers apply to their creations.  

Nikon D610, /3 second at f/3.5, ISO 200, 28mm (28-300mm) - 9568

When shopping in Cabo, it is always helpful to bring your own calculator so that you are on the same playing field as your experienced retailer who always has one close by. Beginning prices are generally more than 200% of goal, so be prepared for some healthy negotiation bantering back and forth four or more times. You know you have reached the right price point when they seem a bit upset and ask if you are visiting from a cruise ship. Until then, be prepared to walk out the door. In the end, they want to make a sale! 

Nikon D610, 1/20 at f/5.6, ISO 3200, 90mm (28-300mm) - 9500

Cabo San Lucas is an odd place. Multi-million dollar resort complexes up and down the coast of Baja California and enormous cruise ships bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the area. Very little is spent on infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, lighting, electrical services, or structures. But it somehow adds to the charm of downtown. Shop owners are wonderful even though they work long days selling their wares to the tourists who know they must barter in order to get the best price.  What that price is is known only to the shop keeper.  

Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/4.0, ISO 1600, 40mm (28-300mm) - 9182

Awoke to the Disney Wonder this morning which pulled into port at dawn.  What a site.  Like an old friend.  One of the classiest looking cruise ships we have ever seen (other than the Dream, Fantasy and Magic) but maybe I am biased. Yes, I am definitely biased. It brings back vivid memories of the once in a lifetime trip we had aboard the Wonder when we traveled to Alaska in 2013. We are taking a sunset cruise tonight and hope to hear the magical horns as it leaves port. 

Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/16, ISO 71, 82mm, (28-300mm) - 8772