Tag Archives: Photography

Finding Tolkien In Nature…

Posted on December 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

*WARNING*  This post contains serious geek content.  [^_^]

I’m a massive fan of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  I’m a massive fan of Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of LOTR and I’m sure, when I get the chance to see The Hobbit, I’ll be a massive fan of that as well.

As such a huge Tolkien fan, and a huge fan of the fantasy genre of books and film in general, I find myself often imagining that I’m wandering through different worlds when I’m out hiking.  That may sound kind of juvenile, but I like to think of it more as my creative mind running free.

Let me give you an example.  Last month, I went hiking at one of my favorite places, Quoddy Head State Park.  I’m sure many of you who follow my little ramblings have heard of this place and my affection for it.  Well, on this most recent visit, while I was watching a squirrel run up and down a tree in what I think was an attempt to intimidate me, I noticed a little knoll in the moss at the base of some trees nearby.  The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this little knoll and the shape of it, was…Hobbit house!!!

Hobbit House!

I’m pretty sure most people would look at this and just see a little bump in the moss, but not my fantastical brain!  I can see all the little Hobbits plodding along, heading home for second breakfast, elevensies, and afternoon tea!

Keep your eyes, and your minds open, folks.  And let your imagination run wild as often as you can!

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Buck Butt!

Posted on December 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

One would think that living in Maine, I would see moose and deer on a regular, almost daily basis, right?  Well, I’ve lived in Maine all my life and I don’t see deer half as often as people who live outside this state think.  And, I’ve only seen four or five moose in my life.

Those of you who follow and read my blog on a regular basis are sure to know by now that I walk and hike as often as I can.  I figured that being in the woods that often would increase my chances of seeing these majestic creatures tenfold.  Sadly, that hasn’t been the case thus far.

But, every once in a while, I catch a fleeting glimpse of a deer when I’m not expecting it.  Usually, the glimpse is so fleeting that I don’t even have time to lift my camera.  But, luck Gibbs Slapped me a while ago (if you don‘t know what a “Gibbs Slap“ is, go watch NCIS.  You‘ll learn).

One day, about two weeks ago, my mother and I were on our way back from hiking, stoked that we had found a new trail in Lubec, but bummed that we didn’t see anything besides birds and squirrels.  We were driving along like usual when what should dash across the road in the middle of Machias?  A young buck.

At first I didn’t see him because I was looking out the passenger window, but my mother’s excited calls of “Deer, deer, DEER!  Camera, camera, CAMERA!” got my attention.  As she pulled the car to the side of the road, I managed to snap a quick shot of the buck.

Why is this a big deal to me?  Well, up until now, every deer I’ve ever seen has been female (every living breathing deer I‘ve seen, that is).  This was the first living buck I’ve seen.  So…Huzzah!!

Sadly, he was walking away at the time so I got a nice shot of his backside.  [-_-]  But still, I got a photo of a buck!  Yay, Bambi!!

So, folks, always remember to drive safely and keep an eye out for wildlife!  You never know when they’ll grace you with an appearance.

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Posted in Animals, Hiking, Photography, Wildlife

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Save A Turkey….Eat A Veggie Burger!

Posted on November 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

For those of you that don’t know me, and for those of you that do but just don’t pay much attention, I’ll let you in on a little secret.   I’m a strict vegetarian/vegan.  What does that mean?  Well, I don’t eat any form of meat (no beef, chicken, eggs, fish, or anything else that ever had a face or heartbeat), and I do my best to stay away from dairy products and other animal derived products.

I know what some of you may be wondering.  What the hell does this girl eat on Thanksgiving?  So glad you asked!  The answer is simple.  I eat vegetables (obviously) and an amazing vegan chicken alternative from a brand called “Quorn” (look them up, their food is delicious!).

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, only about three days away, in fact, I’ve been thinking a lot about it and the millions of Turkeys that will be butchered for the sake of this holiday.  Now, I’m not here to preach to you about my personal philosophies or to tell you that it’s wrong to eat turkey (or meat in general), I’m just sharing my side of the fence with folks who may be interested in trying something different and new this holiday season.

So, your mission, if you choose to accept it (hopefully I don’t get sued for using that line because I‘m poor and it‘s the holidays!), is to “Save A Turkey And Eat A Veggie Burger”.  I’m curious to know how many of you fine folks out there will take on this little unofficial challenge I‘m setting out before you, and how many of you are too chicken…or in this case, Turkey!…to do it.  Maybe I’ll post a little poll or something next Monday to see who ate turkey and who saved one.

Turkey says: “Please Don’t Eat Me!!”

But, whatever your choice of menu this Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday!

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Quoth The Raven…

Posted on November 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

It may be cliché, but my favorite piece by Edgar Allen Poe has always been The Raven.  And each time I see a raven (they really like my yard for some reason), the first line of Poe’s poem springs to my mind.

I took this picture of a raven perched in the topmost branches of a tree while on a walk one day.

“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore!’”

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Climbed Pigeon Hill And Didn’t See A Single Pigeon…

Posted on November 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

I’m not trying to be funny with the title of this post.  Well…I am, but, I’m serious too.  Not too far from my town is a small trail system that I like to hike on a regular basis.  You folks who have been following my posts for a while might remember me mentioning the Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge at some point, in a post long ago, in a state far, far away…  But seriously, just before the Refuge is another trail that climbs a decent size hill called “Pigeon Hill”.

 

I hiked this trail once when I first moved to this portion of Maine.  The trail I climbed was steep, straight up the side of the little mountain/hill.  This time, I resolved myself to climb the trail again but was surprised to see that a new trail had been blazed.  This new trail was a more gradual, switchback (I love that word.  Also a really good Celldweller song, look it up!) configuration.  So, I didn’t loathe this hike as much as I did the first time.

 
But getting back to the title of this blog, the hill is called Pigeon Hill yet on the entire hike, I failed to see a single pigeon.  Not a pigeon in sight on my way up the hill, and not a pigeon in sight on my way down the hill.  I was disappointed.  When a trail, hill, or mountain is named after an animal, I expect to see at least one or two of said animal there!  But, that’s just me.  [-_^]

 
Anyway, I did manage to get a decent little panorama at the top of Pigeon Hill.  Enjoy, folks!

 

Until next time…

 
[^_^]

 

~A.M.

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