Seasons of Aldermere Farm

Aldermere Farm, famous for breeding Belted Galloway cattle, was bequeathed to Maine Coast Heritage Trust by Albert Chatfield in 1999. It's hard to imagine a time when I have not passed by this picturesque landmark in Rockport, Maine. The farm is beautifully situated with views of Penobscot Bay and the Camden Hills. I often stop to take photos and the following images depict Aldermere Farm in various seasons.





A wild wailing storm swept through Maine Saturday night and Sunday morning. High winds snapped trees and left our house (and many others!) without power. Normally, at this time of the year, one sees cattle in the meadows, but on this day all were inside. I thought the farm looked beautiful in its bleakness and I loved how the saturated trees looked against the landscape.



This winter scene of fences and snow covered fields was taken 1 February, 2009. Although I am craving spring and summer color, I never tire of subtle monochromatic cold weather tones and I love the etched branches against the sky.



14 March, 2009. Just a little over a month later, I captured this tender mother and calf moment in what I call the nursery, a small enclosure by the side of the road. During calving season, there are always photographers lined up by the fence hoping for good shots of the tiny "oreo" babies.



16 May, 2010. Spring finally arrives in Maine with soft greens in the idyllic meadow at the farm. In the distance you can see another tiny calf.



3 June, 2010. At last summer finally arrives with a golden field of buttercups and gentle fog.



Summer's bouquet of wildflowers adorn a simple wire fence at Aldermere Farm. Lovely in all seasons and a Maine treasure.

I am off again and, this time, hoping to return with a memory card full of photos!

Spring Harvest

It was a cold raw homecoming to Maine and there were many errands to do after nearly a month away. While we were in Ellsworth, Peter and I took a moment to sit in the car with one of Rooster Brother's rich fragrant cups of coffee. Rain, sleet and an occasional flake of snow spattered on the windscreen. Beyond, the Union River flowed briskly.




This is the time of year glass eels are harvested, always a sign of spring. In the blink of an eye, a pickup truck arrived and the orange jacketed fisherman hauled in his daily catch. I just managed to capture the image! More information on glass eel and elver fishery here.

Signs of Spring

Photo taken in late March, a cold breeze blowing off the lake in Trumbull, Connecticut. Shortly after, a weather system blew in with sleet, snow and freezing rain. It was New England's bone chilling tease.




Tiny flowers sprout in the lawn and swelling buds appear against a warm blue sky. It happened almost overnight.

Spring receded with every mile between Connecticut and Maine. The daffodils disappeared and blooming forsythia furled into tight buds. By the time we arrived in Kittery there were patches of snow under shady pines. I don't mind at all, how glorious it is to anticipate this miracle once again.

Fog

The light misty fog in Connecticut is like a thin veil brushing trees in the woods behind the house. Tall thin trunks lose their detail, but nevertheless are silhouetted in the soft gray morning. So different from Maine's thick cocoon that rolls in to envelope you in an atmosphere as dense as gray felt.




Our son is finally home from a long visit in Australia and we will soon cross this bridge from New Hampshire to Maine. Is it my imagination, or does the air, scented with pine and salt, really change?




The fog in Maine.

Skyping with Dad

"Mr. 7" and Hazel have a lively conversation with Dad who is in Australia. He will be in the air soon...it's a long way home to yesterday. Safe travels!

At Rest in Connecticut

At the end of the day, grandfather and grandson, cuddles and cartoons. No superpowers required.



A book and a dachshund: Cooper and Miss 10 have a quiet moment before bedtime.



...and suddenly everybody was just dog tired! Cooper and Hazel snuggling like spoons. The two have become the best of friends.




Peter and I went to St. Joesph's Cemetery this afternoon to visit the graves of his parents, a trip we try to make whenever we are in Connecticut. They were two of the loveliest people I have ever known.

All of the images were taken with my cameraphone. I used a filter and texture from an app called "little photo" at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."