Vacation happenings!

 

A vacation at home can be tiring, today I crashed, lol. We have been keeping busy and then I come home and keep up around home. I thought I would do an extra post tonight since I have so many photos and hopefully more to come later. I haven't had any time to do any projects, but sometimes it is good to take a break and then I can get back into the projects I haven't finished.

We took a hike at a local bike path, we went off onto a path that leads to a beach and walked the beach. We spotted this Snowy Egret, along the way.

Another day we went to a farm sanctuary. There is a paved area to walk around, but we found a new path in the back, that goes through grapevine covered areas and an estuary. Lots of birds in the area and I was able to catch a few. A Song Sparrow, Red-Winged Blackbird and a Goldfinch. 

The farm has a few donkeys and horses, I just love this little donkey.

On Monday we headed to Newport to visit Colt State Park, which is further up in Bristol. It is a beautiful park, lots of places to walk and expansive views of the bay. A great place to spend the day with family.

I was trying to get a photo of the weathervane and this Osprey decided to get into the picture.

Yesterday we went for a paddle at a salt water pond, that opens to the ocean. We enjoyed paddling around the little islands and landed on a strip that had a path, to the ocean side. Coming back, I spotted this pair of Horseshoe crabs, I guess it is breeding season.

Along the way, I spotted all different types of shore birds. There are also fenced off areas for the piping plovers, but I wasn't able to spot any babies, they are too well hidden. I did spot a few foraging along the shoreline, a Willet, Piping Plover and a White-Rumped Sandpiper, a first for me.

While on the beach, we watched this Tern dig a nest in the sand. Then every time we got up or moved, she got all upset and flew off. Not the best spot to have a nest, with rough seas and people walking down the beach.

While paddling, I spotted this Great Egret on a point. I had to get into a little cove and take a photo while I rocked in the boat and it actually made a nice effect.

And at home, I was thrilled to see Baltimore Orioles coming to the grape jelly, feeder. The Catbirds are more skittish, but this one came to visit and show off his tail. 

We have one more day of cooler weather and then the heat kicks in, so I am hoping my energy comes back tomorrow and we can have some more adventures. 

Christmas Vacation!

Bill always gets the holiday week off, so we took advantage of the time to get out and do some exploring. It is also a great time to use the coupons and sales to get some needed items like a new coat. I finally found one that is duck cloth, warm inner but not heavy so I can have something to wear when we go on adventures.

We had one day that was considered warm, warm enough that my hands didn't freeze, that is. It was a great day to go for a drive and enjoy the ocean. It seems everyone was out enjoying it, as well. A few were doing some parasailing which looks like fun to me, though I am not sure I have the strength to control the sail.

Lots of surfers, birds and action going on at the beaches, but I realize, I need a zoom to get good shots of those. I did catch this little guy who was running back and forth on the beach.

The treat was, as we were coming home, the sun was going down. We went down a side road and stopped at the pond to watch the sunset. A wonderful way to end a day.

Another day we went to the Watch Hill lighthouse. It was a bit cool and breezy but a perfect place to sit in the car and just enjoy the views. From here you can see the rhode island and the long island sounds.

Today we went to go to a park on the opposite side of Westerly. The river runs through Rhode Island, and empties into the ocean. The park was small but a nice little walk with views of a graveyard across the river.

I found a road from here that took us across, into Connecticut and to Barn Island. We have been here to paddle, and I wanted to just go for the views.

When we got there, I noticed a lot of people parked at the hiking trails. We have never been on the trails, I assumed they were just short walks to look at the estuaries and it was too swampy to walk. Well, I had to go check it out and I was surprised to see nice trails that led through the area with views of the inlets and areas in the woods.

Lots of old growth trees, reformed by the weather and storms.

We even got to see a blue heron, another time I wish I had a zoom. The area is so beautiful and peaceful, definitely coming back to do more hiking when it isn't so cold.

Before we headed home, we went further down so I could get some shots of a church with my wide angle. I plan on using churches in my area to do new pieces, so I took shots and this one was an experiment in art photography, you can see some of the church, lots of character for a new piece.

I hope everyone is having a nice week and rested from the holiday festivities. I did make something new this week, but was so tired when we got home, I didn't get a chance to finish it off. A few more days of goofing off and then it is time to start working on my projects again. I hope it will be a productive year for all of you. May the new year bring good health and blessings to you all.

Anniversary Fun or Exhaustion Giveaway!

Yesterday we took a day off since it was raining on and off and we needed to get things done and get some rest. Well, rest didn't happen, but we did a lot of shopping and running around and cleaning house and catching up on laundry.

I will start with the winner of the giveaway and the question for the next:
And the winner of the Giveaway is Saundra! Please email me with your choice of epattern from my ecrater site. And for the newest contest, I will make this easy. What year was Bill and I married? I will giveaway another epattern of the winner's choice. I will announce a winner on monday night.

Wednesday we paddled at a place called Bluff Point in Connecticut. The paddle took us up a river and up to a long sandy beach with access to the ocean.

We landed near the end of the beach so we could take a look at the ocean, to see what the conditions were. It was a cloudy day and the water was calm and glassy. The little island is actually a chain of islands that are hidden behind this one.

Paddling out of the channel we had views of Avery Point Light and A division of The University of Connecticut. I had to use my little camera, so everything seems further away.

Paddling around the islands, we can to the point of the last island, no place to land.

Coming around the island, you can see the Long Island sound. This was a beautiful place to paddle with amazing views and a place I will definitely come back to.

Today I was tired to start with, but I wanted to get out, so we ended up at Ninigret Park, which is a saltwater pond that goes out to the ocean. The paddle was only 3 miles, but most of it was against the wind and at the beach, I walked around most of the time, so not much rest;) 

A quiet stretch of beach, all to ourselves.

Where we parked our kayaks was along a stretch of the breach way. We we entertained by all of the birds that were feeding in the tidal pools.

This guy was comical and all over the place.

This bird was definitely unique, and I am not sure what it was. When I first saw it, it was small and squat, then it got up and stretched it's neck and body and looked more like an egret. This was it's in between size, truly interesting.

And of course, what would the beach be without a seagull. This is a young one, you can tell because of the mottled colors. He was happy, sitting on his rock and enjoying the cool breezes.

And to end a wonderful week, though we still have the weekend, Bill and I were being silly. He drew the heart and I did the writing, I think we had too much sun;)