Eye on the prize

"Motivation" (Marc Jacobs Swimsuit) Nikon D300, 36mm, F/4.2, 1/20s, ISO 640

 

Whenever I don’t quite feel like exercising, all I need is this little reminder that summer is a mere 10 weeks away…

Sunshine on my shoulders

We may have started out with snow this morning, but boy-oh-boy when the clouds lifted, what a day!   

"Crash Point" (Waves Crashing Against Rocks with Hospital Point Lighthouse) Nikon D300, 32mm, F/16, 1/400s, ISO 400

The Nor’easter may be gone, but we are still feeling the effects! Our churned up seas continue to pound the rocky shoreline of Beverly Harbor, with Hospital Point Lighthouse standing proudly by, as it has since 1872.   

I could have watched this all day long…

In like a lion

Another spectactular show at high tide today.

"The Beach is Closed" (High Tide Waves Crashing Over Sea Wall, Lynch Park) Nikon D300, 18mm, F/14, 1/250s, +0.7EV, ISO 500, Silver Efex Pro 'Dark Sepia' Filter, Selective Toning

I was so hoping to have this image in raging color but a blah, overcast sky refused to cooperate!

C’est la vie.

Mussel stretch

Went down to the beach for a walk in the (cold) fresh air and was delighted to find this bit of color in the sand! 

"Mussel Beach" (Common Blue Mussel with Seaweed) Nikon D300, 200mm, F/5.6, 1/50s, -0.3EV, ISO 400

Serendipity

"Scout" (Seagull) Nikon D300, 550mm (200-400mm w/1.4x teleconverter), F/10, 1/320s, -0.7EV, ISO 640

As I was leaving the beach on that bitter day last week, I stopped to snap a few shots of a seagull who was very intently watching the water. It was so cold that my fingers could barely work the shutter and I figured the images would be useless.  

Believe or not, I shot this in color, vivid color, but since the sun had tucked behind a cloud, all the tones were instantly muted. And if I had thought anything about it at the time (and I wasn’t so damn cold), I certainly would have made certain my horizontals were indeed horizontal! 

But seeing how the angles play off each other, now I’m glad I didn’t!

Look out!

Just before it began to snow (again) yesterday, I went over to Lynch Park to check out the surf. 

"Breakwater" (Stormy Waves Crashing Over Rocks) Nikon D300, 45mm, F/22, 1/25s, +0.7EV, ISO 200, Color Efex Pro 'Low Key' Filter

As the tide rolled in, it was amazing to see the ocean undulating from relatively calm to thunderous booms! as walls of water pounded against the rocks. I have to admit, on more than one occasion, I needed to retreat or else be caught in the sea’s fury!

For the birds

Another lovely day! Blue sky, sun shining and temps in the mid-40′s. Had to get out and enjoy it while I could since, alas, winter returns tomorrow. Sigh. 

The seagulls were, once again, the focus of my attention but this time I concentrated on single subjects that caught my interest. 

One gull was particularly brave, venturing closest to my lens. 

"Free of the Old Ball and Chain" (Seagull) Nikon D300, 280mm, F/14, 1/320s, -0.7EV, ISO 400

While another couldn’t have been more remote, spending most of the time on a far rock. I was quite surprised when s/he decided to take flight!  

"Spread Your Wings and Fly (Seagull Taking Flight) Nikon D300, 310mm, F/7.1, 1/500s, ISO 400

I also took another stab at panning and was pretty pleased with this capture: 

"Pan's Flight" (Seagull in Flight, Panning Technique) Nikon D300, 260mm, F/14, 1/160s, -0.7EV, ISO 400

All in all, a good day at the beach. Hopefully, nice weather will take me back there again - soon!