Thursday, July 28, 2011

Scenes From The Cottage

Below are a few more images taken up at the cottage on our last visit.

wet noodles
A few colourful swimming noodles just waiting for someone to grab them and make splash.




heron through cottage window2
Early one morning, I woke up with the strong sense that Mr. Blue was outside the living room window. I just knew he had to be there. I stumbled into the front room and this magnificent creature greeted me. He let me snap a couple of photos through the glass before he flew off to thrill someone else. I later found two feathers (and a huge load of poop) on the dock.




clothes pegs3
Just for fun, I snapped a photo of the clothes pegs on the line.




hook in mouth
Frank caught this little guy from off of the dock. He had to perform a bit of surgery to remove the hook which the fish swallowed. You can see the red metal in its mouth. A few seconds later our finned friend was reunited with the lake




peek between trees
This is a peek of the sun-kissed lake water as it appears between two trees.




hammock sunset flash
Between two other trees, you can relax in the hammock to watch the sunset.




sunset flash
And here it is. I hope you love it as much as we did.

60 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

what a sunset! Yay Mr Blue! I was thinking of you the other day. The NY TImes had an article about these stunning new condo skyscrapers that went up in Missasauga :)

Brian Miller said...

mmm...still wishing for time in the hammock...ha...that last pic is just gorgeous...i kinda like the clothes pins...smiles

ADRIAN said...

So that is what a Heron should look like..........puts mine to shame.
I do hope you don't use lead weights or barbed hooks. The wee fish will probably have damage to it's scales and will die anyway so I would kill it and chuck it back for the others to eat.
Your light awareness is second to none.......brilliant and beautiful.

Pauline said...

Early summer mornings and late afternoons are two of the best times of day - such potential in one and peace in the other. You've captured both moods so beautifully.

Alice said...

hi.
l'm back but in a different space..

luv Alice (fff)

Shammickite said...

Ahhh.... cottage life! Summer is all too short isn't it?
PS.... no twins yet, but soon!

Reena said...

Such a perfect, perfect place to get away from it all!
Love that sunset, Hilary!

DJan said...

I often try to take pictures from the vantage points you find, too, but they NEVER look like these. I also like the clothes pins... and the sunset... and the hammock.

kazia said...

beautiful :) I love this sunset :D

TexWisGirl said...

oh lordy. that hammock shot just made me melt. just beautiful!

Daryl said...

Poop on the dock .. all the great photos and I hone in on poop on the dock ..

CiCi said...

Idyllic setting for a summer relaxing vacation. I think you and Frank are so fortunate to have the cottage in his family and have a place to go to when you want to. The pictures are so pretty, and the mood of the place is smiling through each photo.

Tabor said...

I am guessing that summer cannot stay too long for you!

Bossy Betty said...

Ahhhhh...so lovely. So nice of Mr. Blue to leave you presents.

Frank has a friend in the fish world now!

Anvilcloud said...

I don't suppose that I can love it as much as you (especially the fishing part), but I can appreciate how grand an escape it must be.

Kristina P. said...

That looks like heaven on earth!

messymimi said...

Ah, the joys of country living -- beautiful sunsets and herons taking their morning constitutionals on your dock. It's worth every minute, isn't it?

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh my! That sunset is spectacular.A scene like this is reason enough to go to the lake.

Cricket said...

I'm a little more relaxed just looking at these. It doesn't hurt that it's just me and the younger right now either. I've thought of a hammock. I'dneed a frame for it, though. I don't have two trees close enough.

And maybe I will suggest Dashboard Confessional: Dusk and Summer. Why not?

Anonymous said...

glorious!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Wow! What a sunset. Perfect way to end a day. And Mr. Blue was a good way to start a day. Always listen to your intuition.

Gail Dixon said...

Gorgeous! All of your photos are beautiful. The sunset was a nice bonus.

Anonymous said...

I'm seriously going to have to stop reading your blog - it's just too beautiful compared to this drab wonter landscape I find myself in!

Mimi said...

All of these are just gorgeous.
The water one and the sunset one are magnificent. You must love it at your cottage.

solarity said...

Usually I have one or two favorites, maybe three or four, but this all of them are my favorites. Stunning. I think I have to go find some water right away.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

yaya said...

You're the only one who can make noodles and clothes pins look amazing! That last pic took my breath away! What a beautiful place. Enjoy!

Cloudia said...

feathers & poop!
what an honor-



great photos (as usual)


Aloha from Waikiki;


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Anonymous said...

I'd really love to lie in that hammock and watch the sunset (and perhaps a glimpse of Mr. Blue!) Thanks for the scenes!

ellen abbott said...

Mr. Blue is munificent. And I like the clothes pins too.

So, when's my week?

Slamdunk said...

The sunset is fantastic.

Why do I like the swim noodle one--since I am always tripping over ours here?

Pierre BOYER said...

I particulary love the last 3,
Great light and colors...
Enjoy your day !

Pierre

Fragrant Liar said...

Wow, gorgeous sunset. The hammock pic, though, is the one that really calls to me.

Hilary said...

* Gary, I think I know the buildings that you mean.. the "Marilyn Munroe" buildings? I wrote about them about a year and a half ago. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Brian your time in the hammock is tomorrow afternoon between 1 and 3. ;) Thanks for the kind words. :)

* Adrian, thank you ever so much for your lovely comment. And not to worry about the fish.. at least not too much. Frank is a most humane angler and had he felt certain that this fish would not make it, he would have ended its life swiftly. He felt it had a fighting chance when he returned it to the lake. Thanks for the visit.:)

* Thanks very much, Pauline. I agree with you entirely about those times of day. The late day sunlight especially is a favourite time for photography. :)

* Good to see you again, Alice and I'm looking forward to more Fabulous posts. :)

* Shammie, you must be on the edge of your grandmotherly seat! :)

* Thanks very much, MM. I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. :)

* DJan, thank you but just keep on snapping and eventually you will find your photographic eye and you'll have more and more shots which will make you happy. Thanks for your always kind words. :)

* Thanks kindly, Kazia. :)

* Tex, I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for letting me know. :)

* Daryl, you're such a typical New Yorker. ;)

* Thank you so much, TB. You're right.. we're very fortunate to have this place to enjoy. I'm very grateful for it. Thanks always for stopping by with such kind comments. :)

* Tabor, you're 100% correct! :)

* Betty, Mr. Blue is a kind and generous bird. Frank probably has thousands of such fishy friends over the years. He's been fishing since he's a young child and he's now old. ;)

* AC, it's a wonderful spot and nobody is more suprised than I to find out that I like fishing, but I've truly come to enjoy and look forward to it the last few years. I have Frank to thank for that. :)

* Kristina, it's exactly that. :)

Hilary said...

* Every single one of them, MessyMimi. :)

* Thank you, Ruth. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. :)

* Cricket, I'm pleased that you find the photos (and being down to one kidlet) relaxing. There's also a frame-held hammock up at the cottage and that usually sits on the deck. I prefer the tree hammocks but it sure is better than none at all. Thanks always for stopping by and for providing the music. :)

* Thank you, Jillsy. :)

* Thanks, Linda. I do try to listen to my instincts more often than not. I tend to regret when I don't. ;) Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks very kindly, Gail. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)

* Roobo, I sure hope you're pulling my leg. Ouch! Yeah, you are. ;) Thanks for the kind words. :)

* I sure do, Mimi. Thanks so much for your very kind words. Much appreicated. :)

* Thanks very much, Mary Anne. I'm so pleased that you're enjoying my photos. Thanks for letting me know. :)

* Yaya, you're too kind. Thank you for such a lovely compliment. :)

* Cloudia, that truly is.. despite the poop part. Thanks for the visit, my friend. :)

* Thank you, Barbara. I'll reserve the hammock for you for early Tuesday morning. Hopefully Mr. Blue will be by. :)

* Thank you, Ellen. We're heading up again on Monday. Wanna join us? :)

* Thanks, Slamdunk. Maybe it's because they're (relatively) neatly placed? ;)

* Merci beaucoup, Pierre. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)

* Thanks very much FL. I'm so pleased to know that. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow - such fabulous shots! Love the sunset and also the clothes pegs!

Suldog said...

That hammock... I do believe it is calling my name. Achingly so.

Melinda said...

That blue heron is truly gorgeous! He looks so proud and majestic standing there. They always remind me of creatures from another time and place. Also love the hammock, I would have spent days there... :)

Out on the prairie said...

I love the placement of that hammock. I am dozing off here in a library after riding 76 miles today on a bike.

photowannabe said...

Prize winning pictures again Hilary. I would so love to be at that lake snoozing in the hammock.
Really love the clothes pin shot too.

Mental P Mama said...

I feel like I just had a weekend away...thank you!

Unknown said...

Hilary: What an incredible sunset you captured! I enjoyed this presentation very much!!

Vera said...

i love the second picture!
and the last one is sooo beautiful!

http://withmiracle.blogspot.com/

Friko said...

what are swimming noodles?

Karen said...

Oh, I want to take a nap in that hammock, can I, can I? Well, what nerve of that bird-all you did was snap a few pics! Those clothespins remind me I need to do something-if I can just figure out what. :P

Bob Bushell said...

Those images are the most beautiful ones that I've seen, the sunset is quite outrageous, so red.

Lynne with an e said...

I can't help but think that your little rescued finny friend swam off to meet its destiny with Mr. Blue. That is one glorious sunset!

Russell said...

Love the hammock. I remember that from last year and found it wonderful then, too.

And the sunset is really good. I am not really into a lot of sunsets and sunrises since they are over done -- but this image is really excellent.

And the sunlight bouncing off the water in the hammock picture is nice.

You have a good eye! You noticed the rainbow in the one picture I posted that was black and white!

I was going to post some color pictures but most of my pictures from that shoot (as they say) are on a computer at my work where I have access to Photoshop CS5.

Take care.
All those images were taken as a RAW file and later converted to JPEG.

Gary said...

Wow, you have really captured summertime with these beautiful images. Stunning!

Anita said...

Yes, I DID enjoy that.

My daughter was watching from behind my back at a distance, and surprised me by asking, "Where's that?!"

Even "she" recognizes a peaceful environment and good photography, :)

Nancy said...

Fabulous!

Country Girl said...

If I had a lake like this, my soul would have its fill.

Mage said...

Magic, thank you. :)

Barb said...

Your photos show me the essence of place.

Hilary said...

* Thanks so much, LadyFi. It pleases me that you enjoyed them. :)

* Jim, I'm sure I heard it also. It's free for a few hours tomorrow afternoon. Should I sign you up? :)

* Melinda, I feel the same way about the heron (and about dragonflies). Wonderful creatures, aren't they? Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

* Steve,, you're biking trip sounds amazing and very tiring. I'll save the hammock for you for overnights. You've earned it. :)

* Thank you, Sue. The hammock is getting pretty crowded with everyone wanting a turn on it. How does Tuesday at 2pm work for you? ;) Thanks always for stopping by. :)

* MPM, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

* Pleased to hear it, Michael. Thanks for letting me know. :)

* Vera, thank you kindly. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Friko, they're just lengths of extruded foam, made to help keep you afloat in the water... for when you're (I'm) too lazy to tread water. :)

* Karen, how about Tuesday afternoon on the hammock.. just after Sue is done with it? I wonder what it is about that clothesline that's reminding you about your tasks. Hmmmm ;)

* Thanks very much, Bob. I'm sure glad you enjoyed the images. :)

* Louciao, that's quite possible, I suppose. More than likely, it did meet its fate with a larger fish or some such bird of prey. Thanks very much for the visit. :)

* Thanks very much, Russell. I remember that you liked the hammock image. It's become one of those irresistible item for me to photograph.. several times a season. That rainbow in your black and white photo did indeed stand out to me. It was a fine photo despite its lack of colour but I'm glad you did post the full colour image after all. Thanks for your visit. Always nice to see you drop by. :)

* Thanks kindly, Gary. Very much appreciated. :)

* Thank you so much, Anita. Your kind words (and your daughter's) mean so much to me. :)

* Thank you, Nancy. :)

* Kate, that's how I feel and yet there's always room to take in just a little bit more with each visit. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thank YOU, Mage. :)

* Thanks, Barb. Much appreciated. :)

SandyCarlson said...

These are pure peace!

Linda said...

That sunset is awesome! Those don't come along everyday, and you were lucky to capture such a great picture.

Jinksy said...

Don't get sunsets like that in my neck of the woods - wowee!

photowannabe said...

OOps, Tuesday at 2 has come and gone. Phooey! Gues I'll have to try again. (:0)

Brandy Marie said...

What a gorgeous area! Looks like you really had a peaceful and relaxing time :) _B

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Sandy. :)

• Linda, thank you. I'm glad you like it. I have a few images on my newest post which show that they come along pretty often at the lake. Each one is a wonder to watch. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Jinsky, I'm glad you came by to share ours. :)

• Sue, how about we keep it open for you every Tuesday? ;)

• Brandy Marie, indeed we did. And we hope to do that again in a few days. Thanks for the visit. :)