I live on the bank of the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts, close to the Vermont border. The River is a sourse of enjoyment for my family and me, both for recreation and its natural beauty and wildlife. Here are a few photos taken last week over the course of a couple of unusually hot early June days. I hope you enjoy them.
Love,
Pagan Sphinx
The French King Bridge
The French King Bridge is a three-span "cantilever arch" style bridge[2] crossing the Connecticut River on the border of the towns of Erving and Gill, Massachusetts. The bridge carries automobile traffic and is part of Massachusetts Route 2.
The geese are fun and we tolerate them, though they go on shore and make a terrible mess!
The above photo of the mallard was not touched up in any way. The right combination of factors caused the water to look like smoldering glass. I liked the accidental effect.
The swans on the river are a source of both frustration and enjoyment for us locals. Though they are very pretty, they are not a native species, brought over from other geographical locations and are therefore considered "invasive". They pose a threat to the native wildlife and eco-system and have no natural predators. I believe this is the mute swan.
Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are increasing their populations in Connecticut and cause damage to plants which provide food for other waterfowl as well as outcompeting other waterfowl for nesting habitat.
A form of river lily pad. There are thousands that grow up out of the river bottom in certain sections of the river.
Above we are getting close to sun set, facing east to the docks where we keep our boat. We anchored, ate our sandwiches and Oranginas and waited for the setting sun to display its beauty.
It was well worth it!
Speaking of "worth it", these photo memes bring me a lot of pleasure; both in posting and visiting other participants from around the world! Please check them out!
Sky Watch Friday
Great set of photos - I LOVE the one of your wake under the bridge! I did not know that about the swans...
ReplyDeleteAnd Orangina! A favorite in our house since we had it in France, back when you couldn't get it in the U.S. Lovely soft drink, not too overwhelming with sweet or fizz. We have several old glass bottles from our French trip, when we were in our early twenties - they're favorite vases, now.
Well I can't answer your question???? I like your photos and the one of the mallard is great Now I wonder what they will do with the swans? We use to have tons of deer here on the island but they managed to thin out the population but I don't want to even think about how they did that:-(
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is the kicker, I liked it most.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to live! Ever-changing and so full of life. You've captured it all!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bridge.
ReplyDeleteThe wake of the boat on the river is super. The birds and the boats and the lily pad are all so wonderful. Your photos just get better and better.
ReplyDeleteEnchanting, as ever!
ReplyDeleteOh I miss the loony Northern Summer!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
an awesome bridge! love the dramatic sky at sunset.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantastic array of photos. The sky is so dramatic on these last photos and I love the geese family, they are so cute.
ReplyDeleteThese are so great. The duck is looking right at the camera! I particularly like the bridge shot.
ReplyDeleteSphinx, I love your photos taken from your boat? Toodling around shooting the world around you! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. The King's Bridge looks a dead ringer for the Iron Bridge in Telford. Then again it was the first iron bridge... No chance that it will ever carry a car again though!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/artsandculture/4221752/Ironbridge-Gorge-museum-and-the-Industrial-Revolution.html
Steve: We would buy Orangina by the case but we haven't yet found anywhere that sells it that way. Too European for the standard grocery store and perhaps the sugar keeps it out of the health food stores?? We actually buys ours by the half dozen at the local convenience store/gas station. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone. I find the virtual comradery of the photo memes a lot of fun. I appreciate all the comments and the often little details that I learn about where people live or they are. :-)
ReplyDelete(what? Blogger spellcheck doesn't know the word "comradery"???)
Peace and love and all groovy things.
What a beautiful place! Especially love the ducklings and the last 2 shots with the moody skies. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful collection with my particular favorites being the bridge and the wonderful mallard on a glass river. It takes a lot of skill and sensitivity to be so lucky :-)
ReplyDelete