Back in Maine

After a 3 month hiatus, I am back in the great state of Maine, or as I like to call it, "the deep south of the far north," wearing overalls and exploring the coast. Unfortunately, the collegiate calender revolves around the the more grim portions of the year, so that the majority of my time is spent with ice in my nostrils and wool socks on my feet.

Maine in the summer is amazing. After spending the last week exploring the coast, driving up Route 1, and running around warm nights in Portland's Old Port District, I see why so many people escape from North American cities and suburbs to this beautiful state

Emma manning the wheel of the rubber duck.

While exploring a small island in Casco Bay, I spotted this puppy playing with bugs on a small dock. She was adorable.

For the next week or so, this tent will be my primary residence.

These immature Black Backed Gulls' mother left them to fend for themselves. RIP.

The harsh changes in Maine's weather are apparent everywhere you look. I really like the weathered wood on this dock and the framing around Emma's dog, Periwinkle.

Lobster boats like this one are the backbone of the Casco Bay region. Low lobster prices are hurting the area.

Spending three months in New York gave me a new found respect and appreciation for sunsets unobstructed by sky scrapers, a clear view of the stars and the hum of lobster boats' diesel engines traps at 5am. I am excited to be back in Maine.

Here are some more links,
Boats and Water (Picasa).

Croquet

Let the Photos and Video speak.

Contemplating defeat.

This summer I took up croquet.

Here are some more links,
Croquet in the Berkshires (Picasa),
Croquet in the Berkshires (Vimeo).

A Few Days in Western Connecticut

After cleaning my APC's in the sea and eating my share of fried clams, I headed towards the hills of western Connecticut to catch up with my friend and contributor to Fat of the Land, Evan. For the last six months, Evan has been romping around South America taking photos and studying industrial design. Head over to his blog Ideal Uses to check out an archive of his journeys if you haven't already.

Evan showed me around his dojo including this early nineteenth century barn. I love the weathered paint

This bull, the archetypal field and the lonesome tree reminded me of my favorite childhood story, Ferdinand the Bull. He was kind enough to let me snap a few photos.

I love his hair and horns.

Spending two and half months indoors gave a new-found appreciation for simple things like a sunset unobstructed by a skyscraper or a bull eating grass in a field confined by a buck and pole fence. I can't wait to get back to the rocky beaches and rolling hills of Maine.

Here are some more links,
A Few Days in Western CT (Picasa),
The Fat of the Land.

Instant Photos from the Beach

Schlepping my Canon 5d Mark II all of the time gets old. It's heavy, bulky and expensive. Last week when I went to the beach, I left my Canon at home and brought my iPhone 3GS to brave the smell of sunscreen, laundry detergent laden towels and evaporated beer.

I spent 45 minutes chasing around seagulls trying to catch them in motion. I kicked sand on half the people on the beach and blindly ran into a lifeguard tower. I think it was worth it.

After wearing my APC New Standards for more than a year, I thought it was finally time to tackle the stench. I ran into the sea and rubbed them down with sand twice and then let them dry on the fence. Now the look like Sevens...woooof

Red, White and Blue.

Satin umbrella.

These little bastards were devouring a bag of chips dropped by a strolling five-year-old. With iPhone in hand I ran towards these seagulls like a knight with a shield.

I love the ability to spontaneously capture life and tell a story with an image. Everyday I see things that inspire me and now I have a tool to capture them. All of these photos were taken with an iPhone and the Instant Camerbag application.

Here are some more links,
Instants From the Beach (Picasa),
Camerabag.