Construction of our stone wall terrace has been completed. Landscaping is the next and final phase of our renovation project. 

I decided I just had to post a couple more bird shots from Ferry Beach and one from the backyard this evening. Pictured are a pair of mating Tree Swallows, a male Goldfinch, a male House Finch and finally a Northern Flicker taken from our new deck. 
 
 
 

What would Ferry Beach be without the daily visit of the Good Humor man? 

This year I was asked to take the Ferry Beach group photo. I decided to shoot from a third floor dormitory window to get an interesting perspective and to include the ocean for context. I am still working on the final image in which I hope to Photoshop in some late arrivals. Click on the image for a larger view. 

Maya helped some of the older kids dig a really deep hole in the beach. The surf board was used to lower and extract her. When I was her age, I recall being thrilled to dig a neck-deep hole. She could stand on my shoulders and her head would still not clear the surface of this ten foot crater. 

Nicolai made many new friends at camp this year. The fact that most were girls seemed to be just fine with him. 

Maya being Maya. 

What happens when a cute girl wearing a bikini bends over to pick up a croquet ball? 

Kyle spent almost all of his time hanging out with friends. I did, however, see him whenever he needed money for ice cream. 

Nicolai once again made it to the croquet tournament finals. He is deadly accurate and made some unbelievable shots. Had he and his partner won the final match he would have been banned from future play as a three time winner. The game went to the final wicket and was very exciting to watch. 

Maya has taken to volleyball like her father and brothers before her. 

Last night it rained heavily and this morning we were treated to a beautiful sky. 

I rose early (4:30 – 5:30AM) each morning to do a little bird photography and was rewarded for my effort with good light and some great sightings. I spent most of my time at the Scarborough Salt Marsh. Pictured here are a Glossy Ibis, Great Egret (having breakfast), Black-Bellied Plover, and a Willet. 
 
 
 

Maya was very dissappointed that her friend Madison did not come to the camp this year. She consoles herself on the beach feeling the weekend has been ruined. Thirty minutes later she has hooked up with another 7-year old girl named Maya Rose. Not only do they share the same first and middle name, their father’s families both came from Calabria, Italy. 

Lauren, one of the girls Jeanine mentored this year, for reasons unknown to me, hoists Nicolai off the ground. Motives aside, the light was great and Nico was unable to run away. Perfect time for a photograph. 

Kyle wasted little time connecting with friends Seth and Zach. The object of this game is to make Seth puke. Fortunately, Kyle was not up to the task and Seth was simply rendered unable to walk in a straight line for several minutes. 

Jeanine makes a bee-line for the kitchen where she spent a good portion of the weekend. Please note the huge smile on her face. I hope she will consider becoming a professional chef because she never seems happier then when cooking for hundreds of people in an industrial size kitchen. Her efforts did not go unnoticed and the appreciation she was shown simply ensures that next year she will not come out of the kitchen at all. 

Memorial Day weekend is synonomous with Ferry Beach for the Calabrias. Each year Jeanine and the kids pick me up from work and we drive to Ferry Beach, Maine where our church has a camp/conference center. We are joined by members of the Lexington parish and this year numbered 280 in total. 

Because the percussionist stand at the back of the stage, it was hard to get a good photograph of Nico playing. Here he is actually playing the bongos which are hidden by the conga drums. 

This evening was the Spring Concert and Nicolai helped introduce the song in which he had a drum solo. During the course of the evening, Nico played the snare, triangle, bongos, and a bass drum. 

On the way into work I spotted this Catbird. Click on the photo for a more detailed view. 

Intense pressure on my brother Mark finally yielded a photo of my neice Sophia although his taste in sleepware has now been called into serious question. 

I keep telling Maya to stop clowning around when it is time for bed. Clearly she is taking me very seriously. 

In a matter of days, this pile of rocks will take the form of four walls that frame our as yet to be agreed upon landscaping plan. I was amazed at the amount of progress made by the time I returned home this evening. Tommorrow, I plan to observe the wall building process. It is a job I have never tackled and I would like to learn how. 

A drop of dew on a blade of grass. The halos on the left are from other dew drops. 

This morning I thought I would do a little photography in the garden. It never ceases to amaze me what beauty I can find within ten steps of the back door. 

Kyle prepares to go up for a header against the opposing goalie. His team came away with a hard fought 1-0 victory. The game was stopped several times for lightning and most of it was played in the pouring rain. I spent a total a five hours at the field for which I was rewarded with a 15 minute window for photography. Earlier in the day, my team chalked up another victory and I scored my first goal of the season. It was a blistering drive from 25 yards that jst skimmed under the bar. It is one of the prettier goals I have ever scored and it is all that I need to sustain me for another season. 

This morning at church we celebrated the “Coming of Age” of a number of our teenagers. Each one spent several minutes addressing the congregation presenting their personal beliefs and spiritual credo. To listen to these young adults was to find hope that the future of our civilization and planet is in good hands. Jeanine was honored for her work as the mentor for three of the girls who participated. These masks which adorned the pulpit, were created by each celebrant. 

Today Maya performed in her Spring Piano Recital. She played beautifully and with great confidence. Mom and dad are very proud of her. 

I went into work earlier than usual today and decided I would pause in the Carlisle woods for a brief walk. Ten minutes later, I was on my way with a clear head and a smile on my face. 

Nico shows off his juggling skills. Last couple of days have been very intense at work (presentation to the Board of Directors) and I could not find a single minute for photography. I am looking forward to the weekend.