While Kyle was warming up, I wandered over to the Oxbow Nature Reserve for a little photography.

 
Kyle was cleated in the ankle during his game. I pointed out that my shin pads include ankle protectors which would have spared him this injury. He told me that I was a baby and that real soccer players don’t wear such bulky protection.

 
Today the Calabria men had to settle for draws. Kyle’s team was down 0-3 at halftime but worked hard to win three goals in the second half to tie the score with minutes left to play. It was a very exciting game to watch and Kyle is shown here winning a header at midfield. My match this morning also ended in a tie. I scored our only goal in the opening minutes and our opponents equalized late in the second half. I played 90 minutes and almost scored a second time on a direct kick which hit the crossbar. In action yesterday, Nicolai’s team won 5-3 (Nico scored on a header and had several assists) and Maya’s team won 2-1.

 
With Jeanine away, I held down the fort and delivered the children to their various sporting events. On the way back from dropping Maya at her game, I came across this mother and baby horse which I know she will be thrilled to see.

 
Jeanine spent Friday and Saturday in Burlington, VT with her sister Susan who was celebrating her birthday. The Roche family chipped in to buy her a bicycle which was put to immediate use on the fine spring day.

 
A bonus Nantucket photo from Jeanine’s camera of me teaching Nico to drive the moped.

 
A quick ride on the moped and I was on the other side of the harbor for a parting shot of the Brant Point lighthouse.

 
This morning I went out before sunrise so I could be in position for this photo at the right time. In a few weeks Nantucket will be crawling with tourists and the beaches will be packed. Our off season visit really gave us a unique opportunity to see the island for what it is most of the time. A quiet and serene home for people drawn to the sea.

 
Jeanine is really in her element when we go to Ferry Beach. She gets to cook in an industrial size kitchen and play games in the evening. This year she introduced a new coffee cake recipe which was a big success.

 
My favorite photo of the weekend. Kyle with friend Chris (who joined our family for the weekend). I took this after sunset and asked the boys to stand motionless while I made the long exposure under a sodium street light.

 
Nicolai loves to play volleyball and demonstrates here his willingness to take on even the most intimidating opponent. Photo courtesy of Stoney.

 
Although I enjoy the challenge of shooting birds, my real passion is for portraiture. I was pleased this year with the results of my efforts which can be found in this web album.

 
Everywhere time you turn around, if you take the time to look, there is sure to be a rabbit near by. I counted dozens of the furry critters and was quick enouh to capture this one before he dashed away.

 
After lunch I returned to the osprey nest with the right lens and am treated to this image which includes what appears to be the tail of a rather large fish.