Autumn Colors in Augusta, Maine

This afternoon, I was out and about photographing these scenes around Augusta, Maine. I count my blessings that I get to see such rich colors up close and personal. If you live in a place where there isn’t much of a change in seasons, I hope you enjoy taking in New England’s beauty through my photos. Until next time…

Water Street in Augusta as seen from the other side of the Kennebec River

 

Maine State House rotunda

 

Birdhouse at Viles Arboretum

 

A place to rest at Viles Arboretum

 

South Parish Congregational Church (I think)

 

Forest Grove Cemetery on Winthrop Street

 

The Kennebec County Correctional Facility
(I like to include a picture of a portal in each of my blog posts)

 

Leaves nestled in steps at Forest Grove Cemetery

 

Autumn décor on Smith Street

 

Autumn leaves

 

A foot bridge located in Manchester, Maine

 

 

 

Geese Spectacular on Columbus Day

A week ago, I took a day trip to Rangeley, Maine, where photographers and leaf-peepers can find the colors of autumn at their peak.

As I stood on an observation deck overlooking Rangeley Lake, the vibrant colors splattered everywhere just blew me away. The lake appeared as though someone scooped out a big chunk of earth, replaced it with a huge bowl of sparkling water, and painted the landscape with the rustic reds and golden yellows of fall. As an added bonus, it seemed as though that same person decided to put an island in the middle of the lake just because he could.

I took some pictures from my vantage point at the lookout. However, my camera's LCD screen revealed too much glare from the sun reflecting off the water. I got back in my car and decided to go explore Saddleback Mountain instead. The ski resort at the top was void of colorful foliage, so I headed back down the mountain road.

As Rangeley Lake came into view again, a little pond on the left-hand side of the road caught my eye. A deserted parking lot nearby offered a place to pull over and park. After grabbing my camera bag, I snapped the zoom lens in place, got out of the car, and walked toward the pond. Once seated on the grass, I started clicking away at the gorgeous lake scene below.

I could hear a faint, unfamiliar noise in the distance as I continued taking pictures. The drone grew louder and sounded like it was approaching from behind. Now startled by the very intense whir, I looked over my shoulder. Geese were coming in for a landing on the pond, their honking as loud as the flapping of their wings.

There's no way I could have planned such an encounter in that place at that exact moment with the zoom lens already attached to my camera. Click. Click. Click. Not only did the Canadian geese put on a graceful show, but they landed in three waves, one right after the other.

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed being awestruck in the midst of that avian landing. Only God could have orchestrated such a splendor for little old me.