Saturday, April 21, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #52


Here's a little taste of the weather that just passed through the Cape. Blue skies held out for the most part for the Opening Day fishermen, but the front we all knew was coming finally arrived this evening. Conditions will not be so favorable on the Bay tomorrow.

As for my #1 crew of fishermen, they were skunked today and came home empty handed, but a very good friend had better luck and fixed us up with our first fresh rockfish of the season. My belly and heart are full. Fingers crossed for more successful fishing tomorrow.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #51


What am I going to do when my Dad goes home? He has been my staff photographer all this week, and he has provided me with a treasure trove of lovely pictures. He took this photo of one of our Deep Creek osprey gliding over the water. I love the spread of the tail feathers and the tips of the wings. Good to have them back.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #50


A late entry for photo of the day. My Dad caught this one of a couple of seagulls in a tussle over a bite of something above Deep Creek. Such a beautiful blue sky above them.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #49


For today's photo, I had to share this moment from the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. This lovely hotel plays host to the National Space Symposium each year. It is nestled up against the base of the Front Range of the Rockies built around a small lake with a spectacular mountain backdrop and Pikes Peak just around the corner.

Yesterday evening as we sat out on the hotel patio, we noticed a small herd of mule deer on the opposite side of the lake. Men and women in business suits were returning from their day of space industry talks, exhibitions, and meetings. The deer's only concern was getting over the bridge to their favorite golf course grazing grounds.

We watched the herd assessing the best time to make their break - waiting for the human foot traffic on the bridge to clear. The leader finally saw a good opening and made his move. As he crested the top, he encountered one last barrier in the form of the man in the photo coming the other way.

After a moment's pause, the head deer decided this was still the best opportunity to get his herd across, and signaled the others to follow. We watched the crossing unfold with great amusement - business suits and deer sharing a walkway to get where they needed to be.

Here are photos showing the events unfold:

The herd arrives on the far side of the lake.

First crossing attempt is thwarted by suits. Runaway!

Leader makes his move after the face-off on the bridge.

The others follow.

Keep coming.

Picking up the pace.

Full run.

Safe across, but baby is stranded on the other side (see far right).

Baby deer trying to steel its courage.

Uncertain.

Finally makes his brave solo break across the bridge to join mom.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #48


Here she is arriving in grand fashion to her new home. My parents were on the National Mall as Discovery flew in this morning for a few laps around the monuments to greet her fans before heading to Dulles and then the Air and Space Museum Annex. Dad got this awesome closeup shot.

It's a bittersweet day for NASA and all those who admired the space shuttle program. Happy to see Discovery fly once again but sad that it's for the last time. Welcome home, Discovery.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #47


A pretty spring display outside our very own Cape St. Claire Elementary School. The school will play host to the annual PTO fun run this Saturday. Although I just flew over a pretty ugly line of weather on my way to Colorado - the one that spawned all those tornadoes in the midwest. It looks like it might be headed for the fun run, too. Maybe it will lose some steam and leave us with a pretty day for running, walking, and/or fishing.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #46


So apparently Captain Frank has confirmed to my husband that the green phantom channel marker out from the boat ramp has been there for several weeks and is in fact a new Deep Creek navigational marker (center left in photo). Shows how observant I am. They could put a lighthouse out there, and it would take me a month to spot it. I never really noticed an issue with the direction of boat traffic at this spot, but maybe DNR has had complaints (or just a spare green marker with nothing better to do).

The marker should add an entertaining new twist to the boat ramp follies on Opening Day next weekend. It will be interesting to see if and how it is interpreted by the hoards of fishing boats putting in and out next Saturday. Maybe it was put there just to keep the boats waiting for their trailers idling in a counter clockwise wheel. Or perhaps it's supposed to work as a sort of speed bump to slow down the odd jackass that feels the need to fly up Deep Creek way over 6 MPH. Personally, I think Deep Creek restaurant had it strategically placed there to direct boat traffic their way...

Closeup: