2016 Retrospective

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I have 9,326 photos that were created in 2016 (not counting the ones that I’ll be taking on New Years Eve).  Some of those were scanned from older photos, some were screenshots, or downloads. A lot of the files were duplicates or bracketed shots for HDR. I ignored those and chose a subset for a retrospective of the year. It was an election year and I have a few photos of some of the candidates, even one of the guy that won. Enjoy the tour.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

 

October

November

December

Lowly Weeds

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This year folks will dose their lawns with gallons of broadleaf herbicides in their vain attempt to eliminate certain flowers they consider weeds. Personally I’m in awe of how these plants can continue to survive in the midst of the onslaught of chemical warfare.

I’ll never have the pristine solid carpet of green that one sees on advertisements, but I can do get the opportunity to look closely at these “weeds”.

Taraxacum officinale by John Poltrack on 500px.com
Dandelion the king of lawn weeds, time to make some wine

 

White Violet by John Poltrack on 500px.com
I see a number of both white and purple violets in my lawn. Time for a flower salad

 

Tulipa

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Emerging Tulips by John Poltrack on 500px.com
Garden bed at All Saints Episcopal Church in Peterborough, NH

I was pleased to see this bed of tulips looked so healthy. It is not the case in my garden. After a mild winter, my daffodils and daylilies sprouted a bit early. Around Easter the daffodils had well developed flower buds, just on the verge of opening.Then we got an unseasonably cold evening in the low teens. The plants went limp, not dead but hurting. Even the daylilies which are as strong as iron show signs of yellowing.

I’m not sure if any damage was inflicted on my Star Magnolia flower buds, but hopefully not. There is just no way to depend on New England weather.

 

Quarry Path

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I had an opportunity to explore the Fletcher Quarry in Mason New Hampshire. It was in operation from the late 1800s to 1929. I’m guessing this path was used to transport the granite from the quarry to the railroad line. Currently it is a wonderful conservation area, just off of the Mason rail trail.

Quarry Path by John Poltrack on 500px.com
Tree lined path through the woods

 

Quarry Path by John Poltrack on 500px.com
Weathered Stones

 

Is it Spring yet?

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Woke to some ice on the trees. It is April 10th after all. Still as a New England native I know it doesn’t get going till the end of May. I have some photos to share from this morning. All taken in New Ipswich.

Looking East on the top of Flood Control Dam 35 

Black and White

John, Angelika and Parker braving the ice

Encased in Ice

Taylor Road

Rhododendron on ice

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