Riverwalk

The weather sucked this morning. I got out of bed at around sunrise (5:07am) and it was pouring rain. The forecast I saw last night said it was going to be cloudy and gloomy but the rain wasn’t supposed to start until a couple of hours later. Nope. It was raining.

I had psyched myself up to taking my camera for a walk somewhere regardless of the weather. Nope. I bailed. I did my morning exercise and had breakfast and took a shower and it was still raining out. Crud.

It was around 9:00am when the rain finally stopped. Accuweather told me it wouldn’t start again for a while, but there were possible thunderstorms later. That settled it. I grabbed my stuff and went out.

First stop was Walnut Grove Cemetery in Methuen. I was planning to test drive my new 50mm lens on a film camera to start with and then switch to digital. I did take a few film photos but I had a serious chicken out moment. There are two reasons I try to go out at sunrise. The first is practical, the light is great. The second is more lame and pathetic. I really don’t want to see any other people… ever. Today at the cemetery, much later in the morning than I prefer, I walked up a hill to a spot that I want to take a shot of and… there was someone standing right where I wanted to be.

Nope, goodbye. I turned right around, jumped back into my car, and split. Thinking back on the 1.5 seconds or so where I could see this other person and I think… I think… she had a camera too. So maybe we were both on the same page? Who knows, maybe she saw me and ran for the hills too. I don’t know.

The next stop was Methuen Riverwalk park, which is a little park along the Spicket River, just downstream from the dam. Same deal as before, I walked from one side of the park to the other taking a few film pics, then walked back taking a bunch of digital. Of course, as I was walking back it started to rain again. Figures.

The Mighty Spicket River

More Mighty Spicket

I don’t know the history of this place so I don’t know the source of the brick wall.

Across the river

Auto focus is the best thing ever, but Image Stabilization is the second best thing. I can use a slow shutter speed and get the water to blur without making the entire image a blurry mess. Genius.

A little more motion blur

Obligatory park bench pic

Someone left a subtle hint for their neighbors

I am willing to bet that this tree came down on Friday (two days ago) when it was super windy

The Mighty Spicket is looking like The Muddy Spicket today

Looks like the gazebo took a little damage too

Squirrel!

Remember when being an american was worthy of pride? Not any more.

Blurry background alert

I have no idea what this is.

Gate

Gloomy morning

The punch line to this gloomy, rainy, gross Sunday morning is that 10 minutes after I got home the sun came out. It’s bright and sunny and glorious outside right now. Sonofab…..