Aerial View of Coastline

Here's an aerial view of the Massachusetts coastline, south of Boston.

Newbies in Boston

Some Canadian Geese and their goslings seemed to be enjoying themselves in the Charles River despite the incessant rain.

Oh look! I saw a pretty flowering tree, and I took pictures of it's flowers! I'm sure you're all shocked. ;)

Leyre and I took a walk through Arnold Arboretum this morning, where they were celebrating the 100th anniversary of their Lilac Sunday festival. The weather was beautiful, despite the forecast earlier this week predicting a horrible, rainy weekend. There were families and dogs everywhere, which is no good for me since I've got serious doggy fever right now (but can't have a dog in my apartment).

New (to me) Tree

I probably need to try and get a better photo of these trees, but I noticed them for the first time the other day leaving work! They have these itty bitty blossoms on them, in a bright fuchsia color. They're gorgeous! I had never noticed the one in front of my office until this week, and then of course I noticed that I rid the train right past a whole row of them every day. But what are they?!?

More Springing!

I was in the South End at a friend's house last night and stopped to take photos of some of the beautiful trees that have started blossoming. It spurred a conversation with a woman walking by about what type of trees they are. I know that these guys above are Magnolias, but there were other trees on the same block that may or may not be Dogwoods. Or are they just white Magnolias? I have no idea! That's why I have all of you, because you guys are so knowledgeable and I know that if I put it out here, someone will help me out!

Spring!

It's actually sprung! Remember when I wasn't sure it was ever coming?

Hope

I keep passing by flowerbeds like these (this one is on Beacon St), and it gives me a glimmer of hope that the cold weather might actually go away sometimes soon. You can even see a bit of purple blossoms in the top center of the photo (click to enlarge).

On my pessimistic days, I walk by these flowerbeds and think "I bet those flowers DIE because it's so freezing cold out!". Really, it's been in the high 30's/low 40's lately and it's not really that cold, but it's also been wet, which always makes it feel colder than it really is. The wind doesn't help either, and today was a windy one.

Chillingly Colorful

As the leaves on the trees diminish in numbers, the temperature continues to drop. There's definitely a chill in the air and predictions of snow in the coming week. Brrrrrr!

Ablaze with Color

Having grown-up in Western Australia--where autumn lasts about a day and there are very few deciduous trees--I'd never experienced a New England-style fall with leaves every color of the rainbow. I love seeing all the shades of colors and how they vary from leaf to leaf and tree to tree, and the beauty of it all helps me forget that winter is just around the corner.

Fall of the Leaves...

...in Boston Common.

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Okay, maybe no sunshine for us today, but at least we can look at pictures from last weekend and pretend! This was a pretty dahlia (I'm pretty sure?!) that Leyre and I saw while we were roaming through Roslindale Open Studios last weekend.

Lovely Weather

It's been a grey, rainy day.

The leaves they are a changin'

Despite what this past weeks 80+ and humid weather would lead you to believe, fall really has come.

Pretty in Purple

I couldn't resist taking this photo when i walked by this plant/bush thing on my way to the T last weekend.

This must be heaven where the water meets the land

It was cold today (in the 60s, so cold for August at least) and I was tired and not having a good day at work. All day I kept wishing that it was warm and sunny and that I was here, instead - at Carson Beach in Southie!

Whale of a Time

Yesterday we took the New England Aquarium's Whale Watching Tour out to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (25 miles east of Boston). We saw many of these extraordinary creatures, including a close view of two Humpback Whales who unintentionally held us hostage with their curiosity (we didn't want to harm them by turning the engines on since they kept going underneath the boat)!

Afternoon In The Park

In the shade with a good book on a beautiful day...looks like a perfect lazy Saturday to me! Through the white archway is the Kelleher Rose Garden.

Click to enlarge!

Dot Ave Gardens

When I'm not being lazy, I walk the mile from the T back to my apartment after work. There are a number of small gardens that I pass by on the walk, but my favorite Dot (that's short for Dorchester) Ave garden is surrounded by a bright white picket fence and has a portico (at least that's what I'm calling it) over the walkway and a great little bench just under it. It has a lovely plant growing over it that provides the perfect amount of green cover, and these gorgeous yellow flowers (no idea what they are and will have to send photos to Mom to identify) in the yard. Slightly off topic, the porch is stained a gorgeous dark color and is super glossy and I love it as well. I've walked by this house dozens of times in the last month and admired the fence, portico, yard, and porch. Then the flowers started blooming and I started loving it even more. Then in the last few days, I noticed this little fringe of different colored flowers (identity unknown to me) between the fence and the sidewalk! They are the tiniest little flowers, and were red, orange, white, and yellow. They're about the sweetest little things ever.

I'm sorry to say that the yard just before this is bare dirt as the gentleman there has apparently let his dog destroy the lawn. It also smells like a litter box, and you can smell it coming half a yard away. It makes the one mentioned above just that much sweeter to come across after such a disaster!

Can't see the city through the trees...

Pete and I went to explore Dorchester Park this week. From the road you wouldn't think anything of it, but once you wander in you realize it's a pretty good size and has a few nice paths.

No Fishing?

Is "closed to the harvest of river herring" just a long winded way of saying "no fishing"? This is behind one of the Baker Chocolate Factory buildings. The building opposite the river is currently being converted to condos.