Catskill Meanderings

I have resurrected my Morning Meanderings project with a slight change. I've set up an instagram account titled Catskill Meanderings - where I will share daily pics shot and edited exclusively on my iPhone. Check it out: http://instagram.com/catskillmeanderings

A New Twist

I have decided the Morning Meanderings Project - at least in its current form - has run its course. I am in the process of compiling a book that will feature some favorite images from each month of the previous year. Stay tuned for more information.

For those interested, I will continue to meander in the morning and will share casual shots of my experiences on Instagram. 

Look for me @ http://instagram.com/catskillmeanderings

4.30 - Spring Morning

4.30.13 Spring Morning  • © Margaret Helthaler

4.22 - Daffodils!

4.22.13 Daffodils!  • © Margaret Helthaler

4.17 - Frog Eggs!

4.17.13 Frog Eggs!  • © Margaret Helthaler

4.12 - Coming Rain

4.12.13 Coming Rain  • © Margaret Helthaler

We misjudged the weather and finished our walk in a steady downpour. The irony was not lost on us that we looked like two crazy people doing the one thing that helps to keep us sane...

4.10 Rolling Fog

4.10.13 Rolling Fog  • © Margaret Helthaler

What a difference a day makes. A quick moving storm came through overnight - waking me with it's torrential downpour, high winds and streaks of lightning. This morning the Catskills are enveloped in a thick rolling fog...

4.9 - Reflections

4.9.13 Reflections  • © Margaret Helthaler

I stood on the large rock and gazed at the reflections in the placid waters of the Rondout. Inhaling a deep breath of the balmy April breeze and thrusting out my arms to encompass the expansive view before us, I said to my friend, "Does it get any better than this?" Just then a bald eagle caught our eye. We watched his silent passage overhead, the sun glinting on his white head and tail feathers. My friend responded, "There's your answer... Yes it does get better!" My birthday is off to an excellent start...

4.8 - Blue Skies...

4.8.13 Blue Skies...  • © Margaret Helthaler

4.4 - Fisherman

4.4.13 Fisherman  • © Margaret Helthaler

4.3 - Oh Spring! Wherefore Art Thou?

4.3.13 Oh Spring! Wherefore Art Thou?  • © Margaret Helthaler

The chilly temps remain and I awoke to a dusting of snow...

4.2 - Wind Chill

4.2.13 Wind Chill  • © Margaret Helthaler

The cold has made an unpleasant return. It was 25 degrees this morning with a biting wind.

4.1 - Spring Thaw

4.1.13 Spring Thaw  • © Margaret Helthaler

3.28 - In Memory of My Father

3.28.13 In Memory Of My Father  • © Margaret Helthaler

Shortly after I returned from my walk I learned my father had passed away in the early morning hours. Somehow the view of these distant hills, captured at the top of a heart-pumping climb, is an appropriate homage to the man who was such a distant force in my life. Goodbye Dad.

3.27 - Downhill

3.27.13 Downhill  • © Margaret Helthaler

I didn't much feel like walking this morning so I decided to take a quick but steep trip up Sunrise Drive. True to it's name - the bright morning sun cast long shadows across the road and by the time I was on the descent I was warmed by both the sun and the exertion of the climb.

3.25 - Dreary March Monday

3.25.13 Dreary March Monday  • © Margaret Helthaler

Took a quick walk along my regular route on Big Hollow Road this morning. The chorus of spring birds was at odds with the lingering brown winter dampness...

3.22 - Relentless

3.22.13 Relentless  • © Margaret Helthaler

The light was beautiful this morning - aglow with floating crystals of snow - but the relentless cold has me feeling uninspired...

3.21 - 14 degrees

3.21.13 14 degrees 2  • © Margaret Helthaler

3.21.13 14 degrees  • © Margaret Helthaler

Spring continues to remain elusive...

3.20 - Buried in a Blanket of Snow

3.20.13 Buried in a Blanket of Snow  • © Margaret Helthaler

3.20.13 Buried in a Blanket of Snow 2  • © Margaret Helthaler

The Southern Catskills greeted the first day of spring under a blanket of snow.

3.19 - First Robin

3.19.13 First Robin  • © Margaret Helthaler

We received nearly 1/2 a foot of snow last night and earlier today, but the robins that flocked to our yard after my husband cleared some paths have left me feeling optimistic that spring is truly just around the corner...

3.18 - Woodbourne Barn

3.18.13 Woodbourne Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

3.15 - Slant of Morning Sun

3.15.13 Slant of Morning Sun • © Margaret Helthaler

A touch of warmth on a COLD, COLD morning...

3.14 - Keeping Warm

3.14.13 Keeping Warm • © Margaret Helthaler

A hawk sits with ruffled feathers in an effort to ward off the bite of the damp March air...

3.13 - Blackbird Singing...

3.13.13 Blackbird Singing... • © Margaret Helthaler

3.12 - Rainy Tuesday

3.12.13 Rainy Tuesday • © Margaret Helthaler

Rain filled skies thwarted my plans to walk this morning, so instead I headed off to share a cup of tea with my friend and walking companion. On my way to her house I stopped at the rest area along Route 55A my husband and I frequently ride our bikes to. I long for sunny, warm summer days and the return of bike rides...

3.11 - Then It's Gone

3.11.13 Then It's Gone • © Margaret Helthaler

3.8 - The Snow Returns

3.8.13 The Snow Returns • © Margaret Helthaler

3.7 - Winter Geese

3.7.13 Winter Geese • © Margaret Helthaler

3.6 - Barn Quilts

3.6.13 Barn Quilts • © Margaret Helthaler

3.5 - The Silver Kiss of Morning Light

3.5.13 The Silver Kiss of Morning Light • © Margaret Helthaler

3.1 - Purple Mountains Majesty

3.1.13 Purple Mountains Majesty • © Margaret Helthaler

I love the changeable winter light enhanced by distant snow squalls...

2.28 - Rte 42 Barn

2.28.13 Rte 42 Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

This rainy morning on the last day of February offered the perfect opportunity to capture an image of this old barn along Rte 42 in Grahamsville. It always catches my eye when I drive by and I didn't feel like venturing too far from my car this morning!

2.26 - In Between

2.26.13 In Between • © Margaret Helthaler

The frozen earth awaits the warm spring flood waters...

2.22 - Fair Barn in Winter

2.22.13 Fair Barn in Winter • © Margaret Helthaler

2.21 - Snow Squall

2.21.13 Snow Squall • © Margaret Helthaler

2.21.13 Lone Pine • © Margaret Helthaler

The temp barely reached the 20 degree mark this morning and the gusts of wind were bitingly cold - but the clean, crisp winter air was so refreshing...

2.20 - Fresh Snow

2.20.13 Fresh Snow 1 • © Margaret Helthaler

2.20.13 Fresh Snow 2 • © Margaret Helthaler

2.20.13 Fresh Snow 3 • © Margaret Helthaler

I enjoyed a wonderful walk off-road this morning - meandering through the freshly fallen snow.

2.15 - Sycamore Tree

2.15.13 Sycamore Tree • © Margaret Helthaler

I always admire this tall sycamore tree that stands near the corner of Rte 55A and Rte 55 - especially when it's branches are bare and it's white bark stands out in sharp relief against the gray-brown shades of winter.

2.14 - Winter Shades of Brown

2.14.13 Winter Shades of Brown • © Margaret Helthaler

Another cool, crisp sunny morning in the Catskills - made even better by the chocolates my husband left near my pillow before leaving for work. Happy Valentine's Day!

2.13 - Deer In The Morning Sun

2.13.13 Deer In The Morning Sun 1 • © Margaret Helthaler

2.13.13 Deer In The Morning Sun 2 • © Margaret Helthaler

We were watched closely during our walk this morning...

2.12 - Icy Waterfall

2.12.13 Icy Waterfall • © Margaret Helthaler

I do enjoy focusing on the smaller details in the landscape - such as these unique ice formations I discovered in a small ravine along the road. We enjoyed warmer temps this morning (high 30s) but the damp breeze had a bit of a bite to it...

2.11 - Icy Branches

2.11.13 Icy Branches • © Margaret Helthaler

Freezing rain this morning - I ventured as far as my front porch to capture the ice covered branches in the front yard.

2.9 - The Day After

2.9.13 The Day After • © Margaret Helthaler

We missed the brunt of Blizzard Nemo and only got about 4 or 5 inches of light powdery snow with little drifting. Saturday morning dawned cool, clear and bright.

2.8 - Waiting

2.8.13 Waiting • © Margaret Helthaler

I managed to get a walk in before the snow began to fall this morning. The air was damp and still - pregnant with a sense of waiting...

2.6 - A Wintry Mix

2.6.13 Winter Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

2.6.13 Icy Brook • © Margaret Helthaler

Walked in Sundown again this morning - this time along Greenville Road. It was a chilly 19 degrees with constant snow flurries.

2.5 - Roadside Icicles

2.5.13 Roadside Icicles • © Margaret Helthaler

Opted to walk along Peekamoose Road this morning in deference to morning traffic on less than optimum road conditions...