Drag racing is the only race that I can think of where spectators are only interested in watching the start. This is the New England Dragway, located in Epping, NH. I had an errand to run in the area today and paused for this aerial photograph. I was very tempted to launch my E-tron down the track and there appeared to be nothing preventing me from doing so. In the end, I decided that the track owners would probably take a dim view of an unauthorized test run and resisted the urge.

Also spotted at the track was this old fire truck. Not quite sure how this fits in with drag racing but it was too cute to pass up.

I have often wondered what birds do when it is raining out. I guessed that they might take cover in the lower part of a tree using the canopy for cover. Not so in the case of this cardinal. He was happily perched on the top of our Japanese maple tree and seemed totally content to get soaking wet. Today’s rain was most welcome and our lawn will be very happy if the forecast for more of it holds true.

The Calabria kitchen became a barbershop this morning as Nicolai cut Kyle’s hair and then I cut his. This took place after Nicolai prepared a delightful breakfast hash for everyone, we had a family zoom call with relatives to celebrate Maya’s 21st birthday, and we watched a home movie of when the kids were young (2003). In the video, Maya explains why she hates spiders and her preferred method of extermination, Nicolai dispatched a wrestling opponent, and Kyle got the better of me in a philosophical debate. The only positive outcome of the Covid pandemic has been having the kids home again and enjoying a day such as this.

Although Maya turned 21 last weekend she was camping in Maine with friends at the time. Today, our family celebrated her birthday with a Carne Asada dinner and unbelievable strawberry cheesecake that Jeanine prepared. Afterward, Maya opened her presents. In an effort to be environmentally friendly or as a result of being extremely lazy, I no longer wrap presents. I simply place them underneath suitably sized dinner or kitchenware. This was no problem because my gift theme was everyday carry (EDC) gear which by definition means small and compact. Maya received two different multi-tools, a USB chargeable micro flashlight, a titanium toothpick that can double as a defensive weapon, and “kitty claws,” a key fob in the form of modified brass knuckles. God help anyone who might try to attack her.

Our family is very fond of three lawn games, each originating from a country of our ancestors. These are Bocce (Italy), Croquet (France) and Kubb (Sweden). Kubb (pronounced [kɵbː] in Swedish) is a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks (kubbs) by throwing wooden batons (kastpinnar) at them. Play takes place on a small rectangular playing field, known as a “pitch”. “Kubbs” are placed at both ends of the pitch, and the “king”, a larger wooden block, is placed in the middle of the pitch. The ultimate objective of the game is to knock over the “kubbs” on the opposing side of the pitch, and then to knock over the “king”, before the opponent does.

I found this little fellow just outside our back door. During the course of our photography session, he enjoyed two little insects for breakfast. Most of the time he would sit motionlessly. The instant something got snared in his web he would pounce on it with amazing speed and gobble it up before I could reposition for a dining shot. I was amazed by the coloration of the hairs on his back and side. I suspect few people will actually pause and take the time to appreciate the beauty that such creatures possess. As usual, anyone who can offer an identification is welcomed to contact me.

In the Midwest, where Jeanine grew up and a lot of corn is grown, the crop is expected to be “knee-high by the Fourth of July.” Our first ever corn crop seems like it is on a more leisurely pace. Still, with each passing day now, it is possible to see the plants getting bigger and I will try to take similarly framed photos every week to monitor progress. I wish I had a spare camera to devote to the task. A time-lapse movie would have been a lot of fun.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused untold health and economic hardship around the globe. Fortunately, there has been a matching outpouring of generosity to food relief organizations such as Open Table. Here, Jeanine is posing with a check representing a sizeable grant from the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest. Most food pantries rely heavily on volunteers, many of them elderly. Given their heightened risk to Covid-19, a large number are not comfortable putting themselves at risk. This has led to the collapse of many such organizations. Open Table, with a small paid staff, its own facility and truck is faring better than most. Still, it has been a very challenging period and has forced the organization to rethink how best to serve the food insecure in these crazy times.

It has been something like two years since I have taken the kayaks out for a spin. Fortunately, the effort Maya and I put into building them has not gone to waste. Nicolai makes frequent use of them and Maya to a lesser extent. For her 21st birthday weekend, Maya took them up to Maine where she joined friends for overnight camping and a day on the water. This morning, I helped her offload them after doing some early morning macro photography in the back yard.

It has been almost a decade since my father died but his memory lives on in my heart and with all who knew him. I can still hear his laughter whenever I think about him. Infectious is the only way to describe it. He found humor where others did not. He would repeat aloud the thought that he found funny to himself and for the benefit of those in his vicinity. As he worked himself into a frenzy of laughter, those around him were drawn in and soon infected as well. What a tremendous gift. As I age, I wonder what my children will remember about me when I am gone. I can only hope it will bring the same joy to them as thinking of my father brings to me.

The muskrats at Great Meadows had become quite acclimated to humans and can often be seen sharing the paths with them. Not so this little fellow who preferred to hide in the tall grasses. Turning to the sky, I spotted this pair of hawks. I did not have time to adjust proper exposure but liked the silhouette just the same.

It is amazing what you can find in your own back yard with just a little bit of effort. I don’t know what type of insects these are but I definitely know what they are doing. To get this shot, the front of my lens has to be about 2.5 inches from my subject. They were completely oblivious to my presence which gave me sufficient time to get a well-focused image. I could not be happier with my DIY flash diffuser which can be credited with the quality of lighting in this photo. Last night, I glued aluminum foil to the white reflector which had the net effect of boosting contrast in the image. Switching my attention to flora, I am also rather happy with this budding flower.

In addition to helping feed the food insecure in our community, Jeanine also feeds the local hummingbirds with a special recipe she makes herself. Thus, they visit rather frequently. This little fellow stopped in a dozen times over the course of an hour and I managed to get a few keepers. The background is our grey-blue house. Orienting the feeder so that I am shooting into the woods will make for a much nicer image and I will try that next time.

I finally perfected a DIY lighting scheme for shooting macro photos and tested it this evening. Made from an old light modifier for my flash and popsicle sticks, it satisfies all of my requirements; lightweight, easy to set up and tear down, easy to transport, does not prevent me from getting close to subjects, and, most importantly, produces soft light.

Attachment is by way of velcro to my flash head and macro lens. The top half is a reflective white surface that bounces light to the bottom half diffuser. When removed from the camera, the assembly folds flat. The angles have all been calculated to maximize light intensity at the diffuser.

Maya spotted this ant chomping away on what appeared to be some kind of caterpillar larva. He was so engrossed in his meal that I was able to get in very close for this shot. With machine-like efficiency the ant devoured section after section of his prey stopping every minute or so to take a 15-second breather. Then back to work.

For the first time since we have lived here, the field behind our house has been planted with corn. Our property goes as far as the small green patch in the field where a pair of birdhouses are situated. The remainder of the land is Concord Conservation Land, which can never be developed. The pond has recently been restored by the abutting neighbors and it has never looked so good. I shall be sure to post images of the cornfield as it grows. As we get closer to putting our house on the market, our appreciation for the setting we have enjoyed for so many years only grows. Today, those pangs were even stronger as we put an offer on a property near my office.