When You Carry a Nikon While Camping…

I recently embarked on a 40 mile backpacking trip during an outdoorsy camp I went to in the heart of the Adirondack’s. While packing various fleece items, bug-spray, assorted mis-matched woolen socks and such, I looked over to my Nikon sitting on a nearby shelf. Do I really need to take this, I thought, looking down to my already overstuffed backpack. Something in me, despite the fact that it could get smashed, permanently lost or just flat out be a waste of space, realized sometimes you need to take opportunities to capture shots that you can only get while being attacked by mosquitos in the middle of the woods. After long days of hiking 7-11 miles, I would sit down in a mess of sleeping bags, dig out my camera and wander about, snapping shots of all the magnificent wilderness that surrounded me. One of the nights we slept on the summit of a mountain and woke up to witness a truly spectacular sunrise that bled stunning oranges and reds all over the neighboring mountain ranges.  Thankfully, my Nikon did not get smashed or lost in the process of the trip and I found it to certainly not be a waste of space.  Now I can look at this old camera of mine with a new fondness, knowing its traveled with me through the rough and rocky, and collected so many memories along the way. Here are an assortment of shots I took during my time on trail!

XOX

Indigo F.

cheesy sausage potato blob…the ultimate greasy trail food

Pemaquid Point, Maine

At the end of a weekend in Maine, my family and I headed up to serene New Harbor and took a walk down Pemaquid Point.  The afternoon had reached a boiling point and my bare feet had to quickly hop from one barnacle covered boulder to the next, as I ventured down the long stretch of rock, rising from the vivid, turquoise water.  I had fun experimenting with different shutter speeds on my camera, which gave an ethereal look to the water.  Children of all ages enjoyed standing atop the massive slabs of rock as if they ruled the world, and older folk sat in the calm of the afternoon, dipping their feet into title pools. I found pleasure in taking loads of pictures while swiftly moving through the sea breezes with gravel covered feet. It sure proved to be a perfect afternoon!

Here are some shots from the afternoon :)

XOX

Indigo F.

Why Sadie and I Love Vermont

After a week and half in a small Vermont town nestled in the Green Mountains, my black lab, Sadie, and I, can always communicate one thing to each other, lets stay up here forever! We’ve been going up since I was 3 or 4 to my grandparents house, and relishing every moment of each day since then.  I can always sense why Sadie has such a strong love for the area.  Open fields and every smell imaginable are at her disposal, as well blueberries in the fall, beneath the blueberry bush.  Although she is 11 now, she acts as if she where 5 when we’re there.  Sadie takes long walks (and runs) during the day, then rests by my grandfathers feet in perfect contentedness, as an inky night swallows the day.  She is most happiest when her graying paws are prowling through the long grass, as she stalks her newest smell. Not only does Sadie hold Vermont so dearly in her heart, but I also, find I am in total nirvana when I’m up there. Something about the mountains makes me feel as if possibilities are infinite and the world is opening up in a set of pastel marionettes, dangling from the sky.  Also, the people I have grown to know smile as if life is just  unraveling itself to be beautiful in the moment.  What stands out is the character that the region embodies, and the love and beauty that the character represents. Here are a collection of photos from my previous visit, that I hope can symbolize how much this gorgeous place, it’s quirks and it’s people truly means to me (and Sadie)!

XOX

Indigo F.

(this dog isn’t Sadie)

( Ms. Sadie with my 35 mm)

( farm fresh cherries, resting dangerously on my legs…the quart was a bit less heavy by the end of the car ride)

Messin’ Around in Aperture

I’ve been having some playing with editing in the Aperture program recently, and decided that it would be fun posting some edited photos I took! Hope you all enjoy!

XOX

Indigo F.

(this one is a dandelion)

( view of Boston from the top of the Prudential)

 

In the City Streets

What will you find in the city streets?  On a recent trip to Jamaica Plain, I realized a city’s story and feel, is characterized by it’s people.  Everyone in JP has a unique presence that makes the streets so interesting to photograph. JP is one of those funky finds where it seems like wherever you may be, the bustling tempo of the city slows down enough for you to appreciate your surroundings. For instance, on a walk around Jamaica Plain’s pond, I noticed how people ambled along in no hurry, some even taking time to stop and listen to a jam session that was just starting up.  If you ever happen to be in the Boston area, JP should not missed!  Here are some shots I got from the day!

XOX

Indigo Fletcher

Landscapes of Southwest Colorado

Here are some landscape shots I got of southwest Colorado during a recent trip!

Enjoy :)

Indigo F.

 

A Stroll Through Northampton

I recently took a trip down to Northampton MA and strolled through the bustling streets. People were pouring out of shops everywhere as the sunny afternoon seemed to melt into the crooked sidewalks.  Street musicians strummed on their guitars with their melancholy songs drifting away into the soft breezes.  People of all types were enjoying this gorgeous afternoon.  Children and their parents bicycled down the main street alongside groups of serious bikers, equipped in their special bike clothes.  My dad and I walked downtown, admiring the architecture and inhaling wafting aromas coming out of little cafes. We later found the Northampton Brewery with a roof deck drenched in sunlight. The staff was pleasant and the food was superb. I have never tasted mussels as delicious and garlicky as the ones we had there. The flatbread was fantastic as well with plump cherry tomatoes bursting at the press of a fork. After our satisfying lunch, we ventured to the center of town were we ambled into little stores filled with nice people and funky finds. After hours of poking about, we found ourselves at the famous Herrell’s Ice Cream. The entire store was bustling with adults and children licking waffle cones and making their way through a maze of others waiting in line. With a floppy hat on my head, a much too large Nikon camera swinging off my neck and dripping cup  of dutch orange chocolate ice cream in hand, I found myself in a bit of a pickle at the door. As if communicating that my shoelace was stuck on the door was hard enough with a maraschino cherry in my mouth, people were pouring into the store as I helplessly tugged my foot with ice cream dripping onto my hand.  Finally I escaped the clutches of the door and took to cleaning off the chocolate from my hair, arm, hands, shirt and camera. Our last stop was The Hungry Ghost Bread, which had some darn amazing bread. We left Northampton with satisfied stomachs, two loaves of bread and a camera full of pictures!

XOX

Indigo F.

The Story of Butter

Prisoner of a suburban lawn

It clings with spindly arms

Deafening silence defining it’s immobility

The butterfly waits

Papery black wings loosely attached to a quivering pipe cleaner of a body

Losing strength, it watches

Expecting fate’s hand to restore him to his freedom

Setting him loose to flutter through breezes

Instead life evades him

The world passes, as he remains in crushing stillness

Soft hands cup around this forgotten soul

Cradling and stroking the fragile orange speckled wings

A child’s freckled nose appears in the butterflies face

Loud and excited words jump from it’s mouth

The butterfly holds on tight as his sweaty platform shifts

Butter, the forgotten, three winged butterfly was named

His grip steadied as the child whimsically held it up in front of the world

Life had changed

Only for a moment

That was all he had needed

When he departed to fly

Bakery Heaven

What makes a bakery so perfect? Is it the simmering vibe that allows you to relax and soak up the aroma’s of fresh croissants coming out of the oven? Or the admiration that hides beneath your smile when you’re surrounded by rows of pastries and baskets of bread, that you can hardly resist.  The vibe of a bakery/cafe always seems calm, like the sea rolling in and out, not caring what it picks up, just content with how the day is.  I feel instantly peaceful when I enter a bakery, with all the odds and ends scattered about, making it personable and cozy. This collection of pictures is dedicated to all those great bakeries out there, who’s commitment to a certain excellence in baking never stops, while never ceasing to keep a pleasant mood.

-Indigo F.

Charm of the City Cafe

 

Introducing Nigel

Nigel, an affectionate black lab puppy, has become the most recent addition to our extended family. A little more then a month ago, we would never though that our cousins would be getting a dog, but we where proven wrong when we received the word that they would be getting a black lab puppy; a puppy named Nigel that would change everything. Nigel’s silky black fur and milky brown eyes evoke a heart melting adorableness that you want to cuddle and coo over for weeks. Wherever Nigel trots off to, everyone follows, making silly voices at the innocent, fury face staring up at us.  After playing wildly with his rubber toys, Nigel takes a snooze right in the middle of the kitchen, like he owns the whole floor. When Nigel wakes up, he lumbers around a bit, then skips right into play mode, where he’ll nudge your ankles to throw him his favorite chicken toy. During lunch, he’ll patiently wait at your feet, watching you intently as if he rightfully deserves a nibble off your plate. His little, wet blackberry nose will quiver with excitement, when you give in to his cuteness, offering him a small bite under the table. Nigel sure knows how to buy your affection with his endless cuddling and determined scampering about the lawn. Did I also mention he is photogenic? I can’t wait to see him grow into those huge paws of his, and see him sprinting down the beach with my cousins not to far behind. I can see Nigel and his new family will have many more memories to come! Without further adieu, welcome to the family Nigel!

XOX

Indigo F.

Nigel looking out at the world