Boston Public Garden

Last month, I spent a morning in the Boston Public Garden photographing this amazing family.















We had fun with the ducklings...















... visited the swan boats...,









...walked all around, and captured some wonderful images!

Three Generations in the studio

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing a lovely family in my studio.

From a 7 week old adorable baby girl, to her almost-2-year old beautiful big sister...


























...to her mom, aunt and grandmother, we had a wide range of ages and lots and lots of fun!















I'm pretty sure everyone slept well that night!

More birds fledge the nest!

This must be the week for fledglings around here and I must have the perfect spot outside my office window for flight practice! While editing some beautiful portraits of an adorable 1 year old girl, I heard frantic twittering from outside my window.

There were four baby Tufted Titmice practicing their flying (and flying into the house, clutching for branches of the shrubs, and crash-landing on the ground). At one point, all four were spread-eagle on the ground, resting. Their Mom and Dad flew from fledgling to fledgling, feeding them and encouraging them.
















Check out these images, once again, shot through a dirty window.
Note to self (or husband : ) ): clean windows next weekend!!!!

Happy Father's Day - for the birds!!!

Well, the baby Carolina Wrens from the second brood fledged the nest in time for Father's Day.

What a devoted Mom and Dad those fledglings have.

Last month, the parent wrens chased away a hungry blue jay (who was able to pluck some feathers from one of the babies but didn't do enough damage to kill it, fortunately), and now I see them in the yard teaching the babies how to fly and forage for food.

With their nest in direct view of one of our windows, we saw the most diverse and amazing selection of insects that they found for their babies. From fat caterpillars to squirmy centipedes and other creepy crawlies, these baby wrens were well fed and well taken care of!














In honor of Father's Day, here are some photos of one of the fledglings being fed his dinner by Dad.


Thanks to all the doting and wonderful Dads out there. Your kids and your families appreciate all you do!!!!

Congratulations Madey and Steve!

Congratulations to Madey and Steve who were married last Saturday in Marblehead.



















What a beautiful wedding they had - so full of love, laughter, and fun!





These flower girls were adorable!!!

Look at these stunning flowers!
















It was a little too rainy after the service for the planned boat ride from the church to the reception, so they took cars, instead. I love the colorful umbrellas; they're so cheery and fun!































Madey is a designer and her experienced and artistic eye were evident in all the details.










These beautiful votive candles illuminated their guest signing book and the framed photographs from their engagement session.











Congratulations, once again, to a truly lovely couple! It was so much fun to be a part of your day!

Bernese Mountain Dog Portrait

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Cody and Basel, two very handsome Bernese Mountain Dogs. They had just been groomed and were extremely fluffy and absolutely gorgeous - quite ready for their portrait session!
























Aren't they handsome???!!!!

Chirp, Chirp! Peep, Peep! - Carolina wrens fledge the nest

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! That includes the sweet little Carolina wren who's been nesting on the other side of my office window for the last month or so. In the last two weeks, I've heard a chorus of peeps as the babies came out of their eggs and started begging for food. They kept Mom and Dad very busy with their insistent peeps and chirps.

Yesterday, as a special Mother's Day treat, they fledged the nest! We returned home after a morning out and found the parent wrens shepherding their young ones as they learned how to fly. Evidently, it is quite difficult to learn how to fly! The little guys tried and tried, but kept fluttering to the ground, flying into the house, flying into the car, and stopping to catch their breath. The parents were very busy keeping tabs on where their babies were and which ones needed food!

This photo is of one of the parents, I think; although, at the time I took it, I thought it was one of the babies. The fledglings have pin feathers sticking out of their heads and don't have the coloring of their parents just yet. This bird looks like an adult Caroline wren, with its beautiful colors and smooth feathers. I'll try to get a photo of one of the babies tomorrow; hopefully, in a good moment and not fluttering into the house!

Thirty-six hours after leaving their nest, I heard the familiar peeps of a baby wren outside my office window. I was surprised to see the whole family trying to make it back to the nest. Evidently, one baby was in the nest, peeping loudly. Two others were trying to make it back, but couldn't! One flew into the window, then fluttered to the ground. The other flew into the house and then down to the bushes below. They gave up their efforts and are probably spending the night in a bush nearby.

It's like watching a baby take her first steps - you're worried for her and happy and excited all at once. Happy Mother's Day one and all!!!!