Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Turkeys Celebrating Christmas in Falmouth


On Sunday, unseasonably warm temperatures inspired a flock of turkeys to perform their spring mating dance on Main Street in Falmouth!   Five male and three female turkeys created their own version of Cape traffic as they posed for a Christmas card photo.   Locals stopped their cars as the turkeys strutted down the center of the road.  The male turkeys used the pavement to scrape their wings making a pleasing mating call.   Every so often, they exclaimed a group gobble gobble.   All of this happened amid the beautiful Christmas splendor of downtown Falmouth.   Many people used their cell phones to make images of this unique scene.

Choir Practice






Monday, October 19, 2015

Three Fall Photography Workshops


I will be leading three fall photography workshops for the Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary over the next three Thursdays.   The first workshop will be  on Thursday 10/22/15 from 4:30-6:30PM at Webb State Park in Weymouth.   The second workshop will be on Thursday 10/29/15 4:30-6:30PM at Turkey Hill in Hingham.   The third workshop will be on Thursday 11/5/15from 4-6PM at Burial Hill in Plymouth.   Please call the North River Sanctuary at 781 837 9400 to sign up.   For more information, please visit this link: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/program-catalog#results:keywords=artclass:program_code=41294

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Final Call for Acadia


This is the final call for my 2015 fall photograohy tour to Acadia National Park.   There are still a few spots left.   Acadia is my favorite destination in New England.   We will be there October 16-18, 2015.  We will see the park highlights and a few hidden gems.   The foliage will be close to peak.   It will be a fantastic weekend that you won't want to miss!

The price of the tour includes lodging, ground transportation from the South Shore Science Center and photo instruction.   All of that is included for only $375!   In addition, author, historian and naturalist John Galluzzo will be joining us for the tour.   His fantastic insight and humor have made him a favorite tour guide for many people over the years.

To sign up, please call the South Shore Science Center at 781 659 2559 or visit this link: http://southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org/event/photographing-acadia-national-park-2/

This image was created along the Shore Path in Bar Harbor.   The two sailing ships were greeted by a beautiful sunrise.   Downeast Maine has a long tradition of sailing vessels and Bar Harbor is home to some stunning windjammers!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

It's Not Too Late!


There are a few spots left for my fall photography tour to Acadia National Park.   Acadia is my favorite destination in New England.   We will be there October 16-18, 2015.  We will see the park highlights and a few hidden gems.   The foliage will be close to peak.   It will be a fantastic weekend that you won't want to miss!

The price of the tour includes lodging, ground transportation from the South Shore Science Center and photo instruction.   All of that is included for only $375!   In addition, author, historian and naturalist John Galluzzo will be joining us for the tour.   His fantastic insight and humor have made him a favorite tour guide for many people over the years.

To sign up, please call the South Shore Science Center at 781 659 2559 or visit this link: http://southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org/event/photographing-acadia-national-park-2/

The image accompanying this post was made in late June.   The doe was making its way through a beautiful field of wildflowers.   I pulled my car to the side of the road and spent a half hour observing this wonderful scene.   Acadia has a no hunting policy, which has led to a very high deer population.   Deer are one of the most commonly sighted animals in and around the park.   This doe was just outside of the park in a local farm field.   I am still stunned at how surreal the scene was.    It was as if I stumbled onto a movie set!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Lightning Bug Review - Fireworks over New England


Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to test and review the Lightning Bug made by MK Controls.   This interesting device detects infrared light a split second before fireworks and lightning are visible to the human eye.   This control allows you to make images that you might otherwise miss.   You can read my entire review and see more images on the Hunt's blog here: http://wbhunt.com/blog/fireworks-over-new-england-with-the-amazing-lightning-bug/

The image accompanying this blog post was made with the Lightning Bug in June at the Lobster Boat Races in Bass Harbor, ME.   We will be visiting Bass Harbor during my upcoming photo tour of Acadia National Park.   Bass Harbor is a classic working fishing village in Downeast Maine.   We will make many beautiful images of lobster boats and the surrounding scenery.   In addition to Bass Harbor, we will photograph all of the highlights of Acadia and a few off the beaten path locations.   This three day tour is from October 16-18, 2015.   The price for the tour includes lodging, photo instruction and ground transportation from the South Shore Science Center in Norwell, MA.  All of that is included for only $375!    To sign up, please call the South Shore Science Center at 781 659 2559.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Idyllic Dawn


This pastoral scene was the highlight of my lupine photography tour in June.   We woke well before dawn and headed to a previously scouted location with the hopes of witnessing a glorious sunrise.   Mother nature delivered!
The panoramic image is tone mapped for greater detail in the sky and the foreground lupines.   I intentionally included the barn and old truck on the left side of the image.   They add a touch of Yankee New England to the scene.  I wistfully wished that I could have found a better vantage of St. Matthews Chapel in the distance.   Only the top of the steeple was visible above the tree line.   This was one of the best sunrise scenes that I have viewed this year.   I was thrilled to share it with all of the tour participants who joined me!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Fall Photo Tour to Acadia National Park 2015



I am happy to announce that I will be leading a photo tour for the South Shore Science Center to Acadia National Park.   The tour will be from October 16-18, 2015.   We will visit many of the highlights of this fantastic island right at the peak of the foliage season.

During the three day tour we will be among the first people to see (and photograph) the sunrise in the United States.   We will stay in historic Bar Harbor, photograph iconic Otter Cliffs and we will visit a quaint fishing village at sunset.   Acadia is a beautiful land with an undeniable
charm.   Photographing Acadia is always a highlight of my year!   I hope you will join me to see why.

The price for the tour is $375, which includes all transportation, lodging and park entry fees.    We will be joined by author and naturalist John Galluzzo, who will help us appreciate and understand our natural surroundings.

For more information, please visit the South Shore Science Center's website here:
http://southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org/event/photographing-acadia-national-park-2/

To sign up please call the South Shore Science Center at 781-659-2559.

The image accompanying this post was made at 10:30PM on July 3, 2015.   The moon was nearly full and lit the landscape beautifully.   It rose to the east and looked a lot like the rising sun in Acadia National Park.   Fortunately, it wasn't so bright that it washed out all of the stars.

Sitting in solitude on the rocks along the Ocean Path was an amazingly tranquil experience.   A few cars and bicyclists passed by, but otherwise it was just the ocean waves and I that witnessed this stunning scene.  Spending time alone along a beautiful shoreline is a fantastic way to find solace in nature.


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

All Aboard for the Lupine Photography Workshop!




The Mass Audubon lupine photography workshop still has some spaces available.   We will head to the Franconia, NH region for the annual Fields of Lupine Festival.   This is one of the most beautiful places in all of New England!   Don't miss out!!

We will visit on June 13 and 14, photographing all of the beauty of the lupines with the White Mountains as a backdrop.   The trip is only $250 for Mass Audubon members and $300 for non-members.   This price includes lodging, transportation from the North River Sanctuary in Marshfield and photography instruction.   This deal can't be beat!

In addition to photographing beautiful lupine and quaint scenery during the day, we will make a few images at night.   Light painting and star photography are two of my favorite techniques and we will practice both on this trip. 

I am very excited to share one of my favorite locations and events with you!   Please sign up today by calling the Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary at 781 837 9400.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Get Your Seat Before They're Gone!

There are a few spots left on my upcoming photo tour to experience the lupine festival in Franconia, NH on June 13 and 14, 2015!  We will have a great time visiting many beautiful scenes adorned with lupine.   This song sparrow knows where to dine with a view.   I hope you'll join me for a great weekend!

Among other subjects, we will learn to evaluate a scene, how to scout a location and how to work a location from macro to grand landscape.   We will experiment with abstracts and dabble with night photography too!   This is one of my favorite events in New England.  Don't miss out!

The trip will include ground transportation, lodging and photo instruction.   At $250 for Audubon members and $300 for non-members, this trip is a steal.   To sign up, simply call the Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary at 781 837 9400.  To find out more information you can visit this link: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/program-catalog#program:sanctuary=5:startDate=1434168000:endDate=1434254400:program_code=39457

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

New Workshop – Lupine Festival – Franconia, NH





I will be leading a very exciting two day workshop to the annual Lupine Festival in Franconia, NH on June 13 and 14.   The trip will be centered around the beautiful lupine that grow abundantly in the mountains of Franconia and Sugar Hill, NH.   We will photograph sweeping mountain views and quaint New England scenes adorned with lupine.   In addition we will explore a little bit of night photography including some basics on light painting.   This workshop will be a lot of fun and is open to all levels of photographers.   I hope you will join me for this fantastic rite of spring!

This workshop is run by the Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary.   The fee for the trip is $250 for members and $300 for non–members.   It includes lodging and ground transportation from the North River Sanctuary.   To register, please call the Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary at 781 837 9400.   For more information, you may visit this website:




Friday, April 3, 2015

Free Flower Photography Workshop at the Williams Trading Post



On Saturday, April 25, I will once again offer a free flower photography workshop at the Williams Trading Post in Middleboro.   The Williams Trading Post will have hundreds of colorful flowers that we can use to create beautiful images.   We will discuss a variety of techniques including macro photography, kaleidoscope zooming and a review of the basics including composition and exposure.   Tripods and macro lenses are helpful, but not necessary.  Photographers of all experience levels are welcome.

I hope you will consider joining me for an exciting photography adventure.   The workshop will begin at 10:30AM and run until we get tired of smelling the roses:)

You can read about a previous flower photography workshop at the Williams Trading Post on my blog here: http://blog.greglessardphotography.com/2011/04/flowers-clowns-and-cute-dogsoh-my.html

Below is a link for directions to the Williams Trading Post.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Williams+Trading+Post,+Wareham+Street,+Middleborough,+MA&hl=en&sll=42.036922,-71.683501&sspn=2.129653,5.410767&oq=williams+tr&hq=Williams+Trading+Post,&hnear=Wareham+St,+Middleborough,+Massachusetts+02346&t=m&z=13

Friday, February 20, 2015

Stormy Stage Harbor Light



During a recent visit to Harding Beach, I photographed Stage Harbor Light during a snow storm.   The dark storm clouds behind the lighthouse provided a moody backdrop.   The snow flakes added a bit of excitement.   Sparse color coming from the trees, grasses and red trim on the lighthouse make the image.   This is a classic New England winter scene.   Trudging a mile each way in the storm to make this image was exhilarating!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Acrobatic Lapland Longspur


On a recent trip to Cape Cod, I was fortunate to find some lapland longspurs.   They were feeding on beach grasses.   All of them were female.   One in particular was balancing upside down as she made her way down a stalk of grass.   This winter has been terribly cold.   With a deep snow pack, wildlife of all shapes and sizes are struggling to find food.   I was glad to watch these birds find a feast!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Adventures in Photography: Snow Bunting in the Grass




In New England, the word snow, usually light, fluffy and harmless, has reached a whole new definition.   When it is uttered, every man, woman and child acquainted with a shovel, feels a dull ache in the lower back, thighs and biceps.   The plowmen simply give a vacant thousand yard stare.   Like the landscape, their spirits are buried under winter’s barrage.   

During this assault from “Old Man Winter”, it would be easy to forget about photography until spring.   With the transformation of the landscape comes an opportunity to rejuvenate all things artistic.    Seeing the land in new ways and finding new sources of inspiration from old haunts is one of the great blessings of winter.  

This is not an easy task.   Simply dressing appropriately, will take close to a half hour.   Once our armor of snow pants, boots, gaiters, hand warmers and multiple layers of gloves are donned, we need to explore by car, skis or snow shoes.    This effort is almost always rewarded.

Setting out with a plan is important.    Have specific goals and locations in mind.   These opportunities often work best with forethought in regards to subject, lighting, and weather conditions.   When preparation does not play out as expected, be flexible.  

On my latest adventure, I went to a remote beach on the Cape.   I spend more time on the beach in the winter than I ever would in the summer.   I love the beach, but I treasure solace and parking, which is rare in the warmer months.  The desolate and bleak landscapes of winter provide the peace and quiet that I seek.   The tranquil sound of the waves breaking upon the land still my soul.

On this day, I had a plan and a back-up plan in mind.   While the back-up plan actually came to fruition, the best image of the day came as a result of being flexible.   Walking through the dunes, I noticed a song bird that I had not seen up close before.   It was knocking seeds off of tall beach grasses.   The bird was so hungry that ignored me as I approached.      Easing myself into the snow pack, I readied my camera equipment and made some beautiful images of a male snow bunting.

The snow bunting is a beautiful bird in its own right, but on this day, the form of the grasses made the image.   The hardest part was keeping up with the small bird as it flitted from stalk to stalk.   It would frequently face away from the camera and it would often be hidden behind clumps of grass.    Moments later it would fly into clear view and rest on top of a stalk of grass for just a moment.   The experience of observing this arctic bird made my day.

Tip of the Month:   Be Flexible.   When well thought out plans don’t come together, look for another opportunity.   This beautiful world is limitless.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Snowy Owl - Soul of the Arctic Limited Edition Prints


My latest exhibit "Snowy Owls - Soul of the Arctic" will continue at the South Shore Science Center in Norwell until February 7.   Many images from the exhibit have already sold.   There are three beautiful panoramic images that will be limited to only ten prints each.   "Before the Storm", "Low Tide" and the stunning "Soul of the Arctic" will be individually signed and numbered.   Included with each of these prints is a certificate of authenticity, documenting which print and which edition you have invested in.   In addition, you will receive a framed copy of the story behind the image.   Each time one of these beautifully crafted images are purchased, the price will increase for the next print.   "Before the Storm" is already on its fourth printing.   Many people have been inquiring about these master prints.   Please be sure to purchase yours before they sell out!   To purchase one of these master prints, you can inquire at the South Shore Science Center or contact me directly at GregLessardPhoto@aol.com
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