Dozens of people witnessed the partial solar eclipse, about 65% at peak, from the observatory at Salem State University. The atmosphere on the observation deck was electric and full of excitement and curiosity. What a wonderful way to view such an incredible celestial event.
"Free Speech" rally in Boston
I attended the rather peaceful "Free Speech" rally on the Boston Common today. After the rally was shut down police had to push back counter-protesters along Boylston Street to clear a path for the police paddy wagons full of "Free Speech" activists. This was when emotions started to get tense. Most of the counter-protesters refused to move and things ramped up pretty quickly as the police started to advance on the counter-protesters. Several arrests were made as police eventually cleared a path for the "Free Speech" activists to safely leave the scene.
These photos show only a very small portion of what was a much larger and very peaceful event. I attended the rally as a spectator on my own free time and wanted to witness and photograph history being made in Boston. I was not assigned to cover the rally.
Band Camp
Band camp is a sure sign that summer is on the way out and fall is right around the corner. As a photographer reflections can lead to interesting images, so when I saw shiny sousaphones I knew an image could be made. The musicians were running through drills which gave me an opportunity to walk among them on the field. If given the opportunity I always like to get right in the middle of the action.
Sunset at the Salt Marsh
I had a great evening last night at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. I got lucky and was able to spot a Snowy Egret in one of the salt marshes hunting for dinner with the setting sun as a backdrop. I spent about an hour photographing the egret from my car which I use as a blind.
Midsummer Update
It's been a busy summer full of various events and activities. Here are a few of my favorite images from the last couple of months.
Fourth of July Fireworks
I've had a lot of opportunities to photograph various fireworks displays around the North Shore this Fourth of July season. Here are a few of my favorites.
Spring Sports Wrap-up
Here are the last of my favorite spring sports action photographs. All these images were taken during tournament games, which are usually high intensity games with a lot of action.
Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat
High school state championship sports games usually include high impact action as well as raw emotion and this year's 2017 spring sports tournament games didn't disappoint. Here are a few of my favorite from the past few weeks.
2017 Graduation Wrap-up
Every year I cover multiple graduations around the North Shore of Massachusetts. Here are a few of my favorites from this years ceremoies.
Yellow Warblers
I spent a little time at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and found a few Yellow Warblers happily flying around. The spring migration always attracts dozens of warblers from various species and it can be a lot of fun tracking them through the trees and brush along the waterfront.
Spring Sports Highlights
In between rain showers and postponed games I was still able to photograph a variety of spring sports. Here are a few of my favorite photographs so far this spring sports season.
Active Shooter Training
All I heard was gunfire as I entered the building and I knew the drill had already started. I was quickly ushered up the stairs of this vacated nursing home in Melrose. I knew my assignment was an active shooter scenario but I wasn't expecting to be throwing right into the middle of the action. I got up stairs was quickly told where to stand and where not to stand. Things were happening all around me very fast. People were running from different rooms, I wasn't sure who had the gun and who were patients. After a few minutes the drill was over as fast as it began. I saw 2 more drills before they broke for lunch. Each scenario started without warning and the 3 scenarios I was able to witness only lasted a total of a few minutes. I was very impressed with how the Melrose Police Department and local hospital staff were able to control each unpredictable scenario. Check out more photos here.
Town hall with Senator Elizabeth Warren
I recently covered a town hall with Senator Elizabeth Warren at Salem High School. After answering questions from the audience Senator Warren posed for photo with supporters. I actually didn't expect this to happen and it was a nice surprise, so I hang around for a while and made some images. It's always nice when there is an opportunity to capture something unexpected. Check out more photos here.
Rodeo
I always enjoy photographing something different and to me a rodeo is different. I've never photographed one before and it was a fun experience. See more photos here at Wicked Local North of Boston.
Healthy Pharms Medical Marijuana Dispensary
I was expecting a small room where medical marijuana patients would purchase their legal cannabis from in pre-sealed packages, to my surprise this building was also housing multiple grow rooms. I was given a tour of the facility which will be opened for business in early May 2017. Read the story on Wicked Local Georgetown and check out more photos.
ColorBlast at Crane Beach
I was assigned to create a photograph to promote an upcoming event. The story was about celebrating the arrival of spring. Part of the celebration involved the tossing of colored powder into the air and that was the part of the celebration I was assigned to portray. Kerrie was a great subject and was very excited to take part in the photo shoot. Even with the wind blowing and the colored powder clumping up on us having a subject really get into a photo shoot is always rewarding.
Winter Sports Wrap-up
Here are a few more favorites from this past winter sports season.
Snow Days
Winter Storm Stella provided a great opportunity to drive around and photograph people in north shore communities enjoying what might be the last snowstorm of the season.
Northeast Snow Polo Championship
Elizabeth Owens of Boston walks her horse out of the barn before the start of a chukker with New York during the Northeast Snow Polo Championship at the Boston Polo Club and Equestrian Center in Georgetown.
Elizabeth Owens of Boston moves the ball towards the goal as she is defended by Ann Harness of New York during a chukker at the Northeast Snow Polo Championship at the Boston Polo Club and Equestrian Center in Georgetown.
Walking the Dogs
Whenever there is a major snowstorm I spend most of the day driving around looking for people or scenic images to photograph for the newspapers. I was lucky to find dog walker and trainer Nicole Maggio as she walked along the Mount Hood Golf Club in Melrose with her clients dogs.