When all else fails, find something red! 

Not sure if I read that somewhere or if my imaginary sidekick whispered in my ear. Either way, this scene caught my eye as I was wandering around during my weekly visit to Sample’s Shipyard where there is much activity at the travel lift. Boats are coming out of the water left and right.

Anticipation also mounts with the scheduled return of the Sherman Zwicker.

No word at this writing about an arrival date due to weather and sea conditions. It will be good to see the Zwicker back in the harbor, even if it's for some updating and repair. For so many years we watched the ship’s comings and goings along with lengthy tie-ups at the Tugboat Inn. The return will be an event for sure.

I think my visit at the boatyard was a little late in the day this week. But at this time of year, I’m sure everyone has noticed, the late afternoon sunlight is quite wonderful. Happens every fall, sunsets are earlier. Earlier soon coming up and then we get nailed with the time change. Oh, boy! Can’t wait. Gobs of vitamin D supplements on the way.

The thing that becomes most obvious to me, and many others sharing wonderful photos on the internet, is the richness of the evening light. I know everyone talks about the “Golden Hour,” which is quite true, but in the fall, perhaps because the angles of the sun are more extreme, the colors fill the skies in unique and interesting ways. The big puffy clouds are generous reflectors which spread the sunset and sunrise light more extensively, often warming up new spots along the way.

You may have guessed that I love the fall. The foliage change this year is pretty terrific. Of course, fall color is still a bit of a mystery, but it seemed to me that with all the dry weather the colors might be more muted. That does not appear to be the case. I have seen photographs on the Internet, some admittedly oversaturated by technology, that are really beautiful. Up country now, I guess, is pretty far along and heading down the other side. Around here, the color change is well under way. I annually notice the changing trees that line what I believe is “Lobster Cove Meadow,” which borders the old Bickford Giles property, now part of the Land Trust also. Late morning through later afternoon really lights up the trees along the meadow.

Today’s photo shared was quite well lit by the afternoon sun. It’s a good time of day to observe the east side of the harbor from the west. The sunlight really illuminates that section of the harbor, especially my little red building. Pleasant mix of color with the clouds filling in quite nicely. I hope folks can get out around the region to have a look, despite rather expensive fuel for our vehicles. You don’t need to go too far, that’s the nice part.