Windmills at Sunset...

"Windmills at Sunset"
Mt. Cardigan, Orange NH

Like many I have mixed emotions about the installation of wind turbines along the mountainous ridgelines of New England. But there is no question that we can’t keep consuming and burning fossil fuels at the rate we have been since the beginning of the industrial revolution. I believe global warming is a fact and we have to act now to try and roll back its negative impact on the environment.

While many will protest and try to block these kinds of projects on the basis of various environmental and visual impacts I think the tough reality is that we need to come to accept that these kinds of projects… if well managed and thoughtfuly placed… are necessary to the future well being of the planet and society.

We have seen that some early alternatives to fossil fuel usage such as nuclear power carry simply unacceptable potential dangers. Three Mile Island (TMI-2) and Chernobyl (Pripyat - Reactor 4) are just two examples of what could have actually been much greater human and environmental disasters. Thirty one people died as a direct result of fighting to contain the fires and radiation at Chernobyl… and the human, environmental and economic impact of that accident are still being felt a generation later.

And the economic impact (both positive and negative) on different countries around the world due to the volatility of fossil fuel prices can make or break economies overnight creating hardship and an unclear future for many.

So in my opinion… as individuals and as a society... we need to make some tough choices as to our energy future. Yes, wind-farms and solar arrays may be considered unwelcome intruders on the landscape of New England and many regions across the world. But I believe until we find a "better" answer... they are better than the alternative.

Summer Sunset...

"Summer Sunset" - Mascoma River, Enfield NH

For the past few weeks I have been challenging myself to try and "see" in black and white again after many years of shooting almost exclusively in color.

And so far I am pretty happy with the results.

 I know the resulting images have made me think more about what I see and how I view the world around me... and I hope they do the same for those who occasionally view and enjoy my work.

Abandoned Buildings #2

Abandoned #2 - Route 120, Lebanon, NH

This is the second in a series of images of various abandoned buildings and structures located in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Time and the original owners seem to have forgotten these places... but I'm sure they all have a story to tell.

Unlike the first photo in this series it looks like someone has come to the rescue of these two buildings... but that still doesn't tell us anything about their original purpose or history.

If you are a local follower and recognize any of these places please post a comment as to the former use. Eventually I hope to put together an album of these images along with a brief history the building or location.

Abandoned Buildings and Other Places Time has Forgotten...

"Abandoned 1" - Route 4, Enfield, NH

This is the first in a series of images of various abandoned buildings and structures located in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Time and the original owners seem to have forgotten these places... but I'm sure they all have a story to tell.

If you are a local follower and recognize any of these places please post a comment as to the former use. Eventually I hope to put together an album of these images along with a brief history the building or location.

 Thanks!

"Evening Shadow" - Craft's Hill, Lebanon NH

"Evening Shadow"

Seeing the shadow cast by an unseen fern on the bark of this birch tree reminded me that it is often the “shadow of our actions” that defines who we are and establishes our presence in this world rather than what we do while physically seen.

Signs #1

"Follow Your Heart"  :-)  

"Follow Your Heart"

This is the first in a series of new photographs I am working on... "alternative interpretations" of the signs (both literal and figurative) that we see and experience in our lives each day.

In this case it is about following your heart!

Have a great journey! :-)  

To see this and more visit: https://davemengle.smugmug.com/Inspiration/

Smell All the Flowers...

One of the problems with photographing flowers is that it is so easy to get caught up in their sheer beauty through the viewfinder that it is easy to totally miss or ignore their other great attributes.

And one of these is the multitude of wonderful smells and fragrances you experience while "nose to blossom" when taking closeups like this one.

And it was this realization the other day that led me to re-think the old expression about "Taking time to smell the Roses".

In fact we should take time to smell all the flowers and experiences life presents us with.  Often it is easy to get caught up in one aspect of something and miss a lot of what life is just begging us to experience.

So the next time you start to focus in what you think is that single most important aspect of something take a step back... take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of what life has to offer!  :-)