How to Make Trumpets and Trombones

In late August I visited S.E. Shires, Co. to photograph the crafting of custom trumpets and trombones. This is the third installment of my series on musical instrument makers in New England. The Shires plant in Hopedale, MA has been making brass instruments for devoted horn players since 1995. Most of the men and women who work here are musicians too. They’re using computer guided cutting tools and machines, early 20th century apparatus,  lots of small and large welders, and plenty of hands-on work to make each perfect instrument.

Visit my posts about Tippin Guitars and Haynes Flute.

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Flute Making In Acton, MA

As part of my new series celebrating musical instrument makers in New England, I visited Wm. S. Haynes, makers of flutes in Acton, MA. Founded in Boston in 1888, the company is the oldest flute-maker in America, producing fine custom-made silver, gold, and platinum instruments for discriminating musicians around the world.

To learn more about Wm S. Haynes Flutes, click here.

To see photographs of my visit to Tippin Guitars in Marblehead, MA, click here.

Late Fall Afternoon on the Concord River

The Concord River in Concord, Massachusetts

The Concord River passes through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

The leaves are now gone and the Concord River flows slowly through Massachusetts on its way to the sea.

This image is available as a custom archival print of any size, or licensed for commercial use.

Covered Bridge

The Hemlock Bridge is a covered bridge in a rural part of Fryeburg, Maine. This past weekend I visited this iconic structure and learned about it from a local farmer. Built in 1857, it carries Hemlock Bridge Road over the Old Course Saco River, near the western shore of Kezar Lake.

Hemlock Bridge

The Hemlock Bridge is a covered bridge in a rural part of Fryeburg, Maine. Built in 1857, it carries Hemlock Bridge Road over the Old Course Saco River, near the western shore of Kezar Lake in eastern Fryeburg.

Photo Contest | Essex National Heritage Area

Photo Contest 2015 Photo Contest – Capture the Spirit of Essex County, Massachusetts

All photographers are welcome to submit images to the 2015 Essex Heritage Photo Contest that capture the unique character of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) or speak to Essex Heritage’s role in preserving the historic, cultural, and natural places of Essex County. Photographs must be taken within the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) and represent one of the three Contest categories listed below. Please read the complete Rules & Requirements and send in an Entry Form for your chance to win! All entries must be postmarked by Monday, December 1, 2015.

Get Info Here

 

Humpback vs. Boston Whaler

Today, Molly and I celebrated her 14th birthday, a few days ahead of time, with a whale watch out of Gloucester, MA. We booked passage for the 5 hour journey on the Miss Cape Ann, operated by Captain Bill & Sons. We met about 10 Humpbacks, one shark, and numerous sea birds on the 60 mile round-trip excursion to the fertile Stellwagon Bank Marine Sanctuary. The on-board naturalist from The Blue Ocean Society knew each and every one of the whales by name, identified by the patterns on their flukes.

Too close for comfort! Humpback whale sends a greeting to a 15 footer.

Too close for comfort! Humpback whale sends a greeting to a 15 footer.

Whales swam blithely under our large boat, and a whale mother and child exhibited their nursing skills without a care in the world