MAINE - SUNRISE AND SUNSET

I'm not often awake at sunrise. And when I am, I'm not often coordinated enough to take a photograph. But I couldn't resist the sunrise in the fog:

And I also happened to be in Portland just when the sun was beginning to set. This is the Portland skyline from Baxter Boulevard:

COMING HOME TO MAINE

A friend and I went to a photo conference for the weekend, and we were reflecting on how nice it was to live in Maine.   If we go somewhere for a holiday, or a weekend, the tourists are usually going the other way.   It was no different this weekend - this is the scene as we were driving home:

While we were gone, we got a chance to photograph some hot-air balloons:

MORE MAINE COUNTRY FAIR

Other sights at the fair included booths selling everything you could ever want (boy, would I hate to set up/take down this booth!):

A patriotic tractor:

Bored sheep:

And of course, the 4-H show. Showing their cattle is serious business for these kids:

But coming out on top is worth all the effort!

MAINE COUNTRY FAIR

Today I went to the Ossippee Valley Fair, the first of the Maine county fairs. We used to show cattle at this fair, and it was great to see the dairy show.

However, I naturally gravitated to my first love - horses - and I found plenty to photograph. There was a large entry for the pulling contests, and I got to photograph this handsome guy:

 

Along with a couple of his competitors:

There were pig races:

As well as fake pigs:

And of course, the "fair food":