Our first home together was on Barters Island (“what other island ah theyuh?”) back in the late ’70s. We lived on the first part of Kimballtown Road, in the area I liked to call the Upper West Side. We were the first “outlanders” on that portion of the thoroughfare.

Sonny and Brenda Artzer were our neighbors to the north, with the Lewis’ just beyond. The Burnham family lived directly across the street and the Barter-Little home bordered to the south. We bought the old Roberts house. For the first of our tenure everyone pretty much went their own way, mostly.

My first book of photographs (“Winter”) got its start on the Island. “The Minnie Brook” off the east side road, (which I called the Lower East Side) was a particularly interesting area. Just under Oak Hill, it trickled into Back River up from the McLellan property.

There was a great little fish shack there, a magnificent dead tree and a nicely rolling meadow down to the water. At low tide the mud flats were extensive and often a mellow fog would drift in along the shore. In winter, sea-smoke filled the cove. I will share that image another time.

There were lots of great subjects back then. One of which landed right in our own back yard. What I believe is the impression of a mourning dove appeared one day for me to photograph. I think, and maybe someone out there can confirm or refute, the bird did a belly flop in the snow then took off. Sort of the reverse of a snow angel.

Lucky me. Correct me please if not so.

“Winter” is still hanging around — not that anyone needs a refresher course! The old neighborhood has changed a bit, but Barters Island is still a special place for us.