I had a last minute opportunity to travel to my favorite place and took a path that I have never traveled on. There was nobody around except for the changing of the guard that occurs each day as the sun sets and the second shift of crepuscular creatures make their grand and vocal entrance.
It was me, a raccoon, and some great-horned owls nearby. I I was really excited to see these beautiful pink streaks above these magnificent clouds.
This shot was taken after 8:00pm the other night when the sun was already below the horizon. I decided to look towards the east and noticed this varied cloud formation. My biggest regret when taking landscape photos during sunset is leaving too soon. The sun is great and all, but the real magic happens just after it is gone.
I snicker when I see other photographers leaving before the sky reaches this dramatic peak. It’s a gamble; never knowing when it’s going to occur. It can change from one minute to the next in the most unbelievable way.
There is something to be said about having patience…
From wiki: As a ray of white sunlight travels through the atmosphere to an observer, some of the colors are scattered out of the beam by air molecules and airborne particles, changing the final color of the beam the viewer sees. Because the shorter wavelength components, such as blue and green, scatter more strongly, these colors are preferentially removed from the beam.At sunrise and sunset, when the path through the atmosphere is longer, the blue and green components are removed almost completely, leaving the longer wavelength orange and red hues we see at those times. The remaining reddened sunlight can then be scattered by cloud droplets and other relatively large particles to light up the horizon red and orange.
In my opinion some of the most spectacular sunsets occur just minutes after the sun disappears below the horizon. Under the right circumstances the sun illuminates the clouds and turns them into the most spectacular backdrop. This was taken on 11-26-2014 at 6:42pm at the Arthur R Wildlife Refuge.
I shot other photos beginning 45 minutes prior that I also enjoy. Place them side by side and the difference is staggering. It’s amazing how much our surroundings change in a matter of minutes.
The sky reminded me of Mar. It was as if I was this awestruck 5 year old. The enthusiasm. I was fumbling with my phone to snap pictures. I was nervously trying to study my camera settings to make sure everything was perfect. It was one of those moments that I had to act fast and I knew I only had s small window of opportunity.
If you look just above the silhouette of the land you will notice what looks like wavy plumes of smoke. It reminded me of the Aurora Borealis! It was dancing as I stood taking pictures. Taunting me to take more – so I did!
I think this was my closest experience to visiting another planet…
These may be serial homologues of insect wings, which are dorsal appendages of the second and/or third thoracic segments. Evidence for this theory includes the development of the helmet, which arises as a pair of appendages attached to each side of the dorsal prothorax by an articulation with muscles and a flexible membrane that allow it to be mobile. Also, the same genes are involved in development of the helmet and the wings.
A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching. – Swami Sivananda
This weevil originates from Costa Rica, Panama, and southern Mexico. I spotted two of them by a cypress swamp on the edge of the Florida everglades.
Please view my testimony at http://www.godlesstogodly.com
Via Flickr:
Large amount of nymphs feasting on this sunflower. Some grow sunflowers in-between their vegetables in the hope that the nymphs will feed on the sunflowers instead of their veggies.
Via Flickr:
My friend James Marshall spotting something while we were shooting macro on 9/22/13. The object was so small we had absolutely no idea what we were looking at. With the help of a macro lens and full extension tube set it was more than obvious what these two flies were up to. I must admit I am impressed by their acrobatics.
Via Flickr:
This frog didn’t seem bothered by me taking a macro of it’s head…
I was shooting with a friend near a nature center and this frog was content on the glass door of the building. As I am writing this blog post I notice another insect hitching a ride on the Frog’s head! It’s just right of the frog’s ear…
This photo is available for purchase in my Etsy.com showcase – https://www.etsy.com/listing/163929132/24×16-tree-frog-looking-over-your?
What does this photograph have to do with a 46 year old?
The lens naturally! This was my first chance using my 28mm 3.5 Super Takumar lens. I had read about them on the internet and they seemed to have a rabid following.
I have always enjoyed the feel of my old Nikon 35MM SLR lenses. This lens proved to be even more substantial.
It’s really true they don’t make lenses like this anymore. Manually focusing was a treat. It’s evident why it’s 45 years old and still working like it was just produced yesterday.
I can only hope my new lenses will last as long, but I will not hold my breath.
I have since acquired other universal M42 lenses and I have more on my bucket list…
Via Flickr:
First time using my recently acquired 28mm Super Takumar.
Our Creator's Canvas 