I spent much of today at home waiting for a FedEx package that required a signature, so it was late afternoon when I finally managed to get out with my camera. The sun was already pretty low on the horizon when I arrived at my favorite marshland and I didn’t find many subjects to shoot. However, almost as compensation, I was treated to a spectacular sunset. The sky was blue and there were a good number of clouds in the west to reflect the colors of the setting sun. I tried to catch the sun as it was setting as I looked across the marsh; as I looked out to the distant treeline after the sun had already gone down; and as I looked through some nearby trees at the beautiful reds that appeared. It was a gorgeous way to start the weekend.
Looking into the marsh
Looking toward the treeline
Looking through the trees
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Bet you sleep good with those images fresh in your mind.
Indeed. This is the second time this week that I’ve posted photos within an hour or so of shooting them.
I guess practice makes perfect. You seem to have so much fun taking pictures. It shows in them.
I think that you understand me pretty well. I am having a lot of fun and I am learning so much. Practice seems to improve the odds of getting a good photo, but each time is a bit different–the angles, the light, the time of day, the particular subject, all of them are variables. Perfect? I’ll save that for the professionals. If you go back to root meaning of “amateur,” it’s someone who loves doing something–that would be me.
I enjoy your blogs and your enthusiasm over the learning. They bring back memories of when the kids and I did so much birding and all the fun we had learning. I’m real rusty on birds now. I hear their songs/calls and and am aware of their presence. I just don’t go birding any more. One time I took my youngest daughter and a birding friend to a small lake on the other side of the state. They had a gate open that shouldn’t have been. We drove a loop and saw 44 eagles! This could go on and on.
Beautiful!
Thanks, James. I was fortunate that I was off from work today. The sun sets so early now that I rarely get to see it.
Super!
That is a great way to start the weekend. How long does it take you to get to your favourite marsh?
It’s only 5 miles away, but here in the suburbs that means at least 15 minutes, sometimes a bit more. It is described on its website as follows, ” Nestled in Fairfax County’s Hybla Valley, Huntley Meadows Park is a rich, natural island in the suburban sea of Northern Virginia. Its 1,425 acres harbor majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadows and vast wetlands bursting with life. Some of the best wildlife watching in the Washington metropolitan area is enjoyed here. From the ½ mile wetland boardwalk trail and observation tower, people have excellent views of beavers, frogs, dragonflies and herons. Huntley Meadows is well known as a prime birding spot, with over 200 species identified in the park.”
That sounds pretty wonderful
Beautiful!