Post-dawn serenity

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Post-dawn serenity

March 9, 2016 by Mike Powell

I love the serene beauty of the early morning. The light is soft, often tinged with pastel shades of pink and orange, and colors are especially saturated. The water is frequently still and mirror-like, providing for the possibility of perfect reflections.

On Monday I spotted this male Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) as he slowly made his way across one of the ponds at Huntley Meadows Park. The special characteristics of the post-dawn period made this striking bird even more spectacular than normal.

This photo is a visual response to those who occasionally ask me why I enjoy getting up so early in the morning—words are not necessary.

Posted in Art, Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Anas clypeata, Canon 50D, Huntley Meadows Park, Northern Shoveler, Tamron 150-600mm | 21 Comments

21 Responses

on March 9, 2016 at 6:47 am | Reply Paulaart18

Nice capture 🙂
- on March 9, 2016 at 7:35 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Paula.
  - on March 9, 2016 at 3:29 pm Paulaart18
    
    My pleasure 🙂
on March 9, 2016 at 7:27 am | Reply seedbud

Great shot!
on March 9, 2016 at 7:28 am | Reply Dan Antion

I love the reflection Mike.
- on March 9, 2016 at 7:35 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. I think it’s especially cool how the vegetation is reflected as well as the duck.
  - on March 9, 2016 at 12:27 pm Dan Antion
    
    It is!
on March 9, 2016 at 9:48 am | Reply Sukanya Ramanujan

This is such a beautiful photograph!
on March 9, 2016 at 12:02 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

You almost convinced me to get up early:) Then again I can look at your photos later in the day.
on March 9, 2016 at 4:45 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Stunning, Mike. Beautiful colour and reflections.
on March 9, 2016 at 6:02 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

That’s why it’s called the magic hour, and it really can be as you’ve shown here.
It’s a really beautiful photo.
- on March 10, 2016 at 4:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Allen. It truly is a magical time of the day, though generally it seems to pass a lot more quickly than an hour.
on March 9, 2016 at 9:45 pm | Reply waltersanford

Crystal clarity! I think it’s time to comment how much I have enjoyed watching the quality of your photographs steadily improve, Mike. Keep up the good work, buddy!
- on March 9, 2016 at 9:59 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Walter.
on March 11, 2016 at 5:32 am | Reply Ed

My favorite part of the day, excellent shot. 🙂
- on March 11, 2016 at 5:56 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ed. We shouldn’t advertise too much–one of the reasons why I love the early morning is that there are not many other people around. 🙂
  - on March 12, 2016 at 4:12 am Ed
    
    I hear ya, next Friday I’ll be in Cades Cove National Park in Tennessee for some much needed nature photography, the earlier the better. 🙂
on March 12, 2016 at 10:17 pm | Reply Lee

Fantastic!
- on March 13, 2016 at 4:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on March 14, 2016 at 8:19 am | Reply iseebeautyallaroundbyrobpaine

really stunning photo mike!
- on March 14, 2016 at 9:18 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Rob.