The sun had just risen when I arrived last Thursday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. How, I wondered could I possibly capture my impressions of those wonderful moments as the new day was dawning?
I hastened to capture an image while the sun was still low on the horizon and grabbed the first photo below while standing at the edge of the parking lot. There was a soft mist lingering over the fields and in my second shot, I worked to capture the stillness and serenity that I was feeling.
When I finally arrived at the shore, the sky and the water seemed to be almost the same color with a narrow, darker strip of land separating the too. I immediately thought of the moody, minimalist landscape shots that Michael Scandling regularly features in AMAGA Photography Blog. Michael likes to coax each pixel into submission and I confess that I did not work on my final image as much as he would have, but it is a kind of homage to his wonderful work.
So there you have it, three distinctive images that together give you a sense of what I was seeing and feeling in the early morning hours, a time of day that is perfect for introspection and reflection.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
These are so very beautiful, Mike. I like the delicacy in which you have taken and produced these photographs to wonderful effect. Whilst all the images are outstanding, the centre image has beautiful layers within it, gentle shades of colour, and a peaceful stillness.
Thanks, Pete, for sharing your impressions and thoughts. I am very much in agreement with you–the middle image is my favorite for the very reasons you cite. What I have found when I posted the first two images separately in Facebook is that the first image with the bright ball of the sun grabs viewers’ attention more, especially those who will look for only a split second and then move on. The second image requires more careful consideration and contemplation.
I’m in complete agreement with the delicacy of the various layers in the second image. So haunting and ethereal.
Thanks, Gary. Capturing the mist, both initially and in post-processing was a challenge. With some photos I can get away with being a bit ham-fisted, but certainly not with this one.
Those are beautiful, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. As you can see, I am exploring a number of different styles that are quite different for my “normal” birds and bugs. However, these are definitely not “normal” times, so it seems appropriate to improvise and experiment.
I hope you have a chance to venture into your old haunts soon. But, you’re adapting well.
Love the colorful sunrise shot the best.
Thanks, Molly. That is definitely the one that has the biggest pops of color. Have a wonderful day today.
Beautiful images Mike! Here they are saying to stay home except for food or emergencies. They do not even want us to take walks outside. So we really enjoy seeing your posts!
Thanks, Reed. Wow. We are explicitly allowed to do outdoor activities including exercise as long as we maintain social distancing. I am staying close to home for now, posting some relatively recent images (like these sunrise shots from last week), and visiting my neighbors’ gardens.
Reminds me of photographs Ellen and I would go out to catch up north. Thanks, well done. Very different than our current locations. Maybe nicer this time of year.
It is pretty spectacular at this time of the year with all of the blossoming trees and flowers starting to bloom. I love the transitional seasons like this, when the nights are cool (down in the low 40’s) and the days are warmer (50’s and 60’s). Today the sun is shining, which makes it extra nice.
A wondrous time of day and you’ve captured it beautifully, Mike. All three images convey the feeling of being there as the day unfolded, quiet and peaceful.
Thanks, Ellen. You have described perfectly what is so special about the early morning hours.
😊
Mike, I see you tagged the Tamron 150-600mm lens — do you use a tripod with that lens?
Most of the times I shoot with a monopod. When I am walking around I keep the camera and lens affixed to the monopod, which lets me react quickly when I see a bird, which is what I shoot most often during the winter. These shots are unusual–I don’t try to shoot landscape-type shots very often with such a long zoom lens, but it kind of works. 🙂
Beautiful images that bring peace!
Thanks. With all that is going on, I think that we all welcome whatever moments of peace that we can find or create.
Definitely!
Such serenity!
For me, it’s easiest to find that sense of peace and serenity early in the day, before other cares and concerns begin to occupy my time, my thoughts, and my emotions.
Love the three distinctive images, each in marked contrast to the others. Fabulous work Mike!
These times challenge us to take the lemons that life is giving us and to make lemonade. YOU are doing just that and beautifully too! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
😍 I really got excited about this one. 😍 My favorite time of day. You expressed it VERY well with your words and captured it beautifully with your lens. I felt it. ☺️
Reblogged this on ram H singhal note book.
Beautiful and haunting composition, I love it!
Thanks.
This is beautifully written…
I have a wildlife blog… Do check it out and don’t forget to show some love
Hi, this is beautiful❤️
I have a wildlife blog, do check it out and show some love