Clouds over the refuge

Blessing of the Animals 2022 »

Clouds over the refuge

October 2, 2022 by Mike Powell

As many of you probably realize, I generally do not spend much time photographing landscapes and focus primarily on insects, in the warmer months, and birds, in the colder months. This past Wednesday, however, I was absolutely captivated by the clouds and tried to capture them in both landscape and seascape images at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I used my Canon 7D for the first two images and shot the panorama in the final shot with my iPhone 11.

As I look at these images, I can’t help but think that I should keep my eyes open more often for opportunities to take landscape shots. Last year I managed to capture some of the fall foliage in Virginia when I traveled to Shenandoah National Park and I may try to do so again later this month. There is a chance, though, that I will miss the peak color, because I will be driving to Austin, Texas near the end of the month for a wedding.

Posted in Autumn, Landscape, Nature, Photography | Tagged Canon 7D, clouds, iPhone 11, landscape, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, panorama, seascape, Tamron 18-400mm, Woodbridge VA | 30 Comments

30 Responses

on October 2, 2022 at 5:46 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

Amazing shots
- on October 2, 2022 at 5:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Tricia. It’s pretty easy to see how the clouds were able to capture my attention. 🙂
  - on October 2, 2022 at 6:10 am Patricia M Osborne
    
    I love clouds. They create amazing pictures in the sky.
on October 2, 2022 at 6:10 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

And in the water!
on October 2, 2022 at 6:23 am | Reply picpholio

Sometimes we are lucky to find a sky like this one… it always works for photography 🙂
on October 2, 2022 at 6:26 am | Reply Steve Gingold

Great clouds and an overall lovely scene, Mike.
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Steve. You and I often have similar shooting styles, but you tend to do landscapes more often than I do. 🙂
on October 2, 2022 at 7:31 am | Reply Louella Lester

Love this.
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:54 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Louella.
on October 2, 2022 at 10:12 am | Reply K.L. Hale

Mike, I love your pictures of insects, particularly dragonflies. Admittedly, landscapes are my favorite! I’ve been taking pics (amateur here 🙋🏼‍♀️) of clouds for many years ~these are stunning captures!
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:54 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Shooting landscapes and clouds requires a different mindset that shooting for the tiniest of details as I often do. It takes conscious effort sometimes for me to see “the big picture.”
  - on October 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm K.L. Hale
    
    You’re welcome! I appreciate and admire your perspectives!
on October 2, 2022 at 11:30 am | Reply Jet Eliot

I really enjoyed seeing the Occoquan Refuge today, Mike. The sky and vista are incredible, and I had no idea how huge it was. Fantastic photos.
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:52 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Jet. The Wildlife Refuge is a cool place with a variety of habitats and it is pretty convenient–about 15 miles from where I live.
on October 2, 2022 at 11:48 am | Reply Cindy

Wow! Gorgeous.
on October 2, 2022 at 12:31 pm | Reply sv-anui.com

Clouds and reflections…. Always a great combination!
on October 2, 2022 at 1:15 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice images Mike! Landscapes are fun photo subjects! Also there are always landscapes to photograph when there are no birds or insects!
on October 2, 2022 at 2:49 pm | Reply whatnext108146aea41f

I absolutely love the panorama! Very nicely done!
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. My iPhone makes it pretty easy to get shots like this–the panorama is not perfect, but it sure is a lot easier than shooting a series of shots and stitching them together in Photoshop.
on October 2, 2022 at 3:52 pm | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

Clouds, with perspective like these will get my attention every time 😁. Very nice.
on October 2, 2022 at 6:27 pm | Reply Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

Beautiful photos, Mike. I captured some similar shots at a local reservoir a couple of years ago. They are some of my favourite photos.
on October 2, 2022 at 9:13 pm | Reply Dan Antion

That second photo is amazing, Mike. The clouds appear to be endless.
on October 2, 2022 at 9:24 pm | Reply Clouds over the refuge ‣ A Little TOO Picture Imperfect

[…] Clouds over the refuge […]
on October 3, 2022 at 8:02 pm | Reply Mthobisi Magagula

Wow Mike, those views of landscapes and nature are just incredible and amazing, so beautifully taken shots📷🔥🔥🔥🔥😍
- on October 3, 2022 at 8:51 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much. I love sharing the beauty of nature through my photos.
on October 6, 2022 at 9:44 am | Reply Dard Amjad

👌👌
on October 6, 2022 at 9:46 am | Reply Dard Amjad

Beautiful
- on October 6, 2022 at 9:08 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on October 7, 2022 at 1:27 am | Reply merrylbethelhouse

Beautiful!
on October 7, 2022 at 11:07 am | Reply Clouds over the refuge | Enjoy and share the Inspiration and Truth of the Windows From Heaven

[…] Clouds over the refuge […]