Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
With all the hustle-bustle of the holiday season rushing around you, have you had a moment to stop and enjoy a sunset?
Sunset over Lake Greenwood – 11/22/19
Same sunset 11 minutes earlier as a reflection on our RV
“Never go too long without watching a sunset.”
– Atticus
Common Loons
In the early morning and late evening hours on Lake Greenwood, you can hear the distant eerie calls of the Loons echoing over the quiet waters.
Common Loons
Have you ever heard them?
Common Loons have four distinct calls to identify.
The tremelo call, also known as the “crazy laugh”, used to signal alarm.
The wail call, also known as the “wolf’s howl”, used during social interactions between loons, to locate a mate during the night, and in answering other loon tremolos.
The Yodel call is given only by the male to defend his territory.
The Hoot call is a one-note call used by family members to locate each other and check on their well-being.
(All Loon audios courtesy “The Loon Preservation Committee” at http://www.loon.org)
Common Loons at sunset
Distinguishing their calls gives insight on what they’re doing….
and us knowing it’s not some wild animal somewhere nearby on land. 😉
Common Loons swimming off into the sunset
Beautiful Cardinals
More captures of the beautiful Northern Cardinal.
Northern Cardinal (male)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Chipmunk Taking A Break
He was in the shadows, just sitting and relaxing at sunset.
Chipmunk Taking A Break
December’s Full Moon, Three-Quarter Moon & Venus
My plan was to shoot this month’s full moon (the “Cold Moon”) in the early morning hours. I was happy to be reminded when blogger friend, Vic, mentioned it last night in a comment. And then I still missed it.
Well, almost. I overslept and literally jumped up and quickly looked out my window to locate the moon. It was already dropping behind the tree line across the lake.
Full Moon morning setting December 12, 2019
And you know, when either the sun or moon are dropping out of sight, they sink fast.
I knew I didn’t have time to set up my tripod when I saw it. I quickly went outside and shot hand-held.
Full Moon morning setting December 12, 2019, one minute later
So it wasn’t what I planned, I had wanted to be up hours earlier. I decided to still share these for those looking at December’s full moon shots today.
And darn it, I had actually been practicing with night photography the past couple weeks on my tripod. So since we’re on the subject of the moon, I’ll share my best one from those practices.
Moon – December 5, 2019
That night, I also did my best shot ever of the planet, Venus, shining brightly off towards the horizon.
Venus – December 5, 2019
(70-200m, 1×7 teleconverter full frame shot on a tripod)
I took the above shot and cropped it considerably for the next photo. I am very pleased with my best focused shot of Venus to date.
Venus – December 5, 2019
The planet Venus is about 25 million miles (40 million kilometers) away from Earth.
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
It’s time to enjoy another glorious sunset over Lake Greenwood! ☀
Sunset over Lake Greenwood
“Ô, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.”
― Roman Payne
Camellias in the Fall
The Camellia plants are still producing lots of flowers since we’ve not really had any frost or freezing temperatures this Fall. They’re in a well protective area in the community where the winds haven’t been detrimental to them either.
Opening Camellia
The still-blooming flowers bask in the morning sunlight.
A Camellia’s final days. No longer perfect, but the changing purplish coloring is beautiful.
Even the bees are still around, feeding on them.
Camellia and busy bee
Soon the buds and flowers will demise with Winter, and the Mother plants will bundle up their energy to save for the reappearance of their bright, beautiful ‘jewels’ in the Spring.
🌹
(These are my photos, Vic! 😉)
The Wisdom of Pooh
It is always a delight to see something scurrying around in the shadows of the woods to greet you.
Squirrel with a mouthful
“Say, Pooh, why aren’t you busy?” I said.
“Because it’s a nice day,” said Pooh.
“Yes, but —”
“Why ruin it?” he said.
“But you could be doing something Important,” I said.
“I am,” said Pooh.
“Oh? Doing what?”
“Listening,” he said.
“Listening to what?”
“To the birds. And that squirrel over there.”
“What are they saying?” I asked.
“That it’s a nice day,” said Pooh.
“But you know that already,” I said.
“Yes, but it’s always good to hear that somebody else thinks so, too,” he replied.
– The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff
“Peek-a-Boo”
Listen and enjoy nature….
And have yourself a nice day too.
A Morning Mourning Dove
A Mourning Dove, taken in the morning. 🙂
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Far from representing death, the Mourning Dove symbolizes optimism with its spirituality. Beyond their sorrowful song is a message of life, hope, renewal, and peace.
Another Raptor, This Time A Juvenile Eagle
After photographing the Red-shouldered Hawk in my previous post, I got lucky a few hours later with another raptor passing over me in the late morning sun.
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
This Bald Eagle is approximately two years old.
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
The majestic Bald Eagle does not attain its adult plumage with the prominent pure white head, pure white tail, bright yellow beak, and dark brown body until it is 5 years old.
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
Immature Eagles are often mistaken for hawks or vultures because of their dark and mottled coloring.
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
Suddenly this beauty went into circling above me, giving me several gorgeous photo opportunities with the sun backlighting the Eagle’s wingspan and tail’s feathers. Here’s the two I loved the most.
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. 2 years old)
Bald Eagle (juvenile/immature, approx. two years old)
No matter its age or the hundreds of Eagles I’ve seen over the years, it is always a thrill to see another one!
Bay Photos by Donna 