Monthly Archives: December 2021

Branched Reflection

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Branched Reflection
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/50s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Brisk Sunrise

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

Brisk Sunrise
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 2.5s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

Silent Sunset

Posted by Mike on

Silent Sunday
Delta Lake State Park

Silent Sunset
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 34mm, f/11, ISO 200

Bellamy Bookends

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

It is probably because it is easily accessible, but I find myself at Bellamy Harbor Park quite often. I started the day on Friday at the park for the sunrise. The clouds and the colors where amazing. I tried a few different angles, even venturing out into the new rock island that grew after all the rain this summer but ended up sticking my camera in the opening of the gate blocking my favorite location. I really like the curve of the water as well as the clouds. I found the image I wanted.

Day Starts
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 0.3s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

Sunset came and my first thought was to capture the rising moon. It is the December full moon, or Cold Moon if you look in the Farmer’s Almanac. The name is from the Mohawk tribe of the Iroquois which seems fitting considering where I live. The sunset would be about an hour after the moon rises which would allow me to capture the moon before the sky turned too dark. I needed some time to find the composition I wanted. As I walked around this opposite view of Bellamy Harbor Park caught my eye. It would be a good companion for my morning image.

Day Ends
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/100s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

I couldn’t resist using the water tower at the park again. With the brighter sky I felt I would have a good chance of showing more of the towers details as well as capture the details in the moon. I was even able to practice my patience as I needed to wait until the moon climbed higher in the sky. Using the long end of my 12-100mm lens I was able to isolate the tower and the moon against a beautiful blue sky. You can even see the old General Cable Corporation logon on the side of the water tower.

Cold Moon
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/40s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 200

Overall, it was a great day! My plan was to go out on Saturday (today) morning to catch the moon as it was setting. I would be able to get some images at Delta Lake, but the snow moving in ended that plan. I’m thinking I might get one more chance on Sunday morning and if we do get some snow that might be a better image… 🙂

Blue Reflections

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

Blue Reflections
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 100

Golden Glow

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Another view of the sunset from Tuesday evening. I think Mother Nature didn’t want me to get too greedy. Three beautiful evenings in a row was enough because Wednesday she reminded me that rain was important. The glow of the sunlight on the reeds in Delta Lake State Park was the first thing to catch my eye when I walked onto the beach. I have a landscape view of this same scene which shows more of the reeds with their golden color but I preferred this version which focuses in closer to highlight the color of the reeds against the backdrop of the silhouetted, darker trees.

  Euphoria

  Golden sun highlights
  Remnants of joyous summer
  Euphoria shines
Golden Glow
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200

Sunset Under

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Another beautiful evening and another trip to Delta Lake State Park. Mother Nature must have heard my complaining about the boring sky on Monday because she definitely dialed the sky up a few notches. I knew exactly the view I wanted to capture. There is a fallen tree on the right side of the beach area that was going to provide a frame for the sunset as well as interesting reflections. I was not disappointed!

Sunset Under
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

Bench at Sundown

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

After getting back in the groove yesterday morning I was definitely not letting the beautiful sunset get away from me. We are in a transition period, the colors of autumn are gone but the blanket of white snow has not arrived. As much as I am not looking forward to the cold, I have high anticipation for the minimalist opportunities of the winter snow. For now, I must contend with the blah of this pre-winter time.

Delta Lake State Park was my destination for sunset. The park was basically all mine with only one or two other adventurers walking the beach. It isn’t that I’m selfish (well, maybe I am) but I love the park without the sound of other people. I can listen to the waves lapping against the shore, the sound of the geese coming in for the night and the gentle swish of the breeze through the trees. Those sounds play across my mind and everything else melts away.

I worked my way along the entire length of the beach searching out a good composition. Sadly, I wished for a cloud or two to add some drama in the sky. After the sun crossed the horizon and the sky was turning a deep orange I started walking back to the car. Looking back over my shoulder I spotted “my bench”, or at least the one I generally use in my images. Ah, there it is, the picture in my head. I walk back to the bench, setup the camera and end the evening with a smile…

Bench at Sundown
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 31mm, f/11, ISO 200