Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome, NY

Wake up! We’re going on a hunt.

A hunt for what?

The morning light.

Really?

Yes, now get moving. The sun is easy but the early morning light is better. I don’t want to miss it.

There was rain in the forecast and I hoped there would be a few clouds in the sky. I guessed right! I parked near the Mill St. bridge at Bellamy Harbor as I wanted to explore as much as possible while the morning blue hour changed with the rising of the sun.

Come on! Let’s see what I found.

This section of the park is fantastic during the morning. The color in the sky contrasts wonderfully with the green grass and the glow from the lights adds some interesting patterns. You can see the weather front approaching from the southeast.

With the lights still on I wanted to get the image I missed the last time I was at the park in the morning. From the edge of the bridge over the canal, I can get the water tower against the morning sky with one of the lights in the foreground.

Nailed it!

Time to head to the opposite end of the park before the clouds cover too much of the sky. I do love the view looking down the canal. Walk or drive? Don’t be lazy, there is plenty of time, walk!

Before I get to the other side I couldn’t resist this view of the park with the lights along the canal. The mood in this view is completely different. The color is all in the east and looking west is dominated by blues. The only offset is the yellow/orange glow from the lights. Plus, when have I ignored a good reflection.

Um, never!

I reach my favorite spot and start composing my image. Choices? The color is more to the left than I would like but I’m not a fan of what I would need to include in the view. I obviously want to keep the steel structure bridge (Mill St.) in the picture. Oh, and the lights again, of course. I want the reflection but not enjoying the bright orange buoy in the canal. If I do this view… maybe…

Not the best but it works for this morning…

OK. Those are the main images I wanted to capture. Now walk around and see what else catches your eye. You’re in no hurry to get back home. Enjoy this time of solitude.

Those damn reflections again. The canal is perfectly still. Not the best sky. Maybe a monochrome image would work. Whatever, click the shutter before something disturbs the water.

Right, got it…

As you can see, I decided not to process this one as a monochrome image. I liked it, but the blues and greens in this one work for me. Who knows, maybe I will eventually convert it and post a different version.

Sunrise! But the sun is still behind the low clouds. Definitely changing the color in the sky. One more of the water tower? Isolate the tower and use the color as a backdrop. There. Nice!

The rain eventually came and lasted most of the day. Not a problem. I had plenty of other things to occupy my time after this great start to the day.

So far, today is looking pretty good. Maybe I’ll head over to the sculpture garden for a walk…