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
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
I ended up leaving work a little later than I expected yesterday. It was a beautiful day and I was determined to get out for a picture or two. The poor cats probably were confused when I came home. I dropped off everything, quickly fed them and headed back out with the camera for Delta Lake. I knew the exact spot I wanted to photograph. The entrance pond would have great side light from the setting sun and I was fairly confident the leaves were almost at peak color. I was not wrong…
I learned my lesson on the previous trip. As soon as I parked the car I soaked any exposed skin in mosquito repellant! As I was walking to my viewing area a woman who stopped on her way out to grab a picture shouted that the mosquitos are extra mean tonight. Luckily, the repellant worked.
I spent the 30-40 minutes before sundown working the different angles around the pond. There were quite a few good views but this morning I especially liked this one with the bench. I can’t pass up a good bench in the foreground. Although this is next to the entrance of the park it is a great spot this time of year. Go on, have a sit, enjoy the view and relax for a minute. You earned it this week…
Autumn View Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/40s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
I normally stand on the beach at Delta Lake and capture the setting sun with a small grouping of trees off to the right. The beach area is crescent shaped and you can walk out to the tips on either side depending on the water level in the lake. The other evening there was a large group on the beach in the area I generally use for my images. Rather than work my way through them I walked out to the tip of the crescent on the right.
The water level is still high from the late summer rains and the trees lining the shore were still under water. I imagine before the lake freezes this winter the level will drop exposing this area again but for now, it allowed me to frame the sunset between the trees standing guard in the water. If not for the mosquitos I would have sat down right here and watched the sun disappear.
The In Between Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/200s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
Driving into the park at Delta Lake on Friday evening I was distracted by the view of the “pond” at the entrance. The reflection of the trees on the water illuminated by the sun definitely held my eye. This is the view across the water to the right from my last post of this area (Golden Reflection). I was determined to get to the beach but promised myself I would return the next day a little earlier to get this reflection.
And surprisingly, I made it to the park yesterday! There was a little more haze in the sky due to a thin cloud layer but there was still a reflection to capture. I parked as close as I could and walked back along the entrance road looking for “the view”. I didn’t have many choices but gave this spot a try…
Autumn Start Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/40s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200
Not the image I had in my head. I searched for a better view but the cattails lining this edge of the pond were definitely an obstacle. And why are the mosquitos so nasty! I neglected the repellant thinking the cooler weather would have reduced their numbers. It did not!
I gave a zoomed in view a try hoping if I focused on a smaller section of the reflection it would be what I was trying to achieve. It is a little better but I was not happy losing the little blue in the sky which would balance the yellows of the leaves and sunlight.
Autumn Focus Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/30s, 44mm, f/11, ISO 200
I noticed a pair a of trees behind the branches on the right of the first image that were standing out against the bigger trees. I started thinking I could get a better view if I walk around the pond toward the beach. There is a road heading in the direction I wanted to use. It is for the park rangers but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. I started walking.
I got lucky! I found a spot the rangers must use to explore this pond as there was a small boat pulled up onto the edge of the water. I was able to get right to the water and had the best view of my two trees. I even had natural framing between some trees and cattails. Bonus! I grabbed a few images before the mosquitos drained all my blood.
I felt good. I didn’t get the image that was in my head (I’ll try again soon), but I stayed in the area working different angles. The effort paid off! I’ll have to remember this spot in a couple weeks when the leaves are in full autumn glory.
Autumn Shine Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/50s, 15mm, f/11, ISO 200
The sun has set. The long day is done. The hectic week is over. After.
I was looking forward to a little tranquility at Delta Lake. To walk the beach, to view the sunset, to listen to the water upon the shore. Unwinding. It was exactly as I wished. I was alone on the beach. I stayed well past the sunset. Decompressing. The color in the sky exploded into a brilliant orange for a few moments. I soaked it in. Recharging. After.
After Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/200s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 200
This past week at work was crazy. I never mind putting in the work but when I spend all day running around fighting “fires” and at the end of the day I didn’t touch my to-do list. It is tough!
I know, enough whining! I’ll stop…
It was a beautiful Friday evening. I should have gone to Delta Lake but my new tables arrived early! I finally decided to replace a few items from the house in my living room. When I was done putting everything together and thought to actually eat something the light was gone. I have the rest of the weekend to make up for that though.
Anyway… I was thinking of Delta Lake so I went back to my pics from a week ago. Even looking at them on the screen has a similar affect as being there. I can hear the lap of the water against the shore and the leaves rustling in the trees. If you leave the beach and follow the path through the woods you will find this little alcove. I timed it well to capture the last peek of the sun through the trees.
Sit and enjoy the view before today gets busy…
Tree Glow Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/125s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
MLCreations Photography 