I admit it. I have a problem. I cannot pass up a good reflection. Add to it some beautiful sunset light and I’m stopping every time. I was on my way to the beach area at Delta Lake State Park but this view at the park entrance totally distracted me. I pulled into the parking area for the park office and walked to the edge of the water.
In a few more weeks (sadly, but also eagerly awaiting) this will be a perfect view for autumn colors. One of my favorite autumn images from 2019 is this view. I would have stayed longer exploring this area but the mosquitos were killing me! I ran back to the car to apply generous amounts of repellant and then headed toward the beach. I will be back to this spot soon…
Golden Reflection Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/60s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
I wanted to enjoy the sunset last evening. Another long day at work needed to slip over the horizon. Standing at the edge of the water while the sky filled with the sun’s fading colors was the therapy I needed to recoup my energy. It worked…
Slipping Away Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/80s, 40mm, f/11, ISO 200
I know summer isn’t over yet. Although this weekend is typically the “end of summer” at the beach in Delta Lake State Park. There usually is a big bonfire on Labor Day to celebrate the end of the swimming season. I’m not positive if there will be one this year. After this weekend the buoys outlining the swimming areas will be removed and the lifeguard chairs will be put away. The beach will be for sunset gazing only.
Obviously there is more summer to be enjoyed but the symbolic act of closing the beach does get the next season going (in my mind anyway). Maybe it is because I look forward to Autumn each year. Maybe in the past this weekend was the last free weekend for the kids as they head back to school next week. For me though, it is another weekend, but at least it is one with an extra day off.
Summer's Last Hurrah
Sunlight fades to grey
As the beach empties of fun
Summer's last hurrah
Summer’s Last Hurrah Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
This is the view of the sunset at Bellamy Harbor I mentioned in the post a few days ago. Not your typical sunset image. I’m usually standing closer to the sun along the crumbling concrete on the left. I really liked the structure in the bridge above me and thought maybe it would work as part of the framing… I’m not sure it does.
Sunset Out Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/80s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
It happened again! No, it wasn’t a bad thing. I don’t think? No, it was good.
It was raining when I got home from work. No problem, other than it was not in the forecast to rain. But I digress… The boys were fed, dinner consumed and I was settling in with a good book. I didn’t get very far. The sun started peeking through the front door.
Hhhmmm? Will there be anything good for a sunset? Maybe? You won’t know unless get out there. Right!
I grab a cold drink, the camera bag and head out the door.
Choices? Where should I go? Check the app on the phone… Sun sets at 7:53pm, moon rises at 8:30pm. Maybe I can get both? Yes! The angles are right for Bellamy Harbor. Turning right at the end of the street.
Wow! That is a lot of water in the canal. It looks like a river of chocolate! I might have mentioned we have had a lot of rain. It will be OK. Brown is a color, right?
I head for the Mill St. bridge, the one over the canal which gives me the big view of Bellamy Harbor. As I walk across the bridge the view doesn’t impress me. It has potential though… give it time. I continue across and work my way to a spot under the bridge. This spot has a few views.
I grab some images. There is barely any breeze. The water is calm. Good for reflections. I like reflections, have always been a sucker for them. I really like the view of the water tower and the canal heading East. OK, one keeper for sure.
Ooh! The sun ducked behind the wispy clouds. Where do I setup? Hurry! It is starting to emerge. How about something different? Try putting the underside of the bridge in the top of the frame. It might work. Try it! Wow, huge dynamic range. Bracket the crap out this one, you can merge them in post-processing. Got it. Next?
I head back across the bridge. More clouds have moved in. A few more clicks from up here.
Back on the “normal” side of the canal I try again for the view with the sun behind one of the glass globed lamp posts. Maybe? We’ll see. It might work. I’ll know when I see it on the computer screen. I like the idea. I said, we’ll see.
Look! The sun dropped behind the trees and into the low layer of clouds on the horizon. Look at those colors! I race back to the bridge. Hurry up! You’re gonna miss it. Middle of the bridge is the spot. Yes! Lots of clouds, fill the top half with the clouds. The bottom will be the colors reflected in the water. Got it! Whew! I think that is the one.
I wait on the bridge. It’s another fifteen minutes until the official sunset. I’m hoping for reflected colors in the clouds after the sun goes below the horizon. Not looking too good. Wait anyway! You’re in no hurry. Besides, you wanted the moon rising.
I turn around and look toward the East. Nope, not getting the moon rising tonight. Not a clear spot in the sky. No worries! There will be another chance…
The colors in the clouds never appear. Fifteen minutes after sunset I pack it in. I head home to see my treasures…
Sunset Water Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/25s, 15mm, f/11, ISO 200
Thursday evening at Delta Lake yielded a trove of images. I was running up and down the beach area setting up the camera for every view I liked. It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would have been for such a beautiful ending to the day. I’m OK with that. There are days you want company and others you revel in the solitude. I’m good with that too.
Cloud Peek Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/320s, 17mm f/11, ISO 200
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