The Daily Joe

  Tracks into the end of the day Last evening, I was leaving work when I saw that the sun had already set, but the sky was alive with color, especially at the horizon. I've taken similar shots before but the sky was right, last night, for another try with the railroad track leading off into the distance.

  Down the sunset road While out for a family walk, I looked over my shoulder and saw the bright yellow of the post-sunset sky. The light brightened the winding road.  With the bare trees of late autumn - it just seemed to want to take me away.

  Colorful morning clouds over the deck I've been trying to capture the dawn sky over my backyard for a few weeks. This was the first time that all of the lighting was right to capture the colors. Usually the colors can be seen in the trees but are too low to be shown in the photo.  This time, the clouds were high enough to be captured.  It was worth the wait.

  Last of the sun by the creek While out for our Thanksgiving eve walk - we walked along the Yellow Breeches creek. While the group walked on, I sauntered and took photos where I saw them.  This was one of those photos.  The last rays of sun glancing off of the trees and grasses along the creek. The quiet of the place and the bench added to the feeling of the moment.

  Grasses and sky just after sunset We did a little shopping yesterday and I saw a beautiful sunset sky - but getting a location was a challenge. I finally found one just outside the shop we were in. Power lines and poles, other shops and signs were in the way. This was the only spot I could find - it turned out OK.

  After sunset on the Yellow Breeches Thanksgiving  dinner had some surprises - my oldest and his wife had a change of plans, so they came for dinner. It was nice having all my kids there for dinner.  After dinner, we all wanted to "walk it off" so we drove to a local park and took a long walk. On the way back - I saw the sky reflecting on the water with the trees and could not resist taking this shot. It turns out, almost everyone in the group took a similar shot. We all saw the beauty of the moment. I hope your Thanksgiving Day was a good one.

  Bare trees and clear sunset sky at the lake This photo, taken some years ago, seemed appropriate for Thanksgiving Day.  The colors, the reflections, the sense of serenity, and the feeling of being alone in contemplation. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

  The last of the harvest This shot was taken some time ago and came up in a review of my photo archives.  The field isn't even there anymore - it was replaced by a warehouse. However, even the end of the harvest represents change, much like all of life. There are beginnings and endings and we must accept them and move forward or suffer.

  Blue sky reflections This photo, taken in West Virginia was in the early morning, just after the fog burned off.  We were at a Loom Shop (yes, they had many historical looms and textiles for sale). The country scenery was hard to pass up.

  Trees and jet trails through a foggy sunrise Foggy mornings can produce such wonderful scenes. In my case, it happens none too often and I snap photos as much as I can, when they occur.  This one was from a couple of weeks ago, taken across a field to the tree line.

  Autumn colors down by the creek A bit ago, we were driving down a country road when we found a pull-off. We pulled off for a little look and I found this view down off the road. The lower colors were bright and contrasted with the higher bare branches and the hills in the distance.

  Ducks by the creek in the early morning light I stopped at one of my "spots" in the early morning on the way to work and managed to catch some ducks by the creek in the early pre-dawn light.  The colors reflecting in the water was a bonus with the frosty bridge in the background.

  Sky and clouds just before the dawn I saw the sky about to burst in color yesterday morning and tried to find a new angle. In the end it didn't matter, the clouds, the coming sun, and the blue sky - all came together to be the major part of the scene make the landscape the supporting cast.  It was a very pretty sunrise.

  First snow of the season This photo was taken on the way to work. I saw the mist coming from the melting snow and the lines of the fence with the trees and had to pull off and snap a few photos.  That was yesterday and by noon, the snow was gone.  It was pretty while it lasted (the best kind for me).

  Frosty sunrise over the creek We had a hard frost yesterday morning and as I was getting onto campus, I noticed that the sun was just reaching over the hills and lighting up the frosty ground. I took a few photos but this one was a favorite.

  Autumn leaves and a split rail fence This photo was taken in Grantsville, MD just off the Casselman River Bridge. The autumn leaves and the split rail fence really went with the scene.  Just off the bridge is Spruce Forest Artisan Village (which is a wonderful grouping of artisans creating all types of arts and crafts). It was a great visit with some great scenery.

  Soft grass in the sunrise light I took this a few days ago when I took another sunrise photo (that you likely saw if you're reading this).  This, is a whole different subject - I wanted to focus on the soft grass in the sunlight. I think it came out well.

  Sunrise through the mist from under the tree A few mornings ago, I managed to catch a number of "foggy morning" photos.  This photo came up as one of my favorites. The sunlight on the grass, the few remaining leaves on the tree, the rising sun through the fog - all came together for a really nice image.

  Still some autumn color in the back yard The other morning, just before work, I noticed this little scene just off our driveway, into the neighbor's yard. The leaves were still on the tree, but dropping rapidly. My youngest child happened around the corner and wondered what I was doing and I had to explain (for the thousandth time) - that I saw a photo and had to take it. 

  Sunrise with the trees and the tall grass Yesterday morning was a beautiful morning.  What is likely the last "warm" day of autumn - it was a cloudless sky, a gorgeous sunrise, a light frost - all mixed to make a very nice picture.  The tall grass in the foreground, the bare trees and the sun rising behind the hills in the distance.  A GREAT start to the day.

  Autumn view down into the valley Getting this photo  almost cost us quite a bit on our vacation. We were on a one-lane road but the scene was outstanding  (as you can see). However, when two truck pulling trailers came up behind us while were stopped, it got a little tense.  The honked their horns and managed to make it around us - but my friends almost left me behind to let them around.  It would have been worth it.

  Pastel afternoon sky across the fields and valley Yesterday, after work, while my wife was working at the voting center, I had to pick up some vegetables at a local farm/CSA. The earlier sunset provided this pastel sky across the fields. Between this sky and the quiet of the farm, it was quite serene and peaceful.

  Foggy morning across the valley Yesterday morning, the fog was very thick in the valleys while the sun was coming up.  I came up on a rise and saw this scene, with the fog laying in the valley, lit by the risen sun.  Just too good to pass up.

  Autumn sunset sky   While my wife as driving to deliver a dinner to new parents, I saw the sun setting and mentioned it.  She said "do you want me to pull over" and I knew it would be too late.  I just grabbed this from the passenger seat while we were driving. Wish I could have added something more as a subject, but sometimes, you take what you get.

  Another view of Blackwater Falls When we first say Blackwater Falls, we noted another viewing platform across the gorge up near the top.  It took us a couple of days, but we did discover how to see the falls from there.  This is that "alternate" view of the falls.

Autumn colors reflecting in the creek While on vacation - we pulled over to take a photo of a local landmark. While my friend photographed the landmark, I saw a small park and a bridge.  This view greeted me from the bridge. The colors were outstanding at the moment. I think I got the better shot.  Just sayin'

 . Predawn colors reflecting in the pond On the way to work, I noted very thin clouds that were coloring the sunrise sky.  I was trying to find some subject to grab a photo of.  I noted the small pond on a nearby farm and decided to use that.  I had to walk about 1/2 way into their yard to get this, but it was worth it. It almost makes getting up early worth it...haha

  Lone church in an autumn valley   On vacation, we took a side trip to visit a local college (Davis and Elkins) and from one of the buildings, I spied this view of valley in the distance.. The lone church spire made the autumn color seem to pop even more.

Waterfalls and red leaves This photo is a detail that I saw while photographing Blackwater Falls in West Virginia.  While there we noted that there wasn't much "bright color" left - unsure why - could be the elevation or the weather.  However, these leaves caught my eye with the water running behind them. I thought the scene very pretty.

  Early morning farm view  We were out driving on vacation on an early cold morning.  The fog was rising from the frosty ground but it hadn't gone yet.  The trees were bare, the mist was hanging around, but the sun was trying to burn off the fog and clear up the frost. I managed to get a couple of "farm scene" photos while we were stopped.