The Daily Joe

  Sunset over the lake to end the year The sun setting over the lake with the lone boat at the launch just seemed fitting to be that last photo of the year. Day's end - year's end. One last boat to bring hope of anew year being better than the last. Happy New Year everyone and hopes and prayers for a brighter 2023.

    Shed at the edge of the field at sunset Yesterday, my wife and I took a trip to a local city where we just walked around and window-shopped.  Lots of architecture and a relatively warm day. On the way home, I managed to catch a couple of shots of this shed as we were driving past. This was the best.

  Sunset at the old drive in Last night, on my way to class, I saw the remains of the sunset streaking through the sky.  I decided to pull into the old drive-in parking lot and snap a few photos. While closed for the season, it did have a sense of nostalgia about it.

  Sunset sky across the bridge When things are busy, you take what you can get. That evening, the only sunset photo I was going to get was from the passenger set of the car.  I did my best with the most open sky I could - over the bridge.

  Streaks of clouds just before the dawn This was taken a few days ago before this cold got to me. The clouds were streaking across the sky, the colors were a muted orange, and the trees provided arms reaching up for warmth. It was a cold morning - and winter has barely begun.

  Just before dawn on Christmas morning I always wake up early - even on holiday or when I'm sick (or both, in this case).  I was up before dawn on Christmas morning and tried to get photos of the sky from my back window.  In spring and summer, you cannot see the sky to the horizon due to the foliage, but in late fall and winter - you can see the early colors of the day.  It was COLD, so I didn't venture out, but did get a nice view from the window.  Happy Holidays, all.

  An antique “spinner” ornament that came from my parents’ home. A good memory for Christmas. Christmas just isn't what it was for me. Many things in life have brought it down a few rungs in importance and happiness. I know all the reasons why it should still be a joyous occasion and I do try - but it's not there, so I take my joys where I find them - this ornament is a memory from my childhood - so 50+ years old and still works and makes me smile. I hope YOUR Christmas and/or holiday season is bright and joyous.

  Cold sunset from the car Last evening, I decided to run out to the store. At that point, the temperature had fallen to 8 degrees (f). It was one of the coldest days of the season.  However, the sunset was fantastic - but I couldn't find anywhere to pull off and didn't want to get out of the car until I had to. Taking a photo from a moving car (while driving) is not so easy.

  Little flash of red behind the trees at sunset The other evening, the sky was (almost) too clear to get any good photos. I paused then I saw what I thought looked like a distant ocean of clouds behind the trees. Then I saw the red sun-dog flashing there, almost hidden. Always look for the hidden gems.

  Streaks of predawn clouds and a crescent moon When I went to leave for work yesterday, I noticed the crescent moon over the house. On my way in, I was looking for a way to capture it with the coming colors of the dawn. Over these pine trees, I noted the streaky clouds and the coming orange of dawn. That was the shot.

  Fiery sun ray over the hills after sunset I was in a hurry last evening - company was coming for dinner - but when I saw this ray of fire streaming up from the already-set sun - I HAD to stop to get a few photos of it.

  Trees down blocking the old trail Last weekend, I went out hiking with my youngest near our local university campus. This trail was not very well maintained but was very "country". There were trees down everywhere and I thought this shot was representative of that. Despite the damp and cold, the hike was worth the time.

  Pink sky before the dawn The days have been dreary and gray for the past few days, so I went back into the archives for this one. The time-frame was right - just from a previous year. The sky was glorious that morning - the reds, yellows, and pinks were stunning.

  Peaceful view across the clearing on a dreary day Yesterday, I decided to explore the patch of woods behind our house.  It was a grey day and I wanted to get out for a bit.  We don't have as much greens space at our new home than we had before, so it's my only local "woods".  This is what I saw on the other side.

  After the sunset over the hills Last week I pulled over and saw a gorgeous sunset sky. I couldn't help taking a number of shots of that sky. The wavy clouds over the hills just north of town were too good to pass up.

  Hawk in the sunset sky Once in awhile you get lucky. I happened to see this hawk (at least, that's what I think it is) - soaring on the thermals. I happened to have my longest zoom lens on the camera and took as many shots as I could (a few, at best). This is one of the ones that were in focus.

  Sunset colors fading behind the trees Last evening, on my way into my class, I (as usual) was first and had a moment to look out and saw the fading colors of the sunset behind these trees. Sometimes, our parking lot is just ugly gravel and other times, if you're looking, one can find the beauty.

  Sunset clouds over the field Driving home yesterday, I saw this beautiful sky as I was driving.  I pulled over at a spot where I don't usually stop. There was a good deal of coming-home traffic, so it took a bit just to get out of the car, but it was worth it.

  Curving road just after sunset Some nights ago - out on a late afternoon walk , I saw the waning light and the faint clouds in the last day sky behind the trees.  I tried to capture the faint road and the bright sky. It seems so warm, but it was a chilly evening.

  Horse out on a cold morning Out on a drive on a cold morning with just a touch of snow - on some country road that I'm not sure I could find again - I spied this horse in a quiet pasture, just munching away. It was just too peaceful to pass up.

  Dusk clouds over the trees and field A while ago, I headed out, after work, to a local farm to pick up some late autumn vegetables.  On the way back to my car, I saw the post-sunset sky over the field in front of my car, over the trees.  I couldn't help  but capture it.

  Sunrise sky over the grassy field The other morning - I saw this sky behind the trees and across the field.  It was a bit chilly, but the sky was warm and very colorful. I know winter is soon upon us so I'll enjoy this while I can.

  Clouds over the hills just before sunrise Yesterday morning - the weather person called for a clouds getting thicker throughout the day.  I believed there was no chance at a morning photo.  I was wrong - the clouds were colorful and I nabbed a few shots. Someone actually stopped and wondered if I saw a deer - "no", I said - just a beautiful sky.

  Little church down a country road at sunset This is a throwback to October in West Virginia. On our first night, I decided to take a walk, It was very cool and windy but I saw a sunset and this little church just down the road from our place. I wasn't sure it was a church until I saw the gravestones. This was as close as I got to this church. Next time, I'll get closer.

  Chilly sunrise near the woods I caught this sunrise just at the edge of the woods - the clearing (to the left) was completely quite but very uninteresting.  The trees at the edge of the woods made this photo much more alive. The steel gray clouds were just lit at the edge, by the rising sun.

  Country road after sunset A few days ago, out for a walk and coming back to the car just after sunset - this scene caught my eye. You can just barely make out the road in the dusky light. If one looks very closely, you might see the creek on the far left of the image as well. It was getting dark but the sky colors were brilliant.

  Streaky sunset sky On my way home from work, last week, I was able to talk to my wife on the phone, but exclaimed that I HAD to get this sky.  I pulled over and we said our good-byes and I got this shot.  The wisps of blue, the sunset light into the valley, the lone tree - all made for a nice shot.

  Moon over the clouds and trees I saw this view beside the building I work in.  The sun was just touching the clouds and the moon in the sky. The scene was serene.

  Little clouds floating across the sunset sky This week, on one of my drives home, I saw this view to the right of the setting sun.  There weren't many clouds near sunset so I spied these little clouds and thought this to be a more scenic photo. The blue hills lit up in the very back didn't hurt, either.

  Sweeping sunset clouds over the farm On the way home, I couldn't help seeing the brilliant light reflecting off of the clouds. The clouds were sweeping to the east, so I only had a few moments to capture the colors.  By the time I got back in my car, these colors were gone. Beauty, but just for a moment.

  Bare trees against soft afternoon clouds Last evening on my way home from work, these white, bare trees caught my eye.  The sky on the "sunset side" was colorful, but it bathed the other side's clouds with soft pastel colors which, in my opinion, contrasted with the white of the trees.