The Daily Joe

Sweeping spring view of the Valley       While my wife and kids were doing yoga last weekend - I wandered about the vineyard taking photos. I spied many scenes, but this one caught my eye. The lack of buildings (rare around here) and the sunshine and sky, and green of spring made it a wonderful scene.

Sun setting over the hill     Out on one of my evening walks, the sun was going down and I think some of the haze from the western wildfires still colored the sky.  As the sunset neared, I hurried up the hill to try to catch the last bits of the day. I was rewarded with the final moment as the sun dipped behind the trees at the top of the hill. The streaming clouds and the cool breeze added to the feeling of the coming night.

Farm view across the lily pond   While my wife and kids were at a yoga class at a local winery, I did not partake of the yoga - but instead - partook of the grounds to take a number of photos. I did partake of some spirits when they were done, but the date was clear and warm and the area was rife with opportunities for photography. This is one of my favs.

Sunset through the trees   Last evening, we went to run some errands after a day of yard work and other chores. We saw the sun setting and it really appeared to be too hazy to get a good sunset so we drove on. I'm not sure I was in the mood for photos at that moment so we continued. Just at the end, the colors started to blaze. We found a spot at a local church parking lot to get this shot. It raised my spirits to capture this one.

Spring sunset through the wild grass      Out for a walk after an long day. Just before we were listening to a member of our church play guitar at a local coffee-house. For some reason, a lone guitar playing often gets me to slow down and let life sink in and that's not always a good thing.  Life isn't where I or how I envisions it and in my early 60s - there's not much room left.  I needed the walk to clear my mind. I managed to keep looking around at the "now" and found this shot of the setting sun through the spring grass.

Old Boathouse on the Lake This is an older photo from my bank of old film photos. At this point, I'm not sure whether it was mine or my fathers. The film becomes confused over time and either way, I had the negative and I love the photo. I evokes a quite time in my life and a more trouble-free peaceful period.

Darker sunset sky as night approaches   Out for a walk and heading home. The sunset was gone but as I reached the final field, I noted the darkening reds, oranges, and purples as the night approached and tried to capture the fleeing colors of sunset.

Sunset through the trees     Out for another walk. The smoke from the western wildfires make for beautiful sunsets here. They have been great for a couple of weeks - and I'm going to take full advantage when I can. This view through these trees was another "hold on, I see a photo" moment, when my family sighs and stops to wait for me. Oh well, I thank them and am grateful they put up with me.

At the edge of the field       I've been seeing this scene for more than a year now. I see it on the way to work every day. On this day, I wasn't in my car, I was on a long walk and able to slow down. This photo, for me, brings back many memories of my youth. I remember the peaceful late spring days at the farm, fields ready for planting, warm day, blue sky and the shade of the trees. So many good thoughts and memories.

Sunset over the field grass   After a long day, I decided to go for a long walk with my youngest. We walked for quite sometime and my family is used to me saying "hang on, I see a picture" and off  I go. Sometimes into a field, sometimes just off the road. This was just off the road, into the ditch to get low enough to catch the grass backlit by the setting sun. I captured what I saw.  

Sunrise sky down a misty road       An early morning - from some time ago - I caught the mist on the fields just as the sun was rising. The road leads you into the scene and the clouds shimmered with the dawn light.

Sunset behind the pine tree   Always chasing the sunsets (sunrises are  just too early). I try to walk or notice on drives, the colors, the clouds, and the sun position at sunset. I didn't quite position the sun exactly behind the trunk - but I think that would have hidden it too much. I like the way the sun shines through the branches. 

Pond at the edge of the woods at sunset     This is my first attempt at shooting this pond with a sunset sky.  I drive by this scene every day. The issue is that the pond's position in the woods give little access to the sky. It is such an idyllic spot and I admire it often. I've tried to figure out when the "ideal" time of year would be but, so far, haven't found it. I will keep trying, though.

Tall grass and sunset     I saw this detail while out for a walk a few days ago. The sun was just setting and in the peaceful afternoon, the clouds just seemed to waft by. A very slow moment to capture the sun behind the still grasses. I guess this night, I did follow my quote from below.

Sunset down a country road While out for a drive - chasing sunsets - we chanced upon this rise in the road and I asked my wife to slow down. I was able to get this one shot of the sun setting over the country road. The home with the pillars and the pickup truck seemed to add to the "country" feel.

Sunset sky through the trees     Out on a walk, near sunset, I spotted this scene at the far end of my walk. It was nearly dark and the colors were fading. I spied a clearing where the clouds and colors of the sunset were still vivid. The tree by the road framed the sunset nicely while hiding the dreaded power lines that always seem to hinder the beauty of the scene.  I liked the overall shot.

Sunset light shimmering on the field grass Last evening, I got the jitters and needed to get out of the house. It was a warm spring evening. I walked as the sun was setting and saw the shimmer from the field grass and tried my best to capture it. It was (almost) magical.

  Sunset over the green fields     Last evening, we went on a shopping trip and on the way home, the sunset was glorious.  We decided to take a few side roads to see if I could find a few spots to capture it. We actually had to back  up to get this view. I think it was worth it.

Predawn sky over the pines     Early, early morning, before the sun came up,  these clouds and colors met over the pine trees at our local tree farm. I could not resist taking this shot. The colors were too vivid and the timing was just right.

Beautiful spring day at the farm   A beautiful clear day at the farm. The clouds were puffy and rest of the sky was clear blue. The green and blue bring thoughts of spring and the coming harvest. A warm and clear day. It brought back memories of a carefree childhood.

  Sun rising over the misty valley Sun rising over the misty valley An early morning with the sun rising over the valley. The mist in the low parts causing shadows from the higher spots. The fog causing things to be especially quiet. A peaceful scene, to be sure.

Afternoon sky over the fields     I drove along a country road, by a country church when I saw the clouds forming some wonderful colors. I pulled into their parking lot and looked over the fields behind the church. These fields on these hills were welcoming the setting sun and the colors it lent to the clouds. A nice ending to the day.

Little bridge over a little creek Little bridge over a little creek     We went antiquing last weekend and at the one outdoor location, we crossed over a bridge to get to the main set of shops / stalls. I looked down the stream and saw this little bridge going over the creek. I thought how pretty and serene it looked over the creek thought the green spring woods.

Sunset by the side of the road While on our road trip this past weekend, we kept seeing the sun sink lower and lower. I took a good number of photos, but from a moving car, not many came out.  This one, with the tree just in front of the sun was a keeper.

Windswept sunset clouds on the road   We were out with friends, antiquing yesterday and it was a fun, but exhausting time of walking and poking around. We saw indoor antique marts and outdoor groups of stalls. We (I) bought a couple of things but the most fun was being with friends.  This photo just capped the day with windswept clouds on our way home.

Sunset sky through the trees   Sunset sky through the trees   Last evening, our oldest and his wife came over for Cinco de Mayo, for tacos. At one point, my daughter-in-law pointed out the window and exclaimed how pretty the sky was.  A few minutes later my wife and son went out front and I decided to take walk to the end of our driveway and this is the sky that greeted me. I could have gotten in the car and tried for better, but with my family there, this was good enough.

Spring morning valley view Spring morning valley view     Yesterday was a bright sunny, spring morning. I was not able to get out of the door in time for the sunrise.  I could, however catch the early morning sunshine on the trees and valleys. I took more that a few shots at this spot, but this one seemed to convey the rolling hills of my area the best. It also seemed to convey the warmth of the spring morning. Enjoy!

Wishing I was back in Bar Harbor Wishing I was back in Bar Harbor   I am remembering being in Bar Harbor lin the later afternoon. The low lying fog was painted by the later afternoon sunset and the Mary Todd was out for the Sunset Cruise, The seagulls called and the waves spoke. The scene is one that I can remember like it was yesterday and one which I hope to see again in a few weeks.