The Daily Joe

  Sunset and Lone Tree     I took this photo last weekend while out on a drive. The tree seemed so stark against the sunset sky. It stood along, with one branch seeming to be waving "good-night" to the setting sun. With the clouds and colors, I just really liked the composition and the overall image. 

  Hazy Misty Dawn over the Pond   This photo was taken from the archives. It was taken a number of years go on a cool summer morning on the way to work. The environment of the photo is representative of our hazy skies due to the western wildfires and the color it gives. I really enjoy the cooler temperatures of the early mornings, coupled with the peace and quiet and solitude. The light mist added mystery to the mood and the day. Hope you enjoy your day.

   Evening Storm Clouds Gather near Sunset     My youngest wanted to go for a walk last evening and, despite having other things to do, I decided to go. The skies were very mixed with breaks here and there. We walked perhaps 1/2 mile when we saw, to the west, gray, foreboding clouds and we could see streamers of rain coming down from them. We decided to cut the walk short, but I managed to get this tree and the edge of that storm cloud coming our way. It was very pretty and I told my offspring that I love clouds because they are ever changing and make scenes new every time I shoot.

 Farm Field and Summer Sky On a trip to my in-laws, the sky was VERY variable and we got summer skies with puffy clouds and at other moments, ominous storm clouds over sweeping valleys. In this view, I could see the tiny dots of cows in the distance, the trees just over the top of the hill, and the puffy clouds and blue skies of summer. Of the "moving" shots I took from the car, this one called out "summer" to me.

Photo of the Day 177/365 Sunset over the Barnyard   On our way home last evening, from m in-laws, I saw the sun setting from our rear window  I asked my wife to turn off the main road onto a side road. We passed his site and had to turn around and come back, but I got this shot from the car window (too much traffic). I think it was worth the trouble. A quaint farm scene at sunset.

Wicked Storm on the Horizon   Last evening, the storms rolled over our area - just one after the other. In the early evening, I looked out the window and saw the contrast between what looked like sunlight and the dark clouds. I rushed out the door with my phone and snagged a number of photos. This one seemed to show the storm dumping rain and that contrast I saw. 

  Misty Morning at the Lake This photo, taken a couple of years ago came up when I was looking through some older photos. I don't believe I have posted it before but if I did, it's a keeper anyway. My whole demeanor this week has been a bit moody and misty, so this photo really captures my being. The fog, the reflection, the gray - it just all fits. Coming back from vacation might have had something to do with it....

  Sunset under the trees   This photo was taken on our first full day back from vacation. I was relaxing and my wife had gone for a walk with my youngest. I got a text from my wife that said, "you might want to go outside, there could be a good sunset". Well, I guess she was right. This was a pretty sunset just down the street.

 Tiny Inlet from the Sea     I took this photo of Bartlett's Inlet on Mt. Desert Island. It was a place I had never been to before. The sky was overcast and it was generally not a "pretty" day. I decided to convert this to monochrome because I felt that the mood shown was more dramatic and the beauty of the scene would be enhanced. I like the way it turned out. The path to the sea was so small and the reflection in the small part of the inlet just attracted me. This will likely be the last photo I share of main for some time, as I've been home now for almost a week. I have more photos but they'll wait for another day.

Sunset over the inlet      This photo was on one of  our sunset hunts while on vacation last week. I love the big sky with the blue and and clouds. The sun just about to set and the reflection among the boats in harbor for the night - all form, to me, what my vacation was for. I did some peaceful reflection through cloudy times, relaxation and peace after trying issues, and discovery of new places and experiences.

    Late afternoon sun reflecting on Eagle Lake     On our first day of vacation, we stopped by Eagle Lake even before we made it into our cottage. The scene was so warm and welcoming that we had to stop. I took a number of photos but this one was my wife's favorite. She loved the wat the reflection was framed by that tree branches. I have to agree that it's a keeper.

   Sunset and Lobster Traps       The sun was going down fast and we were still trying to find some decent place to get a sunset on one of our first nights of vacation. We passed a lobsterman's home and I asked that we turn around. It took a bit to find somewhere to turn back - but when we did, we pulled off the road just past his driveway. I walked around a bit and found this composition with his lobster traps just up off the cove, with the late afternoon sun. This says Maine all over it.

  Lupines on Pretty Marsh   We had driven all over and were going on new roads and came across a dirt pull-off where a gent was trying to get his boat into the water. I saw the stand of Lupines against the marsh's water and the trees behind. I thought it was a wonderful composition, not just of flowers, but of what the inland of Mt. Desert Island has to offer - and not always the coastal vibe.

  Last full day of vacation gave us this sunset. Now we head home.      On our last day of vacation we hiked on new trails, saw some places we hadn't seen before, and with some patience, we checked a very specific item from my bucket list. We saw AND heard AND shot video of loons. In over 40 years of trips to Maine, I had not seen and heard them at the same time. We were blessed with a "water-dance" of loons - an entire family of 7. After they moved on, we were then blessed with this final sunset. A fitting ending.

 Beautiful Ending to a Foggy, Rainy Day      We had what looked to be a promising day of hikig the sun was trying to break through and all looked positive until we got 1/3 through the hike (up a small mountain) and it started to rain.  It did not stop raining until about an hour after we had finished the hike. Then the fog and sun alternated and by late afternoon, the fog won. I happened to look outside and saw some color in the sky. I rushed outside and down to the water. This view greeted me and it made all the wet clothes, the sore muscles and the dampened spirits all worthwhile. 

Water Moving Under the Carriage Bridge Yesterday, we went on a carriage ride, the longest one they have - 2 hours - seeing some of the bridges that J.D. Rockefeller had built on Mt. Desert Island. He had to have the bridges built because he had to roads built, too. The carriage ride guides provide history and at one of the bridges, you can dismount and hike about a bit to get photos. This is one of mine. It was a bit wet and I took a spill but no damage done and the photos and history were worth it. I shot this on my iPhone with Spectre.

  Beautiful End to a Rainy Vacation Day     Yesterday, we had on-again and off-again showers. We stopped at different places in the morning, did some shopping and as the day's showers gave way to clouds, we did some hiking. We have visited some new places on this trip that I had never seen in 40 years of coming to this island. We walked on quiet-side trails - saw a group of loons, including chicks and finished most of our shopping.  As we settled back into our cottage, I noted the sun poking through the end-of-day clouds and this was the result. A great ending.

Sunset at the Dock   Yesterday was a mostly clouds day and while I got some photos while running around, visiting some small port towns, none were spectacular. At the end of the day, I suggested we go for a ride to see the sunsets in the coves around us. I found this one just at sunset with the dock and the boats in for the night. My fave.

  View of Mt. Desert from Ravens Nest   In our years and years of travel to Acadia National Park, we have seen most of the accessible sights in the park. I'm no rock or mountain climber, so the trails with iron rungs for climbing are off my list, but I found mention of this sight and wanted to see it.  It is on no official map (but used to be) and it was relatively easy to get to. But one had to be careful with the sheer drops, but the view, oh the view.  It was worth the research and the hike. If you venture there, caution is needed as the cliffs are unprotected for hikers.

  Sunset on the Cove. Vacation Day 1    We drove about 13.5 hours with traffic and some stops, but we have arrived on Mt. Desert Island, Maine. Our "cottage" is within 50 yards of the ocean and this was our view at the end of the day. The day is cool and breezy and we are comfy and settled in.  Day 2 (when I actually post this) is our 40th wedding anniversary and I'm sure glad she has put up with me this long.  I am still in love.

  Maine, Here we Come! Vacation starts today!      I took this photo last year, in Acadia National Park, while on a photo workshop with some great teachers and photographers. While I won't be repeating the workshop (this year), I will be seeing the sights in Acadia once again. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary and having a great time.

  Storm clouds over Old Main   I got a text from my youngest to go outside and look at the sky.  I have an office window but it looks out at a wall and I don't have a sky view, so I went out and when I looked up, this is what greeted me. The rain dumped seconds after I took this. It was short lived but very dramatic.

  Hazy Smoky Morning Sun   I parked my car at work and looked towards the morning sun. The wildfires in Canada are producing some wild skies this year, and this morning was not exception. The tree helped to make the brightness and let the color come through. The orange is almost unnatural but it was pretty.

L ast Bit of Sunset Light   Last evening, I was in a rush to get things done when I looked outside and said how beautiful the sky looked, but said I'll never get out fast enough to get a shot. My wife told me to go and try.  This was the result. I got 5 shots off before the sun disappeared. This was the best.

  Dirt Road Winding into the Woods     The last time I was at my father-in-law's home, I took a long walk while my wife did some work with him. He lives in the back woods of central Pennsylvania and there are plenty of "back roads" that lead to cabins and sometimes into a field. I saw this one winding up through the woods and loved how it just seemed to meander up into the trees.

  Wildflowers at the Edge of the Field   While at a local farm / winery, I waked about on a personal "tour" while I took whatever photos I wanted. I managed to get into a far corner of the farm at the edge of the field of the neighboring farm. These flowers were on the border looking into the next field.

  Late day storm clouds over the barn     We were at my sister-in-law's home for an early Father's Day lunch with my father-in-law. We knew the storms were around and were slowly sinking to the south. We got home before the storms and I thought I had time for a walk. My youngest and I got perhaps a quarter mile when it started to rain. We heard the thunder all around us - I managed to get this shot of the coming storm before the hard rains came. We made it back getting only a little wet.

  Hazy sunset across the field     Another walk, another sunset. I can't complain, the skies and sunsets have been fabulous - but we really need some rain. The field looks lush here but the yards are getting brown.  I'll enjoy the sunsets while I have them. This year (so far) has been short on rain and storms. I enjoy them, too. They say variety is the spice of life and I guess that is true.  I'm trying to enjoy whatever is thrown my way.

Afternoon sunlight at the edge of the field   At the end of the day, while out for a walk, I noted the sun streaming across the tall grasses at the edge of a farmer's field. From the edge of the road, you can see the trees across the field and the late afternoon sky and clouds. It was a beautiful day. A very special friend saw this on my screen and really liked it so I decided this was the one for the day.

Streaks of Clouds to End the Day     Out later than I wanted to be - not early enough for the sun setting but basically, in the dark.  Walking home, I came into a clearing and saw the expansive sky open up with the color and streaks of clouds almost at the horizon. The varied colors with the sillhouettes of the trees and hills make the photo.