The Daily Joe

Soft Summer Sunset Photo of the Day 244/366 I took this photo a few weekends ago. The scene was warm but not overly so, like a relaxed warm summer evening - which it was. The tree is in my neighbor's back yard and the sun and sky were in the right spot that I could pause and take this photo. This particular photo evokes a quiet, serene feeling to me, so I wanted to post it on what will be a very busy weekend.

Grasses in the Fading Sunlight Photo of the Day 243/366 I took this photo last weekend. I had a bit when I went out for my day's end walk and found that the sun hadn't reached a "pretty point" yet so I explored a little. I found these grass shoots coming up in such a way that I could get their details in the sunlight. I took a few but this is the best one. I like detail shots and this happens, too, to be my wife's favorite from that evening.

  Sunrise Sky over the Creek Photo of the Day 242/366 The transition from sunsets to sunrises has begun. This was taken on my way to work. Thu sun had actually been up, but the clouds had obscured it and I was able to capture this view on the way in to my office. The gold colors in the sky and the reflections in the creek made for a really nice morning photo. You can see in the water, some geese, which were evident in sound, while I took this photo. They almost seemed to welcome me in.

Clouds Swallow the Sunset Photo of the Day 241/366 This photo was taken last evening. My daughter said we should go for a quick walk and try to get the sunset. The time was right and so we went. Here, we have had many photo-worthy sunsets this season. I'm not sure if it's because of the wildfires in the western US or some other climatology phenomena, but they are pretty and almost every night. I feel badly for those who are suffering with wildfires - but I will enjoy the sunsets they provide. 

Sunset Between the Trees Photo of the Day 240/366 I took this photo this past weekend on the first of two jaunts to see the sunset sky. I posted a photo from the second jaunt yesterday. This one one was taken before the sun actually set, and I tried to position myself to be able to see the sun set between the two trees on the horizon. I waited for this one for a bit as the sun was too bright when I arrived so I had to wait until it sank low enough to get this shot. The colors in the sky sure didn't hurt either.

Feathers of First after the Sunset Photo of the Day 239/366 This photo was from my second round of "sunset walks" last evening. I did get some nice shots of the sun setting last night, but after I was in for a bit, my wife exclaimed at the pinks in the sky. So, I had to take another quick walk to see if I could capture some of them. My thought was, "you won't get it, if you don't try" - so I walked some more and this was the result.

Sun About to Disappear  Photo of the Day 238/366   We had a good day of running and in the afternoon, working with my son on cleaning our roof gutters and garage roof. It had been a long day and I was tired. My kids went out in early evening to get dinner and I got a text from my youngest to look at the sun. So, despite my tired bones, I went out and caught the tail end of the sunset - which was good - the tiny clouds near the horizon lit up with the light of the setting sun as it was disappearing behind the horizon's trees. Good call!

  Sunset and Wispy Clouds to Close the Week Photo of the Day 237/366   My youngest asked if I wanted to go for a walk last evening and at first, I didn't want to go because it had been a long week, and I was tired. I looked at the time, it was still light out, so I relented and went. We reached a break just at sunset. The clouds were there in layers - there was a layer near the sun which darkened the horizon, but there were others which lit up with the sunshine. It WAS a beautiful end-of-week sunset and I'm glad I went for that walk.

  Summer Sunrise Photo of the Day 236/366 This photo was taken while on my way to work. I was running early and the seasons are changing - so I was able to catch a sunrise. Most mornings, the sun is too high, yet, to make a good morning photo but on this day, I was able to get "back in the groove" and get a good shot. The sunrise was in the summer position on the horizon so I had to adjust my position - but I still think it came out very well.

Line of Trees and a Thin Line of Sunset Photo of the Day 235/366 This photo was taken a few days ago while coming home from a shopping trip. There are many times, especially about sunset, that I will just continue to take photos while my wife drives. This shot was shot from our car while it was moving. I don't know if you call it luck or just the practice that makes the most of opportunities - but I get some nice shots this way. To be sure, there are many that don't work, but some do and I like them and I like this one.

Sunset Sky Down the Road Photo of the Day 234/366 I took this photo last evening. We were on our way home from a shopping trip and I was lamenting that we would miss a nice sunset. My wife and I talked about a different road to take on the way home, so we took it. This photo was taken at a red-light as we were stopped. The clouds in the distance actually cloaked the setting sun, but the sky was really nice and I liked the leading lines in this scene.

Setting Sun over the Grassy Field Photo of the Day 233/366     I took this photo last weekend. The sky was changing very rapidly. When I arrived at my neighbor's farm, this show was one of the first ones I took. The sunlight was skating off of the grass in the field and the sky was a golden with a few spots of blue. The sun was about to come out of a cloud. Above were storm clouds and to the north were anvil clouds portending to the stronger storms there. But here, things were tranquil enough to get some nice shots.

  Clouds Cradle the Setting Sun Photo of the Day 232/366 Last evening, we were under a severe thunderstorm watch all through the golden hour and sunset. I kept looking out of our front window, though. I saw the beginnings of a clearing sufficient to allow for some great sky photos. My instincts were right and the sky opened up with anvil clouds to our north and dark clouds to our east. The sky was wonderful and the clouds seemed to open up just enough for a nice sunset.

  Afternoon Clouds over the Field Photo of the Day 231/366 Due to the weather yesterday, I really didn't think I had any chance of a good landscape shot, especially a sunset. I was working on another project in my office when my wife told me to come out and look at the sky. I went out and sure enough, there was color in the clouds - no sunset, but it was trying. I ran (walked quickly?) to one of my favorite spots and found this in the sky. It only lasted a few moments before the gray took back over. Take that moment and grab it - it may not come again.

  Smoky Sky under the Pine Boughs Photo of the Day 230/366     The weather report talked about the smoke coming into our skies and on the way to work, I noticed the red sky. I stopped when I came across a clearing where I could get a shot. I'm sure that some see me and wonder what I'm doing, but I don't care. I waked under some pine trees and got this photo a very red sky morning.

Afternoon Sky over the Fields Photo of the Day 229/366 I took this photo this past week while at a wedding venue. This will likely be the last wedding I shoot. A few years ago, I had a studio which did portraiture and weddings, and I did OK on the photography end of things. I discovered I'm not so great at marketing. My drive waned as the market softened and most of the "middle photographers" went out, so did I. This wedding is for a friend and This is where the wedding will take place - a really nice farm scene.

  Sunset through the Trees Photo of the Day 228/366 Timing has been bad for my classes this week in tune with sunsets so for today, reached back to early summer for a photo that I took but didn't post. This photo was taken before the hay fields were harvested and the wonderful sunset light shone off the grasses and made even the mundane beautiful. It's been a good, but busy week.

Sunset at the Boat Launch Photo of the Day 227/366 I took this photo this past weekend after a visit to my oldest child and his wife. We had left after a fun dinner and some games to try to find a particular item at the local State Park's lake. We never did find the item we were looking for but I got some great photos of the sunset sky and the lake, this is one of them.

  Lake Reflections of a Sunset Sky Photo of the Day 226/366 This photo was taken this past weekend while trying to locate a new boat launch at the local state park. We reached the park after a nice dinner with my son and his wife. The time was very near to sunset so we were moving pretty fast from place to place. I got more than a few shots of the sunset (see yesterday) but this one was taken from the car window as we didn't have time to get out before the park closed. I really like this view.

Lovers at Sunset by the Lake Photo of the Day 225/366 This shot was pure and simple serendipity. We were at my son's home last evening for a night of dinner and games. When we left, we decided to try to find a particular boat launch. In driving from place to place, we knew the sunset was beautiful - but we came upon a campground and they were there - just amazing.

    Saturday Streaky Sunset Photo of the Day 224/366 We were out for a long day with friends yesterday and the weather could not have been better. We got home in the late afternoon and my wife decided she needed a nap. I did my normal and backed up my day's photos and after a bit, realized that I almost missed sunset - well - almost. This is the result of hustling out to catch the last moments.

    Clouds Taking the Sunset Photo of the Day 223/366 I took this photo last month and as the days recently have been rainy (thankfully), I thought I'd reach back a bit for a good past shot. I really like this one for the colors and the clarity of the clouds with the sun. Usually, the clouds are a bit soft and fussy - but this night, the definition was sharp.   

  Lofty Sunset Clouds over the Pines Photo of the Day 222/366 It's been very cloudy and rainy these past few days so I opted today to post a photo I took about 2 weeks ago. Whenever I get a nice sunset sky, which we've had PLENTY of, I try to get multiples to save for rainy days. This was such a photo. I love the soft feel of the colorful clouds over pine trees. Enjoy!  

        Setting Sun Behind a Tree Photo of the Day 221/366  I took this photo a few nights ago. As I was trying to get from one place to another, I noticed the sun shining behind a tree and really liked how it appeared. The sunbeams were just coming out from behind the tree and barely showed because of the brilliant colors of the landscape. The colors that evening were just outstanding and a highlight of sunsets so far.      

      Purple Phlox by the Barn Photo of the Day 220/366 I took the photo a few days ago while out on a walk on a new path with my youngest. She wanted to go somewhere new and I was game so we went to a trail we hadn't used before. On the path, I saw a number of purple (my fav) phlox plants and I noted the red barn behind this plant and grabbed a few before we became impatient to move on. I think the color combination worked and gave it "country" feel.        

  Sun Setting Between the Trees Photo of the Day 219/366 I took this photo a few days ago. I've heard that the beautiful sunsets are due to the western wildfires. In a way, I feel guilty for enjoying the plethora of glorious sunsets we've had, but I'm going to enjoy them while I can. I give my thoughts and prayers for the people in the face of those wildfires. The sunsets, thought, have been spectacular.  

        Sunset and Field Grass Photo of the Day 218/366  Last evening, I noted with some interest, the sky getting redder and redder near the horizon. I was a good 20 minutes before sunset, so I took to walking a little farther than normal. I wandered into the fields near me to try to see what I could make with the setting sun. I found this composition! The grasses were lit by the clouds overhead and the sky was lit with the setting sun - it made for a great combination.       

      Last Touch of a Saturday Sunset Photo of the Day 217/366 After a long day helping to host a martial arts symposuim, I was sore and tired.  However, when I looked out our front windows, I saw the last beams of sun and had to "get out there" and try to capture it. It had just rained and cooled off and I managed to make it down to the farm for a few quick snaps. I like what I managed to get.  

      Week's End Pretty Sunset Photo of the Day 216/366 It was a hot day, yesterday. Work was crazy with issues that had to be solved. I had to get ready for a martial arts seminar today - just too much to do. I finally wrapped up some things and looked outside and tried to see what was left. The sky seemed to be done, but I needed a break so I went out for short walk with my youngest. Once we cleared some trees, this view welcomed us. The was a pretty sunset to end a crazy week.

    Pastel Sunset Sky Photo of the Day 215/366 This was another shot on the way home from classes. I noted the pretty sky when I left the school, but thought that it was too late to take any photos. The sky seemed a bit "late" for that. When I got closer to home, I noticed that the lack of light was due to clouds. I pulled over and managed to get a few photos before it got too dark.  

      Seagulls Flying over the Sunset Bay Photo of the Day 214/366 This photo was taken about a year ago on a vacation to northern Maine. That area is my "happy place" as many of my friends know. I got very lucky with this photo. I managed a sunset sky, the peaceful water in the bay, and two seagulls just drifting across my field of view. I'll be back there in less than eight weeks and I can't wait.