Friday, October 03, 2008

Friday Garden Report


I spent most of last night's Vice Presi dential debate coverage muttering as I sponged paint onto the living room walls...it's still a work in progress, so no photos of the finished look yet...but I did catch a few images yesterday I wanted to share with you.

During our early morning breakfast event at work, we had a bit of a sunshower, which gave us the barest glimmer of a rainbow in the northwestern sky...it was already fading by the time I had my camera ready, naturally.

But what's a rainbow, anyway, but a fleeting and intangible promise - like a kiss really - of sweetness and beauty in the future? Who doesn't love a rainbow for that.


I always think there's somethingi cool about it raining while the sun is shining...maybe its two of my favorite elements, water and fire coming together in such a spectacular and sparkly way...I really liked this photo taken under the pear tree outside my office.

After our early morning, I spent a little time in the office, mostly doing unsatisfying battle with my office computer. When it became clear I was about the headbutt the monitor, I decided to take a break for a little time at home and some banking...with a plan to return later on.

High tide was flooding Boat Creek Marsh as I drove through, and when I spotted a blue heron feeding with some gulls in the rising waters, I couldn't resist stopping for a photo or two.

I'm sorry to say the heron disagreed with my idea, and fled at the first sight of me and my camera...of course there was also an unfortunate amount of traffic driving along Bridge Road just then, so perhaps it wasn't all my fault the great bird fled.

But I was pretty pleased with this silhouette shot as it flew out of sight. Also, I loved the contrast of these white asters blooming against the background of some autumn-reddened Virginia creeper.



I took a painting break before dinner and the debates and made it to First Encounter just in time for the last rays of sunset. Actually, I didn't stay long, as there was a pretty powerful wind coming off the bay and it made me downright shivery...so much so that even the Image Stabilization feature on my camera couldn't save all but these two images.

Things are good in the Midnight Garden, and I promise I'll have some more painting photos as the weekend progresses. I hope this finds each and every one of you doing well, with fun plans for at least some part of the weekend!!

18 comments:

Java said...

I love the pictures of the sunset. Wow. The silhouette of the heron is another great one. You've got a gorgeous view from your office window. You're about to convince me that the Cape is a beautiful place. :)
Good to see all is well.

Greg said...

Oh, Java...the Cape is definitely one of the most beautiful places I know! I do feel like I've misled you a little, though: I don't actually HAVE a window in my office at work. ; )

lostlandscape said...

I agree with Java that your heron silhouette is a great shot, even if that wasn't the one you wanted to get!

And, as usual, you have some of the greatest atmospherics. Tell me it's balmy and 72 at sunset and I'm right there.

Greg said...

I was pretty pleased with the shot, for sure, James!

Sad to say, the days of 72 and balmy at sunset are most likely behind us for this year...but its nice to have those dreams of next summer to buoy us through the coming Chill...

Birdie said...

I don't know what it is about the blue heron, but it is my favorite animal in all the world. So regal.

We don't get sun showers here in Indiana like we did in Florida. I guess it takes popup showers, which don't happen here. Indiana gets a gray sheet of featureless clouds when it rains. Either that or tornados.

Greg said...

They are special creatures, Birdie, that's for sure...and I was glad of this graceful photo...long legs like a model's, stretching out behind.

I guess the sunshower was a product of a spate of smaller showers coming in off the water...so it makes sense you wouldn't get to enjoy that in Indiana...shame. Especially if the other choice is tornados. ;(~

Patrick said...

So many evanescent moments captured beautifully, even if you weren't able to get the rainbow shot you wanted. That heron shot is spectacular. I'm tempted to encourage you to paint it on your living room wall too, as counterpoint to the flying crow, but it might not yet have a place in the visual journal.

Greg said...

Ah, Patrick, what's that they say about great minds thinking alike? Sadly, I've run out of wall in the living room.

The plan for that second bedroom/ library does call for a wall that will be all Cape Cod Gray. I'm thinking this heron silhouette might be just the thing there. Stay tuned!!

Anonymous said...

The Cape is beautiful. I still say New England has the best in everything.

We've got mountains, forest, oceans, etc. A little of everything.

And you want rainbows, I give you rainbow in Braintree:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2905496279_3d131ed6a3_b.jpg

I was so glad I had the camera with me that day.

Greg said...

Wonderful rainbow shot, Truth...thanks for sharing that one!

Butch said...

I love the pear tree picture a lot. You have an eye for a pastorial setting and I think you captured it. Of course, the sunset is quite beautiful.

Marc said...

The heron shot is very pretty, as is the marsh shot! Do I see leaves changing? How far along are they? We are hoping to get some nice fall photos when we head up next weekend.

My grandmother always used to say that when it rains and the sun is shining, it will rain that same time the next day. Of course, that was iin the midwest...you'll have to let me know if it works there on the Cape.

Greg said...

Thanks, Butch...I'm fond of that pear tree shot myself.

Marc, I don't believe it rained the same time next day. The leaves seem to be getting underway now; I've not looked at the forecast for the coming week, but I expect you will find plenty of beauty hereabouts next weekend!!

Looking forward to seeing you guys!

tornwordo said...

I liked the heron in flight best. It seems like a painting.

spookydragonfly said...

Just stopped by to say hello...what a great capture of the herron against the sky! Of course, enjoyed the wildfowers, too. So glad to hear that you just "walked away" from your computer...violence never solves anything!!(ha-ha!)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful captures as always with your camera. But I can't tell you what a wonderful shot that is of the sky and the "range" of clouds below. The colors seem to be what are most inviting. The shot of the heron in flight is a good one where most of its body is "exposed" for the camera, i.e., the silhouette doesn't foreshorten its left wing or legs. I hope your weekend went well. :-D

The Hunky Gardener said...

"Headbutt" the monitor...lol! I would kind of like to see that but for your own good I wouldn't want you to do it!

Hope all is well.

J-o-h-n-n-y said...

Great photo set......: )