clouds,  HDR,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas

Just what I needed

Riverbend Ponds
Riverbend Ponds

Yesterday brought overcast skies and gentle rains throughout the day. Along with the rain and clouds comes cooler temperatures, almost had a Fall feel to it. Late in the afternoon the clouds broke and sunshine once again brightened up evereything. A sudden impulse to head out with camera and tripod for one of the nature areas led me to the Riverbend Ponds.  Clouds then began to build up to the northwest, darkening the sky. Rumblings of thunder let me know I was not going to have that much time out there. About 45 minutes of walking and taking a few images I started seeing raindrops on the water, telling me it was time to head back to the car. I just finished a 3-day trip Saturday afternoon so I needed the time away from the city and people. The Red-winged blackbirds were singing, while sparrows and swallows would sweep down and skim along the water surface searching for dinner. And, every so often a fish would break the water as it took some insect off the surface of the water, leaving circular ripples to move across the water. It was just what I needed.

Retired. Having fun shooting Fujifilm cameras. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.

10 Comments

  • Mark

    It has been similar here. A very refreshing break from the summer heat. These temps are ideal for me personally anyways – 50s at night, 70s day time.

    • Monte Stevens

      And, we are cloudy and cool this morning with humidity. I agree those temperatures are very refreshing to me. My parents now live full time in the Phoenix area and are so accustomed to the heat that they are putting on jackets when it drops into the 60’s.

    • Monte Stevens

      Thanks, John and you are more than welcome to join me on my walks. Just be prepared for me to stop and shoot some image along the way. Have a great week!

  • paul

    Sounds perfect, Monte. We’ve had a couple of nice days, too with low(er) humidity and no rain – downright pleasant. However, that said, tomorrow, I head to Texas for a few days to visit with friends and to see my son and his wife. Oh the joy of it! The forecast is calling for 100+ for a few days. So, I won’t exactly be singing in the rain! 😀

    • Monte Stevens

      I just had back-to-back overnights in Austin and it was hot. I walked about 8 blocks to a BBQ place near the hotel and was soaked in sweat by the time I arrived. However, it did whip up a storm during the night with heavy rain and thunder. Needless to say it was sticky in the morning. Have fun with family and friends!

  • Tom Dills

    I agree with Paul, the last few days here have had a little bit of “fall” to them, although I know it is way too early for that! The couple of weeks that we were in Nova Scotia where among the hottest of the year, but the week before and the week after were wet and cold. Go figure! Although I’m glad we didn’t get the wet and cold while we were there.

    Very nice image of the proverbial “calm before the storm.”