Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Serene end to a perfect day...



16 hours had passed since I pulled out of the driveway at 5:00am.

My day took me through small towns...some picturesque, some dying after the interstate re routed the traffic and lifeblood, some that had retained the pride of small town folks just as it had in the 1950's during the boom years.

My day took me onto the campus of Indiana University where I had the honor to be a part of the inner circle of photographers chronicling the Little 500 bicycle race.

My day gave me the opportunity to retrace steps taken on this campus 40 years ago...some areas remained the same and some areas radically different now.

My day ended where it began...at the Patoka wildlife refuge...wheras before the sun was rising...now setting over the lillipads and Cyprus trees.

My day ended with a staged event. An event that has happened each and every day our our lives but so many times it has occurred without giving it a thought. This time I was going to capture it so I could remember the beauty of a sunset. After leaving the refuge, I pulled over on the two lane at the peak of a hill with full view of the crimson sky and the sun sinking ever so quickly behind a farm...a farm that depends on the sun to keep it alive. Just as the sun tried to hide behind the trees...the last click of the shutter and I had it.

The sun as it often is this time of year was large in the lower atmosphere but to emphasize the central point of the picture...I used my longest telephoto with a 2X tele-converter which gave me 600mm ...perfect combination for a sunset. Thanks for taking this journey to Indiana University with me. As we all know...a perfect day is not perfect unless you can share it with someone.

Dan

15 comments:

J Cosmo Newbery said...

It's all been good but I love that tree and water shot.

dianne said...

Stunning photographs dear Dan, especially that beautiful sunset ... I so pleased that you had a perfect day. xoxo ♥

jennifer black said...

Holy cow. Those photos are amazing.

septembermom said...

Beautiful shots Dan. That sunset would stop me in my tracks.

Sunny said...

The sunset is breathtaking, I can't even find the words to describe it!
I'm glad that you had such an enjoyable experience.
Sunny :)

Cynthia L. H. said...

Yep...perfect.
;^)

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks J and I am glad you are stopping back by again.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Dianne...I would love to be able to catch some of those sunsets on the Outback.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Jennifer...good to hear from you! As I mentioned to Dianne...with the heat and humidity of a Texas twilight...I am sure there are some beautiful sunsets there as well.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Septembermom...In the area where we live...there are rolling hills so the sunsets are often blocked from view...it was good to get out and see one again.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Heather for traveling with me!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny I am glad you came along for the ride!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Cynthia...only a few days left of school...are you taking the Summer off?

Dan

shabby girl said...

Oh my Lord! Fantastic!

DawnTreader said...

I never saw such a large sun at a sunset. "Unreal" and phantastic shot.