Thursday, October 8, 2009

Skywatching Close to Home

In my desert community, homes are spaced so closely together that large chunks of the views are of stucco exteriors, cinder block walls and rooftops. In many ways it seems like a concrete jungle, which is why I often walk and watch the sky from nearby natural areas. But it is possible to enjoy the sky close to home.

Stepping outside the door early Sunday morning, I spied the full moon through the trees and could also hear owls and coyotes.
Standing in the middle of the street, facing east and zooming in all the way with my camera, I found a serene canyon view.

Checking out bits of the sky in the late afternoon:Going out to the sidewalk for a bigger view of the sky:

At sunset, focusing close-up on a jojoba plant, it became a dark silhouette in front of warm colors. I wondered if sunset colors would have been any better from somewhere else, somewhere more "special" with less concrete.
But the question fell away, and what remained was a peaceful connection to those colors and to everything beyond.

To view posts from other participants who like to watch the sky from wherever they happen to be, visit Skywatch Friday.

26 comments:

James said...

Each picture is beautiful in it's own way. This is a really nice post.

penny said...

You captured a wonderful series of sky shot, Diane. They are all spectacular.

Teri said...

Great shots Diane! I love the skies here.

Sylvia K said...

Incredibly beautiful, dramatic captures, Diane! Thanks for sharing the beauty!

Enjoy!

Sylvia

Tes said...

Diane, the last two shots are amazing! Beautiful colors! Good capture! I'd love to join Skywatch Friday and you have everything to do with it! Teehee! Thanks for such an inspiration!

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

Your shots tell, really, a history...magic, sensitive and romantic view..congrats and see u very soon...

havea nice weekend
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2009/10/wedding-in-sherbourne-castleuk-at-skywatchfriday/

Icy BC said...

These pictures are fantastic, Diane. The colors are just awesome!

Gaelyn said...

You may live in a concrete jungle, but your views are not too bad. And you sky captures are outstanding. Especially like the first shot with the moon. You CAN find beauty anywhere.

Pacey said...

Wow, Diane these are very special photos. I like them all and my fave is of the moon and the 6pm shots. So amazing.

Julie said...

How gorgeous!!!

Unknown said...

Fantastic photos! Lovely colours!

Lindy said...

These are magnificent! The silhouette against the moon in the first photo is very artistic, very O'Keeffe-like in a way. Love the colorful 'ripples' in the sky at 6:13 p.m. And, of course, another colorful sky in the jojoba silhouette.

Ebie said...

Oh, Diane, I am in awe of your colorful skies! the 6:13 shot is just like a stained glass! Lovely!

Ezhilan said...

The second photo looks like flowing molten metal.Great composition.

Cherry said...

the two last photos are spectacular! happy friday! :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You go throught the whole range of colors there Diane. I love the desert sunrise and sunsets.

Loree said...

Terrific photos. The ones of the moon and the sunset are really beautiful.

Salitype said...

fantastic shots! the first and the last ones are memorable...love it, love it, love it!

Nutty Gnome said...

Wonderful photos - and so, so very different from where I live!

I've really enjoyed reading your posts - thanks for a lovely blog :)

Elisabeth said...

I thoroughly enjoy your point of view. Unusual. Different. Thank you for sharing,

Lene said...

I love silhouette pictures. Beautiful.

Martha Z said...

You got some great shots "close to home". I don't know which I like best, the first is quite striking but they are all great.

Jen said...

Beautiful---just confirms why I love AZ!

Prospero said...

Beautiful skies. Jojoba plant! I should try growing one of those (just because I like the name.)

Anonymous said...

I like them all!
You are going to think I am numb, but for a a bit, I couldn't find the moon in the first shot. My mind was stuck on stucco walls.

betchai said...

oh, very beautiful sky photos. i especially love the last one.