Again with the out of order chronology of my Saturday in the Park. As I approached Quabbin from Amherst I was driving in fog, sometimes thick and sometimes thin, I anticipated many opportunities. Yesterday you saw sunbeams as that fog burned off over the once beautiful stand of red pines. Today’s image is from the first moments at Enfield Lookout. While the sunrise in the east is where most dawn color is seen, the west often offers the beautiful Belt of Venus, below it the Earth’s shadow.
Lots of colorful layers but I wanted to include the bare birch which I think adds a little Extra Texture to the image.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Beautiful scenery and the white birch branches make a wonderful contrast!
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Thank you, Liz. I’ve shot this view a few times but this is my favorite of all over the years.
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Spectacular scenery captured so beautifully in this photo!
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Thank you, Carol.
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I like the white birch – the contrast of the white against all that colour brings the image to life. 🙂
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Thanks, Ann. The foliage is great but sometimes it just needs a little something to complete the view.
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Great colors here. The top half of the picture could stand on its own as more of an abstraction but I’m glad you included the bottom half.
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Thanks, Steve. Honestly, I haven’t considered just the belt as an image.
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Magnificent scene, Those reds, oh my goodness.
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Thank you, Yvonne. 🙂
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I could have, would have done with just the layers, but then I’m a minimalist. However, I also happen to love birch trees.
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You’d think that after seeing all your fine abstract images it might occur to me that the Belt of Venus and Earth Shadow would make a fine image that way but I guess I get tunnel vision and make images the way I always have. You’ve challenged me to do something different next time.
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One follows one’s muse. There are lots of muses.
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This is a beauty, Steve. I love the birch for contrast.
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Thank you, Jane. I’m glad you enjoy the image and see the appeal of the birch too.
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As with a previous one, I love the layers of color. And I completely agree about the birch, definitely adds something.
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Thanks, Todd. Being leafless, the birch is in stark contrast to all the surrounding foliage which I find appealing.
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Wonderful reds, and that birch is a perfect accent.
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Thanks, Robert. It really stands out in the crowd.
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I just didn’t get here the morning you posted this, but that very morning I was looking at the first Belt of Venus outside my window. For me, it’s become a sure sign of autumn, as the movement of the sun finally places the shadow where I can see it from my desk. I suspect there’s something about the air/light/angle combination that makes it so distinct in fall and winter here. It’s one of my favorite sights. I’ve nothing against the birch or the colors, but I would have focused solely on the distant hills and the sky.
I’ve finally made the decision to move, downsizing to a smaller apartment in this same complex. It will reduce my rent, and there are other advantages that may serve me well in later years, like being on the first floor. But it means the end of my third story view of the water and sky. I’m really having a hard time dealing with that, and the view has overridden rationality for a couple of years. I have to remind myself that the sky still will be there — I’ll just have to join you in a little early morning travel to find it!
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Wow, moving is a big deal. Being in the same complex might make it a bit easier to carry things rather than pack everything and hire a van. Sorry I don’t live closer or I’d help with the hauling. Mary Beth occasionally suggests that we will eventually move to a place requiring less outdoor maintenance as we age and the tasks become more challenging. But I am not a fan of that idea although it makes perfect sense, just like you moving to a first floor. And I think she would miss gardening much more than she realizes although she is very adaptable to change. Our house is one floor so if MS causes Mary Beth to need a wheelchair or constant use of a walker we are still good. A few years ago, after a neighbor passed away and his wife sold their house, the new owners disassembled his ramp and piled it up in front of their garage. I asked and they gave it to me. We don’t need it right now thankfully and may never as she takes such good care of herself, but if we do we’re ready.
Reduced rent is great although I am sorry that you’ll lose the desk view. But it probably does make sense to not have to climb all those stairs as the years pass by. I’ve found, even at the youthful age of 71, that stairs are a bit more taxing now. I had to deliver two nightstands to a second floor bedroom in a home yesterday and I did some serious puffing after each climb.
I have noticed that the phenomenon is more distinct in winter. A quick Google to Wiki mentions the greater visibility in that season too. Yeah, Michael said the same. I often miss abstraction while concentrating on the bigger picture.
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I don’t mind doing the packing. In fact, I prefer to do it myself, since I’m determined to do the sorting, sifting, and dispersing that needs to be done before I move. There’s no sense carting everything to a new place with the intention of dealing with it “later.” Now’s the time. And I’ve already contacted a reputable, local moving company to deal with the furniture, boxes of books, and so on. I’ve moved so often in my life that it’s a familiar and basically stress-free process — especially since there are piles of free Amazon Prime boxes everywhere for the taking.
I usually settle in pretty well once I’ve made a decision. After all, I may be losing my sunsets, but as someone once said, the sun also rises!
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At one point in my life I was practiced and packing and moving as you describe although not all over the world, just lots of local moves. Aside from all the stability that married life can bring is our 33.5 years in this house. How much more life expectancy awaits me is a mystery but I hope all of it remains at this address.
Yes, pre-move is the time to reduce possessions. Right now about the only positive I can think of in moving would be ridding ourselves of all those years of accumulating stuff. I am glad you have some reliable help. Yes, Among all our clutter can be found just a few Amazon Prime boxes. 🙂 How soon is the move?
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Thank you for this trigger that made me learn about the Belt of Venus – I can’t believe I didn’t know about it. Your photo is so beautiful – the pale tree branches reaching up against those dark red leaves, the fog, the incredible sky, all of it. Gorgeous. 🙂
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The early morning just before the sun rises is my favorite time of day. There is quiet, peace and a comfortable solitude and then it is topped off with this phenomenon. When I am lucky I even get to see a setting full moon, or any phase for that matter, floating down through it.
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