With the impending re-entry of the UARS satellite some time in the next 18 hours, lucky people somewhere are likely to have a spectacular display as it enters the atmosphere. It will be travelling from NW to SE, and from my one experience of seeing space junk re-enter (about 10 years ago) the fireball will be an unmissable spectacle.
Even if you don't see it, this time of year produces some spectacular visual treats. I took this series of shots at around 6.20pm tonight. The sun was getting low in the sky (but not yet setting). The sky had that yellowish tone you often get at the end of the day, but one cloud had a fiery lining. These shots were deliberately underexposed to bring out the colours, and have had a minor adjustment of contrast., but nothing else. The illumination lasted about 10 minutes.
That was the end of the day. The morning proved as good in its own way. This heron was perched on the No Fishing sign as I drove up to Falmer Pond. The shots were taken from the car to avoid spooking it.
(The graffiti is my addition… in Photoshop)
The moorhens were also active.
Very active!
But the bird sighting of the day was a pair of greater spotted woodpeckers high in one of the trees at the edge of the pond.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
Cynthia23
24 Sep 2011OH, so nice . . . the sky in a wave of clouds. :up:
gdare
25 Sep 2011Birds like to pick interesting spots to sit on 😛
Those fiery cloud photos are amazing. I like when Sun makes things like that. Hope to see Aurora Borealis when I come to Canada 😀
Words
25 Sep 2011Cynthia, thanks. It was quite a sight while it lasted.
studio41
25 Sep 2011I was photographing a heron yesterday, as well… it was already quite dark so not a good focus I think… the sky in top photos is lovely…
Words
25 Sep 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
25 Sep 2011Darko, I think all birds have a good understanding of irony :right: The clouds were great but the Aurora must be absolutely fantastic to see.
Words
25 Sep 2011Jill, I tend to get my best photos early in the morning before the sun is too high. At the end of the day it gets tricky as you're losing light the whole time. 🙁
anonymous
26 Sep 2011Gaina writes:
I love this time of year, I find the colours and activity of the birds far more interesting :).
I wonder if those Moorhens will have a brood this late?
Words
28 Sep 2011Gaina, autumn is a wonderful time for colours. I think the moorhens were just 'playing'. It's very late for another brood.
SittingFox
30 Sep 2011Oh wow! The sunset is awesome. And more woodpeckers! 😀
Words
1 Oct 2011Woodpeckers galore. There's a pair of greens and a pair of greater spotteds at the pond, but they seem to alternate in terms of public appearances. That cloud was really quite spectacular. I've never seen anything quite like it.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Wow lovely photos