Skyline view

Downey is only about 13 miles from downtown LA. And if you can find a high enough spot, you can often get a pretty good view of the LA skyline. This night the sky was starting to turn gold and there was a haze over the city, but somehow it was still a compelling sight.

"It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream." 
~  Bernard Williams

Awe moments

I know that we've shown sunsets before. And I know they're not unique to Downey. But sometimes they are so beautiful, they are such an "awe" moment that I just have to share them.

I was going back to my car from last night's concert. Most of the time I either walked southward but with buildings on my right or I walked eastward. When I got to my car, I needed to turn and look west to check for traffic. That's when it struck me, the awe moment. There in the west, the sun was setting and producing this beautiful sky. I hope you got to see it on your own. But if you didn't, I'll share mine with you. Isn't it awesome?

Why do you think we are so enthralled with sunsets? It's just light from the sun refracting off clutter in the atmosphere that stimulates nerve cells in our eyes that are then interpreted by the brain. And yet, we love watching them. The beautiful colors. The movement of the sun's disk getting closer and closer to the horizon. The constant change of hue and brightness.

"When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator."
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Sunset over the library

This picture combines some of my favorite things—books (the Downey City Library was a favorite destination when I was a child), sunsets (our crazy weather these last few days has made for some colorful ones), and wiggy tree branches silhouetted against the sky.

End of day

I like the long shadows that come as the sun sets low in the sky.

"Sunsets like childhood are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting." 
~ Richard Paul Evans

Late in the day

The afternoon sun always seems to put such a nice glow on everything. Looking out over the park grounds this afternoon, with the long shadows falling, seems like a fitting end to the day.

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." 
~  Jawaharlal Nehru

Look at me!

Sometimes the day ends quietly. And sometimes it ends with a loud "look at me!" that you just can't ignore. This end-of-day from a couple of weeks ago was one of those. I had to stop what I was doing to marvel at the colors and beauty.

Sunlit

Last weekend I was in Yosemite. I know it is a long way from Downey, but it is an incredibly beautiful place. We had one perfect sunset while we were there. Here you can see Half Dome lit amazingly by the setting sun. It is almost as if the granite were on fire. As you see, we were not the only ones enjoying it.

"Appreciate small moments of happiness for they are so important."

Great ball of fire

Looking almost directly west at the end of a day, one looks into the setting sun. The Banc of California sits in front of me. The buildings on the horizon to the left are the Leach Grain & Milling buildings. If I were a few stories higher, instead of on the top of the 4-level parking structure, I might be able to see the green water tower that sits behind Los Amigos golf course.

An afternoon in the park

Light. It's the basic foundation of photography. It shows itself in so many ways, from beautiful sunrises to "I hate driving home with the sun in my eyes!", from harsh city lights to soft candlelight.

This week's focus is light, and today's picture shows the lake at Wilderness Park bathed in the afternoon glow of the sun. It's one of my favorite times of the day.

Next year

The holidays! The parties are numerous and the treats are everywhere, and it's hard to get motivated to work off those extra pounds. The days are shorter, so it's harder to find the time to exercise, as illustrated by the empty workout area and walking paths here at Furman Park.

Well, I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are for...

The fall sky

Fall is such a great time of the year to photograph the sky. Winter can be too cloudy and summer can be too clear. But fall has just the right amount of clouds and sunshine. I took this picture last Friday at a Ruby's Diner at the end of Huntington Beach pier while my wife and I were having dinner. You can almost see the brush strokes. You can see Catalina Island in the distance.

Note: Even though Catalina Island looks as if it is due west of Huntington Beach, it is actually due west of San Clemente.



I took this photo on my way home from work tonight. I was riding my bike home and just missed the light to cross Lakewood Blvd. As I was waiting for the signal, I noticed the sky and said that would make a great Downey Daily photo. I almost always carry my camera, so I took it out of my backpack and took several pictures, working the shot until I felt I had at least one good one. This is the one I chose.

The sun is setting around 4:30 to 4:45 this week. Make a point to get out in the open somewhere and watch the sky change colors. Make sure you're with someone to share it with. Beauty is a great blessing to share.

Fiery sky

The sky was amazing tonight as I was heading home from work. The clouds looked to be on fire.

"Once you have tasted the taste of sky you will forever look up."
~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Smoky sunset

A few weeks ago we had some really hot weather, which meant it was fire season weather again. We had some large fires in Orange County that spread their smoke and ashes across the Los Angeles basin. You can read about the fires here.

Misty waters

Exploring some of Oregon's coast this past week has been an adventure. I have enjoyed the power and the drama of the settings, often with the ocean raging from a recent storm. Add to that some incredible, massive rocks and mist and you have quite a spectacular coastline.



“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.”
~ William Shakespeare

Fishermen

Sunset on the beach is one of the most beautiful scenes I can imagine. Tonight was incredible. We had this gorgeous ball of sun that slowly settled past the horizon.

Families were out playing on the beach and enjoying the colorful end of the day. It was sweet to watch this dad show his son how to catch a fish.

"It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream."
~ Bern Williams

Day is done

In Downey, we enjoy our proximity to the beaches. But a vacation provides the opportunity to stay within walking distance of a beautiful Oregon beach. Even a rainy day can be beautiful when you can watch the sun set over the ocean.

The magic hour

I'm cheating today, because this picture was not taken in Downey. And, I know I have shared more than my share of twilight and light pictures, but it really is the "magic hour."

“It was deep afternoon when shadows begin to grow, light becomes gold, and you realize that this particular day has reached its destiny. Like old age, it’s not yet over, but there’s no denying the time of day.”
~ Vicki Covington, Bird of Paradise

Fiery sky

I was just driving down the road and all I could pay attention to was the fiery sky. It was powerfully bright and full of color.


"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes." 
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Twilight glow

I am always on the lookout for how light at the end of the day is reflected all around us. I was wandering around the downtown area and happened to look up and saw the end-of-day light being brightly reflected on the windows of this building. It gave a sense of warmth to the entire evening.

"Sometimes just looking up and seeing the light is enough." 
~Terri Guillemets

Skylight

Somehow the mix of clouds, light, and sunset or sunrise just amazes me. It gives you such a powerful sense of the impact of light on everything. It changes how you perceive the world around you.

"May the blessing of Light be on you, light without and light within..."
~ Irish blessing