Soft Hues That Herald An Autumn Dawn
Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
It was just one of those mellow mornings, so typical of a Melbourne autumn day. There was a clear sky, a single star and a crescent moon as darkness receded.
It was a cool morning, but the temperature was bracing rather than hostile. It was not as sharp as the previous morning and it was still at least a fortnight early for those typical Melbourne frosts.
But even before the sun rose, something about the gentle colours below the silver schooner of the moon nudged me towards my camera bag. I deliberately used the overhanging branches of a nearby plane tree as a motif for the top of the frame, but in reality the gentle skyscape needed nothing to emphasise it.
I put the camera away and went about the myriad early-morning tasks. About fifteen minutes later I looked out of a high window and spotted this light dusting of cloud on the horizon.
Yes, these images were shot on Wednesday April 22, better known as Earth Day. It was a perfect validation from Nature that sometimes delicate hues can be just as striking as bold, bright sunrises. Sometimes we need to be reminded of these subtleties.
For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.
Excellent images, lovely hues. Thanks for sharing, and happy belated Earth day! Anna :)
ReplyDeleteStunning skies. Happy Earth week.
ReplyDeleteEarther Kit?! We have the same kid of silly humor. Thanks for the giggles, David.
ReplyDeleteFantastic images! The beauty and wonder of nature is fascinating.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pics as usual.
ReplyDeleteWe do indeed, David. The subtleties of gentler hues are equally as mesmorizing as vivid brushstokes of stronger colour. Those are marvellous photographs of an autumnal sunrise.
ReplyDeleteThe sky looks as though it's dancing, in the last shot...
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful as always. I love visiting your blog! Thank you sooo much for featuring me on your posts today. It brought tears to my eyes to see all the lovely visits. It means a lot David. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
ReplyDeleteWow these skies are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThose colors are absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh, my! These are such beautiful shots. Yours always are.
ReplyDeleteIs the title a wordplay on Eartha Kitt? Very good! :-)
Wonderful skies David. I particularly like the last one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift from Nature!!!! Thank you for using your gift to pass it along to us!!!
ReplyDeleteEach one is great but I find myself drawn to the top photo in the same way that I'm drawn to a new peice of art that I really like at a museum. Very nice.
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sky! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThe northern lights of the south.
ReplyDeleteI just bought two different brands of Australian wines. I will let you know what they are and how we liked them - after we're drunk, I mean, after we've drunk them.
We should have been to the moon and seen an Earthrise - I thin many politicians would have been cured.
ReplyDeleteThe branches add drama to the overall composition. Yes, in reality, the sight of the half crescent moon against the gentle hues is enough to make one thank the One that gives us wonders of the earth...
ReplyDelete(thanks to the messengers as well!)
Lovely pastels in that first image, David.
ReplyDeleteLooked like you'd used a colour filter on the top two, but I know you don't. They are such lovely shades of mauve. Never seen anything like that. You are lucky.
ReplyDeleteOh those are FAN-FREAKING-TAB-ULOUS David. Mother Nature is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like those yellow lights across the sky. Beautifully caught, thank you.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
The colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be back in Texas. I'm enjoying catching up on my blog reading. Have a super day!
Damn this is one good looking planet!
ReplyDelete:-)
Fabulous colors, gorgeous skies! You never disappoint, David! Happy Earth Week!
ReplyDeleteIt seems Australia had it's own light on Earth Day. So lovely, David.
ReplyDeletewhat a perfect Earth Day shot.
ReplyDeleteOur single prototype planet sometimes forgets how some of us are systematically killing it and rewards us with spectacles like the ones you photographed, David. That dawn was superb.
ReplyDeleteAnd the post title was so... Meeeow! (I've always wanted to do the Kitt purr)
Thank you for your lovely comments chez my kitchen.
Beautiful. Love the colour.
ReplyDeleteMary Elizabeth @ Now and Then
You gotta be in the right place at the right time and keep that camera with you. Beautiful shot.
ReplyDeleteThrew me off a little when you referred to Autumn but then I remembered where you are.
That artist who painted the sky should be hired. Its a wonderful capture David. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovely, peaceful and dreamy. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, David. Thanks for sharing, and for letting me know about your blog.
ReplyDeleteNice job David! Love the way you captured the suns colors in those clouds. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images of your Earth Day. Lovely colors and clouds. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced that Australian skies have more colors in their paintbox than the others. :)
ReplyDeleteThe six months that comprise Spring/Autumn here in Newcastle are absolute bliss. You've captured it in words and photographs (great ones.) I'll be up early tomorrow (Choir Anzac Day) so I'll watch out for something simmilarly stunning!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. At first glance at the second photo, I thought it was a distant mountain.
ReplyDeleteah, yes, very nice David! I have been enjoying some NY and Washington skies again this week!
ReplyDeleteWow, David - beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping me looking up...so mesmerizing these shots...had to pinch myself to make sure I was still on this planet!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. And very appropriate for Earth Day.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of using something as a motif for the top of a frame. It's an effect I really like with shooting sunsets and sunrises.
ReplyDeleteAllthough I irst image the best for its soft tones I must say the last one is rather spectacular. Those bright yellow bands are of an amazing colour. Very nice captures David.
ReplyDeleteWow! I think those skies are trying to tell us something! Amazing colors...
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeletethat's a breathtaking views ;)
Lovely photos for Sky Watch Friday with those colour combinations, very artfully captured.
ReplyDeleteDavid this is beautiful. The colours are amazing and I know they are perfectly natural on your shots - no tweaking any which way. That makes ones like this a little more special.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of shots up but they pale into comparison! I can't sign into the meme as I am not allowed to play being a private blog. Although any blogger will get an invite if they email to request one.
Pop in when you get the time - no hurry. Not going anywhere. Except holidays. ;0)
Really beautiful David and as you say, a reminder of how wonderful Earth is.
ReplyDeleteLove the floating golden ghosts in the last.
ReplyDelete