Friday, April 24, 2009

Earther Kit

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.

51 comments:

myonlyphoto said...

Excellent images, lovely hues. Thanks for sharing, and happy belated Earth day! Anna :)

Rosaria Williams said...

Stunning skies. Happy Earth week.

Tess Kincaid said...

Earther Kit?! We have the same kid of silly humor. Thanks for the giggles, David.

Unknown said...

Fantastic images! The beauty and wonder of nature is fascinating.

ellen abbott said...

beautiful pics as usual.

Tessa said...

We 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.

Jinksy said...

The sky looks as though it's dancing, in the last shot...

Grace Albaugh said...

Your 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!

Pinkerbell said...

Wow these skies are beautiful!

VALKYRIEN said...

Those colors are absolutely wonderful!

Unknown said...

Oh, my! These are such beautiful shots. Yours always are.

Is the title a wordplay on Eartha Kitt? Very good! :-)

Carver said...

Wonderful skies David. I particularly like the last one.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

What a gift from Nature!!!! Thank you for using your gift to pass it along to us!!!

James said...

Each 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.

K. said...

beautiful!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Beautiful sky! Beautiful photos!

Nessa said...

The northern lights of the south.

I 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.

Rune Eide said...

We should have been to the moon and seen an Earthrise - I thin many politicians would have been cured.

What About The Girl? said...

The 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...
(thanks to the messengers as well!)

Misty DawnS said...

Lovely pastels in that first image, David.

Maggie May said...

Looked 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.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh those are FAN-FREAKING-TAB-ULOUS David. Mother Nature is amazing.

Margaret's Ramblings said...

I have never seen anything like those yellow lights across the sky. Beautifully caught, thank you.

Margaret

Cheffie-Mom said...

The colors are beautiful.

It's good to be back in Texas. I'm enjoying catching up on my blog reading. Have a super day!

Horus Jay said...

Damn this is one good looking planet!

:-)

Sylvia K said...

Fabulous colors, gorgeous skies! You never disappoint, David! Happy Earth Week!

Anonymous said...

It seems Australia had it's own light on Earth Day. So lovely, David.

katherine. said...

what a perfect Earth Day shot.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Our 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.

And the post title was so... Meeeow! (I've always wanted to do the Kitt purr)

Thank you for your lovely comments chez my kitchen.

Mary Elizabeth said...

Beautiful. Love the colour.
Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then

Lori E said...

You gotta be in the right place at the right time and keep that camera with you. Beautiful shot.
Threw me off a little when you referred to Autumn but then I remembered where you are.

bowledover said...

That artist who painted the sky should be hired. Its a wonderful capture David. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

Ananda girl said...

Lovely, peaceful and dreamy. Thanks.

Rev. Paul said...

Beautiful photos, David. Thanks for sharing, and for letting me know about your blog.

Kathy W said...

Nice job David! Love the way you captured the suns colors in those clouds. Very pretty.

Diane AZ said...

Beautiful images of your Earth Day. Lovely colors and clouds. Thanks for sharing!

Dave Coulter said...

I'm convinced that Australian skies have more colors in their paintbox than the others. :)

Rinkly Rimes said...

The 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!

B SQUARED said...

Very nice. At first glance at the second photo, I thought it was a distant mountain.

Annie said...

ah, yes, very nice David! I have been enjoying some NY and Washington skies again this week!

Susie of Arabia said...

Wow, David - beautiful shots.

Kathleen said...

Thanks for keeping me looking up...so mesmerizing these shots...had to pinch myself to make sure I was still on this planet!

Janie said...

Beautiful. And very appropriate for Earth Day.

Susan English Mason said...

I 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.

Tarolino said...

Allthough 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.

Linnea said...

Wow! I think those skies are trying to tell us something! Amazing colors...

N D Z said...

hi
that's a breathtaking views ;)

Pearl Maple said...

Lovely photos for Sky Watch Friday with those colour combinations, very artfully captured.

Cath said...

David 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.

I 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)

Unknown said...

Really beautiful David and as you say, a reminder of how wonderful Earth is.

Arija said...

Love the floating golden ghosts in the last.