Friday, November 30, 2007

Dying Embers Of The Day

Only One More Sunset Until Summer

Photograph copyight: DAVID McMAHON


I shot this a few hours ago, at dusk yesterday. Let me explain. I live in Australia, where it's Friday morning, while it's still Thursday in the United States, Canada and Europe. And while the rest of the world is gearing up for winter, we celebrate the first day of summer on Saturday.

Confused? Yep, I thought you might be. And just to prove that we are a happily topsy-turvy race, we have a special name for blokes with red hair. They're called "Bluey". No, I'm not kidding you. That's why Sir Richard Branson's Australian airline is called Virgin Blue, even though its planes are red. You can't get more Aussie than that, mate!

34 comments:

San said...

Happy Summer, David. I am curious, though, as to why your summer begins Saturday, and our winter in the U.S. doesn't begin officially until later in December, the day of the winter solstice.

Merisi said...

What's in a (brand) name, after all? :-) You wouldn't want to dig into an explanation for Sir Branson's "Vergin", do you?

You captured a truly beautiful sunset image! The sun set with spectacular colours again today, still Thursday, here in Vienna. I hope she's some colour left for a beautiful dawn over on your side of the globe.

San said...

P.S.

I think I just answered my own question, after a little pondering. It must have to do with relative distance from the equator. Fourth grade geography and science, they come in handy sometimes.

JunieRose2005 said...

That's a very beautiful sunset!


Junie

Corey~living and loving said...

very lovely! did you see my sunset photo on Wednesday? I dont' get the opportunity to enjoy the sunset often enough. sigh....

Akelamalu said...

I wish it was summer here! That's really interesting about Virgin, I never knew that. :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful sky! I wish it was the first day of summer here in Ohio but it's about 39 degrees here today and chilly. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I saw a rainbow yesterday. It was gone by the time I returned with my camera. Nuts!

Suldog said...

As a fellow who formerly had a head full of red hair, I would have been totally and utterly confused if someone had ever called me "Bluey." Fascinating.

David Sullivan said...

Beutiful pic, Happy Summer!

Lee said...

Lovely photo, David. Happy Summer! Wish you could send us some of your warmth. I'm a natural when it comes to hibernating and the temperatures here are headed into that range.

Peace!

imac said...

Hahaha, Red is blue -- winter is summer --- and Swans swim upside down.lol.

Love the snuset -ready for W-Summer.


Monet's Garden now showing

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Ownly wun mor sunset till I can start my Advent Calendar.

Melissa said...

Beautiful photo David. You Aussies are a bit mixed up down there aren't you? Blue is red, or red is blue...that whole winter/summer thing and of course the water draining backwards from here!

eyes_only4him said...

I always tease the hubby and tell him I want a winter home in Aussie as its summer there;)

Jelous?..u bet...its 6 degrees F right now and we are supose to get a snow strom Sat..(tommorow 4 u)

Thanks for stopping by, please come again..

Catmoves said...

Fair dinkum, mate. She'll be right when you get these Yanks straightened out.
Beautiful picture David.

M@ said...

I want to really understand the science behind the toilet bowl water flushing the other way....

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photo! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoy your summer, wish I was there lol We are gearing up for a winter storm here in Southern Ontario brrrr Time for me to hibernate.

mahina said...

that is breathtaking! i wish we were heading into summer! it snowed last night at our house, it didn't stick, but it sure was cold! i am a warm weather girl and not looking forward to the long, dark, cold winter in the northwest!

FO - 2 said...

Great shot.
Enjoy summer! :)

I think i have to read some Australian garden blogs.
In that way i can enjoy summer, even if it`s winter here in Norway. ;)

eric1313 said...

What an eye for a shot.

I guess it helps living in a paradise like Oz.

As I was telling another Aussie a minute ago, I wish we had Christmas in the middle of Summer. I for one never asked for a white Christmas. Guess I'm stuck with them, though--for the now.

Annie said...

I have a soft spot in my heart for Blueies.

Misty DawnS said...

This will be my first week participating in Sky Watch Friday! I'm very excited to join, because I have numerous sky shots that I love. I'm not posting mine until tomorrow though... well, today for you... or would that be tomorrow for you... later today? Eh... I'm sufficiently confused now ;-)

i beati said...

I know you are a protege of Bennet Cerf. Thanks fir the comment!!sandy

SaoirseDaily2 said...

Great photos. I am a phot freak too. Summer? Just a fading memory here in the Northwest, USA looking out at 4 inches of snow and 14 degrees. **Peace**

PRH said...

Never seen an ugly Sunset....great shot....as we head for winter in the Midwest US....knowing it a long haul until the warm days arrive back.

dot said...

Beautiful sunset and interesting post. You always manage to give me a laugh!

Gattina said...

Wonderful picture !
Nice to meet you, but I have to correct you in Europe it's also Friday since 6 or 7 hours lol ! Although only 5 am but cat Lisa pulled me out of my bed her Royal Highness wished to eat so the others joined in too and then I couldn't sleep anymore.
I am so jalous about Australians for the moment because you have summer now and I am sitting in this cold and rainy weather in Belgium !

Rune Eide said...

Summer - what's that???

We only have "that white thing"...

Andrea said...

Beautiful shot.

Kerri Farley said...

Lovely shot!

Is it only "blokes" with Red hair called Bluey? What are the ladies called with red hair :)

Sharon said...

Beautiful sunset! Yes, I'm still confused :) I have been ever since Linda wrote that you were starting daylight savings - when we just ended it! :)

Anonymous said...

lovely. We are after you but hours before America, so that is why I always wait till Saturday these days before visiting the skywatch Friday posts, otherwise half are not posted yet!

FHB said...

It's a wonderful place. Both times I was there in your winter, our summer. It was fun.