Autumn at the Lake -- First Day

I got to come up again!!  Since my parents came home for three weeks or so in September, they asked me to accompany them back up for their early October close-up-the-cottage trip to my beloved Lake Bonaparte.  Of course I could go!  I'm no longer homeschooling, football games weren't on the radar until the end of the month (photography client--I get to shoot a home game!!), and Fernando was home, trying to drum up business for his company.  He gave me the go-ahead, and so I'm here!!

The lake from our dock, looking left (generally south).

The lake from our dock, looking right (generally north).

So blue, so cold!  And so good to visit during autumn's peak color.  I can't wait to go out searching for colors.

My parents' lake home (lake is to my back).

I braved the cold to huddle on the dock with my coat and a blanket to capture this evening's sunset.  Summer sunsets can be plain and cloudless; there is usually more activity with the change of seasons, and even in winter.  I was hoping for a beautiful one tonight, and the Lord didn't disappoint, painting his sky with blues, whites, and oranges for me.

A good sunset can last 45-60 minutes, and this was a good one.  Fortunately, I prepped my parents so that they knew I may come in late to dinner if sunset conditions were optimal!  They understood, and let me do my thing--my dock date, as I call it.


Back to life,
Christine

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Arboretum Sunset

August 7.

Fernando and I decided to take a quick sunset trip to the Arboretum, since they're open to dusk--which, technically, would be after the sun fully sets.  Which is good for me, and all photographers at the Arboretum.

After we arrived, I realized I didn't know exactly where would be a good place to set up my tripod for pictures.  I figured since the sun sets in the west, we'd go to the west side.

I had to get really creative with perspective, so I ended up setting up in a parking lot at the prairie station.  I set up low and angled up to capture just the shadows of the trees.  It worked pretty well, though I'm sure the sky was more spectacular elsewhere.  But it was okay--I as there and I got to breathe in another sunset experience.

The clouds seems to outline one tree in particular, so I turned my camera vertically and took the below image, which is my favorite from the night.

I was running out of time, plus we forgot the bug spray--ugh.  At my back was this really cool circular cloud over the trees.

God's peace fills my spirit as I watch the sky change from moment to moment; I know He set the sun in its place, and He is in control.  This knowledge is peace to me.


Back to life,
Christine

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Sky Colors

When people leave our home, it's our habit to follow them outside to their car, or stand at the doorway or on the porch and wave until they're out of sight.  My "little sister" Dee and her family taught us this, and it's entrenched in our family customs.

On Monday night, after a wonderful visit for dinner and fellowship by Jake's Allie and her parents, we walked out to the front lawn with them as they got ready to leave.  But they didn't leave right away--the sky was lit up!

First, it was clouds tinged with blue from the evening sky.

Then, as the sun started setting, and the sky spotted with thunderstorm clouds--rain was arriving section by section--the clouds lit up, reflecting the colors of the sun.  Cell phone cameras--and my Bella (6D)--came out for picture time!  It was amazing to just stand and watch.

After the H. family drove away, Fernando and I stood out on the front lawn for a while, watching the storms roll through.  Most went either north or south of us, so we had a beautiful show of colors.

As I snapped a few more pictures, a car slowed, then stopped in front of our driveway.  The driver rolled down her passenger window just to say to me, "Isn't it beautiful?"  We chatted for a minute about the amazing skies, then she drove off.

As the sun set further, and clouds got darker, I took a few more pictures, stood in admiration for the Lord's creation, then walked back inside.

For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD?

Who among the sons of the mighty

is like the LORD?

Psalm 89:6 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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Rainbow

Tonight in the sky.

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 

It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, 

that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 

and I will remember My covenant, 

which is between Me and you 

and every living creature of all flesh; 

and never again shall the water become a flood 

to destroy all flesh. 

When the bow is in the cloud, 

then I will look upon it, 

to remember the everlasting covenant 

between God and every living creature of all flesh 

that is on the earth.” 

And God said to Noah, 

“This is the sign of the covenant 

which I have established 

between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Genesis 9:13-17 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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Peace and Calm

August 8.

That evening, we arrived back at the Lake in just enough time to catch the beautiful sunset.  I saved two beautiful images to enjoy.

Back to life,
Christine

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His Clouds

He stretches out the north over empty space

And hangs the earth on nothing.

He wraps up the waters in His clouds,

And the cloud does not burst under them.

Job 26:7-8 NASB

Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,

The thundering of His pavilion?

Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him

And He covers the depths of the sea.

Job 36:29-30 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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