I don’t know exactly what time it was when I decided to wander into the kitchen and warm up my half cup of coffee in the microwave. But as I passed by the dining room window I glanced out and saw a fabulous red cloud out there, and I’ll bet I was out the door in only a minute or two. As you can see it was a quick trip out for the sunrise this morning, and as I worked on my photos less than an hour later the National weather Service announced a tornado warning for this area. I’m glad I got out there when I did.
I practically held my breath as I rushed to the corner to see a wide open view of the sky. I had grabbed the iPhone and it tells me that this was taken at 7:02.It’s hard to decide whether to stop for a photo or keep rushing before the whole scene just disappears. 7:03Thankfully it didn’t disappear. Still 7:03.Finally I was able to take the shot I had set out to take. 7:04.
The sky started to get duller, so I took a panorama with my phone, which I used as the feature photo. And then the ibis flew in, and they formed a line walking towards me in a row along the shore. I thought it might be cute to get the phone down low and take their picture as they approached, and though that didn’t pan out I took this last picture and watched for another minute or two as the sky faded.
No, not the store. Which I haven’t seen in a while come to think of it. I used to always go in, but now I can’t remember where I lived when I did that. Not that it matters because this Tuesday morning was all about the sky. Not that it was filled with color, but this color-deprived photographer was happy to see any at all. I loved the reflected color in the water as a backdrop for the reeds at the side of the pond this morning.
The color wasn’t there at first, but then all of a sudden there it was. And the birds started flying through.I sat and waited to see what would happen.It was so pretty, but then the sky gradually got lighter and I decided to go back and pour another cup of coffee.
I took the feature photo with my new iPhone 14 pro max about 15 minutes after I peaked out the back window and saw an all white sky, and I congratulated myself on not going out for the sunrise. I’m not sure what made me look, and then I couldn’t find either phone to take a picture. Either phone, you may wonder? Yes, the new phone I ordered through Spectrum Mobile arrived exactly one week ago as I sit here writing this. My old phone transferred all my data to the new phone perfectly, until it was time to bring in the cell phone carrier info. It’s not just me, I found lots of people online who wiped their old phone and now have found themselves without a phone for 11 days, 24 days, and who knows if it’s longer for other people. It’s the SIM card in the old phone vs. the eSIM card in the new phone. In that sense it’s Apple’s fault for rocking the boat, but really it’s Spectrum’s fault. I didn’t intend to get a new phone until I saw that Spectrum also had a deal to finance the new phone and trade in the old phone. Spectrum now works with the eSIM card, says the advertising. Instant activation, it says! I will soon have to wipe the old phone and send it in. I have a ‘ticket’ in the queue for activation. A supervisor says it’ll cost me a $50 restocking fee to just send the new phone back. It’s called the Rock and the Hard Place. Someone who is also in this state of limbo said that he now has a $1200 iPod. At least I take pictures with mine.
To add to the general upheaval I had cataract surgery on Wednesday last week. Which all went perfectly, but added to the tension. I went for a post-op check the next day and had 20/20 vision. The doctor said I wasn’t supposed to be doing that well! But my close vision is now the pits, worse than I anticipated. I’m actually worried about the day I leave home without my cheaters. It’s bound to happen sometime. But if it’s a choice between a glitch with the iPhone or a glitch with the cataract surgery, I guess I’ll live without a phone for a bit. After all, I take lots more pictures with it, I hardly ever talk on the phone.
I checked the weather app on my phone, and when I saw that it was 61 degrees and clear I knew I’d head out to the park for sunrise.. It was overcast all day yesterday, day one after the hurricane came through, and I thought there would be a good potential for a really great sunrise, but when I got to the park and saw the heavy dark clouds I wasn’t so sure.
What I imagine when the app says that it’s ‘clear’ out isn’t what I found. But the mere thought that it was ‘sweater weather’ would have gotten me out regardless.I was still feeling optimistic at this point.This was as nice as the sunrise got this morning.Heading for home there was no mistaking that shape at the top of the light post.He stayed put for a photo or two, but when I tried to walk around to see him head-on he flew off.
When I got to the park and sat down on the bench I was greeted by mosquitos that seemed all too happy to see me. I was less happy to see, and swat, them. Day two after the hurricane, and the photos of the devastation south of us are heart breaking. The most I have seen in my area are some small sections of fencing down. Now anticipating another landfall in Charleston, I have to hope that they also are spared.
It was back to the bridge along the side of the highway for the sunrise this morning. When I walked out my front door I saw a lot of low, dark clouds, but I decided to head the few miles to see what I would see. It’s a busy road, a major north/south route, three lanes in each direction with a median. The sidewalks have cement barriers, so it doesn’t feel as reckless as it might sound. And speaking of sounds, you know what I hear as I look at the scene and plan my shots? I hear a rooster, sounding as out of place as he could be.
This was my first shot. Actually a 5 shot HDR image. Enough color to make me glad I headed out.As time passed the color mellowed out.I walked to the far end of the bridge to see these boats better.
The rooster wasn’t the only thing I heard this morning. Across the road, so across all six lanes of traffic from me, was a guy having an argument with someone. Himself? Was he on his phone? I couldn’t tell, and I wasn’t hopeful that the color would magically become amazing, so I walked (fast) down to my secluded parking spot and headed home. It was the first time I’ve ever felt uncomfortable when I’m roaming in the morning or at sunset. My house is ready for the possible storm that’s coming. It’s sure nice to have friends because I wouldn’t want to ride one out in a mobile home.
It may look as if it was the same sunrise that I’ve seen three days in a row now. No clouds to really pick up the color, it just sort of faded away. And the little birds that I’d tried to shoot the day before didn’t show up, though some of the usual suspects were there. So you might think it was a disappointing morning, but it wasn’t. Because last night I finally got my car back from the shop. And it looks, and even smells, like a brand new car! I had intended to clean it before I brought it in but I didn’t get around to it, and now I’m glad I didn’t bother. The hold up was the replacement shutter that cools the engine. You wire it one way or another depending on the build date of the car, information that would have been helpful to include with the new part, but it wasn’t. So anyhow, this morning may look the same, but I have had an attitude adjustment now that I have wheels! I confess that I was getting a bit pouty as time wore on. My chauffeur is off the hook. I got no attitude from him, he’s nicer than I am.
This really is a new picture, even if it looks exactly the same.Waiting for sunrise.
The car looks so great that I’d like to wrap it in bubble wrap and never drive it again, but there is a potential hurricane to get ready for so I’ll just cross my fingers and hope we are spared again…
A Snowbird's Life Through the Lens 