Sunday, 14 January 2024

Sunday Selections #663

 


Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 

I usually run with a theme. I am reverting to type (again) this week.  It has been hot and humid and I have been mostly hunkered down inside.  Just the same, I often go out just after first light to admire the sky and to do a little in the garden.

So it is skyscapes again this week.  Mostly dawn, where I broke a photographic rule and focused on the rising sun.  I think the effect is interesting.








The sunset that night was good too.

Finishing with a rare long shot of our sadly neglected garden.



I know that some parts of the Northern Hemisphere are expecting record breaking cold temperatures while parts of Oz are expecting heat and other parts are on flood watch.  Stay safe wherever you are.


104 comments:

  1. River Fairchild - Bah - forget the rules. The sun shots are spectacular! And your garden is gorgeous. Doesn’t look neglected at all. I’d take it in a heartbeat just like it is… except I know how much work goes into it.
    Stay away from your heat, while I am currently staying away from my snowstorm. I wish it could always be spring and fall everywhere. Hugs to you and scritches to Batty and Odie. Happy birthday month to both of us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River Fairchild: The bones of the garden are there, thanks to lots of work in earlier years. It has been neglected for a while now and those bones are starting to collapse. Happy birthday - and happy hunkering down too.

      Delete
  2. I had to reach for the sunglasses for your skyscapes! Beautiful.
    Gini and I are having to schedule our explorations between weather fronts. A few rainy mornings, some windy days, turning cold next week. Typical Florida winter.

    All the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wally Jones: Enjoy your explorations - as I am sure you will.

      Delete
  3. We live in a time of extreme weather. Stay cool, EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie Smith: Sadly we do indeed, and I fear it will only get worse. You stay warm and safe.

      Delete
  4. I love your 'forbidden' sun shots! Your garden looks lovely, too. I hope you get more moderate weather soon. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane Henders: The world could do with some moderation: in the weather and in other things too. Thank you.

      Delete
  5. Your garden looks way better than mine, and I love your rule breaking sun shots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you. Believe me, you don't want to see close ups of some parts of the garden.

      Delete
  6. thecontemplativecat here. Your photos are always stunning. Where are my galahs and corellas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Kane: Thank you. Your galahs and your corellas are still visiting. Perhaps I will feature them again soon.

      Delete
  7. My family of assorted birds make sure I'm aware when it's dawn. They believe it is their job to do so, I think. :)

    Take good care, EC....stay safe...I hope the coming week is gentle on you. My cuddles to Batty and Odie...lots of them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: The wattle birds alert me before dawn here. Well before. As do Batty and Odie. I hope your television can be installed soon.

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. roentare: Thank you. It was a spectacular dawn.

      Delete
  9. I like the picture of your garden, and all there is in it: tree, flowers, vegetation. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DUTA: Thank you. And weeds. Lots and lots and lots of weeds.

      Delete
  10. Isn't it lovely to break rules and get such beautiful results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim: I was surprised - and pleased. I may break some more rules.

      Delete
  11. Your garden looks like an enchanted faerie kingdom.
    Have a good week :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kylie: Thank you. You too. I hope you have fully recovered now.

      Delete
    2. Yes, I'm really well now. Thank you 😊

      Delete
  12. Pointing the lens towards the sun used to be a no no. But now the magic of digital photography can handle it very well, as your photos show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew: Digital photography is wonderful isn't it?

      Delete
  13. I like looking at sunrises in pictures. You did a great job of capturing the feeling they evoke. Sending you virtual hugs! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DJan: Thank you. Dawn is one of my most favourite times of day. Hugs received - and reciprocated.

      Delete
  14. Fine photos, Sue. Here's to wish you a really "cool" Sunday. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sean Jeating. Many thanks - on both counts. Today, while humid IS cooler than we have been having.

      Delete
  15. Good pictures and I agree we need moderation in more than just weather. Everyone please stay cool/warm/safe where ever you are

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Blog Fodder: You are many others are enduring temperatures colder than I can imagine. Much colder than our wimpy winters. I hope you can stay warm and safe.

      Delete
  16. In St. Louis it's 16F right now. It's supposed to get down to -6F with wind chills down to -25F. I'm glad I'm not in Canada!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike: I saw a blog post from Canada and even my winter loving self shuddered. I hope you can stay warm and safe.

      Delete
  17. I like all your pictures. May the sun always rise, though not in such extremes of temperature as you have now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne Noragon: Thank you. I suspect you are enduring extreme weather too and hope you can ride it out.

      Delete
  18. Like the sunset.
    How are the two kittens doing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you. The kittens are doing pretty well - though the humidity isn't good for Batty's breathing issues.

      Delete
  19. Not much we can do about the weather we're dealt, but I hope the heat and humidity don't last too long for you. I love the dawn and its beautiful light.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strayer: That was a lovely dawn. I hope your weather and its crunchy ice pellets eases off soon for you.

      Delete
  20. Lovely morning photos of the sky and the sunset one, great colours. Keep cool.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The sunrays with the pink lights are very pretty. My own garden is equally neglected as I put off watering because of all the mossies out there at dawn and dusk and of course the middle of the day is too hot to water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: Those pink lights were lovely weren't they? I agree with you about the squitoes. We have had much more rain than usual (yay) but the weeds are loving it.

      Delete
  22. Fabulous sunrises and sunsets, and a beautiful garden. I hope you will get relief from the humidity soon. Snow showers expected here tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. I hope your snow showers aren't a deluge.

      Delete
  23. Hi EC - so good to see these sunrises and sunsets ... we'll get a freezing day tomorrow and some sun. Wonderful looking garden - can understand the jungle growing - nature enjoys telling us it keeps going! I'm going to enjoy a peaceful day out before the potential freeze-up occurs ...with thoughts for the week ahead - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Even when I have not been neglecting it our garden is always a jungle. I don't do order well and refuse to even try and impose it on growing things. Enjoy your sunshine. We have rain here today. I hope your freeze up isn't as severe as expected.

      Delete
  24. I'm having no trouble keeping cool. I enjoyed your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill: Given the amount of snow you have been having I am sure you have no trouble staying cool - though I hope not too cool.

      Delete
  25. Breaking the photographic rules has pleasing results, I see. Drought here, floods there, bitter cold and unbearable heat - welcome to the Anthropocene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne: We have rain again today. There are many places on flood watch and in Western Australia fires are raging out of control. And freezing temperatures on your side of the world and buckets of snow. I don't do extremes well. The anthropocene horrifies me and worries me.

      Delete
  26. I mostly ignore photographic rules, because I don't know many...your sun and sky shots are always beautiful. A great collection to start off my 24 reading, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nilananjana Bose: Thank you. I do few rules well.

      Delete
  27. Dear EC
    Those sun phots are lovely with that extra effect - sometimes a bit of rule breaking can be a good thing! The weather in the UK is similarly unpredictable - recent flooding and now snow in some areas and winter storms.
    Take care and keep warm/dry/cool/safe.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ellie Foster: David M. Gascoigne flagged it. Sadly. I hope that your extremes are not tooo extreme.

      Delete
  28. Esto del cambio climático, nos está volviendo locos a todos, por aquí no paramos de batir records negativos, como sequías, temperaturas extremas, y cuando llueve inundaciones nunca vistas.
    Se agradece que compartas tan lindo amanecer.
    Un abrazo, y cuídate tu también.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manuel: Climate change is scaring the life out of me as record after record falls. Dawn often gives me temporary solace. You take care too.

      Delete
  29. The twin trees and that last photo of lush garden (not neglected at all) are my favourites. The weather everywhere is topsy turvy. I can't believe our basically snowless winter out here on The Edge while the rest of North America is under acres of the white stuff.
    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wisewebwoman: Those twin trees feature in a lot of my photos. They are in a nearish neighbours yard and serve to accent a lot of my photos. The lush garden is indeed neglected but the bones of it are still there. And I am trying to resurrect them.

      Delete
  30. Stay safe with the heat dear friend! Thank you for hosting us in such a kind way. Aloha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cloudia: It is cooler today - though the humidity is in the nineties. Hugs.

      Delete
  31. I agree, we need more moderation not extremes in weather, politics, entertainment, life in general. I love your photos and your garden. Thanks for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glenda Beall: Thank you. I am a BIG fan of moderation. In all things - except perhaps in my love of reading and beauty.

      Delete
  32. Beautiful skyscapes. We are cold here but it's been manageable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary Kirkland: Thank you. I hope your cold stays manageable.

      Delete
  33. You live in a beautiful place with such sunrises and sunsets. That's mostly what I had this week, too. My selections are over here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. messymimi: Our sunrise was grey this morning. It was raining. I still enjoyed it - and loved your Sunday Selections.

      Delete
  34. Thank you for the lovely sunrises and sunsets.
    Nice to see your garden too.
    It seems the weather worldwide is bringing challenges to us all!
    I do hope your humidity lessens.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. The humidity is still high but the temperatures are cooler today. And yes, the world wide weather is indeed packed with challenges.

      Delete
  35. Oh my goodness what lovely photos those light beams are magnificent! It seems the weather is playing odd little games all across the country and it's been quite the odd winter here! Take care and enjoy your beautiful world!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 21 Wits: I hope you are enjoying your own beautiful world. Our summer has been on the odd (and sometimes destructive) side but there is still beauty. For which I am grateful.

      Delete
  36. I've never tried photographing directly at the sun even in the morning. Your photos are great. Good for you for showing us your blooming garden even though there are some weeds. Weeds always want to take over, don't they?
    I hope that you have a great week.
    Hugs, Julia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julia: Weeds do have world domination plans. And they are well on the way to success here. I don't think I had ever tried to photograph directly into the sun before either - but may do so again.
      I hope your week is lovely.

      Delete
  37. Nice to see sky pictures. Get ready for the Australian Open. David will be watching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. gigi-hawaii: I hope David enjoys it. I won't be watching.

      Delete
  38. Replies
    1. aussie aNNie: I had to rescue you from spam again. Thank you.

      Delete
  39. Ogni giorno nuovo è una nuova opportunità, una nuova speranza che ci viene data per essere felici.Buon inizio di settimana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Giancarlo: You are right. Dawn is filled with hope. Which we all need.

      Delete
  40. Gorgeous. I hope you don't get too warm. Chilly and cloudy here with more rain on the way,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. e: It has been too hot and will be again but we have a cooler few days ahead. Humid but cooler. It is cloudy here too and more rain is predicted (buckets of it for Wednesday). I hope you can stay warm and dry.

      Delete
  41. The rising sun photos are beautiful.
    I know extreme heat is not your friend, so I hope your temps stay bearable. I am bracing for the cold here, but I am a cold weather wimp. We usually have temperate winters with just a smattering of cold days. I guess I will have to wear a coat for a couple of days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne in the kitchen: I hope you survive your chilly days. It has been years since I have worn a coat - though some say that is a testament to my lack of sanity.

      Delete
  42. I like that you focused on the rising sun! Though the sunset photo is really stunning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rain: Thank you. Dawn and dusk are two of my favourite times of day. As I type, a cloudy dawn is approaching.

      Delete
  43. Great photos. Florida is supposed to be warm year round but not in the winter. We are in the midst of gray, dreay, rainy, and cold days. I hope you are having a good new week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RasmaSandra: I suspect your cold is relative, but hope you can stay warm.

      Delete
  44. Uff, obviously I took my intention for the deed. But now, with two days delay: Lovely pics, Sue. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sean Jeating: Thank you. Your first comment was fine.

      Delete
  45. I think the effect is nice too for the sunrise. My daughter used to experiment with photos and the light/sun when she was a tween. She got some pretty interesting shots too. Unusual can be nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mail4rosey: Thank you. I suspect I will have to do some more experimenting - confident I can delete failures.

      Delete
  46. Such beautiful pictures. I love seeing the way the light looks at different times. Hope you have a wonderful week and are a good temperature! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMS ~ Jess: I am fascinating by light and delight in the changes. I hope your week is excellent.

      Delete
  47. Once again I am late to to the party, dear friend. I thought the skyscapes were quite interesting and unusual. I also really enjoyed the gorgeous sunset.

    Overgrown or not, your garden is still a beautiful place. Hope the heat isn't getting to you. I'm chilled to the bone here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: You are very welcome whenever you stop by. Our heat has temporarily backed off a bit, though the humidity is still very high.
      Stay warm and safe, and I hope you get some relief from the cold.

      Delete
  48. The pictures are fabulous !!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. The sunset with the trees is my favorite. It extremely cold here and no sunshine. The landscape is snow laden with the skeletons gray of the trees.

    Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truedessa: I like winter - but very rarely see snow. I delight in sunsets though - all year round.

      Delete