That golden hour of sunshine never fails to warm me whether I'm indoors or out. Below are a few photos taken at my favourite time of day.
Frank brought Benny to my attention this one afternoon. A small stream of sunlight shining on his furry little face.
The colours of this wet branch are saturated by sunlight and looks fiery beneath its icy sleeve.
This handsome mallard was stepping out onto the ice. Doesn't he have such beautiful colouring?
Behind the fence, a long-dead Queen Anne's Lace collects an icy filling. I've cranked up the colours a few notches on this one.
Back at Frank's his own sun ornament plays peek-a-boo with the real thing.
While looking at this photo, I found a book on his shelf that I'd like to read.
A yard sale purchase, this owl was soaking up the last of the rays.
And here are the last of those vibrant rays.
Would you believe that Benny was sitting still through all these photos, and only now got up to leave? No, me neither. He must follow wherever that tongue leads him.
More in a few days.
54 comments:
A total treat from first to last! :-)
Hilary, you really know how to use the golden hour to your advantage.
Benny stole the show :) I love dogs! The sun ornament smiled through the rays. Every picture is crisp, sharp and full of unspoken warmth and energy.
Love Naqvee
Dogs, shelves of books, sunshine . . . and that owl! I love that owl!
ooo cool old owl....and bet that little glow of sun feels good on benny...we got 5 inches of snow here last night...that color on that ducks pops as well...
Excellent. I am especially taken by the detail in your ice photos, and I will always have soft spot for sunlight illuminating books. Light for enlightenment.
I didn't know Benny EVER sat that still. I love his portrait. It's my favorite time of the day, too...
The sun is finally finding it's way to our side of the world and I could be like Benny and find a sunny ray and sit still! The duck on the ice just made me laugh! I love all the shots and that owl is pretty cool. They are so popular these days...whoooooooo knows why?
lovely light, the difference between Benny and our cats Harry and Jack is that Benny didnt get up out of that light while you were getting your camera ... our boys get up and come see what i am doing, often putting their noses right on the lens ..
lovely captures of that special sunlight. Loved them all. Hope spring is starting to "sprung" and that you're enjoying it.
Oma Linda
I was just thinking about you the other day, hoping you'd post something! These are wonderfully lit photos, especially of Benny. Our two chihuahuas are always finding a sliver of sun to lie in around the house. Hope you have a great weekend and post again soon!
I love them all. Of course, Benny is always a favorite. I couldn't help noticing, in the picture of the bookshelf, one of the books was appropriately titled, "The Last Light of the Sun."
Sunshine? Oh, you mean that strange light in the sky that is rarely seen these days in Suffolk! Your photos are wonderful, Hilary and so detailed. Love the dog!
benny just brings a smile to my face every time. so did that cute strutting mallard!
Beautiful photos..the way the light plays on the surfaces is awesome.
Hugs
SueAnn
You are the master of light and shadow!!
What a lovely way to start a day. I too love the golden hour...golden mornings here. :)
Hi Cuzzie,
Did you notice the piggie snout on the underside of the branch in the second picture, or is it just me?
Lovely use of light and shadow, and I'm always a sucker for a good book, as you know.
Benny & your pics/words always touch my spirit :-)
Aloha
Benny looks like one of those pooches in a Victorian painting. I just love the light, along with the subject matter.
You had a good time playing with a precise type of light and we are the ones who get to enjoy it.
Beautiful shot, the spring colors on mallards are real nice.
Indoors, there's no more beautiful sight than a full bookshelf!
Absolutely stunning, Hilary.
Its my favorite time of day too.
Love Benny and also the catches of ice on the twig, heck...I love them all.
Sorry it's been so long looking at your posts.
I'm finally caught up with laundry, the bills and my sleep after almost 2 weeks working in Mexico.
The time spent was worth it but oh my getting back into the groove is hard!
Hi Hilary. Sorry, having trouble with my e-mails today! If you're interested, sighted this afternoon at Lake Aquitaine - American Coot, male Bufflehead and wing-tagged Trumpeter Swan along with lots of other birds. :)
Healing light saturates each photo. Benny is always my favorite of course. (But the Queen Annes Lace holding ice is very special!)
I need to work on my golden hour skills. Whenever I try taking them, I tend to get silhouettes. Yours are lovely and full of definition!
The sunlight can make anything beautiful at that time of day, can't it? It was also my father's favorite. :)
Beautiful play of sun and shadow; striking contrasts and colours making dramatic photos of everyday objects...and one colourful character. What a great portrait of Benny, as well as the action shot of the little Dickens following his tongue--so intent!
Every now and then, you make me think that I should quit photography.
great pics as usual but what I want to know is why ducks' feet don't freeze when they are walking on the ice.
Love that first shot of Benny, lost in his own little world, thinking doggie thoughts.
Oh, beautiful. At last, it is sunny here, too. In fact, someone I know described today as a "primrose day." Hope you are having one! thanks so much for sharing.
Very nice series. Especially like the varied colours visible on the icy twig and the sun symbol shot is terrific. :)
Wonderful photos, as always.
That Benny; what a Character. Just like his Mistress.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I am very happy to be able to appreciate how their wonderful photos. Hug and thanks for prospects
What wonderful light you've captured in these fabulous shots.
I was going to say the green of the mallard's head....... the bookcase....... the sunlight through the trees...... the owl...... but Benny seems to win hands down!
Maggie x
Nuts in May
Really wonderful images, Hilary.
I especially love the first one of Benny. The light could not be more perfect, and you captured it so beautifully.
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and a great beginning to your week!
another gorgeous and inspiring post. thanks for sharing your talents with us Hilary! :)
the golden hour certainly highlights the mallard's brilliant colors!
Hi all. What used to be the norm, is now a rarity - my replying to your comments. I apologize for that. Time just seems to get in the way of good intentions these days. But at least for today, I'd like to show my ever-present gratitude and appreciation for your lovely remarks, so here goes. :)
• Jinksy, so good to see you. Thanks kindly. :)
• Andy, how nice of you to say so. Much appreciated. :)
• Naqvee, I suspect that Benny would love the attention you might bestow upon him. And I very much appreciate your kind words. :)
• June, glad to see you. And to know that you give a hoot. ;)
• Brian, Benny is part cat. He seeks out the sunny spots. Today is our first really springlike day. I want many more of those. Thanks always for stopping by. :)
• Leah, I like that! Thanks very much for the kind words. :)
• DJan, just between you and me, his tail was wagging throughout. ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Yaya, some people might not give hoot about owls. I'm glad you're not one of them. :)
• Daryl, Benny often just gets up to do something else when I have the camera but this time the sun proved to be the bigger pull. Thanks for your visit. :)
• Oma Linda, thanks kindly. Spring seems to be tapping us on the shoulders today. Hopefully it will stick around for a season. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Gail, thank you so much for thinking of me. I know I don't post, visit and especially reply to comments as much these days. Eventually, I'll find my groove again but for now, I'll just do what I can. I do appreciate that you had me in your thoughts. That makes me smile. :)
• Linda B, I hadn't noticed that book at all. I had my eye on another one. Eventually I'll get around to reading it. Thanks always for the visit and kind words, my friend. :)
• Marianne, yeah that thing! We haven't seen a whole lot of that elusive orb either lately so I had to preserve it in a photo. Thanks very much for your sweet comment. Much appreciated. :)
• Tex, I know you have a soft spot for ducks and of course, dogs. I'm glad you enjoyed these two. :)
• SunAnn, thanks very kindly. :)
• Tabor, you're much too kind. Do continue. ;)
• Mage, thank you. I'm less of a morning person so late day sunshine does it for me but both times are just perfect for photography. Thanks always for your visits. :)
• Cuzzie, you have such a sharp eye. No, I hadn't noticed it until you pointed it out and now I focus right in on it. Thanks for your sweet comment. That means so much to me. :)
• Cloudia, thanks for making my day. :)
• Stephen, thank you for the kind words. Victorian Ben, eh? :)
• Red, thanks. I'm glad you did. :)
• Steve, thank you. Mallards are cool! :)
• Messymimi, spoken like a true lover of books. :)
• Sue, thank you kindly. And no need to apologize. I know what it's like when real life gets in the way. I'm glad to have your visits whenever they work out that way. :)
• Jo-Anne! You've commented a few times recently and clearly you live in the Meadowvale area. Are you one of the handfuls of Jo-Anne's that I've met or did you just happen upon my blog? I've tried a few times to drop you a line but have no way of accessing an email address. Perhaps you could leave it for me next time you drop by? Thanks so much for letting me know about our feathered visitors. I've not been up to Aquitaine in quite some time but I do hope to wander up that way sometime soon. Did you happen to catch the swan's tag number? You can follow its exploits at the Trumpeter Swan Society webpage. There's information about where they were first tagged and where they've been spotted since. Folks write in to say if they see one. Thanks for your visits. They're so appreciated. Please let me know your email address. :)
• Thanks kindly, Barb. I'm so glad you enjoyed. :)
• Jill, thank you but your own camera skills are enviable for me. :)
• Kat, it can indeed. I do recall you saying that once before about your Dad. :)
• Lynn, thank you so much. I know that to the untrained eye, Benny appears to be following his tongue. In truth, he's not following anything but rather being propelled by his wee tail. He just steers with his tongue. Thanks for the visit. :)
• John, please don't say that! Your landscape and portrait photography is lovely. You always capture amazing images of your beautiful grands. Thanks always for your supportive words. :)
• Ellen, good wondering. I've often wondered the same but hadn't thought of looking it up until now. Thank you for that nudge. Here you go. http://askanaturalist.com/why-don’t-ducks’-feet-freeze/ :)
• Linda from Rainbows, thank you. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes Benny is lost thinking kittie thoughts too. ;)
• DS, thank you so kindly. A primrose day sounds just about perfect. :)
• Frank, thank you muchly. I'm glad you found my photos of your stuff worthy. And you know how I love it when you talk worthy to me. ;)
• Rob-bear, nice to see you out of hibernation. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words. :)
• Tossan, thank you so much. :)
• Fiona, thanks very kindly. I'm glad you like it. :)
• Maggie May, Benny has a way of winning hearts. I'm glad that yours is among them. :)
• Lisa, thank you so much for your very kind words. They mean a lot to me coming from such a fine photographer as you. :)
• Chariskalee, good to see you. Thank you so much for your very kind words. :)
• Michelle, and doesn't he look so proud? Thanks for stopping by. :)
As always, your photos sing with color and light.
The Sun has almost melted all of the snow here. Happy Days!
I love the way you framed this sequence with Benny. He is so awesome.
The lighting in these is so rich, and the images invite us in. You are a master.
• Pauline, such a lovely thing to say. Thank you. :)
• Sharon, here too.. though only just. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Sandy, thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)
I love that time of day as well! Something about the angle of the sun ... awesome images but love Benny and the mallard!
what a magical play of shadow and light Hilary... beautiful, beautiful photos!
What a wonderful collection of sun-fllled moments in your daily life!
Wonderful captures of light! The ice on Queen Anne's Lace picture is awesome.
i love everything here.
such amazing photos painted with some beautiful colours, yes the golden hour. and an adorable pup!
that mallard is adorable, too.
nothing better than that.
xoxo
• Reena, thanks kindly. That time of day is magical for me. :)
• Laura, thanks so much. Always a treat when you stop by. :)
• Merisi, so good to see you. Thanks very much for your kind words. :)
• Linda, thanks very kindly. I'm glad you like it. :)
• Betty, you always love everything.. that's one of the things that's so sweet about you. Thank you for that. :)
What a treasure trove of photographs! I can't even pick a favorite, although the one that made me laugh was the mallard on ice -- he looked so confident!
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