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Summer Solstice


Summer Solstice
Photo Information
Copyright: Francine Malo (NinaM) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS350D/Digital Rebel XT, Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM
Exposure: f/22, 1/5 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-02 7:38
Viewed: 490
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
It is strange because I just realized I haven't posted any picture of the lake close to my house yet. The thing is that there are houses around it and it shows most of the time on the photos.

I really enjoy going on the lake very early in the morning even though I am not an early bird! I love the feeling of the sun rising over the water, with the colours in the sky and the mist covering the lake. Very slowly does it leave the waters as if with regret. At that very moment, there is no wind, nothing but the sound of some crows and the sound of the animals waking up slowly in the sun. That's a vivid memory in my mind.

On such a morning I have seen a merlin bathing gently on the rocks close to the small island. I have seen lotters swim and leaving a small wave behind them.

The kingfisher is standing on a branch of a big old pine, its eyes closed, enjoying the sun on its face. You can see the ducks floating amongst the fog with serenity... is that what life is all about? I don't have pictures of such moments because very often I am in the kayak and then, I didn't bring my camera with me because I didn't want to loose it in the water. I will probably stop doing so this year and bring back those moments of elation with me.

Those magical mornings are the closest to spirituality I have felt, my intimate spirituality. It's as if my prayer was made out of all this life surrounding me.

I remember the morning on this picture vividly. June 24th is the solstice, the longest day of the year. The light in this picture reflects well that special day. There was only one duck, a mallard, on the lake that morning. I rested the camera on a picnic table to use as a tripod and shot many times. It was 4:45 in the morning.

This one came out nicely and that's the one I want to show you today. There has been a big snowstorm here, the one that came from out west and crossed the whole continent. There is about 2 feet and a half of snow on the balcony. We do not see my car anymore it is buried underneath the snow. Lot of work today! Get the shovel out!

Thank you.

Reminds me of the song by Cat Stevens, which I sang as a teenager, wholeheartedly.

MORNING HAS BROKEN

As Sung by Cat Stevens

lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Francine

Shot in jpeg, resized and cropped for TN
ISO 100, shot at 200mm
Adjustments made in Lightroom
Jamesp, Mikolaj, Adanac, eqshannon, joey, warnzy, CeltickRanger, Luis52, Heaven has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-02-02 8:05]

Hi Francine

A really evocative shot - superb colour - excellent composition using only water and reflections with a vertical emphasis whilst the duck and ripples add a horizontal element.

James

Hi Francine,

what a beautiful colours and reflection! It´s not to much to say, just watching and enjoy.... :)
TFS
nice regards,
Tanja

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 64 N: 2234] (9195)
  • [2008-02-02 10:03]

Hello Francine,

No time today, just marking.
Mariki

Hello Francine! Wonderful point of view, amazing perspective. Original lightness, very nice colors. Good contrast. Very original picture. Well done!

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15132)
  • [2008-02-02 10:48]

Hello Francine,
This image and your words are both golden in my eyes and my mind. You truly have a good heart and I am sure a very postive effect on people around you. Thank you my friend.
Rick

You share your emotions through your images as I do...and there is again a clear distinct feeling which almost overcomes me when I look at pics such as there...only after I have felt it do I read the notes...I have not done so yet..I shall punch the enter button, then go back and see how you must have tied this into some deep feeling...Very esoteric!
Bob

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-02-02 13:38]

Is this duck swimming in a lake of liquid gold?! I reckon this photo looks just like a painting... I'd love it on my wall! :)
Magnificent colours and lighting.
Great composition.
Exceptional notes.
Well done Francine,
Joe

Hi Francine,

The quality of light here is truly amazing; and the picture looks like a cross between a Turner and Cezanne. Really beautiful.

Mike

Bonjour francine,
My compliment to this first class image beautifully done!
so serene and peaceful atmosphere and mood
awesome colouration and lots of details to enjoy
a big hug to you
merci
Tony

bonjour Francine

chez nous ici à Laval nous avons un parc nature
»»»»» Le Parc des Prairies, moitié sauvage,
là-bas il y a un étang où les canards colvert
et branchu viennent nicher et passer du printemp à l'automne,

un jour d'après-midi du mois de mai, je suis là-bas entrain
de photographier les canards branchu, le soleil commencé
à ce coucher, il y avait avec moi un photographe professionnel,
il me dit cette lumière-là qui est à l'eau c'est la plus belle lumière
et on dit à ça « golden light », avec son superbe NIKON et
trépied il s'est mis à photographier les branchus
dans cette lumière du « golden light »

moi n'ayant pas de trépied et ma caméra n'ayant pas
de stabilisateur d'image je n'ai pas réussi à faire des photo

car pour réussir une telle photo il faut descendre dans
ton shutter speed comme tu viens de le faire dans cette
superbe photo, WOW tu es a 1/5 de secondes c'est ainsi
que tu as pu obetnir cette belle lumière de « golden light »
et j'aimes beaucoup cette silhouette du canard dans l'eau

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-02-02 17:50]

Hola Francine.
Bellos colores y agradable el momento capturado aqui. La imagen es de alta calidad y exelente contenido.
Saludos Luis52.

Bonsoir Francine,
chapeau bas, elle est superbe celle ci , très artistique, j'aime beaucoup ses couleurs " or " et l'ombre du canard,
bravo
amitiés,
Pat

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
  • [2008-02-03 9:44]

C'est de l'or fondu Francine ! Quelle belle image de ce canard en contrejour sur ce lac doré. Bien vu et bien composé, du bonbon ! Merci,

Mario

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 535 W: 90 N: 1030] (3797)
  • [2008-02-03 12:27]

Bonsoir Francine!

Après avoir vu et m'être ému devant ce lac en or, j'ose espérer que tu nous fera le plaisir de le photographier plus souvent. C'est une très belle photo accompagnée d'un texte plaisant.

Marci pour cela!

A quand d'autres photos de neige?

Amitiés

Markus

Bonjour Francine,
Quelles beles couleurs et magnifique composition.
Bravo
Marie

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