Holiday Season, Photography

A Journey into the First Night. On My Terrace.

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The last day of the year was coming to an end. Fleeting rays of the setting sun performed their last dance around the tree tops. Dusk started to settle over the salt marsh. And most birds were tucked away in their sleeping quarters.

salt marsh at night fallThe ‘blue hour’ came. Fully booked dinner cruise boats floated from the bay onto the ocean. But at the darkened northwest corner of the park now closed, activity continued all evening long. Until the last hour of the last day of 2015.

clearwater pass and the sand key park at blue hourAs the midnight hour approached, the moon slept on its big tummy on a misty bed over the bay. The Christmas tree at the local hospital on the opposite shore was brightly lit.  Lights were still shining from many windows. For some fellow passengers on this earthly journey, the first night would be greeted in a hospital bed.

And then the ball finally dropped in front of the crowds in the big city. The skies were set alight. Followed by loud kabooms reverberating over the salt marsh.

first night fireworks Star showers fell towards the ocean and the beach. Shapes in bright colors filled the sky.

first night fireworks fireworks And if the salt marsh residents had not covered their eyes and ears with their wings, they did see  a bird looking right down on them from the skies. A symbol of something we all need. Peace.

new year fireworks 2016The Night Herons and Barn Owls were certainly not the only birds awakened by people’s celebration at this first hour of the first night. But luckily it soon became quiet. The moon wiggled out of its misty bed and shone brightly to light up the first night. Once again, a new year was born.

half moonMay 2016 bring us peace and contentment.

76 thoughts on “A Journey into the First Night. On My Terrace.”

    1. Thank you Jackie! I spent quite a bit of time out on the terrace last night. I wish you good health, happiness and enjoyable writing in 2016 my friend ❤ I'm ready to work on the 3rd cover. It will be so much fun!

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    1. Thank you David. Right now the sun sets more southwest and hits the marsh at a beautiful angle. Although today we’re in for a “rain set”.

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  14. Happy New Year Helen, and thankyou for displaying your sensational images here for all to see; I have greatly appreciated your work and look forward to doing so more in 2016.

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    1. I appreciate your kind words, Hariod, and thank you for being here. The spring promises to be exciting as many little lives will be born at the salt marsh and its surroundings.

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    1. We are lucky to always have the city’s fireworks right here on the beach at New Year, a front row seat on our terrace for free 😀 But I always think of the birds as the bangs are really loud and close by, but hope the permanent residents have gotten used to it by now.

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    1. The sunset was really beautiful…and the moon was almost surreal when it hung there belly down over the bay. Today much more “wintry” weather, clouds, wind and rain so I’m watching Miss Rosa huddling in the marsh from my office window.

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    1. Thank you Ashley. Our NYE was quite peaceful apart from the fireworks. They were beautiful, but loud…and I always think of the birds sleeping in their bushes around the marsh 🙂 Happy you had a great celebration too!

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  26. Boy, the ‘blue hour’ came and it conquered 🙂 The colors and lighting of the fleeting rays on the salt marsh is incredible…only to be matched by the blue-hour and firework shots. A wonderful world of words and photos you used to bring in the New Year…ending it with a surreal moon shot 🙂 Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2016 Tiny, and keep on with the shooting and story telling 🙂

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  27. Happy you liked the NYE story as it unfolded at the salt marsh and its vicinity. The sun now hits the salt marsh at an incredibly beautiful angle as seen from my terrace. But today it’s all light rain, wind and heavy clouds. Thanks also for your encouragement. I will do my best to carve out time for shooting in nature, although quite surprisingly, work will be taking me on numerous in-out trips to the wide world.

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    1. Yes, we’re lucky having a front row seat at the fireworks several times a year, whether on the beach or on the bay side. Have a wonderful 2016!

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