Sights and Sounds at Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and sunset have always been two of my favorite things. Times of day where it is calm, colors change, and the sky is never the same. While at work this week, I have been enjoying going out at sunrise and sunset to see some different sights and listen to many sounds.

Sight: Mostly still frozen over, this small lake at Buckskin Hills State Wildlife Management Area near Newcastle, NE reflected some nice full moon light while colors of sunrise began to peek over the horizon on a Saturday morning.

Sound: A handful of geese were honking away just to the left of this scene on the same Saturday morning.

Sight: Two brothers who have been birding for years volunteer some of their Saturday time to help lead different bird tours with us throughout the year, particularly in March. They use binoculars and spotting scopes to scout out an area.
Sound: Across the way atop a hill, the hoots of Greater Prairie Chickens were heard from this spot.

Sight: The flapping of some wings as the prairie chickens began to swoop around after dancing and booming. (That was quite a sight!)
Sound: "Get your camera up, they're coming this way!"

Sight: Mr. Ed Brogie and Mr. Mark Brogie are both science teachers and avid birders.
Sound: Music to my ears as I learn while out seeing new things with them.

Sight: A beautiful sunburst seen over the Missouri River.
Sound: The cool wind blowing in the river bottom can feel like a tune in your ears.

Sight: Three bald eagles sitting on a sandbar, while four more soar overhead.
Sound: The crunch of the ground beneath feet and the "ooohs" as the Boy Scout troop on our tour wandered around near the river.

Sight: Two Bluebirds sitting in a tree not too far from Bluebird Mini-Lodge at the park on our way back from a sunrise watch.
Sound: "That is a really pretty blue." (Sorry, the pretty blue is on their back not so well seen in this particular photo I grabbed.)

Sight: The bright distinct red of a cardinal stands out in a bare tree behind the Resource and Education Center.
Sound: The chirp of a cardinal is indeed chirpy.

Sight: Redhead Ducks coming in for a rest.
Sound: A harmonious quack quacking by the bunch was heard as they entered earshot.

Sight: Male (those with the red head) and female Redhead Ducks swimming about
Sound: The pop as a duck takes a dive into the pond after food. (If you follow the Nebraska Northeast Parks page on Facebook, you can see a video I took of this action posted there.)

Sight: Northern Pintails flying overhead.
Sound: A whoosh as they circle above before landing on the pond.

Sight: A view out the side window of the duck blind I have been inhabiting at sunrise and sunset.
Sound: "Use a higher aperture for that shot," said my photography mentor voices in my head.

Sight: Set up with my tripod and camera inside the duck blind.
Sound: A hundred clicks of the shutter throughout my time down there.

Sight: The male Wood Duck has a very distinctive head. Two are seen below along with two females.
Sound: "Wait, I have another photo with four Wood Ducks!" I watched one male fly in toward the end of my sunset viewing that night and grabbed a rather grainy photo of him. Later while uploading to my computer, I realized I had this shot of a group of four.

Sight: One lone duck in the foreground with Canada Geese lurking behind the fog.
Sound: The calmness of the early morning.

Sight: Two Canada Geese taking off from the pond while the sun began making its way above the horizon.
Sound: "Ahhhh! I just caught that shot with that orange sky!"

Sight: Blue, yellow, orange, fog, tree, ducks, water. All combined for nice composition.
Sound: Quack quack quack.

Sight: A view from behind the duck blind sitting on the wetlands of Ponca State Park we use for Marsh Madness.
Sound: Let that sunlight speak for itself.

Sight: Beautiful soft morning light as some ducks make their way.
Sound: A deep breath as I took this scene in shortly after sunrise.

Sight: An immature Bald Eagle swooped out in front of my vehicle as I began heading to work after a sunrise in the blind.
Sound: "Just look how big he is, and he's right in front of me."

Sight: That immature Bald Eagle perched in a tree not too far along, and he continued to sit there long enough for me to step out of my vehicle and grab a photo before moving to a new spot.
Sound: "Wow. This is the closest I have seen one yet."

I have been enjoying the various sights and sounds of sunrise and sunset. Some new experiences for me, some fun photographic endeavors, some learning as I go, and some pure enjoyment. I have been doing some of these viewings on my own, but I also help lead some guided tours here at the park.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!