It seems we are past the most colorful sunsets for awhile as winter here tends to have much clearer skies. Well and actually I don't really know what all factors contribute to great sunsets but in a world gone absolutely disgustingly mad, let's look at some of my favorites from summer and fall.
This was late May, I love how the rays show and how pink the sky grew
In the realm of very first world, low stakes problems I first had to decide where I wanted to watch sunsets from
There is a decent spot about a half mile from my house
And other spots in the neighborhood, but the sun tends to be on the south side of the horizon and I live on the downhill north side of a ridge, so I figured the park probably had the best views.
And I figured light like this might be even better with the lake to reflect it
But I had a conundrum. Summer sunrises occur late (esp when you get up at 5am to run) and I live about 1.5 miles from the edge of the lake.
Walking round trip was unlikely, only because I either would have run that morning or would be running the following morning.
It felt like a waste of fossil fuels but I would sometimes drive to the park and then walk in
That was especially useful on days I didn't think it would be a good sunset and then suddenly realized I was wrong
Then I finally realized my long neglected bike was probably going to be the most logical solution
I haven't found a solution to being able to make biking a part of my workout routine - I need to figure out a saddle/pants concept that has eluded me so far - but for a 3 mile RT? Perfect
Unlike my mornings, sunsets were always a relaxed affair and I could spend as much time as I wanted watching the light shift.
I learned that the sun drops behind the mountains before official "sunset."
I learned that unlike sunrise, where the predawn light is usually the best, often sunset colors bloom up to 20 minutes after sunset time.
I learned cloud height is important, although I still don't know how to determine how high the clouds are most of the time
Just like sunrises, I started to get addicted to the colors....or maybe it is better to say I relied on the sunset colors to boost my mood
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| Going |
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| Going |
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| Gone |
And I had to have yet another reckoning with myself that it isn't a good idea to tie any of your mental health to something as inconsistent as a beautiful sunset.
But it is hard when the payoff is so amazing and also when you are watching your government do evil horrible things, while being cheered on by an upsettingly large portion of the population.
If there is a solution to living through times like these, I haven't found it. I am on a downhill trajectory that feels inevitable, so yeah, when the sunset wasn't super pretty it made me sad. Sadder. I am always sad these days.
One lucky night, I also took the most magical fairy tale picture of a Great Horned Owl, almost completely be accident.
I am so so very lucky to have this park and in a way, I live here by accident. The house I ended up buying was a little lackluster when I first saw it, so I went under contract on another house in a different part of town and this one also went under contract.
The inspection on the house I was planning to buy went very poorly - mostly because the owners had lied about many things and then basically refused to give any compensation. So I walked away.
I assumed I would have to start the process over, but was about to leave on a business trip so figured it would wait until I got home.
I didn't even mind, as I was in a month to month rental with no particular hurry to buy a place, but that isn't entirely true because I hate house hunting and also just wanted to be done with it.
The literal day before I flew out my agent got a call that this house had just come back on the market due to buyer financing
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| This was super pretty |
I was more than a little suspicious after the mess I had just walked away from, but I remembered really liking the location of the house and not having any negatives about it.
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| And then it got even better |
Even more importantly, the person who had just ended their contract was willing to let me have their inspection report. That was super cool of them because I could see what any issues identified were but would still have the option to do my own inspection if I wanted
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| The lavender sky after sunset is perfect |
So I drove across town to refresh myself on the house literally before heading to the airport. It was stressful, although that is because I do this to myself. The house probably would have waited until I returned from my trip.
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| I KNEW this was going to be good |
But luckily it all worked out, the inspection was shockingly good for the age of the house, the main problem is that previous owner hadn't updated anything in a very long time. But with the price of the house, I could afford to get the work done.
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| It didn't disappoint |
I also kept waiting for something to be secretly wrong with the house that the inspection didn't detect and that the owner hid or I don't even know what.
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| Aaaamazing |
That was just my paranoia, enough time has passed now and enough of the house has been renovated to say I think I got lucky with this place. Or was smart enough to see it's potential.
Regardless I am very glad I ended up where I did. So that on days where I wasn't running my silly little butt up the silly little hill to watch the sun rise, I could pedal my silly little bike up the silly little hill and watch the sun go down
Which I did. Over and over
Whether it's depression or my age or whatever, I have felt the pressing need to spend a lot of time alone lately.
I can verify that sunset watching is a really great solo activity.
Of course, it is also fun with friends, but apparently I have been looking for more reasons to avoid people
As we moved into fall, even more birds started showing up. I am not a huge bird person in general, however, they are of course beautiful
And they provide great entertainment out on the water while you watch the colors change
While the sun is setting, large flocks will come in and land on the water, presumably to sleep there overnight in the relative safety from coyotes (I have no idea, this is a guess).
From what I observed, birds of all kinds seem to think it is imperative to announce that they are coming in for a landing.
What are they saying? "Here we come"? "Watch out, we aren't paying attention to where we land"?
No clue but the cacophony of waterfowl arrival became a familiar backdrop
Then they splash down, almost always messily, into a mixed species group who is SUPER offended by the additional arrivals.
And no, sadly I don't have photos of this because my cell phone camera isn't that talented.
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| It is occuring in this photo, can't you tell? |
It has absolutely increased my appreciation for birds. Well, I have always loved birds of prey, this is increasing my appreciation of ducks and geese.
It is probably excellent prepartion for being a crazy middle aged lady that the park animals are basically my friends now
I wonder if the birds have an appreciation for the colors. I have no idea what colors birds perceive and I am not at the stage of my crazy journey where I research this
I do talk to them though - the birds, the coyotes. The people with off leash dogs. Ok I yell at the last one
And now, the sunsets have become more muted. I will catch them from time to time and keep my eye out for cloudier days. This super dry and warm winter so far hasn't been my favorite, but every time the temperatures drip and it snows, I can almost feel joy.
