Sky and Wind

Today at 7 a.m.

Why is it that dawn skies are always so beautiful.

Who sees the wind?

I was nearly blown off the Welcoming Platform while taking these photos.

For more skies click on Skywatch Friday.

Sun Dog

I took this photo of a distinct sun dog at 7:30 am on Tuesday morning. A sun dog or parhelion is a ‘mock sun’  or halo that appears next to the real sun caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere, although they appear in any season  They most often appear when the sun is low in the sky, and sometimes more than one can appear at the same time.

Last fall we saw what is sometimes called a full sun dog, with a halo on either side of the sun, looking  like three suns in the sky.  Three suns would be too much of a good thing. It’s cold and gray today, but I am happy with one good old Sol.

See more skies at Skywatch Friday.

All Innocence

After yesterday’s gray and stormy skies, this morning the view is of innocent blue and gentle cloud – could the prediction for another storm (!) tomorrow possibly be true? In any event, I’m making a break for it today.

For other fabulous sky views check out Skywatch Friday.

Ice Damage Continues

Coming home from working at Heath’s Emergency Shelter yesterday, I had to come the long way home because of power trucks still working on our road. I had to pass this spot on Rowe Road where the landowners had cleared a large field providing a magnificent view west to Mount Greylock. No matter the season or hour, the view of field, mountain and sky is always breathtaking.

This major limb on our ancient apple tree didn’t come down immediately during the ice storm, but it finally tumbled, waiting for my inspection when I finally made it home. I’ll have to take a picture in the light; the damage from a storm two years ago will also be very clear. We placed our Cottage Ornee in the shelter of this apple, but the shelter is becoming less and less. It still gives a good crop of apples, though.

Skywatch and Thanksgiving

Yesterday we went to middle daughter’s house for the family feast. Lots of family was there and nine year old Amanda took charge of the camera and she kept clicking away all day. The day is well documented: the basketball games on the driveway, dodgeball (?) on the lawn, chatting on the deck, cooking in the kitchen, eating in the dining room, football on the living room TV and Bibi, the French bulldog everywhere.

The day was mild which allowed for those outdoor activities, and the sky was a blissful blue. Amanda was fascinated by the sky and, among other views, captured these geese flying south.

But all festivities must end. We drove home in the dark to a cold house and dived into our cold bed.

This morning, on Skywatch Friday, the sky was gray, perfectly suited to the pleasures of post-holiday quiet. This is the view my husband enjoys and treasures everyday from his special chair. The arbor was specifically made tall to encompass as much sky view as possible, above the fields and tree line.

For the photo I sat on Henry’s chair and lined up the slider panels with the wisteria growing up the arbor support, as requested by a reader. Lots more sky views at Skywatch Friday.