Thursday, April 19, 2012

SWF>>>>Backyard Sunset

I am linking up my skies with Skywatch Friday

These are shots from last week of the sunset from my backyard. I sat on my deck watching the birds in the yard and keeping an eye on the sky. The sky is looking dramatic with the dark and gloomy clouds. We have been missing the rain, even this time the rain stayed north of us.


Above is how my sunset started.

My Goldfinches are really sporting their pretty yellow feathers.

High in the top of a pine tree my neighborhood heron is just peeking out of the nest. Soon the leaves will be blocking my view and it will be hard to see the nest.

I am not the only one keeping a watch, these three turkey vultures were in the woods across from my driveway.  Not sure if they were watching the sunset, they had their heads turned the wrong way.



When the sun dropped low in the sky, the bottom of the clouds looked to be on fire. I feel much better having the fire in the sky than worry about fires starting from being too dry due to the lack of rain.

We have been having advisories about the lack of rain and the ground being dry and the chances of fires starting were high.




Skywatching is one of my simple pleasures. I enjoy sitting out on my deck listening to the birds and the frogs trying to sing louder than the birds.

To see more beautiful skies from around the world please visit : Skywatch Friday.
Thanks to the hosting group of Sylvia, Sandy and Wren. Also, thank you for stopping by my blog. I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.


43 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Eileen-hope you get some rain soon. It's sort of scary when it gets that dry and they issue fire danger warnings.
Can't believe how yellow your goldfinches are already. Mine are slacking.......
:D

Linda said...

The sunset photos are simply beautiful! My deck faces the sunrise, but unfortunately, there are many obstacles in the way of the sunrise... so I have to go elsewhere to see pretty ones. I just cannot get close enough to get good shots of my finches...I have been thinking of just putting the camera on the tripod out in the yard - hubby's has a wireless remote shutter release - and then sitting on the deck kind of out of sight...who knows, maybe I will try that when I get home next week! Have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

Such gorgeous skies! And lovely birds...

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

my back yard was on fire too.

I am having problem downloading photos, do you have any trouble?

rainfield61 said...

The birds were enjoying the similar sunset.

They must have posted this in another blogs.

TexWisGirl said...

i am hoping you get some rain soon, then. after last year's drought here, i know that danger and fear well...

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful shots of the sky and the birds.
Your Goldfinch is so beautiful, love the color.
I hope you get some rain soon.
Wish I could send some rain your way, here it's raining almost every day.
Have a great day.
Mette

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous sunset! Your Goldfinches are certainly bright, and I still can't believe how many turkey vultures roost in the nearby trees!

DeniseinVA said...

Super skies and bird shots Eileen. I have been getting several Goldfinches at the thistle feeder this week and they still seem to be a ways from getting their bright yellow colors as these are still a bit patchy, but still beautiful!

Ebie said...

Hi Eileen, the yellow finch is so cute. What a great place you have to enjoy and see as you unwind your day from work!

Have a great weekend!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous colors Eileen!

My Sky Shots. Wishing you a great weekend!

Tina´s PicStory said...

wow! really great skies :)

Unknown said...

Great sky!! When I see Turkey Vultures, I always check my pulse. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Carol said...

What a gorgeous sunset...and right from your deck! I can't get anything from my deck. I love all your bird shots too, the yellow finch is so good.

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent and dramatic skies and colors, Eileen, and you've captured them beautifully as always! Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend!

Sylvia

Gillian Olson said...

You have a very diverse bird community there!

namaki said...

this is a beautiful serie !!

Valerie said...

A wonderful series of shots Eileen - Fiery sunsets, dramatic, stormy clouds and that stunning Goldfinch! I too gain much pleasure from looking at cloud formations, sunrise and sunsets. Thanks for sharing and for your visits to my blog. Happy weekend!

Naturegirl said...

Eileen and what a sky watch it is this post! Yes there is certainly fire in the sky with the bright orange! I have witnessed such firey skies while in the Sonoran desert recently..I would agree better fire in the sky than on land. It will be a dry summer...predictable shrub fires with so little rain this yr.!!
I've arrived home to cold temps and rain.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how neat... I'd love to join you on your deck --just to hear the birds and frogs singing, and to see that sunset.... AWESOME...

Great set of pictures.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful sunset. With all those clouds you would think a few drops could have come your way. I would gladly share some of our rain if I could, I wouldn't mind a sunny day.

I love that cute little goldfinch. I haven't seen any in our yard yet.

Rohrerbot said...

The goldfinch is wonderful. I wish we had them here at the birdfeeder:) You've got some cool birds hanging around...thanks for sharing:)

Reader Wil said...

Your sunsets are divine! And your bird photos are stunning! Have a great weekend, Eileen.

Unknown said...

Beautiful and gorgeous sky! I saw with your header you referred to smugmug - heard that it's a great site!

Pearl Maple said...

Great collection of nature photos, the birds are delightful.

NatureFootstep said...

sometimes nature is just great to enjoy. :)

Dan Huber said...

wonderful captures Eileen

Minoru said...

Wow! very beautiful photos. It looks like a heaven. I enjoyed very much.

HansHB said...

Awesome shots!
Happy SkyWatch to you!

Carver said...

Wonderful shots of the sunset and birds. I love the one of the goldfinch.

Martha Z said...

Fire is a constant threat here in California. I hope you get more rain to turn your world green.

Indrani said...

Beautiful selection of pictures, the color of the birds and the drama in the sky. Lovely!

Karin M. said...

Wow .... these are fantastic nature photographs. I like your excellent photos. I especially like the sky photos ....
Best regards, Karin

Erika Price said...

Incredible skies - they almost look as though they are on fire! And your goldfinches are gorgeous too - here in the UK, although they are pretty birds, they have only a little yellow in their plumage

Debbie said...

fingers crossed for some rain. we are expecting 3 days of rain but who knows, they never seem to get it right.

your evening skies are so pretty. i don't have a good view from home, and i often miss them because we are starting to wind down from the day. i don't feel like running out!!

pretty goldfinch, they are visiting here as well!!

have a wonderful weekend!!

betchai said...

beautiful sky photos, hopefully, the fire warning will go down soon with some rain coming in.

Carole M. said...

a fabulous sunset and photos; love the goldfinch

Carletta said...

Wow Eileen, those sky shots are gorgeous!
Equally as lovely is that goldfinch. What a beautiful shot! The green background made a lovely backdrop.

Elaine said...

Gorgeous sunset shots!

Anonymous said...

Lovely sky and a heaven for birds.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I do hope you get some rain -- that first photo really looks like it is about to rain, but apparently the storm went the other way! Love your birds -- and thank you as always for sharing such beautiful pictures of your simple pleasures (which are mine too, but I don't get such good pictures!)

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely skies, Eileen!

Irene said...

Your photos are simply beautiful!

Irene

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