Thursday, December 2, 2010

(Day 336) Hanging out down at the pond

Remember a couple of weeks ago I told you about the unique landscaping being done around some of the malls here in the south (well, you probably don't so you can see the photo here). Tonight after dinner I set out to get a photo or two for my 365 project. I wasn't really sure where I would go - however, an opportunity always seems to come up, thank goodness. As I drove past that mall again something caught my eye so I got off the main road and headed back to the parking lot.

While everyone else walked towards the stores, Sasha and I headed off in the opposite direction, towards where I had made some photos before. The landscapers had also incorporated a large pond into the mall grounds - which I suspect serves as a rain runoff reservoir. We found a few fine-feathered friends there settling down for the night.

(both photos made with a 18-55mm lens at f9, 10 sec shutter speed, ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

Oh, this is what caught my eye as I drove by initially.

22 comments:

chasity said...

that is a lovely and peaceful reflection.

Cat said...

Oh, I just love those moments when I see something like this so worthy of capturing and I actually have my camera in hand! Beautiful!

Scott Law said...

There's something ethereal about night reflections. Nice job . . . again.

Rick said...

Thanks Chas - it was, despite the steady stream of traffic flying by !

I try to make that a rule anytime I go out - ABC ! And If I'm by myself, it's so easy to just jump out and get the shot. Thanks for dropping by Cat.

I agree Scott - love them. Thank you !

Dawn said...

Ahhhhh...love reflections.
Makes me want to sit there, think, and reflect;)

(I'm surprised those feathered friends stayed put while you had your dog in tow. Brave birds down south:) (Ours are always running-
of course, maybe it's my dog's bad manners....)

darlin said...

Rick, I want a pond just like this one now! You are so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty and you sure know how to capture it. The reflection of the palm trees has captured my heart. Stunning shots once again.

Katherine said...

Hi Rick...beautiful photos... the pond is like a mirror to the sky & the palms..so lovely!

ju-north said...

Lovely pics - I like those reflections!

marty said...

oh ! Rick, des canards, des couleurs, des palmiers qui se reflètent dans un bel étang, comme c'est beau, comme tout à l'air chaud !
ici tout est gris et blanc et froid!
une poignée de bisous bien frais pour le
weekend !!

What Karen Sees said...

Beautiful color tones and beautiful reflections. I especially like the last image. Very peaceful!

Anonymous said...

Awesome reflections!

Leslie said...

I love the Christmas-y lights in the water...

S. Etole said...

It's the turn arounds that make for interesting photos!

joyce said...

I love the way the coloured lights reflect in that blurry way (I know, real technical speak, eh?)
En ja, ik kan wel hollans praaten, maar mij hollands is niet zo goes als Dagmar's engels!

elena nuez said...

the second one is perfect!
I like very much!!

Rick said...

Dawn - I kept Sasha about 15' back from the pond (in case there gators - ya never know). I approached the ducks very carefully - they just kept on sleeping.

What really surprised me is that this was at a MALL ! Then again, I think there's beauty all around us, wherever we are. Thanks Darlene !

Hi Katherine - thanks; it's what caught my eye as I went past.

Thank you Julia - I especially like night-time reflections.

Ah, merci Marty ! Yes, a beautiful place for sure. A little cooler now but still lots of soleil and pas de neige ! Have a wonderful weekend with bisous aplenty ;-)

Thank you Karen - amazing how peaceful a place like that is, right at the mall !

M. - thank you, and thanks also for dropping by.

Thanks for noticing Leslie - that's what attracted my attention, and then I noticed the ducks too.

You're so right Susan - I've done that a few times and it's always rewarding.

Rick said...

LOL Joyce - you've got the technical part down pat ! ;-) Bedankt - en je nederlands is nog aardig goed !

Gracias Elena !

darlin said...

Amen to that Rick! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :-)

Anonymous said...

Ohhh so pretty, LOVE that reflection! I would have had to turn around, too!

Rick said...

Thanks Tricia - wasn't the first time I'd done that ;-)

Lisa said...

I love the reflection on the water of the tress and light. How very beautiful and peaceful at the sametime.

Rick said...

Thank you Lisa - a spot of tranquility right beside a busy road and a mall !