11.06
If you’ve ever wondered what a cornfield looks like after the corn is harvested, take a look at the lower right of this sunset. That’s the stubble left after harvest and before the field is turned over to plow the remaining plant under and prepare for the next spring planting.
I try to look for interesting places to put in a sunset composition. With the flat prairies that surround me, that can be a challenge. This cornfield was out by our airport, at the crest of a slight rise in the road. A perfect place to see the horizon and take in the play of light on the clouds.
I always look at the clouds at the end of the day, trying to guess at whether it would be worth the effort to go out an grab another sunset. A clear blue sky might be lovely to look at, but some clouds in the sky work with the light at sunset to give those special rays a canvas to paint their spectacle upon.
This day proved especially good for clouds at sunset.
After I had taken a few from eye level. I noticed the tall grasses at the edge of the field, as well as the leftover corn stalks, and placed my camera nearly on the ground to get this perspective. The thin leaves of the grass are glowing with that beautiful light. If you look closely at the bottom center of the frame, you can see the corn cobs laying amid the stubble. All their kernels removed, the remaining cobs are left behind to add to the earth, all part of the growing cycle.
Sure was a nice sunset.
Ahhh…this is reminiscent of what I grew up staring at all through my childhood in Illinois. Can’t help but when you grow up between corn and bean fields. =) Beautiful sunset. You’ve been lucking out with the clouds…we’ve just had full clouds most of the weekend and will have them most of this next week again. Bleh =)
Clouds like this are not everyday wonders, that’s for sure. Sometimes, I look outside our sunroom, and say “Dang!” to myself, being inside instead of out there with some other nice sunset. I don’t rush out, because the special sunset moments only last a few minutes. This scene kept changing every few seconds. Even after I left, 5 minutes later when I got out of my car at home, I went “Dang” again. The light turned the undersides of the clouds to a stunning magenta glow. Then, poof! and it was gone.
I hear ya. More times than I care to count I’ve stepped outside to have a cigarette, saw the sunset through my back trees, ran in, grabbed the camera and ran across the yard. At this point I’m pretty sure that the dog thinks I’ve gone completely crazy! =)
The whispy clouds make some of the best photos, but just last week I raced across the yard to grab a sunset shot again where the bottom of the clouds were that bright pink/magenta color! =)
We’re off to Hilton Head Island, week after this. I’m hoping for some good clouds.
Oh boy! Can’t wait to see what you get! Safe travels in case I don’t get a chance to say that before you guys get on the road. =)
This is an especially wonderful shot, Matt.So evocative of place and season. But, I’m looking forward to some gorgeous Hilton Head photos.
perfect. This is Illinois at it’s best!
God… how beautiful! It’s as if the ground and the sky were in motion, reaching for the same far goal on the horizon. Your last eight photos, Matt, are absolutely stunning.
Thank yous to Jewell, Barbara, Trishy Wishy & Nick. I am honored that you take time to view my work.