Golden hour

It’s a gorgeous sunset.

Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the)

The sun is setting over Lake Kerkini and I have several thousand more images on my new memory cards. I was optimistic and bought two 1 terabyte compact flash express cards for my camera. I have yet to fill them, but that’s not for want of trying. I’m doing my best with a heavy trigger finger and 20 images a second.

One advantage of modern cameras, like the science fiction machine I hold in my hand, is that I’m far more likely to capture the exact image I want. Having that little starburst of light behind the Dalmatian Pelican’s neck is lovely. So is that golden light.

I have to stop myself focussing on the next shot for a moment and lift my head to experience the scene. A glorious golden lake, a sun setting in golden splendour, enormous birds flying majestically past and the prospect of good food, great company and an early bed.

Perfect.

More from Lake Kerkini

Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) The moment before it slapped me There's a younger Dalmatian Pelican on the prow of our small boat. I'm in prime position to photograph it. It's… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Pelican comedy breakfast The early light is hitting the mountains on the other side of Lake Kerkini and bathing them in a warm… read more
Grey Heron at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Heron over the snow-capped mountains There's something enchanting about birds being able to project their own shadow onto themselves. Here's a Black-Tailed Godwit with the… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Changing light The warmth of this image is a thrill. The difference in the mood of this image because of the changing… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Pelicans and mountains The blues and purples of this image are very restful, aren't they? So is being out on a boat on… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) A still evening on the water It's that time of the evening, when the light becomes glorious as a few stray rays of the sun hit… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Symmetry There's something deeply appealing about the symmetry of these Dalmatian Pelicans. There's also something worrying about them begging for fish… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Wingbeats Dalmatian Pelicans are beautiful and getting more so as their mature breeding plumage approaches. Here's one having a flap showing… read more
Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Kerkini - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) A rockstar mop Dalmatian Pelicans have a rockstar hairstyle. It's bedhead on steroids. Just look at this unruly mess: The water at this… read more

Feel free to leave a Reply :)