THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: sunrise


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The view

I guess the reason I love the sunrise over the Atlantic is because I see it so seldom. Maybe next year an oceanfront place where I don’t have power wires in my path. Like that set of balconies down the left side of the photo.

Photo by Mike Hartley

There were choices to make in the mornings, and I made the right ones. I could have wandered down to the beach early and caught the unobstructed color or watched a few minutes from a balcony and see my grandchildren get up each morning. Easy call really. The smiles and hugs beat the sunrise and sand in my feet. This way I got to do both,

Soon they will be of age to go on my morning walk and see it themselves. If they want too of course. They didn’t seem that interested in sunsets yet.

Random Thoughts of the Afternoon

  • I love to drive. I hate the 20% or so that makes it dangerous as hell.
  • Read something important that I’m trying to remember. It’s not always what you include in a piece of art or writing that’s important, it’s what you might leave out.
  • I need to start looking at those adjustable desks where you can stand or sit. I spend a lot of time in front of one. And sitting is bad I’m told.
  • Tomorrow is going to be a physical challenge and there is no way around it.


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Saturday salutations

Being up early in the day is a pleasure. I love the peacefulness of morning before daybreak.

Howard County MD. Photo by Mike Hartley

I think our county fair starts a week from today. I haven’t been there for the last few years, but I won’t make that mistake this year. It’s one of those throwback events that brings memories of working the announcements and information booth for our local newspaper. And handing out copies of the fair guide which we printed.

But no time like the present to make a good day. I’ve got a few challenges ahead of me today. Some physical ones that I’m a bit apprehensive of, not feeling 100% to start, but we will power through as always.

Stepped outside this morning and about 15 feet from a monster size buck (deer). He snorted and ran off but in the dark, it was a bit startling because I didn’t see him till he made that noise and as he turned to run, he rose up on his back legs, so he looked even more huge.

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • Stop discounting moments in your life. Even simple things are special.
  • One of the best feelings in life is a manual transmission and rear wheel drive.
  • I have a taste for a bacon and cheese omelet this morning. I know, I should have bacon, but it’s BACON.
  • The dentist said I had well-formed teeth.


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Orange

A sunrise a few mornings ago. I love when the sky paints the landscape.

A scenic view of a sunset over a field, with vibrant orange and purple hues in the sky and tall grasses in the foreground.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day.

  • I love the stillness of the night.
  • The day is coming where I unplug from the cable services and streaming services and just keep internet access.
  • Will business cards still exist years from now?
  • I’m disgusted that the Home Run Derby was on streaming. How are you supposed to get young kids interested in the game if they can’t see the stars.
  • I love the sound of the train in the distance in the mornings.


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Before sunrise

I like being up well before sunrise.

A beautiful sunset with pink and purple hues lighting up the sky, silhouetting trees in the foreground and a grassy field.
Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m going to find some new spots this week, but it was easy to start off at the Howard County Conservancy this morning.

A picturesque sunset over a field with vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky, silhouetted trees in the background, and tall grass in the foreground.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Two things happened that I wasn’t thrilled about while shooting.

A scenic view of a field at sunset, with vibrant purple and pink clouds reflecting the setting sun.
Photo by Mike Hartley

I happened to stand on an ant colony.

A picturesque sunset over a grassy field, with vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky and a forested area in the background.
Photo by Mike Hartley

The second was it started to rain. Now the benefit of that is when I turned around, I saw this rainbow over the Snowball Stand.

A colorful rainbow arcs over a quaint building surrounded by green trees at sunset, with a gazebo visible nearby and traffic lights in the foreground.
Photo by Mike Hartley


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A busy Monday

Lots to do this fine Monday in the Mid-Atlantic. Some great weather ahead following those storms of last night to do it in.

I love early mornings. Sometimes long before sunrise. But watching light come through my window while I’m working away is a nice feeling. This isn’t the view out my window but it’s a 5-minute walk away.

A serene landscape at dawn featuring a misty field with silhouettes of trees against a pastel pink and purple sky.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Musical Thoughts of the Morning

  • Live life like Angus Young plays guitar.
  • It’s not a bad idea to start the day with a song about love.
  • If it’s too loud you need to think younger.
  • I got up around 2am so Train Kept a Rollin All NIGHT Long here.
  • The Land of Confusion is in our Nation’s Capital.


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Shine on

Keep it coming sunshine. I’m loving it. Got out this morning for sunrise.

A beautiful sunrise with vibrant shades of purple and pink clouds in the sky, over a misty landscape with trees and a lush field.

Left my monopod in the other car so these are handheld.

A vibrant sunset over a misty field, featuring colorful clouds in shades of pink and purple against a clear sky.

They were shot at the corner of Route 99 and Woodstock Road in Howard County MD. Overlooking the Howard County Conservancy. I love mornings like this.

A vibrant sunset with orange and purple hues, silhouetted clouds, and dark tree outlines in the foreground.

I was up well before sunrise and got the whim to head up to the corner by the Snowball Stand.

A vibrant sunset with shades of pink and purple, featuring scattered clouds against a silhouette of trees in the foreground.

A nice mix of clouds and clear sky.

A serene landscape at sunset, featuring a vibrant pink and purple sky, with silhouetted trees and a misty field in the foreground.
A colorful sunset with shades of purple, pink, and orange visible among clouds, silhouetting trees in the foreground.

Played with a few different settings, angles and focal lengths.

A vibrant sunset with orange and pink hues spreading across the sky, silhouetting trees in the foreground.
A vibrant sunset with a colorful sky filled with clouds, silhouetting trees in the foreground.

I like getting out on summer mornings. I wish I could make that a habit year-round but that isn’t happening.

A vibrant sunset with shades of orange and yellow, casting a warm glow over silhouetted trees against a colorful sky.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Some time with family today will limit shooting this afternoon but I hope to get out this evening for some more images. I do have a few more hours this morning to play. Maybe some bird shooting from the deck. Let me get at it. Have a good morning, all.

Restaurant Review

Grille 620 in Turf Valley MD – It had been a few years since we ate there last. Not because we didn’t like it, there are just tons of great places to eat around here. But I had a taste for a good steak, and I wanted one close by. Both were accomplished.

Service was great. If I remember correctly, our servers name was Gabe. We did two apps; the Crab Stuffed Mushroom caps and the Thai Shrimp which was the best I’ve had. For the stuffed mushrooms I’m used to the shroons being a little more done, but they were still very tasty.

The 8oz. Fillet was perfectly cooked and very tender. The potato/mushroom/onion side was also very good. We split a Creme brulee which was also good.

Outside seating on a perfect evening. The umbrellas took away the sun and made the evening perfect. Inside looked a little dark for me. Maybe it was just coming inside from the bright sunshine to be seated. Overall, a great meal and time. We will be back.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • First cortisone injection in my foot. An interesting experience.
  • Each ride is its own slice of heaven.
  • The entitlement of some people always surprises me.
  • Always rely on yourself. That way if others disappoint, you still survive.
  • The overpopulation of people makes it seem like there is an overpopulation of deer.


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Advantage

Taking advantage of each day is my goal. That doesn’t mean taking advantage of others at all. Sacrificing is sometimes part of taking advantage of an opportunity to help someone else. Therefore, the opportunity for a rewarding feeling.

Yesterday we were helping our son and his family. And helping family is always rewarding.

Falling asleep early on Wednesday evening wasn’t the plan but taking advantage of the early Thursday morning is working out well. It’s been a good writing morning, and I’ve fired up the printer and went through a pack of 8×10 photo paper.

A colorful sunset over the ocean, with vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky and a calm sea in the foreground.
Off Ocean City MD. Photo by Mike Hartley

And then I got tired again around 7am, so I went back to bed for 4 more hours. Wow, a total of 7 hours sleep. I’m improving, even if I have to do it in shifts.

The sun did break through at the shore for a short time this morning but it’s going away for a bit here in Maryland. A good time to work on the inside of the home as I feel it starting to drizzle outside. I can clean up this basement while knocking out some effort on hobbies.

Back to making some prints, I’m on a roll with that.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’m really going to miss The Late Show.
  • Water, always the world’s greatest commodity.
  • The Knicks look like a team of destiny.
  • Being there is one of the most important things for another person.
  • I’ve been to Vegas once 40 years ago and have no desire to go back.
  • How can I make the best of today.


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No bad Mondays

When I retired, Mondays stopped being an issue. I hope that continues to be the case. It’s no different than any other day of the week. No dread of the beginning of another workweek. No morning commute. No stress of a boss and his follies. Well, it wasn’t my bosses. It was usually the people over them that were the issue.

Sorry I digressed. We are past that trauma. So, onto appreciating another fine start to the day. Something that I always didn’t consider when stressed or concentrating on other priorities of the day. Now I’m more relaxed and thankful that I have another day where I set the priorities.

There is no ripple in this force. Photo by Mike Hartley

And the priorities today are keeping a smile on my face and finishing a few art projects. I don’t know why but I feel different this day. Like I might be regaining some sense of control again. Been lacking a little energy lately but I feel it returning. Maybe putting the headphones on and getting into some positive thoughts have me buzzing.

I took advantage of the power and did some weightlifting this morning. I’ve been reading where that is more important in your senior years to keep that muscle strength and tone. Nothing serious just some dumbbells and bands.

I’ve got to download some bird shooting I did yesterday. Sent my kids the morning greetings and wish them a good week.

My better half did a good job cleaning up some of the basement and I have to follow suit and pick up my area. We have company coming this weekend, so I have to pretend I’m not sloppy.

But the main objective today is to detail the go-cart. I’m going to celebrate it’ 10th year anniversary a day early tomorrow being it’s going to be sunny and 80 degrees. That is a top-down cruising day if I’ve ever seen one on the horizon. I’m going out to burn some $5 a gallon fossil fuel and have a great time on some back roads and cruising towns.

And I can’t have a dirty car for the club meeting a week from today.

But first a trip to the hardware store.


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Opportunity

Gooood morninggggggg Vietnam. I just love that line from Robin Williams in the movie by the same name. No, I don’t like war and I don’t find myself happy in the one were in now. But onward to making it a good day.

It’s early morning and I’ve got to find a bright spot like a sunrise I captured years ago that I’ll use for inspiration because there won’t be one visible this morning in central Maryland.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I see a lot of opportunities for growth today. Then again, I’m having trouble seeing because the lighting SUCKS in parts of this house. The fixture in my workroom just went out and I was hoping to do some carving today because my better half just gave me some blocks that will be nice to experiment with. Maybe outside if the rain stops.

Well, back to the opportunities.

  • The first snowball of the season.
  • A trip to the hardware store.
  • Clean my office.
  • Write my children.
  • Get some exercise.
  • Take a nap so I can stay awake for tonight’s games.
  • I’m really a huge college basketball fan. I’m still in first place in the pool after last night’s action. So, tonight’s will be another nailbiter.


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Doing differently moving forward

What could you do differently? – Now that is one open question from the daily writing prompt.

I’m guessing all of us have a long list of things we could do differently. I just spent a few minutes and came up with a list. Now I’ve got to add these things to my many existing lists.

  • I could get more serious about exercising.
  • I could love more.
  • I could spend more time on the things I like doing.
  • I could sit with proper posture and get more sleep.
  • I could volunteer more.
  • I could modify my stock Miata.
  • I could organize this blog. Nah I like the mess.
  • I could get busy remodeling the basement.
  • I could try to adjust my attitude about winter and cold.
  • I could start following through on more of my ideas.
Audience for Sunrise in Ocean City. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Kickoff Monday

Well yeah, most all the football was played over the weekend. But this kickoff is a new week and new energy. Good Monday morning. The weekend party is over and priorities shift. Yes, even for those of us who are retired.

A very productive week is planned. Tons of tasks and chores to attend to, but all those make life possible. I hope to get back to my 3-4 posts a day after yesterday’s pause to a lone one. And that means I will be out shooting more to provide these grey posts some color and activity.

The warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by Mike Hartley

Wishing I was in a warmer climate like this shot I took in Florida a number of years back. It won’t get out of the 40s here today in central Maryland. I’ll still be out and about trying to capture something special along my steps.

Yesterday caught up with me in a number of ways, and plans for second half of the day were washed away. Starting off with a lack of sleep and followed by hours of physical work and a good meal and I was asleep probably before the second football game of the day ended.

I’m feeling that physical work from yesterday, with the power washer. Seems like an easy tool and is. It’s the positions you get into with it cleaning whatever it is your cleaning that hurt. Usually, your head is pointed up or down. Sometimes, your hunched over or up on a ladder balancing yourself with a gun that is providing kickback.

It’s a fun job. I’m getting proficient at it. I’ll be taking it back to my son’s home next year for another round. But that is another piece that is now stored away for the winter unless we get a usual heat wave.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Way to go, Maryland Men’s Soccer team. Undefeated Regular Season.
  • I call this my formal season. I wear suits often. Sweatsuits that is.
  • Ah another betting scandal involving another sport, Major League Baseball. The trouble is that sports won’t ever admit it was a mistake to get in bed with gambling.
  • I like the quote “Change is slow, until it isn’t” by Roger Spitz


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Are you ready

That sun is out, and I’ll ignore the few clouds about and make great use of the day. August is quickly getting away from me. I’m going for a front row seat myself and will enjoy this Friday. Even the physical labor part. Keeps me healthy.

Take a front row seat once in a while. Photo by Mike Hartley

Actually, I will get some seat time. I was out in the Miata last night and boy did I miss that car. Having a manual transmission again put a smile on my face. Out I’ll go again for some back roads with the top down and tunes on. Waves of the hand to bike riders and runners and of course, other Miata drivers.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The good part about weeding is you have to bend over further than touching your toes. Now no knee bending now.
  • I have a need for a snowball shortly after the stand will be opening today. Just put the gift cards from the kids in my wallet.
  • I Can’t BELIEVE I’m seeing some leaves falling from the trees out back already.
  • Your beach can be anywhere you want. Just keep those images alive in your head.


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Priorities

Interesting how priorities change with your health is challenged. Getting better quickly rises the ladder to the top rung in no time. Feeling better again today but a bit away from 100%.

I’ve got a few chores under my belt but far from what I normally accomplish. Pacing myself to health again. The pace I have chosen though doesn’t seem to be the one that my better half agrees with. I got “the look” when I was out trimming the yard.

I found a few images from my iPhone from one of my sunrise walks on the beach last week. The last few days have been very cloudy here in central Maryland. So, I need my sun and I figure why horde it.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • A week of family vacation, being sick for a few days after, I got away from looking at my favorite blogs. Don’t worry, I’m returning today.
  • As I’m getting older, I’m appreciating rest more.
  • RFK Jr is affecting your health and your loved ones in a NEGATIVE WAY. So, wake up and pay attention before he kills you or your loved ones.
  • Time to get more active in some causes and help the direction change.
  • Pizza for dinner. MMMMMM


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Substitute

Those were some storms last night. The shelf clouds that move into the area were quite impressive. And being the front hasn’t fully moved through this morning the sunrise was completely muted.

So I’ll provide one from days past that hopefully will brighten someone’s morning and maybe my own.

No color in this mornings sky so here is a taste of a good morning. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Evening came quickly

Another day in the books. Well for me it is, I’ll be hitting the rack shortly. My body is not cooperating today and I’m going to give it some extra rest.

Watching a sunset or sunrise with some is nice. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I think my granddaughter had a great day with us today. Mission accomplished.
  • When I roll my neck, it sounds like a truck going down a gravel road.
  • The division in people is getting very scary. It just seems to be brewing increased anger.
  • If I ever run out of different ice cream flavors to have, I’ll just start over again.
  • If this isn’t proof of needing to watch closely who you vote for, I don’t know what is.


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Good Tuesday Morning

I was out before sunrise and stopped grabbing a few images. Had trouble keeping moisture off the lens. 78 degrees and 88% humidity makes it a sticky morning. That sun will quickly burn it all off though.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Stay cool, or as cool as you can.


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Relaxing

Ship, sunrise, and surfers. Took this at Virginia Beach years ago and was just cleaning and had never noticed the Navy ship in the distance, just to the left of the sun before.

I can’t wait to put the toes in the sand. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • Would someone remind Spring that it’s Spring, because it certainly feels like winter this morning.
  • The Madness resumes this evening with the home team (Maryland) playing a #1 seeded Florida. Go Terps
  • I’m starting to be more satisfied at the end of each day.
  • Sleep was difficult again last night. A busy day ahead. Maybe a quick nap this afternoon.


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How much

I think peoples first thought when hearing “how much,” they think of monetary meanings. I think of it in time. There is nothing more valuable than time. It’s usually non-negotiable. Being a little older now I think of time a lot. Well, I don’t think about it as much, as I do try to use it wisely and as much of it as I can.

I finding myself getting more selective about who I spend it with and where. I’m making choices more about what I’m doing with that time. I’m not manically going from one thing to the next, in fact I do take more time now to appreciate moments that I would just move too quickly from in the past.

While I’m anxious to get more work created, I still take time to listen to a song or a little humor from a comedian so I can laugh and smile. After watching the grandkids for the day I’m walking around picking up toys with a painful back, but a smile on my face for having the time with them.

Taking the time to watch the sunrise and sunsets is one of my favorites.

Each wave is like a life event. They just keep coming, till they don’t. Photo by Mike Hartley

I spent a lot of time in my life working. A lot. Probably more than I should have. And it’s too late to change that mistake. I don’t sleep well so I probably am awake more than the average person so that gives me a few more hours a day. Of course I may pay for that down the road.

The time it took my children to grow up went way too fast in looking back. And now the years seem to be passing quickly again watching grandchildren grow.

So what do I do with the wonderful gift of time I have today?

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • I think the thing I liked about the band The Who, was that they all wanted to play lead and each one the loudest.
  • There are a tremendous amount of good people. I just wished they would speak out more often.
  • That morning shower felt extra good today.
  • This is one of the rare occasions I get to use Mother Nature against herself. I’d guess there is about 4 inches of snow on the ground. Some rain is predicted later and tomorrow it will be near 50. Melting is preferable to shoveling.


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Up and Out

Good timing this morning in taking the car to the garage for a tire issue. Caught the sunrise off Woodstock Road going towards Route 99. On the way home it was in the clouds already.

The phone camera is good in a pinch. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m not enjoying the cold, but I am enjoying getting out early in the day. I think I’ll try to make a habit of it this year. I’m always up early, but this home is so comfortable it’s hard to leave it.

Photography Journey Day 68 – 1/8/25

You may have noticed I skipped a few days/weeks update. It’s not that I’m not editing, shooting, uploading, downloading, admiring my new monopod, reading or unsuccessfully trying some new settings. I’m just not disciplined as I need to be with updates, so I’m hoping back on the wagon.

This morning I’m reading Street Photography Tips from StreetsOfNuremberg.com – this is an area of my photography that I need to practice much more of. So hopefully some more work will be shown here soon.

Also working on finishing up the holiday prints for family. That will be another 50 easily. Then upload the high-def batch to the family vault.

There is a good chance I’ll get out and do some more snow shooting today. I’ve already stepped out back and shot some snow drift patterns. Trouble is I have one of those sinus headaches going strong.


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What a trip

We spent the last few days in Ocean City Maryland and it was a great time. The trip was for the 27th annual Endless Summer Cruisin event. The weather was great and the place was rockin’. I sucked in enough high-octane fuel fumes for a year.

We had a place on the boardwalk on 15th Street so the morning parade for 2 mornings was great. I shot one from the balcony and another from the boards. We also hit the show at the Convention Center and the Inlet parking lot.

It was a real treat staying at a nice hotel on the oceanfront on the boardwalk. The offseason rates are nice and as I opened the slider to the balcony the sunrise yesterday morning, it made it seem cheap.

No ocean sunrise this morning. But it was sure nice yesterday. Photo by Mike Hartley

Many miles were walked, and many miles were cruised. I had my favorite cherry ice cream soda from Dumsers on the way out of town today. Road all the way home with the top down enjoying the wonderful sunshine and temp of about 80 degrees.

The editing of the hundreds of images I took has just begun. Please don’t panic, I won’t bore you with tons of them in the next few days. I will however sprinkle some of my favorites in now and then. Lots of them are works of art to me.

The show is full of customs and muscle cars/trucks. So I was a little out of place driving around in a Miata but I don’t care, I had a great time.

I’m a Camaro guy myself. I once owned a 74 that was very nice. Photo by Mike Hartley