Views near Golden Grove

Yesterday afternoon the rain clouds rolled in. The wind picked up; the air smelled like the ocean. Thunder growled a warning. And then the rain broke loose. I closed the windows and kept working. After a while, the sky grew lighter, and when I looked up the sun was shining again, long, late afternoon golden light slanting through the pouring rain.

Wait a minute.

Late afternoon sunlight…in the pouring rain…

There must be a rainbow! A perfect end to this beautiful (Jewish) New Year’s day.

As if the rainbow weren’t enough, the sun put on a show too.

 

 

Views near Golden Grove

Dan and I have been here on Block Island since Thursday, and just as the United States Weather Service forecasted, it’s been cloudy and occasionally foggy and rainy. It’s been beautiful, and I’m not complaining. It’s always beautiful here on the island. But the last thing we expected was any kind of color at sunset. So, imagine our surprise when…

This is a gift. This is why we’re here on the island.

This is why we human beings are here on this Earth. The planet is beautiful, and we are here for only a short time. Appreciate it. Take care of it.

 

Views near Golden Grove

After a long summer off Block Island, with travel to faraway lands, I’m beginning to yearn to be back on the island again. So I went through my archive of September photographs to see where on the western skyline the sun would be setting this time of year.

Looks like it will be setting over Sachem Pond when we return in a week or so.

Views near Golden Grove

Warm late-spring days are truly magical on the island. The air is sweet with roses and Russian olive blossoms. The sun is strong and hot during the day and the stars are bright at night, but at sunrise and sunset a cool fog rises from the sea. And the elements dance: fire and air, sea and land.

Views near Golden Grove

I am especially partial to those sunset moments when the sun approaches the horizon so that the thickness of the air makes it go all gibbous and misshapen. Especially if there are a few clouds about to enhance the effect.

Views near Golden Grove

This is a first: A post about Block Island while I am still on the island. And pictures of the sky and almost-sunset within twenty-four hours of when they were taken.

Yesterday we took advantage of the clear weather to plant a number* of new Rosa rugosas and weed the garden out front. But at about 5:30 I had to take a break in order to photograph the sky. The prediction was for rain starting at about 5am, and the sky was beginning to cloud up with an effect that looked like some kind of aery ocean.

Below it, the ocean and the pond were lit up like some kind of watery sunfire.

Later that evening, the clouds thickened. There was only one narrow sliver of sunset, and that, only for a few moments.

Today, as promised, it’s been raining. All day. Good for the Rosa rugosa.

——————

* eight

Views near Golden Grove

I’m going to skip over the sunsets from our last weekend on the island and go right away to the moonrise. The moon was full–so full that objects cast sharp shadows in the silver light. On the night we left, the moon was rising as we waited for the ferry. It was mostly veiled by clouds, but I caught this moment at Old Harbor.

Hard as it is to believe, I will be out of the country–and probably without my computer–this time next week. If I am able to make posts, I’ll write about my trip. So for now the sunsets are on hold. More in January!

Happy holidays, everyone!