4:50 a.m. 817 consecutive (almost) days on my daybreak walk at Cove Island Park. 816 days, like in a row.
I walk.
You know the formula for a great photo day-break:
- Low Tide.
- Clouds.
- No Humans.
And today, a Trifecta Miss = Poor shooting day on all three counts. (Shooting, meaning not assault weapons, but with a Canon. Sorry, assault weapons are top of mind.)
Yet, there’s a consolation prize. It’s the end of July. Humidity is low, it’s 63° F and breezy. What’s better than that?
But even with the magical weather, I’m restless, uninspired. I plod around the park, itching to get back into the car and do Something. And I’m apparently not alone, with Seán Hewitt, in All Down Darkness Wide, “Even in these quiet moments I was afraid of purposelessness.”
I turn back thinking I’ll get a stalker silhouette shot with some kids on the break wall. And at that moment, Something, makes me stop and look out onto Long Island Sound. There, in the sky, an osprey prowls in a tight circle overhead. Being a sh*tty measure of distance, I couldn’t tell you whether he was 100 feet or 100 yards up, but let’s just say he was high.
First miracle of the morning. I actually stop and see if anything will happen. He widens his arc overhead, and continues to circle. Just wait DK, just wait another bloody minute. If he can circle and wait for food, so can you. Just wait, damn it.
He continues to circle. And circle. And circle.
And then he drops.
A shot, straight downward, his wings tight to his breast. Think Greg Louganis from the 10-meter platform as he’s preparing to enter the water. Except this is 5x higher.
He keeps dropping.
He enters the water. And he’s under.
1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, and he exits with his catch, slaps his wings once, and then slaps them again, and he’s airborne.
DK! DK! IDIOT! GET THE CAMERA OFF YOUR SHOULDER.
Second miracle of the morning: I get 2 shots off.
I will remember this.
Notes: Photos: DK @ Daybreak. 5:15 to 5:40 a.m. July 31, 2022. 63° F. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT. More photos from this morning here (birds), and here (landscape)
Live & Learn 
miracle all around
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That it was!
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Beautiful photo, DK!
Cove Island Park and all its creatures look forward to you stopping by every morning, Fauna and Flora, the Moon the Clouds and the Stars.
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Thank you! Sawsan, you might be right!!
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I know I am right, in this instance 🙂
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I love that you were so in the moment, enraptured by what you were witnessing, that you forgot to shoot. And how fantastic that you got those two shots! They are beautiful…
Yesterday, as I was trekking in the islands of Boucherville, I, too, was on the hunt for birds. I was about to take one with my phone, to share with my beau, when it took off. I had to quickly stuff the phone in my pocket and pick up the camera. I’m not in love with what I did capture but might share them anyway…
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Thanks Dale. You MUST share. I’m waiting on Instagram!
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I will. Promise 😉
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
More morning wonder … “Second miracle of the morning: I get 2 shots off.”
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Thanks Horty!
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You will remember this, but the fish that the osprey caught, will not.
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Ha! So true Anneli!
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Poor little dinner guy.
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It’s about timing. Nice capture.
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So true! Thank you!
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WOW! Annnd you snapped a night heron as well! Wonderful! (This all is way better than the morning run, isn’t it?)
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God, Yes! Thank you!
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😊
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The nature Gods are definitely on your side! 👏👏
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Aren’t they though?! And not just some Haka God!?!
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Patience, grasshopper….and it is rewarded! Great story, terrific shots. 💪💕
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Thanks Lori!
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No humans 😂
Beautiful captures!
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😄. Thank you!
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Woohoo! So worth the wait.
There is wisdom here.
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Yes! Thank you!
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