February 2025

Throughout my photo journey, there are different situations that may occur when you are able to capture a unique image.

There are some that are planned – very planned. You’ve scouted a location, watched for sun patterns. Despite the planning, weather or other factors may hamper the effort, and you start planning again.

There are some that happen because you have an idea. This is less specific, but there may still be some planning involved. These could be some sunrise or sunset images, the Milky Way, or even cityscape shots that you have a hunch about.   Buffalo LighthouseThe Buffalo Lighthouse photograph captured against the background of colorful October skies.

And then there are those that may just happen.

The last situation describes the February image. I am always looking for a good sunrise or sunset image, so when I am out during those parts of the days, I am continually looking towards the sky – studying the cloud cover, and the trying to see if the conditions are right to create one of those famous sunsets.

Last October (yes, I know it’s the February image, but sometimes that just has to be that way) I was driving home from work, and the sky started to break into one of its glorious sunsets. Luckily, I’ve learned that a good sunset show can last 30 minutes or more, with the colors becoming more vibrant, and deepening well after the sun has drifted below the horizon.

As I was driving along the I-190, I knew I had to pull over somewhere to try to get a photo of this sunset event, but wasn’t sure exactly how much time I had or where I could go. As I approached downtown, I decided that I could make it to the Erie Basin Marina area, and that the Buffalo Light would provide a great scene for the colorful October skies (Thanks Van).

As I was capturing a series of images, a gentleman sat on a park bench alongside me, and he was doing some work on a laptop – and occasionally he would look up to see some of the sky’s show. It was a little chilly, but probably worth doing some work, and enjoying a beautiful evening on Buffalo’s waterfront.

Sometimes they’re planned, and sometimes they just happen. Either way, the thrill of the photo hunt is always exciting for me.

Enjoy!

The image is available on my Etsy site.