Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Tales of a Skywatcher

swftomSky Watch Friday is a photo meme with photos of sunrises, sunsets, blue skies, gray skies, pink skies, dark skies and any other kind of sky posted by bloggers all over the planet.

moon
Last week I noted two wonderful Sky Watch posts: Guy in Regina and Carletta in West Virginia. Guy wrote: “I’m sure glad I had my camera while I was driving down Lakeshore Drive…” and Carletta said: “As I look through the branches of the big old oak tree often I catch a glimpse of the sky and know a sunset I wouldn’t want to miss is about to happen. Traces of pink in this image were enough to make me grab my camera last Thursday as I was looking at Sky Watch posts and head outside.”

cupola
I wanted to share with you a bit of how I get photos. Two of my three kids take art classes across town with Jill, so I’m often driving from the North side of Highland Park (where I live) to the South side (where Jill lives). It seems that this driving is often around sunset (at least in winter). So on the particular day that I took these photos, I had a few minutes before I needed to pick up my daughter, and I headed over to the high school to see the cupola (see above) and its sky. On my way, I captured the moon (see top photo).

high_school
I enjoyed the pinks and blues on top of the high school, but I realized that I had to rush to get my daughter on time.

sign_post
On my way in my car to get my daughter I need to cross Raritan Avenue. I photographed the above while waiting for the light to change. You can see by the upper right of the photo that I’m taking this through my windshield.

back_hs
Once my daughter was in the car with me, we re-crossed Raritan Avenue. A quick glance down Raritan toward the river and New Brunswick displayed a powerful, colorful sunset. But I decided to head over to the back of the high school with my daughter. This is what I caught in the back.

hs_blur
Here’s my six-year-old daughter’s contribution to this post (she took this picture).

hs_snow
In contrast here’s how the high school and cupola looked this morning during a brief snowfall.

Robin says

That's a high school? So different from those here, and even from modern monstrosity I attended in NY...

Very pretty skies. I know what you mean about the sunset driving. I'm often coming home with my kids right and dusk and wishing I had my camera with me as the light turns this gorgeous golden pink color. One of these days...

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Ilana-Davita says

Thanks for this tour of HP. This High School is a great building.

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JewWishes says

What wonderful photographs! I love the varied settings, perspectives and comparisons. I love your daughter's photo! :)

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LUIZ SANTILLI JR says

Hi Leora

Marvelous takes!

Luiz

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torsdag says

Wonderful series, and thanks to your daughter for her beautiful different contribution.
Hallo from Germany Hartmut

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Louise says

Great captures! I have never one time not regretted it when I leave my camera at home when I'm driving somewhere.

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Photo Cache says

You're little one's on the right track already. I have my point and shoot in the glove compartment of the car all the time.

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East Gwillimbury WOW! says

Wonderful post, Leora. I'm not surprised your children take art lessons since you seem very arty yourself. And taking your camera just in case...well, that's just very smart!

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Steffi says

Very beautiful photos and a nice post!Have a nice weekend!

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ellen b says

Wonderful series of shots. I like the architecture of that high school!

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Ida says

Nice series. :)

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Kathiesbirds says

I love the architecture of the cupola agains the sky both in the upper photos and this last one all with snow. I like your daughter's photo also with the colorful movement it shows. I suppose the world often looks like this to children! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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Gemma says

Great shots! Love seeing your world around you in your daily activities! Most interesting! And really love your little one's shot! It looks like a watercolour painting!

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Mojo says

I think out of the lot, I like the streetlight shot the best (oddly enough). The small spark in an otherwise subdued scene makes all the difference.

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Jill says

Your daughter's photo makes me think of Van Gogh's haystacks and cypress trees... minus the parking lines!
Very nice photos.
Jill

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Leora says

Jill, I think I'm going to post the picture of you and my daughter. Maybe on Saturday night. Stay tuned!

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The Rocky Mountain Retreat says

AHHHH.... very good series of photos!! I enjoyed them all. You have a wonderful blog!
~Michele~
Mountain Retreat

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mary says

Yep, we had that same snowfall here in Basking Ridge, too. I didn't realize you are in Highland Park. That's about a half hour away from me!

Love all your shots -- my daughter is driving now, so I actually tend to miss some good Skywatch shots because I'm not out driving her around... :)

Have a great weekend!

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Carletta says

Ah Leora, I'm blushing. I'm so glad you liked it.
These are wonderful. That cupola is a very nice piece of architecture. I liked the first shot of it but this last one with the snow is my favorite.
I keep going back and looking at your daughters photo. You couldn't have planned one like that. Jill said it reminded her of Van Gogh - coming from her teacher I'd say your daughter has a gift. :)

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magiceye says

they are all 'oh so beautiful'!

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Indrani says

Sky watch meme has kept me gazing at the sky very often and I am glad.
Lovely series of shots you have today!

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Arija says

Very nice highschool, like the tower.

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Chris says

Beautiful series! And I like the photo from your daughter, like experimental photographie.

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lawstude says

those contrasting pics are equally beautiful leora.

sorry for not visiting lately because my law profession has been eating-up most of my time. but i just can't help to check on one of my fave blogs whenever i can. have a nice day.

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Quietpaths says

I love winter light and you have certainly captured the feel here in your photos.

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Quietpaths says

PS: enjoy your ski trip!

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ramblingwoods says

Clever to show the difference...Your daughter did a fine job..smile

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ViennaDaily says

Beautiful series of photos! I like the last one best...with a thin layewr of snow. Happy weekend!

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Jientje says

Your daughter is a very artistic photographer!!! Beautiful series!!
Oh and um, thanks for the kind birthday wishes Leora!

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system operator says

Hi again! I'm very glad that you remembered me and welcomed me back so hartily! I liked how you made a story from you evening and trip through town. And also hello to your daughter, glad that you had some time with just girls:)

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wren says

The best pictures just present themselves, don't they?

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