Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Pinnacle Overlook at Sunset


We were staying at the Pine Mountain State Park Lodge (which is about 10 miles from the Pinnacle).. SO---we hurried through our dinner on Friday night at the lodge restaurant, and headed to the Pinnacle... We 'missed' seeing the sun --as it went down, but we did see a gorgeous sky. Above is a picture of the pink sky ---and the reflections coming from Fern Lake. Isn't that beautiful????? Below are more pictures.




I took this picture through the trees ---and liked it --when I put it on the computer.. It's almost like seeing a beautiful sunset --surrounded by a border!!!




Don't you enjoy seeing pictures at dusk???? From the overlook, we were obviously looking away from the sun ---toward Tennessee and Virginia. Beautiful, huh?




The sky just kept getting prettier and prettier, the darker it got.




Dark...




...Darker...




...DARKEST...

Guess what???? The gate to the Overlook is supposed to be LOCKED at DARK... SO---we finally had to hustle back down that mountain and just hope that the rangers hadn't locked us IN.... I wasn't prepared to sleep in the car overnight... ha ha (Luckily, the gate was still OPEN.)

Hope you enjoyed seeing our pictures from the Pinnacle Overlook. What a fabulous place ---and even though I enjoyed being there in the morning, my favorite time was at sunset... IF we go back sometime. I want to be up there and actually watch the sun go down!!!!! WOW!!!


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We have had visitors to our feeders this week... I love it when the Red-breasted Grosbeaks visit us on their way south for winter. They stop by here in the spring on their way north, and again in the fall, headed south. They are always welcome here... The males have lost much of their brilliant colors when they stop by in the Fall. But--aren't they just such pretty little birds, no matter how much color they have lost????

Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Hugs,

58 comments:

Valerie said...

What a lovely sunset. Love the pinks and blues/ I especially love the lights of the the towns and cities(?) I can just imagine the wind blowing and the lights twinkling and the peacefulness of being in a spot to look down on it all.

I wonder if God thinks the lights are an addition to the beauty he created or a detraction? They sure are pretty when we look up at the sky and see the twinkling stars.

What a magnificent part of the world to live in. We are so very flat here in Western NY. I am going to miss our trip to the Adirondaks on Columbus Day -
Keep those pictures coming as I live vicariously thru you!!

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Betsy, What pretty pictures today. The night sky is so peaceful. It must have been magical to be there in person!
The little bird is so sweet! Hope you have a very nice day.

Cicero Sings said...

Gorgeous skies Betsy.

Jane said...

Good morning Betsy!

I love the night time shots! Truly spectacular!

Jane

Darla said...

That view is something else Ms. Betsy! Gorgeous photos. Congrats on you migrating visitor, it's always exciting to see new and or different birds in the yard.

pam said...

Your posts are like little vacations for my soul.

diane b said...

Crikey some of your followers are up early to write comments. It is 8:15 pm here. The sunset series is lovely. I was surprised to see so many lights as the daytime shots from there make it look like it is all forest but obviously there are some leafy towns down there. I was worried you were going to be sleeping on the mountain. I'm glad the gate was open.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Stunning images.Sunset is such a soft time.I love it.
Blessings,Ruth

Arkansas Patti said...

Loved your "framed" shots. Just beautiful. Also enjoyed the Christmas tree effect of the town lights.
Getting time for me to start putting my feeders out. Don't feed in the summer on count of the Cow Birds.
I still have a few hummers who are passing thru. I keep the nectar out for the migraters.

Peggy said...

You capture just the right moments and make it look so easy. Like we are standing there with you. Love the view! I am getting lots of birds at the feeders and enjoying watching everyone. With the rains coming in for a few days it will be quiet around the feeders.

Dorothy said...

Good Morning, Betsy! I love your pretty pictures today. Even if you did miss the sunset, what could be better than that after-glow?? The twinkling lights just add to the magic!

Neal said...

Of all the times I've been up there I've never been up there when it's gotten dark. I'll have to do that ... can't let you get ahead of me. :)

Unknown said...

Oooooooo! Ahhhhhhhhh! Love the colors of your sunsets. I also like the lights from the traffic and town, kind of reminds me of fire flies! We had a beautiful sunrise this morning. Hope that is a prelude to a beautiful day for you and me both!

Have a great one!
~Lana

From the Kitchen said...

I would like to enlarge your header and fill my den window with it!!!!!

Love the nightfall photos. That's something I need to read up on. I tried taking some night photos of Christmas decorations (outside) with my point and shoot and they turned out really strange (and not in a good way).

Best,
Bonnie

Susie said...

Love all those pics Betsy. I like seeing all the twinkling lights.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

LOVE all sunset photos.

Also LOVE all twinkling night lights photos.

And your Header is majestic.

-happy sigh-

amelia said...

What absolutely stunning pictures!!!! Words fail me because I can't say more that everyone else has. It's almost as if these pics should be framed and hung on your wall in order.

It's funny you say that the rose breasted grosbeaks head south because we only get them in the winter and as you know, out winters are very cold. I've never seen them with these colours just the females who don't have the breast and wing colour but only see them black, white and red!!

Becca's Dirt said...

Stunning photos Betsy. What an awesome place to visit. Must feel like your sitting on top of the world.

Kim said...

Such GORGEOUS pictures! My family lives in NJ, but hubby and I always take our kids to Tennessee for vacation and we always bring friends/family with us. It is our favorite state! We stay in Pigeon Forge and love to visit Gatlinburg and Cade's Cove in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
Glad I visited your blog!
xoxo,
Kim

Small City Scenes said...

Great shots Betsy. I was going to say--I like this one best--when along came another "BEST". They all are wonderful. I love the lights of the towns way down in the valleys.
Ain't our country great!!! MB

NCmountainwoman said...

So glad you didn't have to sleep in the car. Beautiful sunset.

MadSnapper said...

breathtaking, each and every one. I like the ones that look like God through a handfull of diamonds and scattered them in the valleys. love love love all of them, just feeding me more memories. tomorrow my post will be clear creek

Glenda said...

These are some of your prettiest pics, Betsy - almost magical!

Anonymous said...

Ofttimes people photograph the sunset and then leave, missing the beautiful colors in the sky after the sun has set. I loved the photographs of the sky as the time lengthened from the time the sun had set. I like the photographs of the lights twinkling in the towns way below the mountain too.

Jo said...

What a beautiful set of dusk photos, Betsy! The twinkling lights look like jewels. And the grosbeak. I would LOVE to see one. He is magnificent, even with waning colours. Thanks for your visit to my childrens' blog. Bless you my friend. (((hugs))) Jo

Jo said...

What a beautiful set of dusk photos, Betsy! The twinkling lights look like jewels. And the grosbeak. I would LOVE to see one. He is magnificent, even with waning colours. Thanks for your visit to my childrens' blog. Bless you my friend. (((hugs))) Jo

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

These are such beautiful dreamy photos, Betsy. I love sunsets but we rearely see them when we travel as both my husband and I don't like to drive in unlit rural roads at night. We don't trust the vision in our middle age plus eyes.

When we visited the "Hetch Hetchy" area of Yosemite where the big dam is the rangers told us we had to be out of that area of the park by 7:30 PM or they would come looking for us! I guess it is for security reasons. Only about 100 people a day drive out that far in the park. It was worth seeing!

♥ Pat

nanny said...

what a view!!!
I love the twinkling lights...so peaceful!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Amazing photos Betsy...just made my day!!! Great shot of the little birdie, I enjoyed seeing all of his colors so closely!!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Betsy, what a georgous series of pictures!!! Gads, as if it's not scary enough with you two running around hiking on slippery rocks and going up halfway to the moon on windy mountain roads with cliffs and drop-offs, now you are dallying late inside gates, almost being trapped inside. Don't MAKE me give you two kids a curfew! The sky is luscious, but my favorite part is the twinkling lights down below, that's what Waynesboro looks like at night from the top of the mountain, but I've never been able to get a picture of it because you can only see it from the interstate, coming off and going down into town. The Grosebeak looks more like a sparrow as he loses his color.

Sciarada said...

Ciao Betsy, which patterns of colors you managed to capture with these photos are breathtaking, and then the bird is adorable!
Have a good evening!

Cheryl said...

Oh goodness Betsy, your photos are a delight! I think the darkening sky photos are very pretty. I am just getting around to visiting everyone's blogs after a being under the weather for a bit. I am slowly catching up and your post today made me feel much better! Hugs to you, Betsy!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic photos! Tennessee and Virginia are starting to look a lot like Los Angeles. Hows your traffic problem lately? I hope it never gets as bad as ours! :-)

Rose said...

your photos are very beautiful. you have a great eye for taking pictures. i would love to travel as you have. love the mountains. the veiw is beautiful. thanks for comment re horses. they unfortunately are off andon still getting into the yard. have a good day. rose

J_on_tour said...

These are great sunset photos, well done.

Carletta said...

It was wonderful for you to be up there above everyone and be able to see such glorious color as the lights below came on. Wonder how many of those below were too busy to notice the change over the mountain.
You waited and got some gorgeous shots of the changing color!

Connie said...

That view just got prettier and prettier, Betsy! Very nice. Thanks for sharing those with us. :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

You are so funny...I can't imagine the post if you had been locked IN all night!!! Beautiful photos...what a great place to see.

JunieRose2005 said...

WOW! Betsy- these are just so beautiful- every one!!

I love seeing the sky just after sunset- when you get those pastel colors!

Love your little visitor at your feeder too!


Junie

Debbie Taillieu said...

Beautiful pictures Betsy! I LOVE your new header!!! Can't wait to get there and see it for myself!!

LV said...

All your pictures are great. I really like the ones up high and looking down at the city lights.

I Am Woody said...

What a fantastic place! We had a fabulous sunset here yesterday. It was cloudy all day and as the sun went down, the light broke thru and set the sky on fire. And I didn't have my camera!!!!

Rose said...

Betsy, words cannot describe how beautiful these are. They are fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Oh the Grosbeak is so pretty even if not in top color! So glad you put the picture up on your blog today. I will be on the look out for this bird. I've never yet seen one. Have an excellent evening tonight and a great day tomorrow!

Shelley said...

I see you have some of my grosbeak birds Betsy! Take good care of them! :-) Enjoyed your vacation photos - the sky was brilliant! Also love your blog header! I just love fall!!
Hugs,
Shelley

Lynda said...

Those pictures are pretty enough for postcards!!!!! I, too, love the one that looks like it has a border. The whole trip was worth it for the shots you got.

Janie said...

The grosbeak is a pretty boy.
I just love the sunset photos, all of them. The city lights look like jewels, and the lake below is so lovely. I hope you get to go back to see another sunset.

Diane said...

Beautiful shot of the grosbeak. What a pretty little bird.
Your other pictures are very pretty and I love the lights of the town. Diane

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

I so enjoyed these pictures today...nothing like a pink sky!

carolina nana said...

What beautiful pics,I love sunsets and sunrises, but I mostly see the sunsets,haha!
I love the sparkly lights of the town down in the valley.
Have a blessed tomorrow,we're really cool over here.
Marilyn

Ashley Ashbee said...

Beautiful pictures! I love that time of day, after the sun is gone, but there's still light. A lot of people don't like the night, so I'm glad you appreciate it. That bird is so sweet. I saw a blue jay today and I got so excited! Birds are so cheerful. It's fun to spot the rarer ones. You're right about the birds being just as pretty after the colours are less vibrant.

Sunny said...

Your first picture would make an awesome painting. The colors are just gorgeous.
How lucky you are to take such wonderful trips and how lucky we are that you share them with us :)
☼ Sunny

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh Betsy, what a gorgeous place for photos. The overlook gave you some fantastic views which you captured beautifully.

Even though the lights in the valley are pretty my favorite shot is the first one with that pink reflection on the lake. The little Grosbeak is so cute.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow! great to see how the same scenery changes with sun goes down. The top photo is my favourite. Cool colors!!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Such lovely night photos.

In the mountains of Borneo, at the Mulu caves, they also have a series of mountains called the Pinnacles. it takes 10 hours to walk up, so I didn't try to climb up. Then they sleep overnight in rangers huts.

Love Of Quilts said...

Oh Betsy thoses are marvelous pictures of the dark and a really nice one of the lake. Trish

ruthinian said...

the changing color of the horizon at dusk gave a dramatic outlook at sunset. it is always breathtaking.

KathyA said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy!

I think we've had a couple of grosbeaks in our yard lately. BTW, I was standing on the balcony of our room as our ship was rounding Cape Charles and entering the Chesapeake Bay and a juvenile osprey flew over and landed on the railing of the suite next to us! I talked to him/her for about 5 minutes. I thought it so funny!