Evening Watch
After a quiet hike at Ellis Creek, just before heading back to my car, I paused to take in the scene that would become “Evening Watch.” The warm, golden light of late autumn stretched across the sky, creating the perfect backdrop. I have a habit of always “looking back” before leaving a spot, just to make sure I’m not missing anything. For me, it’s about finding the intimacy within a landscape—the small, quiet details that bring the larger picture to life.
A group of blackbirds perched silently on the branches of a tree caught my eye. Their dark silhouettes stood out against the golden glow of the sky. The last leaves of the season clung stubbornly to the branches, their faded yellows illuminated like tiny flames. The scene felt effortless, as if nature had composed it just for this moment. I knew this was a scene others would connect with—a timeless reminder of nature’s beauty and stillness.
As I framed the shot, I couldn’t help but think about how much the title I had thought of, “Evening Watch,” resonates with my military background. The concept of a watch—of standing guard, observing, and staying attuned to the world—is deeply ingrained in me.
There’s a quiet duty in watching over something, a sense of presence and purpose that this scene of blackbirds seemed to echo. Their calm vigilance reminded me of the moments I spent on watch, appreciating the stillness while remaining fully present. The air was still, and time seemed to slow as I took it all in.
For me, it’s also a reflection of my military roots—a connection between the natural world and the quiet strength of standing watch.
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