Canal at Dawn

I got up at 4.45AM today to see the so-called Perseid shower, a "once in a decade outburst."  (A little more on that later).  The only reason for mentioning my early rising is that I found myself on the C&O Canal by 5.50AM, just in time for a hot, sticky 79F dawn!

I got to the Big Water part of the Canal and looked back.  There was only a hint of color in the sky and the world was perfectly still.  Framed by the branches of an overhanging tree, this was the zen moment that keeps me coming here three or four times a week.  I had seen no humans at this point, only two rather slow-moving deer who stood in the middle of the tow path staring at me before wandering off down the steep hill to the Potomac River.  Further along, a small grey heron was completely rigid in the water waiting for some unsuspecting bass or sunfish to provide a breakfast snack.  All was well with the world.

 Canada Geese heading West across the early morning sky

 Not something you see every morning on the C&O Canal.  Some guy had (illegally) driven his car along the tow path and gone over the edge in the dark!

 I think he was lucky not to end up in the drink.  When I came back this way, there was a police car further along the tow path.  Don't like to think what sort of fine he would pay for this, not to mention the towing charge!

 Great Falls in a strangely flat light.  

By the time I got back, morning had truly broken

And, now back to the Perseid "shower" which I did not want to put at the top of this blog because the photos are so uninspiring as you can see below!

Unfortunately, there are nothing but street and house lights where I live.  After staring at the sky with my camera for about 20 minutes, I did capture this chunk of black sky with some light source that was moving rapidly at the far left.  Not exactly a "shower" but it was the best I could do.

Here is the real thing as captured by Jason Miller over Mount Laguna, California.  At least you can see a shooting star but not exactly a "shower" of comets.