“Winding down the day, at waters edge, the breeze in my face, there is not much better to end the day in peace.” – Ed Lehming

As a continuation from yesterday’s “Standing in Awe” post, here’s the same vantage point but looking to my right. I had nearly forgotten that we were just emerging from a few days of wildfire smoke from northern Ontario, which can be seen lingering on the horizon, subtly altering the colors of the landscape.

The beach, which stretches off to the right, had largely emptied out by this time of day, with only a few stragglers enjoying the last moments of sunlight. There was a slight breeze that kept the grasses in the foreground (also from yesterday’s image) swaying gently, complemented the tranquil atmosphere. The oak tree on the shore evidences years of enduring shore breezes as it leans over the bluff below, its branches reaching out towards the lake as if trying to embrace it. There are days when it seems like the wind is all that prevents it from tumbling into the water below, giving the tree a precarious presence. It was this tree that inspired the title for this image, as it embodies the beauty and struggle of nature.

Once more, the skies offered beautiful wispy textures and a wide range of tones, from soft pastels to deeper hues as the day transitioned to dusk. It was a nice way to end another beautiful summer day in the County, a moment to reflect on the simple yet profound beauty that surrounds us.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
Main Camera — 16 mm
1/100 sec, ƒ/2.2, ISO 50