Stillness and Light: 14 Moments from One Evening at Farmington Bay
If you remember, I returned from my trip, (Flaming Gorge - June 2025) with 2,683 images waiting to be revealed — moments captured across Utah’s wild waters. But before diving into the full archive, I felt drawn to begin right where I left off: Farmington Bay.
That evening felt like an opening chapter: imperfect, sun-drenched, and full of quiet beauty. But it was also something more — the beginning of a deeper focus.
I wasn’t just wandering through the refuge. I was there to observe, to collect moments, and to capture wildlife for a new purpose: our Timeless Collection.
As the sun moved through golden hour into blue, each bird and reflection became a possible addition to a growing body of work — one rooted in stillness, presence, and wonder.
🌞 Golden Hour – The First Impressions
1. The Pelican in the Pond – 6:04 PM
A lone pelican drifted in a small pond, lit by intense summer light. He felt old, timeless. The reflection off the water glared, but the energy of that moment grounded me. 
2. Killdeer on the Rock – 6:14 PM
She stood perfectly still on a rock beside the trail. Graceful, grounded, and alert. My second “model” of the day. 
3. Osprey on the Feeder – 6:24 PM
At first I thought I had spotted a bald eagle, but it was an osprey — watching me closely the entire time. A powerful, solitary figure in golden light. 
4. American Avocet and the Fleeing Ducks – Shortly after 6:24 PM
The avocet stood still; the ducks fled the moment they saw me. I whispered, “Please stay,” but they were gone. I felt their fear — a moment of beauty laced with sadness. 
5. Ducks in the Distance – 7:13 PM
Across the water, a group of ducks basked in the warm light. One stretched its wings wide like it was on vacation. I stood for a long time just watching, recharging. 
6. Grounded Geese in the Grass – Late afternoon
A group of Canada geese foraged calmly in green grass. One stood guard while the others ate. Their earthy colors matched the quietness of the moment. 
🌅 Sunset – A Slow Descent
7. Satin Waters and Silent Watch – Around 8:30 PM
Two Canada geese near a flowering bush, with rose-colored water surrounding them. One stood tall, one half-visible. The softness of the scene moved me. 
8. A Sunset I Needed – Golden Hour Glow
The sky ignited in oranges and golds. A red farmhouse appeared in the distance. The water mirrored the light. This sunset filled me with energy and awe. 
9. When the Guests Arrive – 8:42 PM
Blue hour began, and two pelicans appeared like honored guests. I’d hoped for a noisy arrival of birds. Instead, just these two — perfectly timed. 
10. The Pelican’s Goodbye – 8:48 PM
One pelican spread its wings in silence and left. The scene was framed by golden shrubs and rose-hued water. A quiet exit. 
11. Blue Heron, Just Landed – 8:56 PM
Three seconds after touching down, a heron stood in the shallows. Feathers still catching wind. The water reflected him in full. My favorite kind of surprise. 
12. Final Light and Stillness – 9:02 PM
Five geese swam in a line past a tree and a fence. The Wasatch Mountains faded behind them. Orange turned to violet. The day whispered goodbye. 
✍️ Why I’m Sharing This
This evening reminded me that photography isn’t always about the dramatic. Sometimes it’s about the patient. The still. The quiet observers — like the birds, and like us.
There are still over 2,600 images waiting to be revealed. But this story — this place — will always feel like a beginning.