Phantasm
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phantasm26.bsky.social
Phantasm
@phantasm26.bsky.social
450 followers 360 following 3.5K posts
Chasing fleeting moments / SoCal
Preferring to repost photos w/ alt text
Not discussing politics here (I'm liberal, but my account's not for politics)
Pics, poems, & alt text are by me, w/o gen AI, unless otherwise noted
He/him / Happily married
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phantasm26.bsky.social
As clouds remain in evening sunlight fade
They court us in vermilion serenade

#Stunday #ColorADay #ColourADay #OrangeSun #SoCal #California #WestCoast

#SouthernCalifornia, last Monday evening
Day's epilogue features heavy, hovering clouds echoing vermilion hues of the departed sun, dearly missed after a storm. Heavy clouds linger Sun departs from horizon Brightness remembered
November 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Green grass reclaims a lot that's locked away
For now, this land awaits a better day

#ColorADay #ColourADay #GreenSat #AlphabetChallenge #WeekUForUnloved

Southern California, earlier today
Through two panels of fences, a cord loops around, both of its ends secured by a closed padlock. The fences guard a vacant lot, overgrown with green grass, from human trespassers. Lonely plot of land Sits still, awaits improvement For now, grass persists
November 23, 2025 at 3:10 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
The smallest sprouts, in time, will grow persistent
Through thick and thin, from day to day, insistent

#BlueskyArtShow #Small #ColorADay #ColourADay #GreenSat

Southern California, this morning
A tiny, bright-green sprout of petty spurge emerges in a nourishing foundation of wood chips and soil. Alone, this sprout is unafraid to grow, to forge its own path through life. Seed, water, light, soil Merge to bring about new life Small yet persistent
November 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
How strange it is, this scene of ocean bliss
Would often be a place that many miss
Perhaps it's fortunate that few would see
A shoreline set aside for you and me

#Scape #ColorADay #ColourADay #BWFri #SoCal #California #WestCoast #SkyPalms

#SouthernCalifornia, midday today
Two palm trees stand in front of a sky decorated with thick, scattered clouds as a wave crashes against the beachy shoreline. The photo is in black and white, having been passed through a mono filter. Weekday ocean view Shoreline off the beaten path Secret wide open
November 22, 2025 at 3:54 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
I drove around and paused by edge of lake
Without a plan, took pictures on a break

#ForestFriday #Scape #Northwest #PNW #WestCoast

Kitsap County, Washington, 2015
Hundreds of tall evergreens rise by the edge of a calm lake reflecting the trees' verdant shades. The sky is bright blue with light clouds. In the distance, nestled within the trees, are two houses whose inhabitants are so fortunate to experience this forest and lake view day to day. I drove by forests Needed to explore, get away Paused, admired the view
November 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
As fallen leaves lie mixed with living petals
We witness cycled life as autumn settles
Lantana shows us hope in life anew
As we await new leaves while trees renew

#ColorADay #ColourADay #YellowThu

Southern California, midday today
Crisp, brown leaves fallen from an overhead tree (not pictured) rest on a bush with scores of bright, yellow lantana flowers. Departed leaves rest Tenacious lantana blooms Endings, beginnings
November 21, 2025 at 4:59 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Wet ruby leaf so far from tree detached
Yet keeps its hues, stays grounded and attached

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekUForUnloved #ColorADay #ColourADay #RedWed #SensoryArt #Water

Southern California, this Monday
A lone sweetgum leaf, in varying shades of red, clings flat to a wet sidewalk. The leaf is also wet, and its water lends it some sheen. Detached from its tree Red leaf hugs ground, keeps its hues, Holds fast, enduring
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
A fallen leaf, free, fresh, and unafraid Shines brightly, ruby radiance displayed

#ColorADay #ColourADay #RedWed

Southern California, this Monday
A bright red leaf fallen from a sweetgum tree shows its radiant hues on a bed of brown leaves before its ruby shades fade away. Both the red leaf and brown leaves show some sheen from recent rain. A lime-green blade of grass also appears on the right. Raw, ridding refresh Releasing radiant red Richness remembered
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Week's first bright sunrise
Cumulus clouds share sun's glow
Refreshed morning light

#ColorADay #ColourADay #BlueTue #SkyPalms #SoCal #California #WestCoast

#SouthernCalifornia, this morning
Refreshed after rain, the lower sky features strikingly bright cumulus clouds glowing with rising sunlight. Lighter clouds soar in the upper sky. A palm tree stands tall on the left. First morning after atmospheric river passed The rising sun illuminates clouds vast
November 18, 2025 at 3:54 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
A shoreline view, a vista point with rocks
A place for solitude so far from docks

#RockinTuesday #BlueTue #NorthernCalifornia #NorCal #California #WestCoast

Sonoma Coast State Beach, Sonoma County, California, 2016
Under a bright blue sky, light ocean waves roll against a rugged shoreline with dozens of large rocks off the coast. Tall grasses grow nearby, while hills and homes are visible in the distance. Far away from home Same coast, different latitude Longed-for solitude
November 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
The storm has passed; a temporary arc
Of hues appears before the sky turns dark

#SoCal #California #WestCoast

#SouthernCalifornia, between today's rain and sunset
A rainbow curves over multiple trees in the last hour of daylight after the rainstorm that dominated much of the day. The sky has azure and amber hues with light clouds. Calm after the storm: Long-lost sun, airborne moisture, Arch of dazzling hues
November 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
As rainstorm comes and showers here descend
The rainfall helps plants flourish and ascend

#MinimalMonday #SoCal #California #WestCoast #SkyPalms

#SouthernCalifornia, around midday today (stay tuned for a brighter photo later tonight)
Even through a thick, morose layer of clouds, just enough sunlight glows in them to mark day as opposed to night. Three palms keep watch as they hydrate from a rainstorm that quenches the thirst of this otherwise arid land. November's rhythm Atmospheric river flows With rainfall comes growth
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
As rainbow, palms, and mountains skyward reach
I pause in an admiring gaze at each

#MountainMonday #BlueSkyMonday #SkyPalms

Oro Valley, Arizona, 2023
Tall palms and mountains reach for the sky where a rainbow glows and large, puffy clouds loom. Parts of blue sky are visible. I looked to the sky Reaching for wondrous moments; Could they be for real?
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
From atmospheric river, a reprieve,
A break of shining sun we now receive

#Stunday #ImageAndVerse #SoCal #California #WestCoast #SkyPalms

#SouthernCalifornia, about 20 minutes ago
The sky is mostly overcast after two-and-a-half days of rain, with clouds of varying shades of silver and far-off azure gaps. The sun glimmers in the upper-left corner of this photo, while two palm trees stand tall in this scene. Ocean water and two islands mark the horizon. Today's shining sun Sometimes hidden, sometimes shown We're grateful to see
November 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Our patience with day's falling outdoor shower
Rewarded in this brilliant evening hour

#Stunday #ImageAndVerse #ColorADay #ColourADay #OrangeSun #EastCoast
#EastCoastKin

Waldorf, Maryland, 2018 (same night I shared a few weeks ago, but now a minute after that past photo, with a different filter)
Bright peach hues illuminate heavy clouds on the low horizon, while small pockets of water on asphalt ground reflect these hues. Cars pass by on the main road during evening rush hour shortly after sunset. Some silhouetted trees inside the parking lot, power lines, a pole, and buildings across the street decorate the horizon. East Coast, far from home; Three hours hence, my West Coast home Sees same sun setting
November 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Today, rain pours down;
For a moment, we escape
To bright memories

#BlueskyArtShow #Bright #SoCal #California #WestCoast #SkyPalms

#SouthernCalifornia, two weeks ago
The sky's golden sphere makes its final descent in the sky while the earth turns and three palms and a streetlight stand firm. Dark ribbons of clouds decorate the sky around the sun against an ochre backdrop. Ocean water and islands mark the horizon. Our graceful sun fast disappears from sight As Earth rotates in spinning cosmic flight; Before we bid farewell to light of day, Embrace this time, this fleeting moment bright
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Rain's fresh arrival:
Gulls fly about; palms hydrate;
Autumn nourishes

#ColorADay #ColourADay #BWFri #Scape #SoCal #California #WestCoast #SkyPalms

#SouthernCalifornia, this morning
With recent rain (not visible here) falling, four seagulls fly within frame, against an overcast sky. Two of these gulls are closer and at the top; two more, far off, are near the bottom of the photo. Five palms stand ready to be hydrated. This photo is in black and white, passed through a mono filter. In shifting weather, scattered seagulls soar With falling rain, palms drink and ask for more As silver clouds descend on thirsty land Now bracing for inevitable pour
November 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Beyond clouds' clusters
Gold light finds its way through gaps
Shining, persistent

#ColorADay #ColourADay #YellowThu #GoldThu #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #WestCoast

Southern #California, about 20 minutes before yesterday's #sunset
Golden hues illuminate select clouds in a predominantly overcast sky punctuated by scattered vacancies. Cerulean hues are also visible in the empty spaces in the upper sky, while the lower sky displays ochre hues. Two palm trees watch as two seagulls soar over the scene. At the very bottom are two faraway islands, a gently rolling ocean, and a bar of tan sand. From age to age, from distant days of old To present times, we've witnessed sunsets gold
November 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Ruby-red siblings
Youngest budding, catching up
Anticipate growth

#ColorADay #ColourADay #RedWed

Southern California, last Wednesday
A cluster of full red lantana blooms share the same stem with two smaller blooms preparing for their debut. In the center, tinier buds await emergence. Lantana's stem holds blooms in different stages The youngest hold, anticipate their turning pages
November 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Transitory fog
Unraveled, demystified
Clearer sky unfolds

#ColorADay #ColourADay #BlueTue #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #WestCoast

Southern #California, late afternoon last Friday
A cloudless late-afternoon sky has hues ranging from clear azure up top to pastel cyan at the bottom. Nine palms and a streetlight stand. A faraway seagull soars above the palms. The fog has cleared, its misty curtain lifted With patience, bolder azure sky we're gifted
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Though some may call this day a day of gloom
Eventually, clouds will, for sun, make room

#MinimalMonday #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #WestCoast

Southern #California, a few minutes ago
A single palm tree stands against a silver sky of varying tones. Parts of the sky are brighter but still grey. Clouds blanket the sky Not necessarily gloom They cool off the air
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
A rosy view of fading light of day
An extra poem lies here tucked away
If you're astute, you know where it would stay

#BlueSkyMonday #ColorADay #ColourADay #PinkMon #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #WestCoast

Southern #California, last Wednesday, shortly after #sunset
Wispy north clouds opposite sunset mark the occasion with fleeting pink hues. A palm tree stands in the lower right. Behind both clouds and palm is a sky in pastel cerulean for the moment. Even looking away From sunset, one can observe Radiance abound
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
The day has passed; a stunning, bright reflection
In clouds and ocean, colors in connection
Of setting sun's vermilion hues preserved
Is, after all, a spectacle deserved

#Stunday #ColorADay #OrangeSun
#SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #WestCoast

Southern #California, last Wednesday, shortly after #sunset
Vermilion shades in clouds and in reflections in ocean water recall the sun's memory. Amber hues line the horizon. Two palm trees stand tall nearby, while two hilly islands stand firm in the distance. For gorgeous sunset Delicate balance of clouds Reflecting sunlight
November 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Shorter palms with fronds so green
Verdant hues more brightly seen

#ColorADay #ColourADay #GreenSat

Southern California, earlier tonight (too late for evening)
Short palms are illuminated with lamps from ground level as turquoise lights decorate a small pool with fountains in the background. New night has fallen Lamps light palm fronds near the ground Long leaves, easy view
November 9, 2025 at 3:31 AM
phantasm26.bsky.social
Evening sky light, day's transition
Glowing urban lights' addition

#BlueskyArtShow #Evening #SoCal #SouthernCalifornia #WestCoast

Monrovia, #California, this past February
Clouds with faint tinges of pink soar as faded azure and bold orange hues line the lower sky. City lights illuminate the horizon. Sky lights' final act Urban evening transition City lights' debut
November 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM