This is the 26 May 2026 sunset at 8:31 PM. I had just left the Madison Open Mic Night in Albany, NY, which remains a lovely monthly event. I headed west on Madison Avenue and immediately saw the image above. Though I’m a lousy photographer using my cellphone, I didn’t have to do much. The streetlights added to the allure.
Sunset that evening, BTW, was 8:21 PM, so the picture was captured ten minutes after that. Had I left the building five minutes later, I likely would have missed the image.
I like the shot in part because it was in my Upper Madison neighborhood. My supermarket, local theater, and local police station. Those benches are recent additions.
In the next block, there are several restaurants I frequent. Across the street from them is my library branch. From the street pattern, that has to be the CDTA #114 bus, which I take home from the Amtrak station.
Spontaneity
What’s more interesting is that I saw a LOT of photos from around the region online that evening. It was a spontaneous communal activity. Speaking of community, the next Open Mic event on June 23 will be posted on the Upper Madison Facebook and Instagram accounts. No, I’m not expecting another extraordinary sunset, but a guy can dream.
