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Monday, January 26, 2015

Winter Passages



I’m not sure if this will last, but I’ve decided to try to photograph at least one sunrise or one sunset a week in 2015. If I do, I’ll have 52 photos to stack side by side.  The effort is helping me to recognize how much beauty remains, even through these dark days of winter.    

But while making my way to the water before sunup in January is doable, oh Lord, it’s cold.  Last weekend, at eight degrees, plus a wind chill off the water, I’m pretty sure I was close to frostbite--which is what happens when one forgets to check the thermometer before leaving.  I climbed back into the car after five pictures and sat blowing on my hands for what felt like forever, before I could bend them enough to hold the steering wheel.  And, yes, I was wearing mittens.  With that, only one picture turned out marginally good. Even with a tripod, the wind wiggled the camera.

As a result, this week I went for the sunset. In weather still cold enough that tears poured out of my eyes, but nothing compared to the weekend before, I headed up to our reservoir, where I’ve never been in the winter.  It was worth it, not only to catch the light, but to witness a skate sailor zipping around the pond.  That was new for me too.  The writing hasn’t been going well, but when I strap a camera on and hike somewhere to capture an image, I feel like I’ve accomplished something.




18 comments:

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

My friend in Minneapolis posted a picture of her thermostat on FB. -19...it was 71 at the time here in Tampa. Yeah. I'll stay in Florida.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Those are absolutely stunning! Sorry you have to face such cold to get them.

Bish Denham said...

Wow! So beautiful!

Your mission, Liza, should you choose to accept it is to pick up an award on my blog. As always, should you be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I want to try that skating with the sail. I hate the cold but I love skating. Beautiful photos.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I've never heard of/seen skate sailing - looks like fun, even if it's done in the cold. :)

Gorgeous photos!

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots and what a great catch of the skate sailor.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Oh! Skate sailing! I want to do that! What a beautiful picture. I felt the cold and the frostbite...been there with you.

Joanne said...

brrr. you captured the warmth of cold very well. That skater is a brave soul. C'mon down to TX - we're in the high 60s all week. As for your writing - no worries, it will come.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Oh my, yes, you certainly captured "something". The pictures are marvelous.

Spring is getting closer, but until then, bundle up.

Carol Kilgore said...

Breathtaking! The skater looks like a butterfly :)

Stay safe and warm through your impending storm.

mshatch said...

Gorgeous pics, as always. I especially like the second one. I also commend you for braving the cold. I have a hard time getting my courage up unless it's in the high teens or above - and preferably no wind!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wow! Those are amazing pictures!

Jayne Martin said...

I am so blessed to have to never seek out a sunrise or sunset. On my mountain top, they come to me. As I lie in bed in the morning, I wait for the sun to greet me over the mountain to my east and in the evening, with a glass of wine on the deck, I bid it adieu.

~Sia McKye~ said...

These captured the beauty even in the freezing cold. I think the cold clear weather added some lovely contrasts to the scene. I've seen ice sleds with sails but never watch a person do this.

Funny thing about creativity, regardless of which medium it takes, it still soothes the creative spirit. Photography requires us to set a scene, much like writing one. :-)

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Anonymous said...

These are breathtakingly gorgeous!

Pixel Peeper said...

I love the idea of a weekly sunrise/sunset photo. You should make a collage of these pictures and have a big print made of it!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Your pictures are breath-taking! So, yes, you've definitely accomplished something. You successfully captured beauty.

I salute your fortitude. Not even the thought of capturing those beautiful photos would entice me to get outside in those kinda temperatures. I'd rather step into my refrigerator... it's warmer!

Connie said...

Beautiful images! I would think that skate sailor would have been quite cold out there too!