Sunday, April 14, 2013

Light and Shade

Walking in the morning takes you to beautiful places where light and shade make love. 
~ Prof. Mohamed Shareef 

We had a few snowfalls this winter, which is more than I can say for last year. These photos however, were all taken before any of the white stuff fell from the sky - between late November and late December. Come take a retro walk with me.

morning has broken
You needn't awaken or head out too early to meet the sunrise in winter. It would stay dark until a decent walking hour. This is how the sky looked over the park as we venture out onto the path.




sumac
Very few things retain any vivid colour at that time of the year but the hair-covered crimson berries of the Staghorn sumac were brilliant in the winter sunlight.





icy headless duck reflections
The lake was only lightly glazed over with ice on this mid-December day. Sun, ice and sleepy mallards combined in such a way that we appear to be looking at headless ducks and their glassy reflections.





little sweetie
The squirrels (see.. we don't only have black ones) at this park are especially bold. A lot of people enjoy feeding them, and so they're not afraid to come very close in hopes of mooching a peanut. This guy was mildly disappointed that I only clicked my tongue to get his attention for a photo, and not to share any goodies.





peanut poacher
Thankfully, somebody came along to the rescue with pockets of peanuts, and this little poacher appeared to be pleased with his treat. Next time, I'll be ready with full pockets too.




between the fronds
If you would have looked up a second earlier, you would have seen yet another squirrel peeking through these cedar fronds. Of course, if I had snapped the image a second earlier, you would still be seeing him right now. I like the way the photo turned out, anyway.

 


lakeside
As we watched the sunlight twinkling on the water and the breeze blowing through the fluffy tall grass...




kitty watching
...we, in turn, were also being watched. Too bad he was too shy to allow for a scratch behind the ears.





cling on
Look up. This here was taken a couple of days after Christmas. What were we doing with green leaves clinging to life this late in the year?




full moon
Last but not least, one more evening look skyward revealed a full moon. This was November's celestial treat.

I hope you enjoyed our walk. I'm sure we will do this again sometime soon. Hopefully, it will begin looking like spring.

46 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

Real fun ,i laughed real good at the mallard shot.

Leah J. Utas said...

That sumac shot is amazing. It looks like a animal.

ADRIAN said...

The best for me is the third to last. Very nice!

Indrani said...

Lovely captures! So refreshing!

Andy said...

Another fine collection of photos with interesting narrative. Keep on clicking... your camera that is.

Birdie said...

Was the car feral? Whenever we go for walks we come across feral cats and they want nothing to do with us.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I enjoy each walk I get to take with you. You see so much detail and beauty and I like that.

Steve Gravano said...

Thanks for the walk, I love the three leaves, the colors are beautiful. Nice light in the mornings. The glasses were on a thick plexiglass surface, lite from underneath. The blue light beckoned me and I had to snap a photo.

Brian Miller said...

oh wow...that second pic...the texture in it is so cool...ha...def enjoy seeing a walk through your lens...

Bob Bushell said...

Wonderful pictures of what you were doing on the walk, love them Hilary.

Bengts fotoblogg said...

Beautiful shots, very nice blog.

TexWisGirl said...

the duck photo almost looked 3D! so cool! the squirrel with the nut is absolutely beautiful! little white tufts on its ears! :)

i like 'retro walk'. :)

Sueann said...

Artfully done! Loved them all!
Hugs
SueAnn

photowannabe said...

Love the headless mallards...
Oh how I wish I could capture the moon like you did.
BEAUTIFUL!!

Anonymous said...

that mallard shot is really interesting!

Anonymous said...

I love the shadows on that full moon. Beautiful capture! And of course, I always love tagging along on your walks! That quote at the top is perfect.

Red said...

Your walks are always full of interesting things that you see and share with us.

Gayle said...

It is always a delight to skip alongside of you on your ventures out and about. What a fine eye you have for photography. A little smooch to Bennster.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I had to keep going back to the duck photo. The reflections are so crisp that it's hard to believe they're reflections. Love the squirrel shots, of course. And I'm always a sucker for a good moon shot. Nice work, my friend.

messymimi said...

A walk worth the taking!

sage said...

Lovely photos! Thanks for the walk

stephen Hayes said...

Thanks for the visual poetry. Always a joy.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

A lovely walk. I can smell the cedars.

Linda said...

Great pics! The shot of the light on the water and the grasses is exceptional!

Rita said...

The orange mallard feet stood out as bright color in the winter landscape.
I do so love squirrels! But they are quick...and greedy little buggers.
Lovely shots!! :)

Lynne with an e said...

Arrroooooooo!!!! That's me howling at the moon after our retro walk. Now it's back to the future...where it's still winter. All the more reason to howl! Arrrrooooooooo!!!!

Unknown said...

Hilary: With my Canon camera apparently having bitten the dust, it's nice to see these slightly delayed photos! All nicely done and quite enjoyable--as always! :)

Zuzana said...

Lovely walk dear Hilary - of course all images a treat, but the moon is my favorite.;) It looks so three dimensional on your photo, stunning...
Well, we have had the most fierce winter on record and the last snow fell this past Friday.
But - today spring is finally in the air and it is warm and sunny, therefore we hope winter has truly departed.
Have a great week ahead dear friend,
xoxo

Daryl said...

oh what a lovely series of shots ... i makes me want to get out with the big camera ... gotta find the time ...

Anvilcloud said...

It's odd the difference that a few hundreds kms make. When the snow sticks here -- early December this year -- it stays for the winter -- up until about a week ago.

Sharon Wagner said...

I enjoyed the walk. But I am eagerly awaiting some actual spring walks. We are still covered in snow here. I passed a snowman over the weekend that said Florida or bust. No joke.

Dianne said...

the mallard feet really pop!!
Looks like little geometric shapes

A wonderful collection
beautiful light and sweet critters

Gail Dixon said...

The mallards and their reflections is an awesome shot. The last image of the moon is quite beautiful. And everything in between!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful bright light - those ducks are glowing! And a gorgeous moon shot too.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Hilary,
What a very good shots.
Great colors of the sunrise and the squirrel is so amazing with the note. Well done!!

Many greetings,
Marco

Lisa Gordon said...

Hilary, these are stunning!
You have captured such beautiful light in each one, and oh my goodness, that moon!!

Kat said...

What a beautiful walk! Thank you for taking us with you! :)

Betty Manousos said...

all of these are stunning!

i love the beautiful light you very capably captured.
this is visual poetry, hilary!

what beautiful sights, too.

xx

Anita said...

I wish I could comment on all, but I'll chose 2. The hair-covered crimson berries are both icky and beautiful. :) And I loved the mallards; my first thought was how much they look like beautiful beads on a necklace. All the shots are pleasant to my senses, as always.

SandyCarlson said...

I enjoyed the retro-walk and a glimpse of those squirrels. You do such a beautiful job whenever you take photos.

EG CameraGirl said...

It was a strange winter, wasn't it? Especially at first the weather was unseasonably warm. The cold is lingering on this end, though. Really nice shot of the moon!

Mage said...

Just lovely. All the colors blending, the quiet sounds seeping through the wind, lovely moments. Thanks. All I have right now are photos of stacks and mountains of things to share. Not very good at all.

Gillian Olson said...

Great series of pictures, the sumac is a wonderful colour. The squirrel with the nut is priceless.

larkswing said...

WOW! Love the duck reflections...love all them, sigh... :)

Unknown said...

beautiful site. I hate to say I have no idea about the first shot and what its about...but I dont!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I am never disappointed by your photographs, Hilary. ♥