Monday, December 12, 2016

The Lazy Mist

So dull and dark are the November days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world."
~ John Clare

A week into November, the day started off sunny and bright. I made some coffee and settled in at my desk to check email and to see what was happening on social media. Time passed and I was probably about to pour a second cup when I turned to look out the window. No more sunshine. But no real cloud. It had become rather foggy, and the sunlight was ever so slightly visible on the edge of the haze. Time to grab the camera and head out.

foggy morning
I wandered around the neighbourhood for a while. The sun was already threatening to burn through the mist and I decided to make my way to the river.





foggy morning2
Although the air was crisp enough between the bench and where I was standing, I could scarcely make out the opposite river bank.





foggy morning7
The view came into focus a bit better once I reached the shore.





foggy morning3
Bare trees and misty air. Cold - and yet comforting.





foggy morning5
It wasn't long before the sun brought brighter colours into view.





foggy morning6
The day soon resumed as it had started - in full sunshine.





tiny chain
Ten days later, on November 18th, the day warmed up to near-summer temperatures. I needed nothing warmer than a t-shirt for my walk.





fence to the river
I wandered in areas both familiar and less so. This was one of the latter.





river view
The day smelled like spring, felt like summer, looked like autumn...





ornaments
...and yet, in anticipation of winter,  people were taking the opportunity to decorate for Christmas.





rings
Despite the unseasonal warmth, the playground was devoid of kidlets.





mallard drake
The ducks were strutting around as if they had somehow managed to sidestep winter altogether. I might have been doing likewise.





window view dusk colour bump
The end of a perfect day.

Reality returned two days later with below-freezing temperatures, very strong winds and a little more than a dusting of snow. But it sure was nice while it lasted.

More photos coming up before too long.

26 comments:

William Kendall said...

Mist can make for such ideal photo conditions! Beautiful shots!

Cloudia said...

Your photos sing to me, Hilary <3

Out on the prairie said...

Went from warm to excessive cold here. Leading a bird count this weekend in a predicted big snow

Linda said...

The misty images are lovely but the sunny ones I love for being cheerful.

Wendy said...

Nice to follow you on your walk! Oh, we've left those warm autumn days behind. Snow today about 10 cm. or so. Had to cancel my plans because the roads were so bad. :-(

I love walking in the mist. It feels spooky!

Marie Smith said...

Beautiful photos. I especially love the foggy shots!

Red said...

You caught the feel of a foggy day and then changed it to a clear one. Nicely done.

stephen Hayes said...

Wonderful pictures. I love the way trees expose their architecture in winter when the branches are bare.

joeh said...

THose mallard drakes are handsome ducks.

DJan said...

You bring such beauty into my life, Hilary. I enjoy every single one of your posts and pictures. Thank you. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

You've had a very good dose of reality by now.

messymimi said...

Such a lovely one-last-reminder that winter does not last forever.

Rita said...

Both the misty day and the faux-summer day were glorious! It's white and 2 degrees F here right now so these were especially fun to see. :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

WONDERFUL scenes.I seemed to have held my breath as I scrolled through this beauty.It was like I didn't want to disturb the quiet and peace I was viewing.Thanks for sharing these stunning photos.

Linda said...

Those are fantastic misty and reflection photos.

Barbara said...

Except for the last bit, it sounds like the weather we've been having! These are awesome captures, but that last photo I would love to have framed and hanging on my wall. So beautiful in so many ways! You keep outdoing yourself!

yaya said...

Your photography always makes me wish I had either your camera or your eye for beauty! (actually I want both!) Such great shots in the fog and the last pic took my breath away...just beautiful with the last of Fall colors. Have a good week Hilary!

ellen abbott said...

some beautiful pics there. hard to choose a favorite.

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh my, what gorgeous photos! Always a treat coming here.

Shammickite said...

I really enjoy misty golden mornings like that. Lovely photos. I'm glad you were able to get out and make the most of the misty weather. And now we are in the deep freeze and covered in snow! And I'm coughing and feeling fluey! YUCK!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your foggy photos create some magical moments...or maybe just captures them. Anyway, they're beautiful images. I especially like the first one and the one of the ornaments and then the playground shot.

Kat said...

Wow! What stunning pictures of fall. So many different moods captured. Well done! You have such an amazing eye!

Cloudia said...

Well worth another look!

Daryl said...

the playground photos perspective made me think of David M... i miss him

Polly said...

Beautiful photos.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Your ability to capture emotion and pure colors is truly astounding. I always feel like I should be paying a gallery fee to view your photographs.