Introduction

Northern Utah enjoyed an unusually mild October. Here are a few things that brought me joy during that month. As I prepare to publish this post today, a hearty snowfall is covering us.

Rose and Shadow (My Backyard)

I am fascinated by shadows both as primary and as secondary elements. Two books, In Praise of Shadows ((Tanizaki J. Translated by Harper, T. J. and Seidensticker E. G. (1977). In Praise of Shadows. Leete Island Books: Sedgwick ME.)) and The Nature of Light and Colour in the Open Air ((Minnaert M. Translated by Kremer-Priest H. M. Revised by Brian Jay K. E. (1954). Dover Publications: Mineola NY. I am very grateful to Dr. Alex DeCaria, Professor of Meteorology (Millersville University), for recommending this book in a comment to a previous post, “Questing for Wonder on a Sunday Afternoon Walk.)), have increased my delight in perceiving shadows.

Here I wanted a three part scene: White stucco on the left, shadows in the center, and the rose stem on the right. Each part puts the other two in context.

Great Salt Lake Still Life

When I think of a deliberately set still life, Susan Jarvis, a close friend and mentor to me, comes to mind. Susan is wonderful with still life painting and much more. I very much invite you to check out her art at https://www.susannjarvis.com. My own attempts at still life are lifeless, but, when I find still life in nature already set up, I am not going to pass it by. 

In the Neighborhood of the Great Salt Lake

As I approached the lake, I was fearing that I would find no beauty, but immediately these striations of color fascinated me. Normally autumn colors means the leaves of deciduous trees, but here the salty marsh shows off its fall hues.

Feathery Seed Head

As I explored the edge of the marsh, one plant stood out from the others because of this seed head.

Endnote

The featured image and the Rose and Shadow photo were taken in my backyard. I deliberately contrasted the cultivated roses with the wildland plants, less than an hour’s drive apart.

I am grateful for your kind attention,

Dr. Michael