Introduction
Photographers talk of the blue hour before sunrise and after sunset. Similarly there is the golden hour after sunrise and before sunset. These times are valued because the color palette at the beginning and end of daylight is different from the one we are used to seeing during the ordinary daytime hours.
But I believe that the ordinary hours of the day also have beauty. I welcome the challenge of finding wonder between the blue and golden hours that bookend the regular daylight hours. Photography is far too much fun to restrict only for special times.
Such was the situation on December 15, 2023. The solstice Sun was low in the sky on a cloudless day here in the Salt Lake Valley. Here are some scenes from that noon:
Hibernating Bush against the Neighbors’ Foundation
I was looking out the window as I was washing dishes when the very drabness of the scene first grabbed my attention. The low lying noon Sun was coming directly from the right.
River Rocks
Thanks to The Home Depot and my spouse, these Mexican river rocks now rest in Utah.
Allium Seed Head
How long will this seed head endure? It has already survived one snow storm.
Maple Leaf Trapped in Lavender Bush
The sun nearly at solstice provides the backlighting.
Neighbor’s Gas Meter
Two of my brothers had successful careers with the local natural gas company. One brother worked in IT and the other as an appliance expert. Both had started as meter readers. Sometimes when the three of us were in a car, they would excitedly converse about the makes and models of the meters they were observing on houses even as the automobile zoomed by at some distance. Good times!
Maple Tree in Winter
That blue sky is the real deal (or as we Utahns say, “rill dill”) and not courtesy of Photoshop. You can see this Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) in all its red glory as it appeared during the fall of 2021 here.
Shadows on Concrete
I took this photograph to feature the shadows cast by objects both inside and outside the frame.
Personifying of the Sun
One of the pleasures of photography is recording the art of others. Here some anonymous artist has captured the cheerful motion of the Sun with this piece that dresses up the outside of our house.
I welcome your comments.
Thank you for visiting Thecosmos.blog.
Michael DeCaria
Questing for wonder through photography
You are really able to capture interesting images in an otherwise mundane surrounding. Very cool!
As soon as I saw the gas meter, and before I even read the caption, I knew that there would be a reference to our brothers! I’ve always wished John McPhee would have written a book about gas meters.
Hi Alex, 1. I do love the challenge of finding beauty in mundane settings. It is my way of spreading the mindfulness/present moment message, one that is essential to my own mental health. 2. I knew you would get the gas meter image before reading the caption. A gas meter is not a gas meter is not a gas meter. I know that you and I have some esoteric (odd ) interests but none of mine, and I suspect of yours, ever extended to gas meters. Like I said in the caption, “Good times!” 3. You are right about John McPhee; he can make any subject fascinating. I recently reread his 1981 Basin and Range. I was so touched that I even sent him a fan email. Best regards, Michael
Happy Holidays!!
Another thoughtful and thought provoking posting Mike. You have to know the rules to know how to break them and you proved again that there is beauty and awe in what other photographers might consider a too harsh mid-day sun.
I was listening to one of my favorite authors, Thick Nhat Hanh this morning reminding me that if we can just be here and present in this moment, we already have enough for happiness. Then I re-read your post here and as I reviewed the photos again, I got a warm feeling and that half smile on my face and I am very happy to able to share in this simple beauty you brought to my attention today.
Simple, present, mindfulness moments that allow me to value even more this life and great friends, family and neighbors.
Well done again Michael. Very powerful in simplicity!
I loved the gas meter talk as well. “Propane and propane accessories” as Hank Hill would say…
Hi Darrin, I had the same warm feelings and half smile as I took the photos and again when I processed them. I am thrilled the emotions were communicated. I admire your mastery of mindfulness. You may not know it, but your talk of mindfulness teaches me many concepts I hadn’t known before. Thank you! I have just ordered Nhat Hanh’s “The miracle of mindfulness” and can hardly wait to explore his thoughts. His idea of happiness meshes well with the Stoic view of present moment skills, which will be the topic of a future post on my other blog, “Onbecomingaperson.com.” BTW my one brother loves Hank Hill. Best regards, Michael