What an amazing sight!
At about 5:00 p.m. yesterday, as day gave way to night, something odd occurred in the western sky…a genuine jaw-dropping phenomenon. Giddy with astonishment at being witness to such a moment, I dashed for the camera and made a quick shot least no one believe me later on. Luckily, the photo came out. I've posted it above.
What's that? You're right, it is a picture of a colorful sunset. Huh? Well, yeah, that's the sky phenomenon I was referring to—around here lately, just seeing the sun has become a phenomenon. For weeks on end, the sky has mostly been the color of an old gym sock badly in need of a good dose of bleach. Sunrises and sunsets with or without color have been nonexistent. Carolyn, over on Roundtop Ruminations (see blog list) was just remarking on this absence a day or two ago.
Typically, you can count on January to serve up some of the finest sunsets of the year—certainly the best sunsets of winter and usually the best sunsets seen since the previous November. Coming and going weather fronts, frigid air, and broken clouds late in the day are contributory factors—none of which have been the case this January. Snows and frequent passing storm fronts, arctic temperatures, or sunny days have not been our lot. Instead it's been relatively mild, light in snow, some rain, more dampness than real cold, and cloud, clouds, clouds. Most days you had to take on faith the notion the sun—though currently invisible—was actually up there somewhere. But after awhile, you do begin to wonder…
Last evening's sunset, perhaps not the most spectacular one ever, was nevertheless pretty enough to dazzle me with its beauty…and like a drink of water after a day in the desert, greatly appreciated.
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24 comments:
"the sky has mostly been the color of an old gym sock badly in need of a good dose of bleach." Where do you come up with this stuff? Hilarous.
Beautiful picture. I know you were glad to see it after so many endless days of gray. Helen
Grace…
Easy—given an Irish gift of storytelling and a well-honed literary mind for vivid simile! (Okay, so I looked in the laundry basket.)
Glad I amused you, either way :-).
Helen…
You know it! I was coming to believe the sun was nothing more than a rumor.
Hey, what photographer isn't a sucker for sunsets? I sure am, always.
Griz: So it's not just me that's living with a spate of gray weather. It gets old quickly, doesn't it?
Thanks for the mention!
Carolyn H.
It was a beauty, and you captured it beautifully!
Carolyn…
Not you, at all! Gloomy has never, until this, year, been an adjective I'd have attached to January. I was, indeed, happy to finally see a sunset.
Yours is one of my favorite blogs.
Bobbie…
A dazzling sunset can turn anyone into a photographer. Beauty speaks for itself.
Grizz, I love this photo, it is gorgeous.
We are having more snow on more snow......but it has warmed up a bit, and I had forgotten there even was a sun. It will be lovely when the sun arrives in Morinville for a visit.
Enjoy your weekend my friend,...
....:-) Hugs
I missed it...but glad to see your photo!
Hi Grizz-
Beautiful picture - oh my - truly inspiring and filled with promise. The sunsets here in Connecticut have been amazing - although this past week my eye has been to 'Gracey-Blue'. Like being on high alert! :-) We are going to get a child-gate to block off part of the kitchen so I can leave her at home alone and/or take a shower when I am home alone. As it is right now we are together every second unless Skipp is home. So I need to separate a bit, with love. :-) phew.
And then I will be able to gaze at sunsets and or sunrises freely without one eye on her!! She is laying on my feet as I type!!!
I love following nature and the wonder of all the seasons through your eyes and heart - it blends well with mine. :-) I love that.
Love Gail
peace.....
Bernie…
Just a daub of snow on the ground, but cold—16˚F. Cloudy most of the day, so probably no repeat of yesterday's sunset colors.
Yet, we need to keep the faith. In spite of your snow and my clouds, sooner or later we'll have sunshine………and then spring will start to creep in. And after that you can flop the top on that little yellow car and have some fun.
Take care and stay warm.
Wanda…
I miss a lot of sunset down here by the river. I don't know how many times someone has called and told me to look out at the incredible sunset—only they're high up, and can see over the rise to the west of here where the sun is apparently putting on quite a show, but when I look, I see not a hint of color.
This actually isn't a very good location for sunrises or sunsets. But I can take some neat reflection shots in the water of even a little bit of color, which sort of makes up for it.
Gail…
Be prepared for some serious whining when you put the pup in "jail" behind the gate. But you have to be the boss, so don't give in. I used to have a cat that would follow me into the bathroom and sit on the side of the tub when I took a shower—even if she got splashed a bit. Moon the dog, however, waits until the water goes off, then she scratches at the bathroom door to be let in so she can "help" me dry off; I use a towel, she uses her tongue. I'm never sure who's doing whom a favor…
Boy, when you haven't seen one in a while, they seem even more beautiful and vivid, don't they? Beautiful sky you had!
Jayne…
That's surely the truth…day after day of heavy cloud cover and its gray, flat light is boring, if not depressing. After that, a sunset doesn't have to be the gaudiest ever to get you all excited—just a bit of salmon or turquoise or amethyst in the western sky renders you practically giddy.
A day without sunlight is like a day without laughter. Wonderful photos and what an intriguing place to live. I signed up to follow you. Stop by my place and perhaps return the favor and soak up my Florida sunshine. http://www.boomerpie.com/
...the sun that has been out the past couple of days has been like an Elixir! You captured the colors in the sky beautifully. Being deprived of the sun makes its appearance even more spectacular!
p.s. I want to hear more about your common redpoll. Last year I chased one for several days at Caesar Creek, but never saw him. I keep watching for an eagle on our stretch of the Little Miami...one of these days!
Boomer Pie…
Glad to have you on board as a follower…but even more pleased you visited, liked what you saw, and want to make it a regular stop. Please know you're always welcome here on the riverbank.
I'm not one of those people who needs daily sunshine to keep me in a good mood. In fact, I like dark, cloudy, stormy days, and certainly not so much when they occur for weeks on end. I have enjoyed our interludes of recent sunshine, though they were sometimes brief.
I will absolutely be by to check out your blog. Again, thanks for joining.
Kelly…
Sunshine after some many days of clouds is always a blessing. I need and want the occasional dose.
As I've said in other comment replies above, down here by the river I miss most of the sunsets and their gaudy colors. I would guess nine out of ten. I do a bit better on sunrises, the way the land lays—but not much.
The common redpoll appeared at the feeder for perhaps two minutes (that I saw). I'd just started uploading images off my camera, came from my work room to the living room and was watching the river and feeders while I waited on the photos to transfer. I looked at the feeder nearest the door—and saw the bird mixed in with a few house and purple finches. I'm pretty certain it was a common redpoll rather than a hoary redpoll, as it didn't appear "frosty," though I'm not expert enough to be absolutely certain. It did have a slightly pinkish breast, however, so I'm thinking male and common redpoll. Only saw the one.
BTW, I'm hoping my winter count here along the riverbank will approach 50 species; I'm already at 41, and have yet to tag several common species I normally see, such as cow birds and grackles. With luck—and since I've already listed four first-time-ever birds this winter, including the redpoll and bald eagle—I just might make it.
Stunning photo! A welcoming site, I'm sure, after no color.
Schererart…
Indeed it was! Unfortunately, we're back to clouds today, probably tomorrow and the rest of the week, too. But, it's winter and this is Ohio. Better to expect this and be pleasantly surprised whenever we're wrong.
Skies full of sighs..those colors remind me of a cameo, or almost like Aurora Borealis, which I was fortunate enough to see once when I lived in Oregon.
Teri…
I've seen the Northern Lights a few times, too…and they are really neat. This was a lovely sky. No sunset today, though, only clouds.
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