Facing east – Photo: L. Weikel
Gilded sentinels
The sunshine illuminating the massive cedar trees at the edge of the field seemed to turn them into gilded sentinels. They didn’t care that dark clouds lurked behind them, whispering threats of last minute snow squalls. They could feel the urge to awaken and sprout new growth being lured to the surface of their needles by the sunshine peeking its head out of hibernation.
I have to smile when I look at what I’m using as my inspiration this evening and positioning as the top photo on this post. It wouldn’t surprise me if you look at it and find it bland and entirely uninspiring. That reaction could be attributed at least partially to me simply finding it difficult to find the right angle on that stand of trees to capture the essence of the joy they brought me when I first caught sight of them.
Another reason, though, just might be that the photo itself is rather, well, bland. But I’ll tell you what. When Karl and I set off on our walk late this afternoon, I found myself reveling in the mild air. It was one thing to know from the Weather Channel app on my phone that the temperature outside was going to climb today – and go even higher tomorrow. But it was quite another to feel it on my face.
So what’s with the boring photo of the trees? Simple. My heart cracked open when sunlight pierced the clouds lingering in the west and bathed the entire swath of cedars in its warm glow.
Looking toward the west – Photo: L. Weikel
Taste of Spring
It’s only February 23rd. I’m under no illusions. There will almost certainly be more snow before spring arrives – and even that is no barrier to at least one good final wallop. And that’s true for just any old year. This year, though, is just spectacular for snow; so no, while it may be tempting to believe the sweet nothings being whispered in our ears by the sunshine coaxing slumbering seeds to start stirring, rest assured – it’s engaging in a little teasing trickery.
My prediction? This is only a taste. But I’ll take it; and I’ll savor it.
Which I guess is why I took the photo. Seeing the sunshine on those trees and feeling the almost balmy air on my cheeks made me hopeful.
The rest of the walk yielded some more classically lovely shots, which of course I’ll also share. But I didn’t want to upstage the joy I sensed from those first trees and their gilded – or was it bronzed? – delight.
Brilliant Beams – Photo: L. Weikel
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