Winter Sun

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/15905212621/

The long low light at this time of year is a photographers dream. 

Add in that the tree's are bare, those long beams of golden light can penetrate deep into the woodlands, casting shadows that go on forever.

Wonderful stuff.

However the day did not start out that way, grey clouds covered the sky but with the promise of snow in the forecast I didn't mind. 

 

The snow never came but the grey remained and made it a struggle to find images. It wasn't until later when we were exploring a new trail that the grey gave way as the low sun made an appearance.

This weeks choice as 'photo of the week' was a quick grab shot as we walked the new trail as the sunlight strengthened.

It may not be my best nor was it carefully considered but it does reflect the feeling as I looked through the winter tree's and saw the clouds breaking up on this fine morning.

“You can only come to the morning through the shadows”. ~J.R.R. Tolkien

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/15852585752/in/photostream/

Winter arrived with a vengeance this last week, especially if you lived anywhere near Buffalo NY.

Feet of snow, not inches fell in a short period of time as the city ground to a halt.

However, for the more fortunate (me) it covered the woods and trails in a blanket of white and a hush fell over the landscape but it was not to last Yesterday the rains came as the temperatures began to rise.

This morning I was greeted by sad piles of corn snow, soggy ground and sad wet leaves.

Almost like Spring!

I did manage to make a few 'seasonal' images such as this one here, my “photo of the week” but there was one I failed to make …

The answer lies here:

http://happeninks.blogspot.ca/2014/11/yesterday-i-was-at-fletchers-creek.html

A sketch replaced the photograph as I couldn't get the image I wanted.

“This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it, human and otherwise, are imaginary, excepting only certain of the fairy folk, whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof”. ~Neil Gaiman, Books of Magic III

Old City Hall

Autumn is almost done and winter is fast approaching. As much as I enjoy being out and about in the winter weather sketching has to take a back seat, in a warm building if possible !

So this week we began a search for places with a view through a window.

A friend suggested Planet Bean which not only serves good coffee but also has window seats (if you can secure one) we did and had a view of the old City Hall across the street.

It's interesting how the need to put down on paper what you see and feel, how 'Art' grabs hold of you and won't let go.

As I have mentioned I put down my brushes in the mid 1990's but they knew that one day they would be put back to use and sat quietly waiting in a corner of a closet, As time passed their whispers grew more insistent and here we are again seeking out places and things to sketch and draw. Luckily you don't have to go far.

Remember the words of Paul Strand …

“The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep”. ~Paul Strand

All That Remains .. 

Even without the snow I was so looking forward to a long leisurely wander through the Autumn woods without being dragged along by the 'other Winter' our Siberian Husky “puppy” .. all 40lbs of her.

We chose Silvercreek and its trail network for our morning walk and they didn't disappoint.

The standing joke of the day was my choice of shooting B&W as opposed to searching out the odd flecks of colour that still shoe that winter isn't quite in control … yet!

Eventually my mind switched from B&W to colour mode and I too started seeking out the kernels of Autumn.

All in all it was an invigorating time, just to be 'out'. Switching off the work-a-day world and replacing it with the simple pleasures of ancient stones, old tree's, the wind that poked and probed our clothing looking for an entry point, the chickadee's chirping and the crunch of our footfalls.

Yes indeed, a great morning to be 'out'…

“Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
The tone of languid nature”.
~William Cowper