Friday, December 31, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Christmas Eve


This exact time a week ago I was sitting on my great grandfather's daybed at our lake house waiting for the sun to rise. It was the morning of Christmas Eve. We'd driven over the night before to share Christmas spirits with friends and spend the night. Spirits and driving don't mix.



It was frigid outside. Crackling air was disturbed only by the moans and signs of countless compressors as heating units chased the chills away from sleeping residents. Our own unit sat outside beneath my window and its wintery breath occasionally clouded the view.



No more sunrise photos I said to myself, for what would be the point? More images unused, clogging up space on a now second stand-alone backup hard drive.




But then those colors began washing the waters and sky and I was doomed. Doomed. Photographers have a gene that renders them incapable of letting a sunrise go to waste, a rodeo go undocumented, or a flower not be recorded for eternity. It's just what we have to do.



Besides, the silhouettes of trees with their few remaining leaves added so much to the composition.



The heart of this sunrise turned brilliant orange.




Limbs stretched toward the sun with glee. Welcome. Welcome.




The softer edges of the sunrise looked like an opal casting gentler colors on the earth.





Maxfield Parrish clouds off in the distance.





Sunrise bokeh dappled and winked upon the ripples.




Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Giraffe Head Tree.

See more beautiful skies on Skywatch Friday.

9 comments:

Rural Rambler said...

Every sunrise different. Every picture beautiful Debi. Happy New Year to You and your family!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Gorgeous sunrise! I know that 2010 was a year that brought challenges to you and your family, I hope 2011 brings only good things your way! Happy New year!

FotoAnna said...

Wow I love it !!
The view and the colors... gorgeous!
Happy SkyWatch and Happy New Year !
Greetings from Holland,
Anna

Jan said...

Oh Debbie, you are too good to me. You frequently stop by and compliment my photography, etc...but YOU, my dear, are to be complimented much more than me! Your art is so lovely, it is truly beyond words. I'm loving every photo and sunrise you show. I'm learning about taking photos and being unable to stop...and even unable to delete them from harddrives! I already am cluttered with them...but I guess that's part of the 'illness'!! Happy New Year to you and yours and best wishes for a joyous and HEALTHY one!

Carol said...

Dear Debi, Who could resist those beautiful shades of pinks, purples, lavenders and blues! You can always add another hard drive! ;>) I am overjoyed to see these stunning sunrises. It is fun to think that I was here in the cold North East taking photos of the same sunrise! Over land instead of water . . . which along with your artistic eye make your photographs so incredible! Happiest of New Years to you and yours!

Gaelyn said...

And thank goodness we do keep taking those photos for they tickle our memories. These are Gorgeous!

Happy New Year!

bunnits said...

Such beautiful colors and photos. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, too.

And the Maxfield Parrish clouds comment is right on. In fact, the colors in many of these photos remind me of his work.

kendalee said...

There can NEVER be too many sunrise shots! All beautiful.

Wishing you a 2011 that's full of colour, light and new dawns! And thank you for keeping me company throughout 2010... each kind word hit home and helped me move through it. I have high hopes for 2011, for both of us! :)

Debra said...

Oh I'm so glad you didn't resist this gorgeous sunrise! I'm in love with these pics...oh let's face it...I'm in love with any sunrise. The colors of a beautiful sunrise, just grab me and I had to look at your pics 3 times. Thanks for sharing!

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