First Sunrise

At the dawn of a new year the temperature outside is a brisk 2 degrees with 45% humidity and as trudged down to the meadow to capture the fist sunrise of 2016, I realized I had not bundled up nearly good enough!  The only gloves I have that keep my fingers warm enough are too bulky to manage the controls on the camera and have to be removed to shoot.  As a result my fingers were almost numb from the cold as I attempted some photos of the first sunrise of 2016.  

A small covey of partridges greeted me as I entered the meadow, but chuckled at me and scurried away, nestling themselves into a small snow bank about 50 yards away.  Even if I would have had my telephoto lens with me, there was not enough light for a photo of them.  They ventured out a bit as I began to shoot, but stayed near the protection of their snow bank. 

A lone White Tail buck bolted up from a thicket nearby, and I don’t know who was more started, him or me.  He only stopped and stared at me for a few seconds before bounding away, white flag tail waving good-bye as he disappeared over a small hill.

My trek outside was very short but I did manage some great sunrise photos – perhaps some of the best I’ve taken in a long time.  The sun and clouds did not disappoint and I was able to capture some amazing color.  I don’t usually set my alarm as I have two Australian Shepherds that wake me up well before I think is reasonable, but today I was thankful that I have dogs with such great internal clocks, who wake me up while it is still dark outside.  It was while I took them outside that I saw the beginnings of what turned out to be a most beautiful sunrise.

As I sit at my desk with a cup of steaming hot chocolate, I look often out the window as I work, and this morning I watched the sun make a feeble attempt to poke through the thick layer of clouds.  But if were to succeed, and all of the clouds dissipate, it would be an illusion.  Even on the sunniest winter days with a clear blue sky, it always looks deceptively pleasant – until you step outside and freeze your toes off because yes, this is January and yes, it is cold.  

The weather forecast for the next five days tops out at 17 degrees, with night time temps below zero, and freezing fog.  Most of the time this sounds like a perfect reason to stay indoors, snuggled up on the couch with my thick comforter, a good book (or my computer), and a cup of hot tea or cocoa.  But I have to admit that as a photographer I’m anticipating some great hoar frost, which makes for the most amazing images!

Last night was the calm before the storm, weather wise.  A bit chilly at 20 degrees but toasty compared to what’s in store for the next week.  I’m never ready for the cold weather but once it arrives, what can you do?  You just have to deal with it, and so I do.  Dogs still have to be taken outside – although for much shorter periods of time; the car has to be started every morning when it gets this cold, and again only for a brief time, the driveway needs to be shoveled, etc, etc.  Dig out the snow pants and boots, the long johns and heavy wool socks, and just muddle through the cold.  I guess it only makes us appreciate the other seasons all that much more.

So here’s to a new year – a new beginning – a new chapter in my life.  Bring it on 2016, I’m ready and waiting!