Sunlight shines on water moving around rocks while a footbridge casts it’s shadow causing unplanned for patterns in the aesthetically designed scene. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
More confusion in the scene when one views the wider setting. The garden design is lovely and relaxing to observe unless you pay attention to the bridge’s distraction shadow patterns. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breirberg
Lovely palm, with sunlight creating detail in the leaves; outside entrance to the Bonnett House, Ft. Lauderdale. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Shadows of the palm in the surrounding sand. Strong sunlight yields strong shadows. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Details in the tropical shadows. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Catalpa leaf near Common Clover. Copyright 2016 Pamela Breitberg
A fallen autumn-gold Catalpa leaf is a momentary backdrop for a Common Clover’s shadow. As the morning sun continues its passage through the sky this profile will shortly be a recollection.
Soon the ground will be covered with the colors of fallen autumn leaves, blanketing clover and grass. Gradually the leaves will transform into mulch for next spring’s reawakening of Lincoln Park’s greens.
Barberry flowers in bloom copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Pale yellow with a slight blush, the flowers cluster together in small alliances hiding under the similarly burgundy tinted thick oval leaves. Easy to miss. Dangerous to touch, thorns are prolific. Barberry Shrub (Berberis vulgaris)’s blooms precede the namesake bright red berries.
Photography is actually painting with light. Nature uses light and shadow for camouflage and allure, both qualities leading to survival of species. Barberry flowers appear to be sunlight reflections to the casual viewer that focuses on the darker shrubbery leaves. This macro image reveals “light” as flowers in full bloom.
For more images and information, see older posting: Berries and barbs in winter… 12/13/11
Blankets of January snow in Chicago, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Records have not yet been broken. Two more inches of fresh powdery snow fell overnight. Our 32.5 inches of snow this January is only the third snowiest for Chicago.
This image was taken yesterday afternoon, while the winds were still and the temperatures a balmy eleven degrees. The topmost blanket, about six inches, is undisturbed. Our deer neighbors are hopefully warm wherever they have bedded down. Their last appearance was over ten days ago when two groups encountered, one pair and one trio, and playfully frolicked through our snow covered lawn. In the interim, all is still, as silent shadows lay weightless on the snow.
Almost-winter sunset copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg
The sun sets earlier and earlier for a few more days before the winter solstice arrives Saturday morning. The warm glow of a distant setting sun suggest brighter days ahead. There is enough overall light to show details in the snow covered tree limb in the foreground.
Our sunset images provide clear confirmation of the ever-changing earth/sun relationship. Each evening the sun slides down past different trees as autumn ends and winter enters. Winter’s official arrival means longer, warmer days are on their way; a welcome declaration during the upcoming grey days of January in Chicago.
