Winter Solstice

The winter solstice marks a turning point - the longest night of the year with the promise of the light returning. It's a time to celebrate, a time to dream and to reflect.

A time to honor sweet mother earth, pray and co-create a New Earth.

Hoar Frost

I always get excited when we have a day with hoar frost - it is a rare phenomenon. And a photographer's dream as the white, frosty needles make great macro images. Unfortunately it was a windy morning but I managed to get a few close-ups and a few landscape shots from this winter wonderland. 
Here is an explanation from wikipedia:
Hoar frost, white frost or rime is the tiny solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air which occurs when the temperature of the surfaces is below freezing point.

Enjoy, Susanne

A foggy day in northern Wisconsin

Foggy, misty and even rainy days are a favorite of mine - though I am very grateful for every bit of sunshine we can get during the winter months. 

The fog creates such a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere, like everything comes to a halt - it makes me pause, contemplate and listen to the secrets hidden from our ordinary view and ears.

With my camera I try to capture that mood. 

Enjoy, Susanne

Moon Magic

Last night I was out for a walk shooting some pictures of a frozen creek. As I headed home I saw this orange glow in the east and thought to myself - the sun is setting in the west, how strange!

It was the full moon rising with colors I have never seen before! The little white dot in the upper left (on the first picture) is Jupiter. 

I changed the color to blue in the last image , just to create a different mood. 

It was a magical evening!!

Enjoy, Susanne

November Walks 3, first snow

Waking up to the first snow of the season is always a special moment. Looking out of the window and seeing the whole world in white stirs up a mixture of emotions. There is the excitement of the child that wants to go out and play; there is also a sense of dreadfulness - knowing that another long winter lays ahead. But for now I am enjoying it, giving me an opportunity for the first snow pictures of the season. Again, all images are taken with my 50mm lens.

Enjoy, Susanne

November Walks 2, in blue

Second "report" of my November walks. I found a lake in the Blue Hills (Wisconsin) that was still partly frozen and I was intrigued by the patterns the thin ice had formed. I particularly liked the reflections and transitions from water to ice. And the color blue is so refreshing on cloudy, grey November days like it is today.

Enjoy, Susanne

November Walks 1

November is typically filled with cloudy and dreary days, at least here in Wisconsin. For a photographer it isn't the most exciting time of the year. So I set myself the task to find some beauty or something worth shooting on my walks through the woods. As I want to tread lightly I only carry my 50 mm lens and sometimes also my lens baby - both are good choices for creating soft, blurry backgrounds (also called "bokeh"). 

Here is a sampling of my first few November days. Some might ask - what's so beautiful? 

Like the saying goes, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. 

Enjoy, Susanne

Magic in the woods

The brilliant and golden days of autumn are gone and as I am writing this all trees are bare and the sometimes dreary November days have arrived, though today was exceptionally nice and warm. 

About a month ago I was driving home from a photo shoot. The sun was setting and from the corner of my eye I saw this path through the woods and the last light at the end of the tunnel beckoned me to stop. I quickly grabbed my camera and tripod hurrying up the hill. As I was approaching a family of deer stepped right into the area I wanted to shoot, like they came on stage. Fortunately their curiosity made them stay long enough that I was able to get 5 shots - and then they disappeared and the last bit of sunlight left as well. I was so amazed and felt so lucky and blessed to capture this magical moment!

The next day I went back a little earlier as I wanted to shoot the path all lit up by the setting sun. 

And yes, the deer showed up again but didn't stay very long. The last 2 images are from day two. 

Walking through the woods is always magical!

Susanne 

Spiderwebs

Fall is approaching quickly and it is my favorite time of the year. So much is happening in nature and photographic opportunities are everywhere.  Spiderwebs are just one of them. You have to go out early in the morning as the slightest breeze moves the delicate webs. I think nature has the best way to decorate for Halloween - look at the wrapped fern and grasses! 

The last image is one of my favorites and many people comment on it. The drops are like jewels. 

Don't forget your tripod when you head out with your camera!

Susanne

Sunset moods at Lake Superior

I feel very fortunate to live only 2 hrs south of Lake Superior. Whenever  an opportunity arises I'll head up north to spend some time at the beautiful places Lake Superior has to offer. Sunsets are often spectacular and full of surprises and a delight for any photographer. The short period after the actual sunset are the most magical moments and worth waiting for. 

The images in this post were taken at Meyer's Beach near Cornucopia and at Gooseberry Falls.

I also wrote about "the Last Light" in an earlier post (October 2011).

Enjoy, Susanne

Summer Sun

Summer has arrived in the northern hemisphere and we are enjoying the long days, the warmth and heat and everything else that comes with summer.  As a photographer the time around sunrise and sunset is maybe the most magical hour to be out there and shoot. And there is almost always some dramatic scene to be found. Foggy mornings are a favorite especially at a lake or river as the fog is lifting but those days are rare. Sunset at a lake is another precious moment and is intensified when clouds are present. So don't miss the magic and enjoy summer!

I've included a fitting poem in the end. I posted it before.... so here it is again!

Susanne

(an excerpt from my book "Seeing Beauty - photography as visual poetry . Available at www.blurb.com or contact me direct)

THE SUN NEVER SAYS 

Even 

After 

All this time 

The sun never says to the earth, 

"You owe 

Me." 

Look 

What happens 

With a love like that, 

It lights the 

Whole 

Sky.

 

(Hafiz) 

'The Gift' Poems by Hafiz - translations by Daniel Ladinsky