For people in northern climates where the winters are not only cold but dark, the winter solstice cannot come soon enough.  The depths of the cold were described impeccably by Jack London in the 1908 version of his story "To Build A Fire."

"It was a time to lie snug in the hole of snow and wait for a curtain of cloud to be drawn across the face of outer space whence this cold came."  

There is little wonder why the ancients, who knew the forces of nature all too well, erected monuments and celebrated the return of longer days.  Tuesday, 22 December, is winter solstice this year, when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Even at the more southerly latitudes of New Mexico, we find ourselves itching for more sunshine as the winter settles into our bones.  The two photographs included here demonstrate the difference six months can make.  These photographs were taken in basically the same direction - the first close to winter solstice and the second eight days beyond the summer solstice.

winter solstice shot

summer solstice shot

However you celebrate the holidays that this time of year brings, I hope there is plenty of joy, companionship, and good health involved.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@