Tomorrow, 21 December, is the winter solstice in earth's northern hemisphere.  Because it deeply effected their lives, daylight was tracked on some level by early humans and they knew it changed throughout the year.  According to EarthSky, "The solstice is when the sun reaches its most southerly point on the sky's dome for the year.  At the solstice, the Northern Hemisphere has its shortest day and longest night of the year."   That happens tomorrow at 9:59 a.m.  EarthSky also recommends being outside at noon and taking note of one's shadow.  It will be the longest of the year, whereas on the summer solstice, it will be the shortest.  The day also marks the change of season into winter, while in the Southern Hemisphere, summer is underway.  Since we aren't in the vicinity of Stonehenge or any other great celestial stone circles, local is the key in this blog.

I can't say I ever took note of my shadow at noon on the solstice, but here is the closest thing.  Never have I felt so tall!

In attempt to do some interesting shadow work for the solstice, I used wine and champagne bottles.  They obviously are different colors of glass that make very interesting designs in the noon sun.

A group of bottles and their effects.

Straight from New Mexico, this Gruet bottle was very obviously a deeper green that the others, and the thicker glass created fascinating designs.

By adding more light to the shadow areas, the deep green shifted to a light shade.

Turned on its side, the bottle takes on a different character.

Happy Birthday to the near-solstice birthday folks - Lena (who actually celebrates today) and Dave (who actually celebrates the solstice), and may all of you celebrate the change in your own way.

My wishes to you are for safe, healthy, and happy holidays, wherever this week finds you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©