turn, turn, turn
As I long as I can remember, the month of February always offered a spring thaw, sometimes brief, sometimes a week or two, but it happened without fail. The trend proved true regardless of where we lived in New Mexico - in the western, northern or central part of the state - and it was always a treat. Then March arrives, dashing hopes of an early spring. But this week, it is time to celebrate the false spring, with high temperatures in the 50s and lows in the high 20s and low 30s. And the amount of daylight each day is more. In Santa Fe, today will be 2 minutes and 7 seconds longer. In the San Francisco area, it will be 2 minutes 18 seconds longer, and in Seattle, it will be 3 minutes 19 seconds longer. On the other side of the world in Tel Aviv, it will be 1 minute 51 seconds longer. The change is happening at an ever increasing rate as we head to the vernal equinox. In addition to the birds feeling it, as evidenced by the increased singing - lovely but quite territorial in nature - the change is also reflected in the shadows and light on walls and other objects. There is nothing like a stuccoed wall to show the beauty of light, even if it is in shadow.
The juxtaposition of light and shadow always adds drama to an inanimate object.
And little displays one can witness at the oddest times and places, make all photographers smile.
The changes in light as we head toward spring reminds me of the great rock song "Turn, Turn, Turn" released by the Byrds in 1965. Almost word for word from the book of Ecclesiastes in the King James version of the Bible, the song was an anthem of the times, and it remains one of the truest explanations of life that I have read (not to mention some great, honest guitar work)
"To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season turn, turn, turn,
And a time to every purpose
Under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal,
A time to laugh, a time to weep
and the last three lines of the song sum it up
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace
I swear its not too late"
Not all the verses are given here, but you can find the song lyrics online, as well as the Bible verses.
Thanks to Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Steve, Marilyn G., Catherine, Ingrid, and Lawrence J. for your comments this week.
May you all feel the touch of spring (or autumn in the southern hemisphere) this week, and capture it with your cameras or in your beings!
until next Monday,
DB
a passion for the image©
Comments
The others are right out of the Daryl Black songbook. Pueblo style buildings adobe or stucco are perfect foils for sharp diagonal shadows. And for some reason I favor the one up top that's completely in shadow. It accentuates the layers and complexity of the building's design.