Thursday, April 21, 2011

SUNRISE SUNSET... SWIFTLY FLY THE YEARS

I have always been in awe of sunrises and sunsets, especially once I started photography as a hobby then as a career. The colors can be so vibrant and different from one night to the other . Why are they the colors they are?? Well, we could talk about rayleigh and mie scattering and other scientific terms but we won't. Let's just say the shorter wavelength lights of violet, blue and green are scattered so much over longer lengths that they are removed from the incident beam, leaving only longer wavelength lights of red and orange during this period when the light passes through more of the earth's atmosphere. Plus airborne particles have these light rays passing through them all causing the red and orange colors that we all ooh and ah over. That is about the most scientific musings you will ever hear from me.
Why do I like sunrises and sunset, besides all the pretty colors? I think each morning they represent a new beginning to me and each night the end of day; the passing of time!!  As Tevye sang in Fiddler On The Roof:

Sunrise sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laiden with happiness and tears.

When we were in St Augustine this past weekend, we saw some great sunrises and sunsets. I awoke Saturday morning and as I frequently do, went out to the patio which faced the ocean. This is what I saw!


Now this is not a great sunrise, not yet! The sun had not risen but I could see the colors reflecting off the clouds as they bent around the earth paving the way for the sun. I put on my clothes and went downstairs walking toward the beach.

Taking this image as I was walked up the hotel's path to the ocean, I could see the yellow light starting to come up into the sky. When I reached the beach, I looked toward the pier and saw this light.

The light was getting a stronger pink glow all around the empty beach, reflecting on the waves giving the scene a warm, beautiful feeling.

Then there it was, the sun, in all its glory; a big yellowish light shining in the yellow, orange sky.  After all these years, a great sunrise still takes my emotional breath away. It's something very emotional and  artistic, truly nature's palette reminding us who the true artist is. Reflecting off the water was a path of light seemingly to reach out to me and guide me to a new day, a new beginning.


I focused my lens for a close up, wanting to highlight our sun, the giver of life, in a picture. What a beautiful way to start the day! (By the way, never ever look directly at the sun through your lens, you could do permanent damage to your eyes).


 This image shows the colors getting more intense before the sun was up in the sky and the colors were
 gone for another day.


Around twelve hours later, after we ate dinner, we started in the direction of the Bridge of Lions. Traffic was really bad, stop and go but mostly stop. By the time we reached the bridge, the sunset was gone with just this hint of what it was. We parked our car and as we started to walk, I saw it. The sun was gone but there was the moon right behind the bridge starting its nightly trip across the sky.

As the sun went further down, the night sky turned darker but the moon was still there lighting the way.


We continued on enjoying our night and our dinner and when we left, the moon was high in the sky;     not as majestic as earlier but still there, the earth's night light telling us go to sleep, don't worry, I will be here.


We drove to the hotel and once more I went out to the patio looking out into the night with the pool below and the moon above.


I took a few images and then went back into the room to get ready for a good night's sleep. As I looked into the mirror at myself and started washing up, I heard the words in my mind;  Tevye singing those words;

I don't remember growing older, when did they?
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days.

Sunrise sunset swiftly fly the years
One season following the another
Laiden with happiness and tears.

 No, I don't remember growing older.

As I walked out of the bathroom and into our room, I was feeling like Tevye; old, looking at a sunset coming.

But then I looked at my best friend lying there, my lover of 24 years ,my wife and she smiled and I smiled back at her.
I didn't feel old anymore.

I could see the sunrise!!!

I could see clearly now
It was going to be a bright sunny day!!!

24 comments:

Alpana Jaiswal said...

WOW..no one can actually create magic like you do..with photography...

Anonymous said...

Totally beautiful! The photos, the words...it is like watching a waltz through words and pictures...

Rimly said...

What do I say? You really know how to celebrate life Jim through your words and your breath taking pictures. You are always an inspiration to me to think positively.

JIM said...

Thank You ladies all three of you inspire me each time I read your blogs

Jim

Alfandi said...

lovely..the dramatic mood of sunrise and sunset...

sheril benedict said...

Totally awesome

Ann said...

I love sunrises & sets & these are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love love love sunsets. I always try to capture them with the only camera I have; my cellphone.
Those pictures are amazing. I would love to see more sunsets, please.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

The colors are amazing! You capture them so well!!

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Jim - Sunrises and sunsets are my absolute favorite sights and I loved your pictures. But this time it's you words that really touched me! May you enjoy many more sunrises and sunsets with your love :)

PS: Fiddler on the Roof is one of my favorite movies.

Roy Durham said...

Jim don't remember grow old. that was the most beautiful poem and you took pictures. wow great job. your not old if you don't remember. thank you and god bless

Anonymous said...

I adore taking pictures of sunsets (I'm never awake for the sunrises). They are never the same, and the colors always vary with the sun, the humidity, the clouds, etc. I got an awesome shot that the weatherman actually featured before the weather forecast....I was stoked! =)

Monu Awalla said...

Amazing sunset photography.. it is something that has power of magnetism to attract people towards it & I'm no exception.. loved it :)

Monu Awalla said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JIM said...

Thank You all
I guess I am not the only one who enjoys sunrises and sunsets

Melissa Tandoc said...

oh i just knew it... i heard myself humming tevye's song as i went through your post again... oh please forgive me...it's the third time, i spent time with it... i started last night...this morning...then again tonight... exhausting every detail of it :P...sunrise to sunset...

you could just imagine how happy i was... ( side by side with good friday :P)...spending time with God on your photos...stupendous ;) and romantic (with phyllis :P)

the reflection photos were the best... but coupled with this... my photo meals are satiating :P...

a plus point is the scientific explanation behind the red and orange streaks in the sky at sunset...

"From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised." - Psalm 113,3

CHE MERAVIGLIA!

Savira Gupta said...

What can I add to this that has not been said.... Thank you for allowing my eyes to feast on the sunsets.

Mary Hudak-Collins livingthescripture.com said...

Jim, your photos are absolutely breath taking! Looking at each one makes me actually feel as though I am there...in that moment of time!

Jessica Brant said...

Breath taking photos!

Ana said...

Jim- Your photos are always beautiful, romantic and cute! Maybe I'm boring, but have to repeat that you have really great, big talent! Pls, care about this which is given from God and never sit in one place :)stay as You are.
Wish You all the best,
Have a great weekend,
Happy Easter.
Ana

Jorie Pacli said...

I'm in awe! They're all beautiful and breathtaking! Loved them...:) Thanks Jim;)

Nelieta said...

Sometimes it is so difficult to decide which is more beautiful:sunset or sunrise. God is such a creative painter!

Jim said...

The sun has been rising at setting since this Earth was born.
Would they be considered beautiful if we were not here to witness?

Tameka said...

Wow Jim. To see the world through your eyes must be a beautiful thing. I truly enjoyed these photos. Sometimes when things are going wrong for you, it's so precious to see something that is so right. Everything about these sunsets you've captured is right on. Also, your lovely testament and declaration to your wife are beautiful. Bless you both!