At this time of year, it’s not difficult to get to the park before sunrise. It’s my favorite time, a time when animals are often still out and when the park is usually rather empty (unless it’s the weekend.) In the last week or so, there’ve been some rather good sunrises, the sun first a small red-orange fingernail on the horizon, gradually growing larger until it emerges as a giant red ball.
Until the sun comes out, it’s cold for me but great for finding frost! Once the sun’s rays hit the frost, it doesn’t usually last long.
First light begins to hit the trees.
Heading back, the sun is higher in the sky and starting to get in my eyes. An intrepid cyclist has been here since it snowed.
I’m constantly looking for deer, coyotes, hawks, or anything of interest. These days I mostly see squirrels scampering away or hear them scritch scritching on nuts somewhere on a tree limb. Today I spot four deer almost out of range of my phone camera although not of my eyes. Maybe next week I’ll have my Nikon or the deer will be closer.
for Jo’s Monday Walk
What a beautiful and inspiring morning walk!
I got home last night and this morning walked/hiked up the hills of the golf course…it’s a steep climbed 3 times! It’s a very challenging course for golfers, carts and especially hikers which aren’t really allowed but, …we live here. 🥰 I saw a Redtailed Hawk and Harrier Hawk, bushtits, a White-Crowned Sparrow, and Pigeons. My phone was charging and I didn’t bring my bridge camera. I regretted it straight-away! I appreciate you remember to charge your phone enough to capture images on your morning walk!
My goal is to get out more by myself this year. It’s something I rarely do…I’m a big chicken. I hope I get over that!
Sounds like a good walk, Deborah. I charge my phone every night but I also have a charging case, just in, well, you know…case. But in the morning I don’t have to use it.
Getting out by myself here isn’t anything that could be problematic (at least under normal circumstances), but I absolutely love getting out on my own and must do it to keep my sanity. 🙂 We’ll see how that all works out in Arizona, where I won’t have such wonderful parks available so close.
As for cameras, I’ve started taking my camera with me every walk because I never know what I’ll see and what I see may be for the last time.
Being an urbanized version of human, these snaps are rather refreshing for my mind 🙂
We live in suburbs of Chicago, Hammad, but there’s a wonderful, extensive park system that allows me to feel as if I weren’t in a city at all. I so appreciate that!
Such views are only visible in the out most outskirts of my city.
Winter colors and snow. That is we don’t have at the moment
We haven’t had much snow this year, so I’d be happy if we got more. 🙂
It’s a beautiful winter day in your neighborhood. I really like the frost photo and the footprints.
Thanks, Judy. I know you enjoy it even more being in a nice warm location. 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! What part of the US?
We live a suburb of Chicago, Orna, and there’s an extensive and excellent park system. I appreciate that it allows me to get away from the city so often.
Oh, I love those Maxfield Parrish mornings, with the sky so rich a blue and the sunlight liquid gold!
I do, too, Marian. Happy Monday.
janet
Great pictures! I’m too busy watching Benny to make sure he doesn’t eat something he shouldn’t when we are on our morning walk!
🙂 I don’t have to worry about that for myself. So far I haven’t been tempted to eat anything in the park.
A rare pleasure this walking quietly,serenely into your morning. A beautiful world indeed. Janet.
Thanks for coming along, Virginia, and enjoying my park and morning.
I’m peering through the trees at those deer! Aren’t they magical creatures? 🙂 🙂 I love the sunlight filtering in too, but the frost gives me the shivers, Janet! Living in the Algarve does make you soft 🙂
I love seeing them, Jo, as well as the other animals I sometimes spot. Aren’t you glad you could share with you and you didn’t even get cold? 🙂
I’m sitting here wrapped in a blanket, Janet, and clutching a coffee. As often, I woke too early, and I find it hard to lie in bed, but nights are cool here right now. 🙂 Thanks for the thought!
Delightful and quiet feel – especially like the snow photo with the fresh bike tire mark…
I liked the tire mark, too. It was very quiet, which I love.
😊
Looks like a crisp and delightful walk! 🙂 Great pics.
Thanks! It was quite delightful and certainly crisp, but not as cold as it’s been some other times. 🙂
Nice post, beautiful pics!
I am watching a special on Gaia channel called “The Universe”. First episode is about the Sun. It amazed me that the Sun gives off as much energy in one second as all of man has used since the stone age.
Wow, I didn’t know that.
I didn’t either. Makes me take a step back for admiration.
As many times as you see the sun rise (or set) it just never gets old… Stunning.
Sometimes are more amazing than others, but I agree, Hannah. I hope your week’s off to a good start.
what it is nice to get up well before the hens to go admire the sunrise.
In winter, of course the cold numbs us.
But what I like in these moments is first the silence and then seeing nature (or the city) reveal itself to me little by little
It’s always a very special and very nice feeling
Plus, the colors change at an incredibly fast pace
I agree and yes, the colors change quickly. You have to be ready to take a lot of photos. 😉. I dress for the cold but the hardest part is keeping my hands warm and still being able to take photos. It’s my favorite time of day.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
janet
Don’t you have the possibility to buy very fine gloves in a sports store? I do this so my hands are a little protected
There are also small sachets that give you warmth in your hands, you put them in your gloves while wearing them and I assure you that you will see the difference in the mornings
you are welcome on my site (there is a translator if you wish)
I do have some gloves that work and that also allow using my phone without taking them off. It’s not quite as easy with my camera. I’ve never tried the sachets. Thanks for the tip.
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