Spring | Find the Beauty

April… Not only my birthday month but a time of new beginnings in the northern hemisphere as well. Upon research, the etymology is from the Latin aperire, “to open,” in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to “open” or start a new beginning. Additionally the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” comes to mind. April, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains. Therefore, by extension, that a period of discomfort can provide the basis for a period of happiness. April… What a wonderful month indeed.

The fourth month of last year brought continued happiness and good fortune in our photography travels. Dan and I scoured the countryside of Minnesota and Wisconsin in search for beauty. We have the knack for running into something special whether it be a forgotten building, a reflection in a puddle from a recent April downpour, or a morning sunrise like no other. As for the sunrises, I am a bit spoiled as I do, on occasion, get advance notice of the beauty that is about to unfold. Dan commutes to St. Paul for work, which means that he leaves sometimes before I even open my eyes. Those early morning text messages telling me to wake up and catch the morning sunrise as it is unfolding are appreciated… Thank you honey.

Easter Trip

Easter trip

April reflections

April sunrise

Always remember to catch a glimpse of the good things.

The golden hour (otherwise known as the magic hour) in photography refers to the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset or the first and last hour of sunlight in a day. The angle of the sun as it washes through the atmosphere creates a softer light. Shadows can be long or non-existent and the lighting is a warmer hue.

Sunrise…

It was a cold day, one like any other when my eyes lay upon the most breath taking show of light as night became day. I recently read a poem about this daily occurrence and I just have to share its first paragraph:

The sun rises and another day turns its face westward with the dawn.
What awaits us as we spy the light?
The sun, shares its brightness with each passing minute, casting rays upon the newborn day.
It buries the dark, rising, overpowering the night and making yesterdays varying triumphs and failures fade, bringing hope for the today.

I would have to admit being more of a night owl in the past. I have seen more sunsets than sunrises and I need to thank Dan for dragging me out of bed to see this natural exquisiteness.

For those text messages early before my eyes open notifying me of the glory that is about to behold while you are driving into work, I am indebted to you.

Did I have my camera that one cold day? No… That sunrise was burned into memory, never to be forgotten. However, Dan was there by my side basking in all of its glory. Did we end up with a photography outing that day? Of course!

I am going back to some of the sunrises we have had the chance to capture this year. Some are a brilliant show of colors, others are drowned in fog; each morning brings forth new opportunities.