October 14, 2009

The Departing Sun.

I can deal with the cold, I can deal with the snow and even the wind. I can deal with the absence of foliage and with the fog and rain, But I CAN NOT deal with the darkness that envelopes us in the midst of winter. It consumes everything. Most of all all our life force.
As the sun is slowly retreating on our evening sky, this means the imminent onset of the dark period in the North.

The golden disc was setting this past weekend on a cloudy sky, giving rise to a magnificent final sunset. Making the grey sky look as if on fire, its final rays once again created a light show that takes my breath away.
I was sitting there, watching it depart with a sense of melancholy, as it offered the final true sunset of this year. This was the last time for many months to come that I got the privilege to watch it set over a natural horizon. In a few days, the sun will have moved to my far left, towards the hills in the south, where it will stay for the rest of the fall season.
Once winter arrives, I will hardly see it at all.
(Please click the below to enlarge.)

30 comments:

MsTypo said...

The sky looks like its on fire in the bottom lefthand one. Beautiful. :)

Bhushavali said...

Help!!!! Call the fire dept.!!! The Sun's on Fire!!!!!! :P :D
Jokes apart. :) Its so impressionist and Monet-isque!!!
My Travelogue, Savoir-Faire

Brian Miller said...

beautiful pics. i can not imagine going with out the sun...goodbye sun! please come back!

Julie Hibbard said...

As someone who has to go to sleep by 9pm and gets up at 4 each day, I LOVE the change of season to the winter. I love the long evening before having to go to bed!
It's raining here right now...and I am loving that too. Something different...cooler, softer days...
I love your montages!

steviewren said...

I've thought of you more than once this week. It has been dark and gloomy and rainy everyday. It seems so long since we have had a sunny day and I'm starting to feel energy-less and gloomy myself. I can see why you dread it every year. It seems like winter would be a good time for a get away to a tropical location.

Keith said...

Great photos. So beautiful. The sun is definitely not out much today. It's cold and dreary here. Hope you're having a wonderful week so far.

Unknown said...

Protege, if you ever visit Phoenix during this black out period, let me know! I agree. The sunrise is spectacular as are the photos you have here of the sun setting. I mention your site on this morning's Blog over at my place. Cheers!

Nessa said...

Beautiful sunsets. I am always fascinated at the greens in the sky.

Stacey J. Warner said...

Wish I could offer you some of "my sun". I get more exposure in the Fall/Winter as the sun moves South and shines in my windows. Thankfully its the cool sun.

much love

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in to say hello! Gorgeous photos!

Claus said...

I cannot imagine my life without at least some sun. We have grown used to it year-round on this corner of the planet, and everything -from people, to animals, to plants- require at least a little bit of it to lead the normal daily life we have become accustumed to. I can only imagine how you must be feeling now that you face the inevitable season ahead. I have learned, on the other hand, that there are people who adore the long, cold, dark winters of the north. There are likes for every taste, huh? Enjoy the last bits of the sun Zuzana! *hugs*

Mark said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful pics! It can be draining to be deprived of the radiance of the sun.

Holly said...

You know, it probably sounds funny coming from me here in the desert, but I can totally identify with your feelings. It is getting darker here earlier every day, and in the winter we have more overcast days then we do in the summer. It makes every little thing feel just a little bit more ominous doesn't it.

Good thing we have our "on-line support group" to sometimes help deal with the day to day.

Your pictures are remarkable!!

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Poor dear, no wonder you love sunsets so much. Their days are numbered. My son only moved to Indiana from Florida and he is already missing our clear blue skies. I am spoiled as our skies are so beautiful year round. If it makes you feel any better, it is in the mid-90s here still!

j. said...

As much as I love the night, I cannot imagine not seeing at least once a week. The more you miss something, the more special it becomes..

xx

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Those photos are truly remarkable, I can see why you love sunsets so much!

Jeanne x

United Studies said...

How very appropriate I read this as our sun is setting. I am with you, the lack of sunlight is very depressing, and it also makes me understand why bears hibernate in the winter. Because as soon as the sun goes away, taking what bit of warmth with it there was that day, I too want to hibernate under some warm blankets!!

Just this morning I got Emma up for school and she commented on how hard it is to get up when there is no sun.

sprinkles said...

Beautiful pictures, as always.

We got some pretty heavy rain last night. It was supposed to continue into today but fortunately it warmed up and dried out.

Hopefully winter will be over before we know it and it'll be spring again with the warm sun.

Hilary said...

But what a beautiful parting shot it was!

Cat in the road said...

Once again your photos have me awe struck. I’m busy at this time of the year getting ready for winter’s hibernation, but I had to stop by to see what you had posted. Your photographs have a way of coming alive. Viewing them is a nice treat at the end of the day.

Sandi McBride said...

I love winter, even the darkness of it...I feel safe and warm inside the home we have made for ourselves...and look at the beauty you have found to photograph and share with us! Thank you, they made me smile!
Sandi

sallymandy said...

Wow, what a gorgeous sunset. Thanks as usual for your lovely photos.

I'm with you, Z. It's getting dark where I live, too, and it's just about time for me to get out my full-spectrum light box, without which I'd be a mighty gloomy person in the winter.

Let's all keep each other's spirits up! ♥

p.s. so glad you're going to become an aunt again.

Sumandebray said...

'Chakrabat paribartante sukhani cha dukhani cha...'
The above statement is a sloka in sanskrit. A devotional statement which I find very true in everyday life and also for the mother nature. The message of this sloka is that happiness and sadness in life rotates around like a wheel, wise men are those who retain equananimity in happeness and sadness alike.
you have a view which is quite enviable! :)

Zuzana said...

=Cairo,
you indeed are right; that is the way I felt when I saw it too. It seems like there are flames all over the sky.;) Thank you for always wonderful comments.;) xo

=Mitr,
hehe, it is indeed.;) I am so happy that you find the time to stop by and I always appreciate your lovely comments.;) xo

Brian,
yes, the absence of sun is difficult, but then again, I can relish in the fact that it will be back.;) Always glad when you stop by.;)

=Julie,
wow, yes, you get up really early.;) I agree on the long evenings; it is the dark mornings that are the worst; in November it gets daylight first at 9am.
Always happy to have you visit; enjoy the rain;) xo

=stevie,
yes, isn't it awful how important the sun is? Sometime sin the winter we can have fog and rain for weeks. I hope he sun will come back again for you; here it has been a very sunny and cold week - should make for some marvelous coloured foliage.;) xo

=Keith,
thank you for your very kind words.;) I hope the sun will come back for you.;) We have been lucky this week and got blessed with lovely sunny - but cold autumn weather.;)

=Michael,
thank you for the offer.;) And thank you for the mention, that was extremely nice of you, I am very flattered. Your visits mean so much.;)

=Nessa,
thank you so much, I appreciate your kind visit and your comments.;) I too enjoy the plethora of colours in the evening sky.;) xo

=stacey,
indeed you are in a part of the world that is blessed with much sun.;) Enjoy it even for me please.;) Thank you so much for stopping by.;) xo

=The Blonde Duck,
love your name.;) And happy to hear you like the pictures. Thank you so much for stopping by, please come back again.;)

=Claudia,
the absence of sun is terrible. At least for me. who is not really native to this part of the world. I think one needs to be born here to really cope with it. Even after decades living in the North, the darkness gets to me. But I try to make the best of it and it helps knowing it will pass.;)
Always love when you stop by dear friend.;) xo

Zuzana said...

=Mark,
thank you so much for your understanding and a lovely compliment. I appreciate your visit, please come back again.;)

=Holly,
always so kind in your words; I know that you too have tried to live in a climate that offered less sun in the winter. Thank you for this comforting comment.;) Your words always warm my heart.;) xo

=Rosezilla,
your son have my sympathies.;) He must be suffering; I hope he can go back and visit you often.;) Please send me some of that heat.;) Always enjoy when you stop by.;) xo

=Valentine,
I guess the people of the North have the Midsommer to celebrate the sun. I know it will come back, that is the consolation. So glad you stopped by.;)

=Jeanne,
thank you, glad you enjoyed the.;) So happy every time you stop by.;)
xo

=Jacki,
you echo my sentiments; I always ask why the citizens of the North are not allowed to hibernate.;) I feel exactly as you.;) Great comment my dear friend.;) xo

=sprinkles,
thank you for your kind words; happy you like the pictures.;) Hope they made you feel better.;) And you are right: this too shall pass.;) xo

=Hilary,
yes, it sure was my dear friend, as if it knew it was leaving so it did leave magnificently.;)
I was thinking of how much you woud have loved to photograph it.;)
xoxo

=Scribe816,
I think you leave the kindest compliments in regards to my photography. Thank you.;) They mean so much to me; I never thought I was any good at it. I love to pay attention to my surroundings and I love to capture beautiful moments in time. Camera is a wonderful tool in this venture.
Your visits mean a lot every time.;)

=Sandi,
so glad you enjoyed my sunsets.;) I agree about the cozy home; I feel that way about my home too.;) Thank you for your kind visit. xoxo

=sallymandy,
yes, I am sure those lamps are a life savior, I should get myself one.;)
Thank you again for your lovely words and for your visit.;) And for the best wishes, I am sitting by the phone every day - my new niece should be arriving any day now.;)
xoxo

=Sumandebray,
I love reading your vise comments. So right you are, everything goes in circles and in life we have to accept the good with the bad. ;) The sun will come back again and in two months, days will increase again.;)
Always enjoy when you stop by.;)

Anonymous said...

Ok, ok ...

Come to Spain then,

:-).

To endure the winter.

I´m serious!

An interchange of houses ;-). What do you think?

G said...

Amazing pictures, truly beautiful! But I had to read your post twice to have it sink in that, as north as you are, you truly do lose the sun to some extent. That would wear on me. I hope you can escape to Ireland a few times this winter to see it again. :)

Zuzana said...

=Love,
thank you for such a tempting offer.;) Winter in Spain, who can resist;) Of course, that would mean that Batcat and my handsome Irishman would have to follow with me.;) But I guess my boss would not be impressed if I left the lab.;)
Thank you for stopping by.;)

=BPG,
yes, we do lose it. The difference is astounding. There is about 11 hours difference in light between November and June. That is almost a whole extra day. But I guess I just have to make the best of it.;) And yes, a few trip to the southwest might do the trick.;)
Always so happy when you stop by;)

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Farewell, dear sun! Until we meet again! (Which is why we party hearty at Solstice!)

Zuzana said...

=CatLady,
so true and that is the spirit.;) Thank you so much for stopping by.;)