October 21, 2010

The Last Sunset...

This past weekend I watched the sun set, for the last time over a true horizon. As the golden disc moved on an absolutely pristine autumn sky, it was initially obstructed by trees. Ultimately it reappeared in my view, only minutes before melting into the the dark silhouette of land, granting me the allure of its final setting beauty.


I admit that this final farewell touched me to tears...

The Scandinavian sun is to me the subject of infinite magic. It is either abundant in the summer months, giving rise to the enticing white nights, creating light shows unlike any other on the evening sky. Equally long however, it graces us with its total absence in the winter, when darkness rule our world and twilight our days.

It feels as if it was only yesterday I was rejoicing over the suns return, yet now the vital star has departed from my view again. This fall farewell effects me deeply, more than the one I usually have to endure when Summer's end is imminent. My world will soon be submerged into darkness for months to come. Thus this final sunset of the year is suddenly signifying - for the first time this season - a true imminence of winter...

(Please click on the images below for larger view)





36 comments:

Snowbrush said...

Beautiful, Zuzana! I know what you mean by the seasons moving so quickly--all of them but winter, that is, although it is much longer and drearier for you than it is for me.

Lynne said...

Yes, I remember you welcoming the summer, it doesn't seem that long ago. I hope the winter isn't too hard or long for you. Lovely photos.

Sandy said...

We don't have the total darkness you experience during winter here but I use to hate getting up in the dark, going to work in the dark and coming home from work in the dark during the last months of the year. We have extended daylight saving time into November (thank goodness). Our days are slowly getting shorter. Your photos are beautiful.

S. Susan Deborah said...

What lovely pictures, dear Zuzana. The sun in its splendour is absolutely stunning. As you bid adieu to the sun, I wish that the sunshine always lasts in your being :)

Joy always,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Stunning shots! I can't believe that the sun is disappearing so fast... And yet, some of our winter sunsets at 15.00 can be magnificent too!

Anonymous said...

Those images were beautiful, Zuzana. Our winters are not very dark as compared to yours, but I really do understand what you mean... x

Brian Miller said...

beautiful shots...i would say it has quite the significance...stay warm zuzana...and enjoy the long night.

Hilary said...

The sun is just rising above the tree line and houses across the street as I type.

I know how you cherish your summers (as I do, mine) and I can't imagine the long hours of darkness which you endure throughout winter. I do know that you'll be finding cheer in your fireplace, candles, incense and wine.. the warmth of winter comes from several sources. And I'm looking forward to your photos and words about it all.

Anonymous said...

Oh my. I don't mind shorter days during our winter months, but I don't think I could survive with completely dark days 24-7. Guess that's normal to people who have grown up and lived in your part of the world for a very long time. Wishing you warmth and many friends to keep you smothered in happiness as you endure this time of the year.

Di

Anonymous said...
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NENSA MOON said...

Great shot, Zuzana!!
I can see how the sun was sinking so fast...
the natural phenomenon which so interesting and amazing!!
What a great masterpiece of God!

Wishing you enjoy your beautiful day!
hugs,
nensa

Kath said...

Truly breathtaking! but sad to face months of darkness. Your consolation will be crackling fires, wine and cuddles ;)

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
wow... where has this summer gone? I remember so vividly your anticipation for the warmth of the sun and your lovely pictures of your patio ready to come to life with the melting of the snow. Love your side bar slideshow of the beautiful sunset. So glad to hear you enjoy nature's free gift as I do. Have a great day! :) The Bach

Anonymous said...

What a magnificent sunset and very poignant too. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to have darkness for so long without ever having experienced it. It does sound very interesting, but I am sure it grows weary with time. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos : )

steviewren said...

Zu, another interesting post from you that brings some questions to my mind.

I was surprised to see that the sunset lasted over an hour. Ours happens much faster...I suppose that is due to the slant of the earth? Does this mean that yesterday was your last sunrise as well?

I've always wondered how Scandinavians compensate for the lack of light. As a rule, are your homes decorated in bright colors, your walls painted in light colors and brightly lite, etc., to mimic the light of summer?

Keera Ann Fox said...

Not only are the days getting shorter; they are getting colder, too. We had our first snow today. Well, I bought two bags full of candles today. :-)

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Your thoughts are always so charming and your photos so pretty! Hugs

sprinkles said...

I always love your comparison photos and attention to detail. I tend to not always look at the small details and miss the beauty in things as a result. I've tried to make a point to take the time to really take time to check everything over but I'm not always successful in this endeaver.

It's getting dark earlier here too but not quite as early as there. That's one of the things I love about summer - that it stays light so much longer.

Titane333 said...

Hi Zuzanna, glad you read my blog. I had some health problems but everything is fine. When I read your very nice description of the Danish sun, I have lots of dreams. It's as if I were in Denmark. Thank you for these magic shots.
XOXO

A Plain Observer said...

The one season I dont like is fall, with all its beauty it is a prelude to hard cold days to come. Once winter is here, I know every single day lived, is one less of winter and one closer to spring

adrielleroyale said...

Beautiful pictures as usual - I hate winter, I can't imagine such a dark one on top of the frigid cold we have here in Minnesota. It's not even below 30 degrees Fahrenheit here yet and I'm already wondering the same thing I wonder every year - Why do I live here in MN??? I need to move south! lol But the other seasons are wonderful here and judging from your photos, I would assume that the same is true for your corner of the world. :) So, I wish you as cozy a winter as you can get!

Anonymous said...

Even without the darkness ahead of me (we still have light to look forward to in December), I have been treasuring these autumn sunsets. There is such a richness in the gold displayed by the setting sun.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I can't imagine living in darkness but your final sunset and your photos are a stunning reminder of what you have to look forward to.

Thanks for sharing. jj

Rajesh said...

I once again say that your part of the world witnesses gorgeous sunsets.

Anonymous said...

Oh Zuzana, I am so touched by this post. I have trouble imagining winter without sunshine, but I do understand why Mr. Summer is so very special to you. And what a beautiful summer you had!

It is snowing hard outdoors this afternoon, and we have our first fire for the season going in the woodstove. Onward the seasons turn and we turn right along with them, yes?

Thank you for you sweet comment over at my blog. I am truly blessed to call you my friend.

Hugs,
Zuzu

WebbieLady said...

wow! i am very impressed how you took ypur records, observation and shots. Amazing!

Velvet Over Steel said...

I can't image not seeing the sun for a long period of time. I get 'blue' or down when it rains here for a week straight. Wow.. I will feel fortunate next time.

Great pictures, Zuzana Thank you for sharing!

Big Hug to you,
Coreen

SandyCarlson said...

Your photos are so clear, so crisp. The colors and the silhouettes suggest so much energy and wonder. Your words are gorgeous, too. You remind me how fleeting is our time here. Best to live in joy and wonder!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Your observations of the Scandinavian seasons are so full of wonder and amazement Zuzana - beautifully documented and photographed.

I feel for you as the season of darkness and twilight falls, but the sunshine of your summers must offer so much consolation.

I have just read your previous post. So beautiful and touching - you have the soul of a poet dear friend.

Jeanne
xxx

Unknown said...

you are so connected with your surroundings and it always shows in your writing. so is your winter total darkness? our days are getting much shorter quickly here also. leaves are falling from the trees. won't be long before the snow and ice will be here!

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Stunning. Beautifully captured.

Cheryl Kohan said...

I did not realize that daylight winters in Denmark are really like twilight! I think it's like that in Alaska, too, although I've never been there.

Settling in with candles and wine before a cozy fireplace (as Hilary suggests) sounds great. I, too, am looking forward to your winter journal posts.

I hope you have a wonderful week with a few more spectacular sunsets.

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Zuzana said...

Snowbrush, Lynne, Sandy, Susan, ladyfi, Mel, Brian, Hilary, Di, Nensa, Kath, The Bach, LadyCat, Stevie, Keera, Philip, Artsdeco (welcome), sprinkles, Christiane, Myriam, Adrielle, kcinnova, Joanna, Rajesh, Zuzu, WebbieLady(welcome), Coreen, Sandy, Radka, Jeanne, Doreen, Cosmo, Cheryl and la mi (welcome) – I am so glad you all enjoyed the progressive photography of the last true sunset as it played out in front of my windows…

Yes indeed, the sun will now grace us with its absence, not due to the fact it will not rise, but due to the fact that sunny days will be few and far between. Furthermore its journey across the sky will be short and most of all low, just above the horizon. Thus as it sets in the far southwest, it is from now shielded from my view until March next year.

I appreciate your kind words and compliments at all times. Thank you for your wonderful visits.

Xoxo
Zuzana

Cat in the road said...

It’s a shame that mankind doesn’t have the ability to hibernate for the winter. It would be such a blessing to sleep throughout Old Man Winter’s visit.

Claus said...

I can feel the melancholy in your writing Zuzana. I wish you could come over, or I could send, some sun from our side. We have it year-round! except, of course, when the strong rainy skies don't let it come through directly. I'm sorry this brings you some kind of sadness. Like you, I need sunlight to function properly. If I don't have it, I get the blues.
Breath in as much Autumn as you can my friend, and hang in there through the winter time. The sun will come back eventually.
*hugs*