Well, the cookies and milk I left out for Santa were gone when I woke up this morning, always a good sign. However, there was no XF8mm lens under the tree so there must have been a screw up somewhere. They must have not gotten my letter. I didn’t think I was that naughty this past year. However, I’ve lived without that lens so far and will continue to live without it.
Overcast skies spurred me to drive to Pineridge Natural Area for possible Christmas morning predawn colors. A mix of rain and snow began and added to the feel of the morning’s cold. I showed up and was not disappointed in nature’s gift of colors. The reflection off Dixon Reservoir was breathtaking and almost caused me to miss the Great Horned Owl perched on the tree. I asked if they were watching the predawn colors or looking for prey or both, but only silence? And, silly me forgot to bring the tripod so this is a handheld image taken at 23mm, 1/10 sec at f8.0 and ISO 12800. I have cropped this image and used denoise in Lightroom to clean up the noise. It works well enough for this blog. I started a crockpot of chili soup after my quiet time and its aroma is filling the house. It’s making me hungry. I hope everyone has a wonderful day in whatever way you celebrate it. Thank you to all who regularly stop by for a visit. I love this world!!! ❤️
“The biggest gift you can give is to be absolutely present, and when you’re worrying about whether you’re hopeful or hopeless or pessimistic or optimistic, who cares? The main thing is that you’re showing up, that you’re here and that you’re finding ever more capacity to love this world because it will not be healed without that. That was what is going to unleash our intelligence and our ingenuity and our solidarity for the healing of our world.”
Joanna Macy
10 Comments
Bonnie Moore
Beautiful photo, Monte! Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
Monte Stevens
And thank you for stopping by and leaving comments, Bonnie. I consider that my gift from you!!!
Tom Dills
Not a bad start to the day, Monte. Too bad about the tripod, although you obviously made the best of it – rookie mistake! The owl is truly a gift – icing on the cake, cherry on the sundae, whichever you prefer!
Not sure about that 8mm lens, Monte. How would you keep your feet out of the frame! 😉
Monte Stevens
It was all a good start to my day! In reference to the rookie mistake, I’ve heard it said that we need to always stay with the beginner’s mind. I do want to always stay as a beginner. Always gives us a fresh view of everything.
So what I can do with the 8 mm is set it on a tripod, if I remember it, and stand back about ten feet using a remote release. The other option is to photoshop out my feet.
I hope you guys are enjoying your Christmas day!
geri oster
What a lovely Christmas morning, and I like the company you keep! Both of you wise enough to know where to be on a special morning. Hope that ALL have had a wonderful day and blessings to those who are celebrating Hannukah as well as those who may or may not have your own traditions for this special time of the year. This is a good time to remember that we truly are all one and rely on and need each other more than I’d care to admit!
Monte Stevens
Yes, Geri, I enjoyed the morning and the company I keep. It has been a quiet day for me. A day of solitude, even getting in an 11 mile bicycle ride. My chili soup turned out wonderful also. I believe as you do, “we truly are all one and rely on and need each other.” My prayer is that the world discovers that also. I hope you had a good day! Thank you for being here.
Joe
Merry Christmas, Monte. A good morning to top off the season.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, and yes it was a good. Maybe a good omen for the year to come.
Earl
I hope your Christmas was merry, Monte, and that you’re gearing up for a happy New Year. Beautiful photo.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, my friend! My Christmas day was quiet and uneventful. Spent most of the day with myself. I did get in a nice bicycle ride in between rains. And, the chili soup hit the spot. Hope you enjoyed the day yourself.