Bedford Winter Solstice

I have noticed over the last few years that I have often taken pictures around the time of winter solstice. It may be the way the sun sets so early in the afternoon or the way the lights in the buildings start to add their amber glow to the darkening indigo sky. With experience, a photographer becomes more aware of the light as it plays on the subjects it illuminates.

At the beginning of this winter season, I was in England and I was delighted to wake up to a sunny morning. At these latitudes, around Oxford and Cambridge, there are about seven hours of daylight at this time of the year. The sun, when visible through the prevalent cloud cover, barely rises above the tree tops at mid day.

Fortunately, a few friends had planned to walk in the Bedford Park this morning, and the sun was smiling on us with all of its glory. The day had warmed up to a balmy 10 celsius. About 50 Fahrenheit for my Florida friends. The grass was thriving in the cool damp climate at this time of year in contrast to the brown dry dormant grass that I saw here when I visited in the dry weeks of July.

The Tamarack trees were dropping their golden red needles and they seemed to glow in the warm yellow-orange light.

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Many people bring their dogs to the park for an off-leash run.

The birds are enjoying the beautiful day too.

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– Where do you want to go today? –