Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Morning Photos

As the world turns and as the stomach churns, my body and I have been slipping into a new phase, one of which I'm not always totally appreciative. I speak of my new found early to bed early to rise proclivity. I find myself fading by 10:30 these days, but going to bed that early means that I am waking, literally, with the birds — anywhere from 5:00 to 6:00 as a rule. The other morning, I was found heaving myself out of bed at 4:30. Sometimes, I try to get back to sleep, and sometimes it works. Sometimes, I just give up and get up. This puts me the position where I am dead tried by 10:00 or so the next night. I may try to stay up and read in my easy chair but tend to find myself succumbing to the gentle arms of Morpheus.

I'm not exactly complaining because I do tend to be getting 6 to 7 hours of decent sleep, and that hasn't always been the case in what passes for my little life.

In the event, I made the decision to try to use that time better by trying to get out to take pictures. We are told that dawn and dusk are the golden hours for photographic light, so I thought I might as well give it a whirl. Following are a few images from my first two early morning shoots. For all I know, my sleeping habits may change, and the will be the only two early shoots since, traditionally, I have not been a morning kind of guy. We shall see.

My first stop, below, was to catch the sunrise over a misty field near us. The mist picked up the rays very nicely. (Note: if you click on one photo, you can it in a somewhat larger view and then easily proceed onto the others from there. The first one in particular is best viewed large, and this link leads to an even larger version on my Flickr site.)



Then it was off to photograph our train station (above and below). By getting there early, there were no cars in the way, and by using my wide angle lens, I was able to get behind the distracting signage, poles and wires out front. The track was pulled up in 1990 but the station still gets used by other local groups.



On the second morning I drove around town, not quite knowing where I would end up. As it happens I ended up spotting an old barn on the edge of town. It's so close to the town-township boundary that I'm not sure which side of the line it is on. The first shot sets the scene while the second is a closeup of the barn.


Is it bedtime yet?


12 comments:

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Great use of early morning rise, AC. Many times when I wake up at 5a.m. And earlier, I've stayed awake too, but usually read the news online instead of getting outside. It's raining here today and that's my excuse for not getting out.

Diana said...

Your entire first paragraph describes my sleep pattern! But I've always liked going to bed early. I'm too tired to do anything else after 8:30!!
Your early morning ventures paid off A.C. I love the fact that the train station still has the original style yet it was modernized in appearance.
And that barn is just a treat to my eyes to look at. I don't know what it is about old barns that is so intriguing, but this one really fills the bill!! Great shots my friend! Love Di ♥

Hilary said...

I find that sleep is far more elusive these days. You might put a nap to good use.

You certainly put your mornings to good use though. That sunrise over the foggy field is lovely. I shot one something like that the other day. The barn is also a great shot - particularly the first image with that lovely sky showing.

Donna said...

I don't feel so Bad now!! We're in bed by 7:30pm and Larry's up by 3;30am and me, by 4:30...

LOVE ALL the shots! Especially the first one...They're all gorgeous Ac!
hughugs

Jimmie Earl said...

What wonderful photos! I always enjoy other people's photos because I am not a capable photographer. I am artistic enough to see what I want, but not adept enough with a camera.
I, too, am on that early to bed, early to rise, schedule. At first I fought it and tried to stay in bed. But, finally, I have submitted, gotten up earlier, and find that I really like welcoming the morning. Of course it sometimes calls for a nap after lunch if I want to make it through the evening.

Lorna said...

Your photos are always wonderful so I am not a proponent of the get-them-early school. Conversely, I'm not of the stay-in-bed school either. Just keep snapping.

MARY G said...

I think I've already commented on the photos over at Picasa. Lovely, especially the sunrise. As to the sleep pattern, me too. Just got up from a two hour nap I took to get to the 8 hour per day mark. Yawn. Does get the laundry out early though.

Jinksy said...

That barn proves that decrepit can be beautiful - guess there's hope for me yet! LOL
And you first sunrise shot was worth losing sleep for...

RVVagabond said...

I've never gotten out of the habit of awakening early since I quit work, although normally I don't go out and about. I'll take the camera outside our trailer in the morning for sunrise shots but that's about it. Love the early morning mist and the peonies. Peonies remind me of my grandmother and they make me smile. Thanks for that!

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JunieRose2005 said...

AC,

I enjoyed your early morning rising pictures!

Among my favorite things are sunrises and old barns! :)

Thanks for sharing !

Junie

Pearl said...

gorgeous shots. I wouldn't mind earlier. an hour before midnight is worth 2 after. If I'm in bed by 10, I'm up by 6. If I'm in bed by 2am, I'm not with it until 11am. wait, think I just disproved myself. still, dawn is nice.