and the moon rises, so beautiful it
makes me shudder, makes me think about
time and space, makes me take
measure of myself: one iota
pondering heaven. Thus we sit,
I thinking how grateful I am for the moon’s
perfect beauty and also, oh! How rich
it is to love the world.
Mary Oliver
There’s nothing like the time around twilight for taking pictures. There is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. The light transforms from gold to blue, from warm to cool, from real to surreal. I am often surprised when I look at images I make during this time of day. The camera picks up tones that my eye did not notice.
I was out walking on the shore of the St. Lawrence River today, near the Fort Wellington Lighthouse at Prescott. I had intended to photograph the lighthouse, which had been converted from a windmill and was the site of a key battle in the War of 1812.
But then, as so often happens to me, I was drawn to the water. The sun had set but it was still light enough to see. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I gingerly climbed down the slippery wooden steps and made my way out onto the rocky shore.
I first faced the direction where the sun had been, leaving an apricot-coloured smear behind and tried to capture the overall vista as well as some of the details. Then I turned and looked back toward the bridge to the United States. And there it was, the almost-full moon, glowing in its reflected light, suspended high over the bridge, echoed in the globe-like lamps lining the span. I tried to hold onto it in my photograph.
The air was chill and the scene was still. The blue hour had worked its particular magic. I couldn’t help but take a measure of myself, as Mary Oliver writes, as one iota pondering heaven. And then, as night started to fall, the last of the day’s glow illuminated my way as I retraced my steps back to where I had come from.
Today, I’m linking up with Lissa Forbes’ Walk and Click Wednesdays. This week Lissa focuses on “light” in all its many meanings. And why not drop over and see what’s happening at This or That Thursdays.
Sherrygaley.com 
Sherry,
Thank you for these wonderful images and wonderful inspiring words. Dusk and Dawn are my favourite times of the day.
Sheryl-Elaine
On Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 4:29 AM, Still and All
What beauty you are blessed with to have around you. I have a hard time pulling myself away from the photos.
Lovely soft colours for a beautiful time of the day when all is so peaceful. Mary Oliver’s words go so well with both of these scenes.
Beautiful photos and beautiful words! I especially love the second photo with the lovely light and the rocks in the foreground. And the poem is soul stirring. . .
Such beautiful photos, and you have really captured the beautiful colors of this special time of day with both your shots and the nostalgic tone of your writing
Sherry, your gorgeous images and beautiful writing capture your discovery moment so well. And then, bonus! that wonderful snippet from Mary Oliver. Thanks my dear!
I love that second one with those amazing tones, I’m glad you shared these, they are so calm and serene 🙂
such beautiful shots! I really love that second one!
Sherry, yes that is the magic. You’ve got it. More and more I’m seeing why I keep coming back: you too are a ‘student’ of Mary Oliver. We are but an iota.
Your photos are just glorious – it gives me goosebumps!
Sherry, oh how I love the the reflection of the moon on the river and the sense of expansiveness in the second image. I love that time of twilight and the setting sun too. I’ve been meaning for some time to write about the long shadows. Maybe that will be my focus next week. Thank you sooo much for joining in Walk and Click Wednesdays!
Sherry, there is just something special when the shore has beautiful textures like these rocks…you did an amazing job capturing this.
laurie
Slippery wooden steps, Yikes! The evening light in these is beautiful. I love to see where everybody goes for their Walk and Click’s, it is so great to see other parts of the world.
Absolutely wonderful Sherry mystical…
twilight in pink – such serene shots
A magical moment… beautifully captured in both images and words. I love the way you write, transporting us to the scene with you.