Sunset #1 2024

My first sunset photo of 2024, taken at Mudeford Quay.

Swansong

Back again to Mudeford Quay to take in the days' swansong. The clouds a touch thicker and darker this evening; we were gifted a lovely sunset nonetheless. I wasn't the only one taking it the sinking Sun; I wonder if and how other creatures register and experience things like sunsets.

Sunset

 

It's good to feel the days slowly lengthening.  

Winter Solstice

Being deeply connected to the natural world our ancestors knew the importance of the Winter Solstice and it's pivotal point in the turning of the seasonal wheel, as a consequence many of their prehistoric monuments have alignments which mark the midwinter sunset; most notable locally being the 10km long Dorset Cursus. Today many pagans favour the following morning's sunrise to celebrate their Solstice and the birth of the new Sun. I used to only observe the latter though for some years now I've observed both. So today I did my bit for the ancestors by observing what I could of the shortest day's sundown over the harbour. Personally, the winter Solstice has always been one of my most important celebrations, it marks the end of a period of refection begun at Samhain; whilst tomorrow's sunrise marks the chance of new beginnings. Over the period since Samhain I've reflected on how the year's gone, where I'm at, what I've achieved (all very meh if I'm honest), and what I want for the coming year. My conclusion has been that after the last few very thin years in isolation I really need to reconnect; reconnect with valued people/communities, with activities/interests and especially with creativity. I'm sure it's going to be easier said than done, stuck in a deep rut as I am, but I fear myself disappearing into the long grass permanently if I don't.

Harbour sunset

 Harbour sunset

Red sky

This evening at sundown for the briefest of moments flaming clouds licked at the sky as the Sun said goodnight.

Evening colours

I never cease to be struck by nature's ability to capture and move your soul simply by being and doing what she is and does. No picture, no matter how good (and mine aren't) can replicate those moments the senses capture; take this evening's walk through Burley Old, the warmth of the colours, and the sounds and smells of the twilight forest was affecting in a way no media could reflect. 

Sunset

 Another fine sunset.

Ooooh!

 Magnificently coloured sunset

Nearly groundhog sunset

Another mellow sunset from Barton on Sea. I'm always banging on about how every sunset is unique, how you'll never see 'that' sunset again, and of course that's true; but beyond some richer hues of colour, there was more than a passing resemblance between this evening's and last evening's sunsets.

Sunset

This evening's sunset from Barton on Sea.

Orange sunset over Christchurch harbour

Orange sunset over Christchurch harbour.

A perfect end to the day.

Sunset

It's been a while since I last enjoyed a sunset, they've either amounted to little, been obscured by cloud or I've simple not registered their passing. Tonight’s was only caught by chance, a glance up from reading and....wow! A flame coloured sky filled the horizon, it times of old no doubt a portent or sign. I wonder what sunsets were like say 4000 years ago. A period when Britain enjoyed a much fairer climate and if the proliferation of stone settings linked to astronomical events suggests anything, then a much clearer sky too. No pollution either. I'd imagine pollution must have a significant effect on the skies/sunrises/sunsets we see. Another date for the time machine. 

Sunset

It's been long time since I took notice of the evening sky, and that's been remiss of me.

Clouds

The weather wizards had foretold of a clear sky at sunset, of course, they lied, or are just rubbish at weather wizardry. As the sundown drew closer, I knew there wouldn't be a sunset this evening. Still, the clouds were interesting.

High light

The sun was low in the sky, and the denser areas of the common were already beyond it's reach by the time Geoff and I went for our afternoon walk. The woodland was already dark and quiet, with the cold quickly rising up through the stands, you could feel it clinging to any exposed skin. Though high in the tall Scots Pines the last rays of the sun still clipped the canopies, illuminating them, the contrast was striking.

Sunset up Gus

I've neglected the sunsets of late, too busy languishing in a treacly malaise or running in my hamster wheel shaking my fist and grumbling at the world. A situation that required rectifying. The sky looked like it had potential this evening, so off I rode towards Gus (by coincidence, another uncomfortable, eyes always upon you type of place like the Common). Unfortunately the sky didn't develop as I thought it might, wrong spacial proportions, all the right pieces in play, they just didn't meld.  That said, it was a pleasant sundown, some lovely colours,  and still worthwhile getting out for, after all, every sunset is unique.   

Portent

They do say 'red sky at night, Shepherds delight', so a portent for a brighter, drier tomorrow maybe? 

Spy Holms sunset

It's quite a while since I've taken time to watch a sunset, life can sometimes get in the way, I've seen glimpses, though not really absorbed one. Tonight was a good night to choose to change that. Tonight’s sunset was a real doozy, man, the colours were spectacular. Transformation after colourful transformation, the sky was a continually morphing palette. We were viewing it from Rock Hills, a grand name for what's really a shallow scarp between the dry heath of Spy Holms and the wet heath adjacent to Red Rise Brook. Early on, across Spy Holms, an azure sky melted into yellowy greens, I love the subtlety of colour during this phase of a sunset. Those yellows were soon gone, consumed by a rich palette of oranges, whilst the clouds developed smoky greys hues. Very cool. Then finally, the oranges became deep reds and night began to draw its veil. As the sun went down, behind us ethereal mists began to seep up through the wet heath, filling the low land and flowing eerily into Red Rise woods and Burley Old beyond. Stunning.

Port sky

Red sky at night? I'll say!