Friday, February 08, 2008

Winter light is cool and bright

hyacinth emerging
The light this time of year is so thin and bright. Fleeting, really, since there's not much of it in the cold, wet days of February in the Pacific Northwest. In February, light changes quickly, casting very few shadows, highlighting pasty skin and hangnails, but providing luminosity to eyes. Purple is perfect for this light. It reflects back and shadows lavender and blue and periwinkle. I looked at an orange colander with kumquats in it this morning and I burned my eyeballs. Too bright for February light. But purple? Purple is just right.

7 comments:

Rozanne said...

How do you know these things?

I would never have been able to articulate all that stuff about light, but I have observed it. The light really, really does change in February. Soak it up!

Anonymous said...

awesome pic!!

A Lewis said...

In addition to being the month that I turn one year older, it is, indeed, one of my most favorite months. Still winter. Trying to be very early spring. With some success in both directions. And the light! Yes. The light!

Anonymous said...

Lelo you really hit the nail on the head with your observations.
Nice post.

Anonymous said...

Really nice photo. I worked in my garden for a bit today and thought of you.

White Light said...

i love february :-) I remember the few times the sun came out in P-town in the month of feb, and it was always such an intense but very transitory light.... :-) beautiful post!

Oregonian37 said...

February was always the coldest, most wintery month growing up in Texas. Now, living in Portland, I am thoroughly enjoying looking at the sunshine out the window and the first day in almost two months that I haven't had to wear the "big" coat. I love that first day without it.:)

I don't normally tire of winters here because the seasons change before I get to that point. This winter I've been a bit worried about that and then lo and behold, we have today.:)