Curtain down on Winter

Posted on Fri, 12 April, 2013 by LensScaper

Images of the approach of dusk are as good a symbol as I can come up with today to indicate that the curtain is finally coming down on this long gruelling winter. This weekend we look forward to double digit temperatures (Celsius) that we hope will truly herald Spring.

These images were actually taken last year at the edge of our village in March as Spring arrived early. There was no such luck last night – it was raining. And although a southerly wind will blow warm air our way this weekend it will bring with it more rain and wind. But I can tolerate some rain and wind if I can feel warmer at the same time. Can’t be too greedy.

Soon these trees will be cloaked in green but I have to say that one of the pleasures of winter is seeing them stripped bare and reduced to skeletal outlines – outlines that are typical of the tree’s genus. Sadly I am not that well versed in trees to be able to name the varieties.

These images span a total of 12 minutes as the last vestiges of the sunset faded and we entered the blue hour.

About LensScaper

Hi - I'm a UK-based photographer who started out 45+ years ago as a lover of landscapes, inspired by my love of outdoor pursuits: skiing, walking and climbing. Now retired, I seldom leave home without a camera and I find images in unexpected places and from different genres. I work on the premise that Photography is Art and that creativity is dependent on the cultivation of 'A Seeing Eye'.

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This entry was posted in Sunrise and Sunset, Winter and tagged Blue Hour, Dusk, Photography, Sunset, Trees, Winter. Bookmark the permalink.

33 Responses to Curtain down on Winter

fredodonnellphotography says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 07:49

Nice shots, Andy, they are all good but the first one really grabbed me. The sunset appears to make the tree glow. I like that.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:34
  
  Many thanks for your comment, Fred. I misjudged the time and got out there too late for the sunset, but I rather liked the ‘Glow’ that remained afterwards
  
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edithlevyphotography says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 11:38

Beautiful Andy. I love the shape of the tree in the second image and the negative space. We had snow yesterday and ice rain today. No double digits for us until next week 😦

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:38
  
  Thanks Edith. The sky seemed so high that evening – thankfully I had a wide enough lens with me. Sounds like you are faring worse than us – hope things change soon.
  
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oneowner says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 11:48

Excellent photos, Andy. We are experiencing Spring-like weather also, that being cold and wet. But it’s promising.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:39
  
  Thanks Ken. With each forecast I hear, the max temps for the weekend seem to be creeping down – I think the promises are wearing a bit thin.
  
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Pete Buckley says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 12:50

It’s got to that stage of waiting for spring but I think it’s finally – just about – here! Nice shots.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:40
  
  Thanks Pete. Yes I hope so. It doesn’t look as if it will be much fun on the western half of the UK
  
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rigmover says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 16:06

Really nice shots Andy, love the last one.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:42
  
  Thanks Mark – the colours really changed quite fast by the time I shot that final image
  
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Mark Summerfield says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 18:24

Great emphasis on the clouds, Andy. Helps to mute the starkness of the barren winter trees, which with the colors in the sky, intimates there is a better time ahead.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:43
  
  Thanks Mark. The sky was quite remarkable that evening. A wide angle lens enabled me to capture a wide vertical sweep.
  
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theaterwiz says:

Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 19:56

I am with you on this long winter, sick of it! Those trees are awesome, such character

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 12 April, 2013 at 20:44
  
  Thanks Mike. I think there will be by now a lot of folk suffering from winter depression. This has gone on far too long.
  
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smackedpentax says:

Sat, 13 April, 2013 at 13:55

These are really superb!

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Sat, 13 April, 2013 at 15:21
  
  That’s very kind of you. Thanks!
  
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seekraz says:

Sat, 13 April, 2013 at 16:14

Beautiful images, Andy…I do enjoy the silhouettes that we’re able to capture so freely with the barren trees…and like you, welcoming of the warmth about now, too.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Sat, 13 April, 2013 at 17:42
  
  Thanks Scott. As we say over here: You and I are singing from the same Hymn Sheet
  
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  - seekraz says:
    
    Sat, 13 April, 2013 at 18:05
    
    You’re most welcome, Andy…and yes, I guess we are…and singing a very familiar tune. 🙂
    
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Marcie says:

Sun, 14 April, 2013 at 19:41

Gorgeous skyscapes. Gorgeous early spring light!

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Sun, 14 April, 2013 at 21:41
  
  Thanks very much Marcie
  
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Toad Hollow Photography says:

Tue, 16 April, 2013 at 19:12

Really striking silhouettes here, Andy! I love this genre of photography, and as you mentioned I too prefer bare trees as they really add a lot of drama and intrigue to a shot. Great set, Andy, I really enjoyed it an awful lot!

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Tue, 16 April, 2013 at 20:26
  
  Thanks Toad. We are now well over a month further on from the date these shots were taken last year and the trees are still bare, as are the hedgerows. It really is an extremely weird Spring.
  
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bentehaarstad says:

Thu, 18 April, 2013 at 11:37

The tree makes these very beautiful, Andy.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Fri, 19 April, 2013 at 10:29
  
  Thanks Bente. Trees are special when they are bare of leaves, aren’t they.
  
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Steve Schwartzman says:

Sat, 20 April, 2013 at 12:39

These are excellent sunset pictures. The vertical format emphasizes the layers.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Sat, 20 April, 2013 at 13:05
  
  Many thanks for your visit and your comment. It was the height of the sky and the interest within it that really attracted me. Just signed up to your site, my father was a botanist in his leisure time, and when I’m in the Alps I love the Alpine flora, but don’t photograph it enough.
  
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  - Steve Schwartzman says:
    
    Sat, 20 April, 2013 at 13:09
    
    I’ll bet you focus more on the Alpine flora the next time you visit.
    
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    - LensScaper says:
      
      Sat, 20 April, 2013 at 17:18
      
      I’ll try. I don’t walk quite so fast as I used to, so I might be inclined to stop a little more often!
      
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Jim Nix says:

Mon, 22 April, 2013 at 18:54

lovely shots mate!

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Mon, 22 April, 2013 at 21:09
  
  Thanks Jim
  
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Anette says:

Wed, 24 April, 2013 at 11:51

Wonderful images Andy! Aesthetic silhouettes. Delicate 12 minutes registration of light and colour.

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- LensScaper says:
  
  Wed, 24 April, 2013 at 19:04
  
  Thanks very much for your comment
  
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