The Sun Rising…

I can’t stop taking pictures of the dawn. I wake up before sunrise when I see the first red strip of light on the horizon. I slip on a sweatshirt, jeans, socks, grab my vest with a hood, turn on the coffee pot, gather a blanket, call the dogs, hit the full cup button on the coffee maker, pour the milk, wait for the coffee, flip on the fire pit, then hurry outside to watch the day dawning as light begins to color the sky from red to orange to yellow to pink…

Sometimes the light is gentle as the sun rises. Other times it is vibrant as this morning. I woke up a bit late—the sky was already a pale pink/yellow by the time I got outside. But then, but then…the hovering cloud bank filled with light reflected from the sun that was still hidden by the horizon and the trees across the river. As the sun blasted its light upward, the clouds turned pink and then the whole sky grew awash in rose light, and the clouds broke up into plumes scattered across the heavens.

On the river a family of ducks swam by, a dozen with their mother and/or father in the lead, swimming single file south to north. As the sun rose, a yellow globe into the sky, another family of ducks passed, also in a straight line. I wonder where they go each morning…to duck school, undisturbed by the challenges of us on the shore.

The dawning of the days continues to inspire me and leave me in a quiet state of awe as I begin my day. I try to keep that awe even as the complications and troubles of our world unfold around the globe where I am certain the same stunning sunrises are also unfolding.

(Photo credits: Joanne Leedom-Ackerman)

30 Comments

  1. Azar Nafisi on February 17, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    Dear Joanne, this morning despite the beauty of the day I remained vaguely depressed and anxious. Your sunrise took me to another world, the one I should be in. Thank you for your sunrise.

    Azar

    • Joanne on February 18, 2021 at 9:41 am

      Thank you, Azar. And may we watch the sunrise together someday soon.

    • Jane Friedman on February 20, 2021 at 7:10 pm

      What a lovely post. Thank you.

      • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 20, 2021 at 8:25 pm

        So good to hear from you. Here is to many beautiful sun rises…

  2. Pati on February 17, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you for sharing the lovely scenes and sensations.

    • betsi de Raismes shays on February 17, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      Oh the glory of a sunrise!!!

      And its worth considering: nothing can stop it!!!

      thanks for sharing this beauty with us!

      betsi

      • Joanne on February 18, 2021 at 9:45 am

        Yes, nothing can stop it no matter what the disconnects appear in our world. Thank you for adding that important observation,.

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 10:00 am

      Pati—I hope soon we can be sharing a play together in person!

  3. Carroll Bogert on February 17, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    I like the fire!

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Me too! Good to hear from you. I hope our paths will cross when paths start crossing again!

  4. Katherine Stephen on February 17, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    Thank you for the inspiring photos of the sunrise. They seem to convey the message of a promising new day!

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 9:51 am

      We all are looking for and I hope beginning to see the promising new day!

  5. Lynn Goldberg on February 17, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    Thank you Joann. Your photographs inspired me to look out my window and appreciate the beauty I am lucky to
    have at hand (and eye.)

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 9:52 am

      Lovely to hear from you and imagine your excellent view too. Looking forward to seeing you in person some day soon, I hope.

  6. Mary Joy Stead on February 17, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    With the views from our home we are more able to see the sunsets than the sunrises and feel so thankful and exhilerated by them everyday here in Arizona with all the reds, pinks and oranges depending on the reflections through the air. Some of our mountains even appear purple too.

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 9:53 am

      Beautiful too and how fortunate and necessary to appreciate the beauty when we see it!

  7. Sally Howell on February 18, 2021 at 1:12 am

    Beautiful! I love the sequence of colors. Each sky is a work of art. The same artist created each one?!
    I am in awe… and grateful that the beauty of dawn can be shared.

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 9:55 am

      Thank you, Sally. I would love to see the artist’s rendition which would have its own individual beauty.

  8. Marita Golden on February 18, 2021 at 11:29 am

    Thank you Joanne I will look at these pictures and words often for solace and joy

  9. Joanne on February 18, 2021 at 11:46 am

    Thank you, Marita. I hope to see you on the other side of the flood!

  10. Maryann Macdonald on February 18, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    Thanks for capturing this beauty and sharing it with us, Joanne.

    • Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 18, 2021 at 1:37 pm

      Glad to hear from you and will be even happier when we can share a meal in person. Stay well.

  11. Chris Slaughter on February 18, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    Thank you for sharing your view on your view. I don’t think I could ever get enough of this.

    • Joanne on February 18, 2021 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you, Chris!!

  12. Bonnie Raphael on February 18, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    Hi Sally! I would love to see it too❤️

  13. Joanne on February 18, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    Would love to see your rendition, Bonnie!

  14. Lynne Robinson on February 21, 2021 at 8:58 am

    I also can HEAR that sunrise through your description: the wind on the water, the quacking ducks,
    the blowing of the fire, the dogs’ excitement at getting outside and more. You can even hear the awe of the silence as the changing colors of the sunrise overtake portions of the sky. I have enjoyed similar views for a long time and am so glad you are able to sponge them up for yourself!

  15. Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 21, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    Thank you for your lyrical addition, and yes the quiet sounds of the morning are an important part of the moment. So glad you added that beautifully. You know well those moments and the revelations of nature on the Chesapeake.

  16. John Cook on February 23, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Thank you, Joanne. We share the bay with my home facing west so it’s sunsets for me. And we share watching ducks. I refer to them as the duck parade and duck drams, which really accelerates in spring’s
    mating season. Our creator has more to see and know than we are capable of understanding. Your post is a wonderful reminder. John

  17. Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on February 24, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Very nice to hear from you. I like your view w/ sunsets and a duck parade. And yes, wonders every day if you look.

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