Red sky at night, sailors’ delight;
Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.
When there’s so much in the world that can’t be predicted, it’s comforting to witness a natural phenomenon that actually delivers on its promise. Not being a sailor, I didn’t realize it at the time, but Monday morning’s red sky warned of bad weather ahead. And so it was. First there were ice pellets and later rain, and then on Tuesday morning, more rain and high winds.
Supposedly, a red sunrise reflects the dust particles of a system that has just passed from the west. This indicates that a storm system may be moving to the east. If the morning sky is a deep fiery red, it means a high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain is on its way. [From Everyday Mysteries at The Library of Congress]
When I took these photographs, I was only thinking of how beautiful the blushing sky appeared behind the silhouettes of the trees. It didn’t dawn on me that a storm was on its way. I wonder what other ‘signs of the times’ are as potentially revealing to us as red dawns. What else are we missing while distracted by what we are seeing on the surface of things?
…When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day: for the heaven is red and lowering. Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot discern the signs of the times.
~ Jesus Matt. 16:2-3
Glorious photos. Truly. Thank you for sharing them.
The sky appears to be on fire, especially in that third photo. They are all simply gorgeous. And I love how you’ve tied in the wisdom behind that saying. What an exciting book that must be!
I’m glad you didn’t miss the beauty of the red sky at dawn.
My first thought when I saw the photos was ‘how it might look from an airplane?’. Thanks Amy, I won’t repeat the mistake 🙂
“When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, we admired the island and wandered all over it, while the nymphs, Jove’s daughters roused the wild goats that we might get some meat for our dinner.”
The Odyssey
MDW
Your last line is quite the loaded looming question!
Don’t worry about not realising what a red dawn means to sailors. I’ve sailed plenty, and well, maybe some sailors stayed out at sea too long.
I appreciated your pun!
I tend to think a forest silhouetted on a red sky looks like a forest fire.
By the way, I’m learning how to use WordPress and discovered Blogroll. OK if I add your blog? I think I did already!
Yousei, that sky was quite glorious indeed. Thanks for your comment.
Kate and pyrit, I have to agree that some of these images look very much like a forest fire ablaze behind the trees. It IS an amazing book Kate 🙂
Pamela, I was lucky to capture it when I did – it lasted only a few minutes.
Swaps, I was only able to see a fraction of the sunrise because of the placement of the trees. It would have looked incredible from an airplane, or a boat at sea.
Ah forestrat, I thought I was the only one who kept copies of the Homeric hymns close 🙂
Pyrit, WordPress is full of neat widgets, half of which I haven’t tried yet or even understand. Thanks for the addition.
Nature speaks and if Man does not listen, he does it at his peril. It’s not as important in today’s world but still relevant. To be aware of one’s surrounds it to live in them.
As always – what a lot of food for contemplation in your writing and photos! A continual reminder of just how beautiful and miraculous life is.
Wow!
Wow. These are gorgeous.
Tacy
ruledaworld.wordpress.com
Lovely shots. Interesting info.
Ah, flaming dawn, how fleet its passing. And then the day.
Scott, unfortunately Nature speaks in whispers much of the time and we’re so noisy and busy that we don’t hear.
Linda, miracles are indeed everywhere and that alone should give us something to consider on a daily basis.
Cindy, Tacy and Sybil, thank you all for your comments 🙂
Gerry, yes dawn and the days are zooming by at lightning speed. Before you know it, it will be spring!!!
Never seen red sky in the morning. It’s usually evening when the sky is red and then I think “Tomorrow will be windy and cold”…
It’s like a revelation to me…
Pictures are amazing!
Have a happy Sunday!
Beautiful skies…what lovely photographs, Amy.
Thanks Nadezhda and Kathy. It was quite an extraordinary sunrise.
superb photos,
enchanting poem…
😉
jingle, glad you liked the photos and the centuries old rhyme 🙂