Dawn’s Progressive Palette

October 14, 2012 by flandrumhill

Come to the marsh to see how the rising sun paints the morning sky. Its palette is bolder than Van Gogh’s and softer than Monet’s.

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful.
~ Vincent Van Gogh

Each morning’s painting is a revelation, presenting a selection of hues never seen together before and certainly never to be seen again. Not even the rocks can say they’ve seen it all before. Gray surrenders to blushes of coral and pink. Clouds only serve to enhance the effect.

Look with your eyes but see with your soul the uniqueness of dawn’s unveiling.

If the sun dawned in the marsh and there was nobody there to see it, would it not still be beautiful? Perhaps the herons would like to answer that question.

Surely the word ‘awesome’ should be reserved for such reflections of light on water. Perhaps those who overuse that word these days have never witnessed such a wonder.

No matter how many times I see the sun painting the morning sky and marsh water, my excitement doesn’t wane. Somehow, the sun never disappoints, and despite my expectations of spectacular color combinations, I am always marvelously surprised.

These landscapes of water and reflection have become an obsession.
~ Claude Monet

Posted in Nature's Colors and Shapes, The Salt Marsh Trail | Tagged color, dawn, nature, Nova Scotia, painting, photography, sunrise | 35 Comments

35 Responses

on October 14, 2012 at 8:34 am | Reply pxnewton

Thanks for sharing this daily show of such grandeur. it is a real dedication to get up each morning to witness this reminder that the sun is always there, always returns after the nights darkness, always warms and nurtures the earth and sustains all life. A beautiful metaphor of our own inner spark of passion, genius, basic goodness and beauty.
- on October 14, 2012 at 12:10 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  pxnewton, whenever I don’t get out to the marsh to see it, I wonder what I’m missing. But as you’ve added, the sun will return again tomorrow. It is indeed a beautiful metaphor for all the best we have to offer one another.
on October 14, 2012 at 9:45 am | Reply wolfsrosebud

In a word… gorgeous
- on October 14, 2012 at 12:05 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Gorgeous it is Patricia. Great word choice.
on October 14, 2012 at 1:45 pm | Reply Reggie

Exquisite… just breathtaking…
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:00 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Reggie, yes, it was that kind of a sunrise, the kind that takes your breath away.
on October 14, 2012 at 2:48 pm | Reply Ruth Rainwater

What beautiful color combinations! I so enjoy sunrises and sunsets, but don’t always remember to look. In winter, I’m usually driving into the sunrise on my way to work, and into the sunset on my way home. It’s difficult to be driving and not be able to drink in all the beauty!!
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:05 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Ruth, sometimes I get a glimpse of the sun rising on my way in to work and wish I could pause and turn my head to have a closer look. If I did that though, I’d likely run over a pheasant or some other wild jaywalker in the process. Even the most beautiful color combinations wouldn’t be worth seeing at that price.
on October 14, 2012 at 6:18 pm | Reply pattisj

How lovely! Thanks for getting up in time to catch that. 🙂
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:09 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Patti, I was up early and out there again this morning but it was too dark and possibly too early to see anything. Sometimes, even on overcast days like today there’s a glimmer of sunlight on the horizon for a beautiful brief moment before it passes under that curtain of cloud.
on October 14, 2012 at 7:22 pm | Reply susanmaas

Wonderful progression of pictures, each with a slightly different mood and changing hues. Thanks for sharing!
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:13 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Susan, it’s amazing how color combinations can affect our moods. I wonder how we’d all feel if the last sunrise palette remained in the sky for the entire day.
on October 14, 2012 at 9:14 pm | Reply sybil

That third photo looks like a lovely painting. This is simply a beautiful post Amy-Lynn. What time do I have to get up to see this ? Sigh …
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:16 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Sybil, well you don’t want to go out there before having coffee first and catching up on the news. The wildlife appreciates it if you also take the time to brush your teeth. Once you get there, you have that long walk along the dark path, which is quite daunting until your eyes adjust. 4:30?
on October 14, 2012 at 10:54 pm | Reply Valorie Grace Hallinan

I always look forward to your posts.
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:17 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Thanks Valorie. So glad you enjoy them 🙂
on October 15, 2012 at 12:33 am | Reply aubrey

Whenever I have to get up early – and complaining with it, too – I see this as nature’s way of saying, “See? And I hope this teaches you never to complain again!”
- on October 15, 2012 at 7:19 am | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Aubrey, I feel that way at night when for some reason I have to stay up later than I’d like. If it’s clear and I have a chance to look at the sky and see the moon and constellations, somehow it’s all right and worthwhile.
on October 15, 2012 at 11:08 am | Reply Dawn

I love that you also produced a palette from the images. Try this site too: http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/

Happy Monday!
- on October 15, 2012 at 5:44 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Oh for goodness’ sake Dawn, what a great palette generator! You have no idea how much time went into creating that dawn palette I made! However, the program-generated one is likely more accurate than the one I made. I think I emphasized some colors more than others, simply based on my preferences.
on October 15, 2012 at 5:37 pm | Reply Barbara Rodgers

I think I know what Van Gogh means – sometimes I think nature is so beautiful it hurts. And I agree with you, no matter how often we see a sunrise it’s still a thrilling experience. The third picture is especially awesome! Gorgeous pictures!
- on October 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Barbara, sometimes it is, IT IS, so beautiful.
on October 18, 2012 at 3:21 pm | Reply P.j. grath

Finally I was on a high-speed connection and could see all these heavenly images. They do look like paintings, they are magnificent, and this beauty is all ours for the going outdoors and opening our eyes. Thank you so much for sharing the salt marsh with us. (We don’t all have that.) I like your palette bar, too.
on October 19, 2012 at 10:59 am | Reply isathreadsoflife

4.30 is early to get up but well worth it when I see your beautiful pictures. What delightful and unforgettable moments ! Love this palette of colours. Nature has helped you paint your pictures 🙂 thank you.
on October 19, 2012 at 1:34 pm | Reply Cindy Kilpatrick

An inspiring palette indeed. I love your observation that, “Not even the rocks can say they’ve seen it all before.” So glad you shared this beautiful morning.
on October 29, 2012 at 6:51 pm | Reply kameleonquilt

So beautiful and calm, – they are all like paintings 🙂
I hope the upcoming storm will not affect your place too badly.
- on October 31, 2012 at 2:18 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Thanks Eldrid. We’ve escaped most of the wind and rainfall that wreaked havoc in the United States and the provinces west of here. We’re in for a lot of rain now in the next 24 hours, but don’t expect anything too extraordinary.
on October 30, 2012 at 5:39 pm | Reply Cindy Kilpatrick

Thinking of you these past days and hope you are safe.
- on October 31, 2012 at 2:21 pm | Reply flandrumhill
  
  Hi Cindy, we’re getting a lot of rain and some wind but nothing close to what other places in the U.S. and Canada have received so far. The lights have gone off a couple of times today but are quickly back on. Nova Scotians were lucky this time.
  - on October 31, 2012 at 2:23 pm Cindy Kilpatrick
    
    So glad to hear you’re OK. Checked around on the net, but haven’t found great coverage of what’s happening in the Maritimes.
on November 20, 2012 at 2:47 pm | Reply moondustwriter

I love your view of nature. I can’t take too many shots of sunrise and sunset as each color combination is unique. So nice to meet you.
I am part of a “arts” blog community called The New World Creative Union a major aspect of our group is to inspire. I have a bimonthly Sunday Blog using the photographic view to inspire our poets, writers and artists. If you would be interested in being featured on a Sunday please jot me a line at moondustwriter@gmail.com. You can ck out our blog at http://thenewworldcreativeunion.blogspot.com
on November 20, 2012 at 2:52 pm | Reply moondustwriter

sorry here’s the link that works! http://newworldcreativeunion.blogspot.com/
on December 4, 2012 at 11:38 am | Reply travelgardeneat

Achingly beautiful! I love that Van Gogh quote and may borrow it for a future post! Thank you to Lake Superior Spirit for flagging your blog! ~ Kat
on December 18, 2012 at 1:52 pm | Reply Kathy

I don’t believe I ever paused to thank you for these photos. (Did look at them and oooh and ahhhh several times.) Will you have snow for Christmas, Amy-Lynn?
on December 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm | Reply isathreadsoflife

Hoping all is well with you and yours, Amy-Lynn and wishing you a Peaceful and Blessed Christmas. All the Best for the New Year.