Toward the long shadow side of a day that seemed longer than it was because of the gray and the cold and spending a few hours moving snow away from the driveway, I noticed a bit of color caught in the branches of a cedar tree. Since it was time for feeding the horses anyway, I walked over that way and took a couple of pictures. It made a decent composition with the shadows from the branches spreading toward me, a fair degree of contrast between snow and silhouetted shadow, and that touch of golden light on each side.

As I turned toward the barn, I happened to look up toward the southward branches and saw a sparkle of sun. It didn’t take long to learn that a few icicles had formed where that edge of the tree had warmed in the sun, in spite of the single digit temps we’d had all day. As snow melted and trailed down off the branch, the chance of radiant warmth gave way to the reality of frigid air.

The icicles caught the sun coming just over the ridge. An orange glow filled the hole formed between two branches, silhouetting the cedar, and blazing the ice with light and color.

I hadn’t gone out looking for pictures, but they had found me anyway.

I think most anyone can find something of interest, something of beauty, even, if they are at least open to the possibility. Not just in the golden hour of sunlight caught just right in the dimming or dawning of day. Even in the rain, reflected branches in a plain puddle make an intriguing shot. Although great pictures are often born out of much determined persistent effort, I have found many a worthwhile snap while simply keeping my eyes open while going about my chores. Even a time or two when shoveling horse manure was interrupted by a glimpse of beauty.

It is easy enough in this world to let the glum and ho-hum leach the color from the palette of personality. Easy, yes. But it is still a choice.

H. Arnett
1/9/25