Friday, July 15, 2011

Moonshine...

I work best at night. When darkness envelopes the landscape and blankets everything thickly in shadows and silence, the gears in my brain start churning. I've always been like this. Even as a child, I would lie awake, fidgeting. Sometimes I'd drape the bottom bunk bed with several quilts and read or draw by flashlight.

Last night, well after midnight, I took a break. I turned off the porch light and stepped out on the deck. Sometimes I do this to clear my head or to look at the stars. It was different though. Usually the darkness has a velvety quality. Electric lights are at a minimum here in the country and the shadows silkily overlay the sky, punctured only by pinprick stars and the swoops of bats and bugs. Last night, everything was animated by a silvery light. The moon mimicked the sun of an early winter day. I took a picture and it was so bright that it caused a lens flare! The shadows were sharper, the lines harsher. The woods took on a different feel. The leaves of the woodland trees, lit by moonshine, looked like millions of fluttering moths clinging to a branch.

8 comments:

Cynthia of Cynful Creations said...

Beautiful photo, Andrew! I know what you mean about the moonlight magic - I've had to resist it for the past few nights though as daytime demands require me to be as rested as possible, but I've been gazing longingly out the window each night just before I climb into bed, enjoying the moonglow.

Alice said...

Beautiful photo! Mother Nature never fails to amaze.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful picture! It never gets really dark here in Houston because of the whopping amt of homes and industry! It took so long to get used to it here. I miss really dark starry nights! I too live evenings..theyre so peaceful..

Heidi Post said...

What a gorgeous photo! You're lucky to live out in the country where you get a view like that. And bats!

terri said...

Hi Andrew.
Lovely photo. I, too, was captivated by the moon last night, although there wasn't a cloud in the sky here. (And it was bright enough to wake me up at around 3:00, when it was in position to shine through the bedroom window.)
terri

Sally Anderson said...

Beautiful photo. Love that daylight-bright moon!

TesoriTrovati said...

Wasn't it a lovely sight last night? We finished up our All Star softball game by that softball of a moon. And although I am the best of night owls this week the ball has beaten it out of me. Maybe I will be up creating by moonlight next week!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Heather Leavers said...

Beautiful photo. When we first moved to the countryside I was surprised at just how dark "real" dark can be.