Sofia says that having passed the Winter Equinox, it’s time for the days to grow longer, and to leave the never-ending nights behind us. But before we do that, she invites us to celebrate this Yin/Yang of our everyday life. Please visit her inspirational site for more!
I will concentrate on some special aspects of this, that interest me. Night and day can be so different… not only opposites. I agree with Walt Whitman:
To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.
Let’s start with a winter’s morning at home –
– it can be both colourful and cold. And the coldest time is at sunrise. That is when I go out to feed the birds so they can better withstand the cold and survive another day.
Then I walk my dog at noon while the winter sun can barely be seen above the trees.
But only a month later, the daylight is more soft and golden – and it’s a joy to stroll along the river.
When we reach summer, the nights are soft and golden too – The light! How we constantly long for it to come back to us…
There are also big differences in days and nights depending for example on which country you are in. Where on the planet and in what season. Daylight can be extremely clear and transparent – in the fresh air of Iceland.
While nights can be almost totally dark, in the wilderness or in countries where electric light is not that much used. It is sad that we humans often want to lighten up our nights (unless it would be too dangerous not to…). Try not to! The eyes will adjust to the darkness, and it is no longer that dark…instead a new world opens up.
Nature is depending on day and night, light and darkness – for food, for security and for reproduction, among other things. This is a spring cherry tree in daylight, waiting for pollinators, and a night blooming cactus in my room. So, if we didn’t have daylight, there would be no cherries…and if we didn’t have our dark nights, this flower would never unfold. (Or, be pollinated by nocturnal insects.)
We also know, that our artificial lights are bad for many of the night living animals. It can mean the difference between life and death. Newborn turtles for example, head for the light, but that could mean into the city instead of out to the sea.
Thank you, Sofia, for the brilliant opportunity to look at different aspects of night and day! Please link your post to her original post and don’t forget to tag it with Lens-Artists.
I want to thank you for all your lovely poems and quotes last week – beautifully illustrated by You alone! They told us much more about you, and maybe more than you knew about yourself too… I loved every one of your thoughtful posts and learned to appreciate more poets and famous quotes than I had heard of too.
Next week, Egidio will be your host with ”Warm colours” Be sure to visit his spectacular site for inspiration! Until then, stay well and be kind.
Leya 
I love your set of images here, AC! Magnificent photos. The last one, what a beauty!
Thank you so much, Amy!
That shot of the sun through the trees (at noon in winter) is my favorite. Also the gorgeous nighttime greenery reflected in water. Thank you for reminding us to adapt to nature rather than trying to ”fix”it!
I believe we are on the same track there, Lindy.
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I love that you walked us through your day and into the seasons. What I found most interesting was the plants/flowers. A great example of the importance of day and night. The botanical garden in Arizona is a joy to visit at night, to see as you say, night in the garden. Nature is truly dependent on day and night. Creative ideas.
Thank you, Donna. From the start I had problems finding what way to go with it – glad you enjoyed!
Ann-Christine, I’ve just wrote my comment on someone reblogging your post. Not my finest hour, I’d say. Your link worked but I’ve noticed that others have not… WP is not helping!
Your winter photos are stunning. They show that soft light that I’ve learnt to love only this year 🙂 All your post is wonderful, your flowers are exquisite. In all honesty, I should have realised it’s your post, only you could do this softness.
Thank you, Sofia – I am happy you liked my take on even if it maybe was not what you had intended. I have looked at his/her post, (the reblogger’s)and realised I cannot write to the person – there is no about page, no nothing. In fact I don’t know if I should just let it be – or contact WP. I have ignored it before, as my name is on it.
Great photos, great commentary on changing light. Excellent.
Thank you so much, John! I am pleased!
Gorgeous colors for this challenge, Ann-Christine! I agree about not lighting up the night. I’ve gone on ranger-assisted night hikes on bright moonlit nights and when the hike leader can convince the hikers who brought flashlights to shut them off, one can see quite nicely.
I have also flown a small plane at night and on clear full-moon nights, the terrain below appears quite bright unless it’s forest.
Thank you, John, and it delights me to know you are with me there!
Your snow scenes are especially beautiful, the light is lovely! And you’re right, it isn’t always a good thing to light up the night.
Thank you, Sarah – and I believe if people realised how we all are connected and need each other to survive- this wouldn’t be an issue.
Dear Ann-Christine
especially your winter-pictures are beautiful and we like the combination of pics.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I am glad they spoke to you, thank you!
Wow!
Fantastic clicks!
Sunburst myfav!
Glad you enjoyed them! Unfortunately the snow is gone now…
so sad!
😦
a linked story of a winters day…. coast and country 🙂 🙂
Thank you!
Just beautiful, love the mod in the first one, the winter light in the third, the reflections on the green water and details in the last image with the soft light.
Thank you, Ritva – a lovely theme!
How kind you are, feeding the birds at dawn. It makes me shiver but it’s so beautiful, Ann-Christine. We had a powerful sunrise here this morning but I did not stop to capture it. Just gazed! And I love your golden light and the stunning night orchid. Have a wonderful week, my dear.
Thank you, you too – and hopefully you are recovering fast!
Loads better now, thanks 🤗🩷
Hugs to you ♥♥♥
Beautiful scenes Ann-Christine 🙂…
Thank you, PR!
Thank you for sharing all of the beautiful things you have around you. Natures beauty hugging you and keeping you at peace. Lovely 😊 selections ❤️😀❤️
Ann-Christine, nature around you is spectacular. What a joy it was to walk along with you and see the beautiful sights you share. Fantastic photos! Your third photo looked like the trees had been sprinkled with gold dust. Outstanding views!
Strangely enough, my answer does not show up here! Thank you for a lovely comment, Egidio! Always positive and making me smile. I believe it is you who sprinkle the gold dust wherever you go!
Your answer shows up on my blog, Ann-Christine. Your response made me smile. Thank you.
😀
I hate snow but I love your snow pictures!
Haha, Dawn – I will provide them as long as there is snow!
Stunning lights and darks, A-C. I’m especially drawn to those snowy landscapes in this series. And your terrific sunstar. Hope your new year is off to a great start. 🌟
Thank you, Jane. And yes, the start has been very good, hopefully it will go on for a while. Storm today though, and the snow is gone. Best wishes to you as well!
Beautiful Ann-Christine! I love the second image.
Thank you, Anne!
I like walking in the mornings in a cold place especially on my computer screen, lovely photos, no favourites just love them all.
I agree with you on the lights. I do dislike it when people say to me why are you sitting in the dark and turn on a light. It wasn’t dark.
The gecko appreciate the bit of light that filters onto the verandahs. Some nights I’ll put an outside light on and get a few insects over for the geckos to have a snack 🙂
How great using light to feed the geckos! Good thinking ♥
👍😁
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Beautiful examples of the importance of the light and its timing for the world’s flora and fauna. I love that you brave the cold to feed the birds and that you care for a flower that blooms in the night. And you are so right about the sea turtles. We have signs all over our beach and in all of the real estate offices about Lights Out on the beach as we all treasure the sea turtles who return to our beach each year to deposit their eggs. Loved your creative post this week.
Thank you, Tina – and yes, I remember your posts about the turtles. It was a great theme, Day and Night.
The clear favorite for me out of all the beautiful photos today is the fourth one with its gorgeous golden light. ❤️. I’m sure you’re looking forward to longer days, as is my sister-in-law in Norway.
I agree…and we have a terrible storm right now – even worse in Norway!
This is a beautiful reflection on light and dark Ann-Christine. You’ve highlighted the many factors that affect our experience and well-being. May we learn to live in harmony with nature.
Thank you – I hope for this too.
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very interesting pictures for the challenge. i like them a. c. especially the 1st one.
best regards robert
Thank you, Robert!