The Sycamore on Mill Road
Less than a second... that's the amount of time the shutter was open to record the light and make this photograph. But in many ways, this photo has been a couple years in the making. This grand sycamore tree is on my normal bike training loop. I have ridden past it hundreds of times. In the spring, summer, and fall it is like a thousand other trees I pass. But in winter, something different happens. Without the leaves, the white bark catches the low angle morning sun and the twisted branches pop out against the dark background. I notice it every time I ride by and I think about the best time to photograph it.
I'd like to say this was all planned. But as is often the case, there was some luck involved. When I set out to photograph the tree this past weekend, there was still snow on the ground from winter's revenge - a mid March snowstorm after a warm February! The sunlight reflecting off the snow also lit up the branches from underneath - giving them an extra pop of light. To me, it looks like the tree is glowing as it enjoys a solo performance in the sun.
Hopefully next month's post will feature a beautiful warm spring image! In the meantime, pay attention when you are outside - this is the time of year when things change almost daily!