Fifty Shades of Gray

I love the changing landscape during winter.  The sun stays low to the horizon and provides a different vista than summer, a view that offers up a unique perspective.  In winter, the ground becomes covered with shadows.

Despite their abundance, it is easy to overlook the shadows.  3-D objects rendered into 2-D are less prone to have our attention.  Yet, shadows are often 50 shades of gray set against an illuminated background. 

At times I will set out on a walk or car ride with the goal of paying attention to all the shades set out before me.  In winter, the road or path may have more shadows than the non-shadow foreground.  The shadows can be complex, bringing in other motifs of patterns, abstracts, reflections and textures.

Sunrise at the beach is a wonderful time to turn your back to the rising sun and explore the shadow world of low tide.  As the sun crests the horizon, the shells on the beach cast shadows which are framed by the orange glow reflecting off the washed-up shells, sea foam and receding tide saturated sand.

Shadows are transitory, changing constantly, disappearing when a cloud passes by.  The ephemeral nature of shadows is a moment that can be yours and yours alone.  Rarely is anyone else present and, if so, their attention is likely elsewhere.  As such shadows may be our own private moment with creation.

What is the mind without the heart?
What am I without my shadow?
What is life without knowing that death comes?

What is a song without a melody?

Nneka Lucia, Mind Vs Heart lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.