I recently remarked that I live in, and for, the shadows. Perhaps this is because I am a night owl. However, much to my surprise, I actually managed to rise and shine before dawn this morning. The reason for this was that my insulin pump’s battery ran out at 5am. It could not have happened at a better time as it was Canberra Day today and Skywhale and Skywhalepappa were scheduled to make their first joint appearance. Now my husband took some convincing that we should go and see this spectacular event, because we don’t do photography for the masses. We are too up ourselves for that. Just joking. Better to sound like an idiot than admit you can’t get out of bed in the morning. However, get up we did and the outing was totally worth the sacrifice. I took a photo to honour this occasion. Coincidentally, it was the last photo I needed to embark on a photographic journey of a hypothetical day for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge on natural light.

Despite the overcast conditions, the light was still really lovely this morning. I don’t know why I don’t get up early more often. Skywhalepappa appears at the top of the next photo with Skywhale below in hot pursuit. The Skywhale balloon/artwork was designed by sculptor, Patricia Piccinini, as part of a commission to mark the centenary of Canberra (Australia) in 2013. Skywhale has been flying solo until today when she was joined by her partner, Skywhalepappa, for their first public outing.

Apologies for the artificial light in the following photo but I thought it would be rude of me not to show you the skywhales together.*

As we proceed through this hypothetical day, we have some lovely kangaroo grass reflecting the colour of its surrounds.*

Sticking with the grass theme, we have grass threaded with gold and silver of the setting sun and mirrored lake.*

Excuse me, sir, it is time for bed.

Turn out the light when you leave.

It really is time for bed. Goodnight, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

*Photo taken by my True Love.

43 thoughts on “The Light Of Day”

  1. Ah, a very special post, Tracy! Lovely light and spectacular skywhales. Never heard of this event or the whales. The grasses look lovely and the last image looks from inside your nest ;-D Love the light.

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    1. The original skywhale rarely flew, AC, so we all look forward to her appearance. We normally have a balloon festival each year in early March and other balloons fly. There weren’t as many as normal this year but it was still beautiful. It is such a treat for early morning risers. Should I mention greenhouse gas emissions? I hope they offset them some way.
      Our house is unfortunately west facing so we get the hot afternoon sun. Over the years we have created a shady micro climate and so there is always a light show through the trees in the afternoon.

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  4. Gold and silver on the mirrored lake….such a breathtaking photo, Tracy. TL did a bang-up job on that one. Truth be told: our cats walk all over me in the bed at the crack of dawn (wake up, Cat Mom!!). I feign sleep and *gently* nudge my husband to get up and feed the rascals so I can get a bit more sleep. I need my sleep and then I am charming. 😉

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    1. I will pass on the compliment, Lois. It is one of my (many) favourite photos of his and one that I hoped would eventually see the light of day. 🙂
      When Ama was taking cortisone for her medical condition, she was so hungry and would walk on our face as we slept! I’m still suffering sleep deprivation from that time. That’s my excuse. 🙂 No point in you both getting up, Lois.

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  7. That first photo is magical!! Love that morning light! See what you are missing? You need to join the early rise club with the occasional lie in or afternoon nap!

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  10. Beautiful series of images Tracy; and what a cool event.

    I’ve gone from being a night owl, to an early bird, to … being tired at both ends of the day. ☹️

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  11. Tracey, yo r post was SO much fun today! “skywhale” – who knew?! And your TL’s silver and golf grasses image is truly gorgeous. Definitely a post worthy of the early wake-up call!!

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  13. I do like the whimsy of skywhales. Thanks for providing a close-up view. They certainly are funny-looking! As others have commented, the light in the first photo is well worth getting up early for, just magical. Your TL’s silvery grass photo is equally magical.

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    1. Thanks, Liz. Canberrans were initially confounded by the original Skywhale balloon sculpture but her popularity has grown since her debut. She’s so gentle that we hold her to our collective bosom and defend her right to be. Skywhalepappa has 9 baby skywhales he is caring for. I’ll post a photo of him with the babies at the end of the month.
      I love the grass photo too. It is one of those photos that have stuck in my mind.

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  14. I hope you don’t expect us to pick a favourite, Tracy, because that is just impossible! Thanks for rising early to bring us these beautiful images.

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  15. Tracy- Wow! Remarkable events came to light when “night owls” met up with Skywhale and Skywhalepappa! What a magical day… well done. ~Jane

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  16. Great captures of the whimsy of skywhales, how amazing! The grass threaded is magical. I love the last image, the light, colors, and texture are all capture so beautifully!
    Thank you, Tracy!

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  17. Oh Lordie – now I have the two of you !!! I happen to follow Tania Plibersek on IG and if she is not posting beautiful photos of orchids she is on her early morning walks around Canberra !Absolutely gorgeous but not for me . . . at 2 am I am still probably either working or wandering around friends’ posts in Europe !!! Your photos are better than the ones I saw on ‘News’ . . . guess I should try, but . . . oh, love the second one especially . . . .

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    1. I’m not on IG, but it is wonderful that Ms Plibersek is showing the more interesting attractions of Canberra. My son is really into native orchids.
      Thank you Eha. I’m sure there are many more wonderful photos of the balloons, but they are so photogenic, it is hard to go wrong.
      Take care and don’t stay up too late.

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