Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sunrise, Sunset


“Like a red morn that ever yet betokened,
Wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field,
Sorrow to the shepherds, woe unto the birds,
Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds.”

Shakespeare in Venus and Adonis


“When in evening, ye say, it will be fair weather:
For the sky is red.
And in the morning, it will be foul weather today;
for the sky is red and lowering.”

the Bible, Matthew XVI: 2-3


Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
Red sky in morning, sailor's warning.


Weather proverbs and historical quotes about red sky sunrise and sunset have a certain amount of scientific truth to them. When we see a red sky at night, this means the setting sun is sending its light through a high concentration of dust particles. This usually indicates high pressure and stable air coming in from the west. Basically good weather will follow.

A red sunrise reflects the dust particles of a system which has just passed from the west. This indicates a storm system may be moving to the east. If the morning sky is a deep fiery red, it means a high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain is on its way.


The first four photos are of the sunrise, the last is the sunset of the previous twenty four hours here in the RV park. No matter how I try to capture the vibrant colors of the sunrise or sunset, I find they are always so much better in person. Since I've been living in my RV I don't have a regular routine. I've fallen out of the habit of going outside every day, walking around observing nature. The beautiful sunrise and sunset reminded me I need to return to some of my old routines.

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures, Linda. AND lovely words. Lifted my afternoon.

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  2. Gorgeous photos. They are truly inspirational!

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  3. Wonderful pics! And interesting about the truth behind the various sayings and proverbs.

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  4. Hi Julia, thanks, I am so glad I ran out to take the photos, there is a whole world around me and I am missing out on a lot here in the RV.

    Hi Poetikat, thanks, life is so full of inspiration; I guess the trick is to stop for a moment to enjoy it.

    Hi Ben, thanks, I had heard the saying before but didn't know it was based on scientific fact - no matter the colors are so great to observe and at the same time so fleeting.

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  5. Thanks for the lovely views of the sun coming and going.
    My favorite times of day.
    Did know that about the sailors and pay heed.

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  6. Gorgeous shots Linda. Glad I stopped by this morning, needed a bit of a lift. I used to see the sunrise each morning as I made coffee, right out my back yard, for about 10 years, now there are houses there. I have to go for a LONG walk or a drive to get good sunrise shots. Yours are perfect!

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  7. Hello Linda.

    Thank you so much for the beautiful shots of the sunrise and sunset! I knew little about the scientific backgrounds related to the colors of the sky. Thank you for sharing! Shakespeare's verses are so lovely! I love to see the sunrise and sunset although I'm not usually as lucky as you because close to my house are high buildings which narrow the wide open sky.

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  8. Hi Patti, thanks I never realized this legend was based on fact. Glas you enjoyed the photos.

    Hi Barbara, thanks I never would have thought I could get a good photo here in this RV park, but there is a bit of open sky round us here.

    Hi Sapphire, thanks, I was amazed that this legend has been around for so long even back to the time the bible was written.

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