It is easy to see on a day like this how early humans would believe in the sun as a deity. Imagine a fear that the darkness of night, even when the stars and moon are visible to provide illumination, might last forever. How welcome the first light of morning would seem then. It is my favorite time of day, as the color switch is flipped to the on position.
I like to go outside at dawn, when it is light enough to not trip and fall on the steep slope and slippery paths but the great golden orb has not yet risen high enough to wash over the garden.
Sometimes I have the camera along to enjoy and record the magic show, as the flower colors begin to brighten.
There are spider webs everywhere, many stretching across the pathways right at the level of my head, the better to catch the unwary flying insects perhaps. When there is enough moisture in the air, as there is this August, the sunlight provides faire warning for traveling sightseers.
Each section of flowers gets its moment of glory as the spotlight slowly moves across the beds.
Backlight is like a wand of wonder to ordinary scenes. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ growing under the stand of tall pines at the eastern edge of the property glows against the brushpiles maintained for wildlife habitat.
Unlike the golden light of the setting sun, the first light of day is pinkish. It lifts the wood, stone and flora to a higher plane of perception.
From under the deck looking out towards the Gravel Garden and beyond, I am filled with awe at the transformation.
Moving on along the gravel path we stop and gaze back at the Daylily Hill and Heather Bed, anchored by the perfect match of Hosta ‘Sunpower’ and Crimson Queen Japanese maple. To read more about this pair, click here.
Walking westward to that edge of the property and climbing the steps to the lower terrace beside the pond, we turn and face the rising sun. This is how the garden actually looks, complete with the hose in disarray near the house. One can get a good feel for the sloping steepness of the land from this angle, where the house and garage are in relation to the topography here.
Those first moments of wondrous light are a humbling experience to me every single time they are witnessed. I am thankful to be able to live and garden in such a place as this.
Frances
The most wonderful garden – very restful viewing.
and thank you for sharing such a place as you have grown!
Thank you again, for all the time you put into your blog. It’s just beautiful. I have shared it with many gardening friends.
Seeing your garden through your eyes is always such a treat and gives us in your admiring readership many magic moments. And thank you for the peek of hoses strewn about…makes me feel right at home!
So incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing those amazing sights.
I truly enjoyed taking this photo journey through your garden! Please keep posting these amazing photos!
Love the long views of the garden today Faire. Thank you! Your garden is magical indeed.~~Dee
Such a lovely poetic look at your garden. I especially like the ‘backlight is like a wand of wonder to ordinary scenes.’ I too feel blessed when the great hand spreads the light ever so softly over the garden. It puts everything in the best light.
Gorgeous as usual.
backlighting is cool and i love the webs
Such a magical garden…more so in the early morning light. Just beautiful!
Truly Magical Photos!!!!
I delight in all of your posts but this Surpasses them all!!! Thank You for Sharing!!!
What a delightful morning walk through your breathtaking flower garden.
That’s it. I’m going out right now to cut down the dozens of trees in the park across the street which block all my morning sun. 😉
Dawn comes early to Heath, at least at the End of the Road, and I also love walking in the dewy grass. I know we are never more than two feet from a spider, but I never see webs as beautiful as the ones you find. The setting sun also sets my Ann Varner daylilies afire, so I love both ends of the sun’s day.
I learned the majesty of first morning light from the professional photographers I hired when managing advertising accounts for clients. My favorite experience was scouting all day for the perfect Napa Valley setting for a two-page spread ad for a grape fungicide from Bayer. We showed up at 4am to set everything up and capture the perfect image. We toasted our efforts after everything was packed up with the best glass of red I’ve ever had before or since.
Gee whiz, Frances, EVERY moment in your garden is magic. Amazing 😉
Magical indeed… we call the early morning “The Magic Hour.” No way to describe it, you just have to be there. Thanks for inviting us be there, Frances. That spider web is enchanting.
It’s absolutely magical! I love your garden, but you know that already! My Kids Mom has me chuckling…I so know how she feels and want to take down trees in my yard and my neighbors in order to see that magical light every morning. xoxoxogail
Breathtaking!
Thank you Frances…I shall go out in my garden tomorrow morning just before the sun is up with a much needed cup of morning joe and wait for the magic to happen.As always your words and pictures make me want to be a more ‘aware’ gardener.
Your garden is simply stunning. Very inspirational. 🙂
Looks like a magical garden with the sunlight peeking in. That is a great Orb web!
Eileen
Beautiful morning shots. I love the new blog look. Serene.
The early morning light gives your garden even more of a magical feeling–it looks like an enchanted garden indeed. The spiderwebs are magnificent!
I like your new blog look, though I thought I was at the wrong place when this page first appeared:)
The webs are sent to slow us. I’ve been guilty of those purpose-driven visits to the garden and always smile when I feel that gluey wet arm of the spider’s web knowing that I’m being sent a message to slow down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.
I love your new blog look, too. The text is much more legible.
I like your new blog look, too. And how about your garden? No wonder you like to rush out and work in it at the first light of day.
Wonderful garden, wonderful photos:) Greetings