Most years, we think of November as cold and dreary. We don’t need meteorological records to confirm our assumptions about November; we can read what poets and novelists have written.
“The gloomy month of November, when the people of England hang and drown themselves.”
― Joseph Addison
“I know that I have died before—once in November.”
― Anne Sexton
“No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member –
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds –
November!”
― Thomas Hood, No!
But this year our first encounter with November has brought something altogether different. The bright sunlight and warm temperatures have inspired people to get out and enjoy one last hurrah before the weather turns.
Photographically speaking, these are perfect conditions. No stiff fingers fumbling with camera settings. No losing lens caps in pockets buried beneath layers of sweaters. And, maybe most significantly, no waiting until two o’clock — shadows are long all through the day.
Nicely done! This first week of November has been a lovely surprise.
It has indeed!