My Morning Muse

The theme for Project 52 this week is "Morning".  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person.  I am generally more a night owl.  But, the last few days I have been getting up earlier, and while it's only day 3 of early mornings for me, I am finding it quite beneficial.  Once I get over the physical challenge of lifting my body out of the warm cocoon of my bed, I'm golden.  I've exercised early, and gotten that task out of the way early in my day - always a good thing for me.  Today I saw the sun rise for the first time in I'm scared to admit how long.

I wanted to get a picture of the beach at sunrise for Project 52, and so my plan was to get up before sunrise.  Not too difficult considering sunrise today was at 6:50am.  Both kids voiced their eagerness to join me on my quest, but the pull of the duvet cocoon was simply too strong for Lily, and so it was just Dylan and I who ventured forth at the break of dawn.   We admittedly got to the beach a little late.  The color of the sky on our car ride to the beach was simply spectacular, but by the time we had parked, and walked out onto the pier, the red-golden glow had faded.  We had a great time though.  The dolphins were out playing, and if I had had my zoom lens with me, I would have pictures of them to share with you.  I had only one lens with me, and it's my newest lens, and one I have the least comfort with.  It was a gift from my hubby for Christmas, and it's the Lensbaby Muse.  It's an interesting lens, to say the least.  Focus is manual only, and when I mean manual, I really mean manual.  I won't go into the logistics of the lens, but if you are interested you can find out more about it here.

Essentially, the lens has a sweet spot of focus that you can aim and manipulate with your fingers.  I really have no idea what the best application for the lens is, or how to use it to the best of its ability.  I sometimes intentionally go out on a 'shoot' with only one lens, as it means I have to make do with what I have available, and it gets the creative juices flowing to get a good picture.  While I would have loved to have gotten some pictures of frolicking dolphins, the lens I had was simply not going to get the job done.  So instead of lamenting and wallowing over the picture I knew I couldn't get, I played around with my new lens to find out what it could do, and what pictures I could get with it. Sometimes we feel like we are losing out because we don't have the perfect lens, or the perfect shoes, or the perfect job.  If only we looked like so-and-so. If only we had her talent in that area, if only we made as much money, if only, if only, if only.  It's easy to get lost in 'if only'.  I'm trying to be intentional about making the best out of what I have, and so today was a good mental exercise for me.

Dylan and I stayed at the beach for significantly longer than I had initially expected.  The day was overcast and so there was no sunshine.  The morning was hazy and the light muted.  I honestly love the beach in winter.  The blues and grays are soft and the colors are delicate.   You will notice in each picture that only a portion is in focus.  That's the Muse.  Let me know what you think - I'd really love to know your thoughts on the pictures.