Photography short story - Winter in Spring Morning, Madison Beach - Madison, Connecticut
It is morning, the sun not yet risen. There is a chill in the air, the winds of winter are alive once more and in a playful mood on a Spring day. Something I have not seen in months now blinks in and out of existence, brief flurries of snow reflect against the street lamps as I travel to my destination.
I am tempted to stay in the warmth of where I am, observing, disconnected, but what is the point if one cannot be fully immersed in the moment both good and bad, pain and pleasure.
I begin to gear up, it is like it is December all over again. The wind is biting, its unseen teeth gnashing against what little skin is exposed, I am awake, I am present, whether I am ready or not. The tide is low today and there are endless stories waiting to be discovered this morning. I am normally the only one to greet the morning at this locale but in the age of the Pandemic, it is quiet, and pointedly so today. No joggers, no dog walkers, not even the random fisherman this early morning. Maybe it is because it is just below freezing on May 9th. The clouds, the water and the rocks all seem to be taking it stride I guess I will to.
The Sun still not crested, the winds still raging as I am still standing among the rocks. The color of the sky begins to fade as my temperature begins to drop as I search for morning vignettes; I can hear a car pull up in the lot beyond the wall. I am no longer alone.
Three cars in total arrive. Three young ladies arrive to watch the sunrise and catch up with each other. The sun finally clears the horizon and brings the color back to the heavens. The girls brave the cold morning winds and head down toward the end of the pier to take their sunrise selfies. Having taken my pictures for the morning I went to the leeward side of the wall to watch the sun ascend into the clouds before departing from sight. I am back in my warm place, gear off, heat on, the rush of endorphins rushing through my veins. A moment well experienced this Winter in Spring morning.