… and you cannot see a shadow.  ~Helen Keller

Well, it seems like forever since we saw Mr. Sun … oh yes, that gorgeous weekend that just passed.  You remember, don’t you?  Temps in the 70s, and people were walking around in tee-shirts and shorts.  Maybe even flip flops.

On that Sunday morning, while driving home after walking at Elizabeth Park, I noticed three signs that were rather ominous:

First, I noticed Bob Jo’s Frozen Custard stand in Wyandotte had closed for the season.  While their sign had touted their 70^th year in business all season long, this time it said “C Ya in the Spring!”

Next, I noticed the City of Lincoln Park’s electronic sign in Memorial Park was already advertising “Breakfast With Santa” in December.

Lastly, the marquis at the Dairy Queen warned “Last Day is October 23^rd!”

I scoffed at all these insinuations that the warm weather was indeed over and these were harbingers of things to come – after all we were enjoying a Summer-like day.

But, this morning I grabbed the ol’ earmuffs, gloves and a Winter coat before heading out the door as the temperature was near-freezing.  While it wasn’t quite polar fleece and puffy parka time, it was cold enough for a wisp of vapor to come out of your mouth … or nostrils.

Thankfully, no umbrella was needed because the sun put in a welcome appearance.  In fact, the sun did a good job of creating some pretty awesome shadows.

As I strolled along on the first loop of the perimeter path, I suddenly saw my shadow looming large in front of me.  It was accurate, right down to the inseam … well a 34-inch inseam, even if the picture of my shadow above seems to belong to a stilt walker.

That shadow made me chuckle, so I decided to take my picture – a shadow selfie of sorts.  And, before I had put my camera away, I found myself nearing the cement precipice, and, of course, I looked over to see if the Great Blue Heron was fishing this morning, and sure enough, there he stood in that icy-cold weather.  I backed up and took cover near some trees, thinking I’d get his image from a different angle, only to discover his body was casting a rather interesting shadow along the cement precipice wall.

So, there you have it – the morning sun and those ever-lengthening shadows as we creep closer to the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice.

Well, despite musing over those unique shadows, I glanced up to the sky, with the sun in my eyes, and landing on my upturned face, it sure felt good, but, after I took these pictures, I have to admit I tucked the camera away once again, then slipped on my warm gloves.  I guess it’s time to haul out those flip-top, fingerless mittens for future photo sessions and feeding the squirrels, unless of course, a quick freeze takes place over the next few days, so we could welcome in Indian Summer.  (Hint-hint Mother Nature.)

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.  ~Helen Keller