A “Moon Gate” to a trail system here in Tulsa. I think they are kind of cool. Like symbolically passing into another dimension. My hiking friend hates them and walks around them. This time I noticed afterward it made an oval shadow. If I was more on the ball I could have captured more of the oval than what I did.
And on the other side of the moongate, we got these shadows on the trail. This was the Thursday before the polar vortex and the temp was in the high 50’s.
Now it is about 7F and we have a few inches of snow. What a difference a day or two makes!
Seen on a hike on Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. I used the Hipstamatic app on my phone to take the photo to enhance the texture and emphasize the age of the formation.
Through somebody at TikTok I learned a new Japanese word that I love, Komorebi. It refers to light filtering through trees and casting a shadow on the ground. It induces a sense of wonder in those observing it. Google the word, there is a lot to it. So a light went off in my head on this because I’ve always loved sunlight through leaves and I love dappled shadows.
Above is what I mean by dappled shadows.
Dappled Shadows on my backyard fence.
Light filtering through leaves at a local park.
Backing off a little bit from the same tree and you get the filtered light and the dappled shadows.
I love this word, it names a feeling that I have had for a long time. When I go hiking I’ve shot a lot of photos at the end of the day especially of the sun peaking through the leaves or branches. Dappled shadows that I come upon often leaves me amazed. Especially when the wind is blowing and I’m watching shadows moved.
Since I have learned the word, I am seeing Komorebi everywhere I look almost.