Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Last Day, August 2010

It's the last day of Last Day. We've visited this spot at Hahamongna Watershed Park overlooking Johnson Field twelve times now, on the last day of each month, for a year.

I stole the idea from Marley of Cheltenham Daily Photo, though I know other photographers have done such studies of the seasons. (We do have seasons here, albeit subtle ones.) To view the other photos in the series, click the Last Day Project label below.

The end of August is early for autumn to arrive in Pasadena and it may change: just two days ago it was blazing summer. But yesterday as we walked the trails at Hahamongna, John and I remarked that the late day cool had a tinge of fall in it.

This photo suits me for the end of the Last Day project. The dry, mowed field looks ready for the crunch of autumn boots. The mountains' graded shadows say end of day, end of season, end of cycle. Yet fall has always felt to me like a beginning--a new school, a new plan, a new chance. The cooler air brings a whiff of change.

19 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

It does look ready for the crunch of autumn boots. I love that cool smell going into autumn, though right now, I'm grateful to be wishing winter bon voyage and welcoming spring's arrival here tomorrow. The jasmine is already out. Mmm...

I've enjoyed this series, Petrea. I still hold out hope for the little tree.

J.J. in L.A. said...

This is a gorgeous picture in which to end the series. Have you thought about publishing them somehow?

It was 71 degrees here today (Monday) but they're saying it'll be in the low 90's by Wednesday.

I love L.A.!!!

lewi14@gmail.com said...

I've followed your "Last Day" project with interest. Thank you for that. It was very informative and worth emulating.

Unknown said...

Great photo and article to end a great series. I keep wanting to do a similar series in SD, but I haven't got it organized. Very worthwhile project, Petrea.

Trish said...

I've always wondered if our tall grass smells like tall wheat. I suspect not, but I've never been to the mid-west to see (or smell) wheat grow. These last day pics have reminded me of how wonderful our seasons really are, gave me something to root for (that little tree) and reminded me of hikes I took many, many years ago.

I too am enjoying the cooldown from last week---fall and spring are more my style than standing in an open oven!

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Shell. Jasmine, eh? I imagine an illo coming on.

J.J. -- and here I was getting ready for fall! 90 degrees...I'll put my flip-flops by the door next to my autumn boots.

Thanks, Steffen. Feel free to try it; it's not my own and I think it's an interesting idea for any photographer to pursue.

Petrea Burchard said...

Glad you liked it, Cliff, that means a lot.

Trish, it's been so long since I've smelled wheat that I don't remember. I think there's a subtle difference.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I took the tour. Very interesting. I have to ask, although you may have already explained this, did you take the photo at around the same time of day? I'm looking at the light change as well as the position of the sun in each shot.

btw: I was in Monrovia Canyon the other day and took note that the sycamores are changing color. Mr V expects two more heat waves

pasadenapio said...

You have done our little field proud.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, PIO. That's a nice thing to say.

PA, we haven't talked about light or time of day, but it's a good question. I didn't restrict myself to a time of day but generally we walk Boz there in the late afternoon/early evening so most of these pictures were taken in late day. I think there are one or two morning or mid-day shots in the series.

Susan Campisi said...

I got the same sense of fall in my walk with Tommy last night. Fall is my favorite season even though it brings a hint of melancholia. And though I didn't think it was true when I moved here 10 years ago, I can attest to the fact that we do have seasons. Not as dramatic as NY and Seattle, but seasons nonetheless.

Lovely post. I think of fall as a beginning too.

Margaret said...

So purty!

Greg Sweet said...

I say we start raking now for the harvest festival...

mark said...

Looks better than a soccer field.

Katie said...

Such a great series of photos. I too still miss the tree, but it's nice to see this view at different times of the year.

Petrea Burchard said...

I get that, Susan--the melancholy. I'd call it bittersweet.

Thanks, Margaret.

Sort of a Samhain thing, Greg?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain

Mark, I agree.

Merci, Katie.

Anonymous said...

I've reconciled myself to the tree, but I'll miss this series.

Ms M said...

I've enjoyed the cycle of photos of this spot. :)

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you. I'm glad people have enjoyed this. I have, too. Maybe we'll do another one someday if I find the right spot.