Happy Winter Solstice!

This is the time of year filled with holidays and celebrations for so many different cultures and religions. For me, it surrounds the Winter Solstice. This year, the Winter Solstice is on December 21 or 22, depending on where you live. For my time zone, it’s today, the 21st (the Solstice occurs at 10:30 pm today for me; for the East Coast of the US, it’s 12:30 am tomorrow morning).

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the next day the sun is reborn again and the days start getting longer. To me, there is a sort of wonderful magic in this natural event, and I always like to celebrate it in my own way.

So today, I’m posting a photo of a sunrise, and wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season, however you chose to celebrate. Be it the Solstice, Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or one of the other celebrations, I wish you all the best.

~ by KatiesCameraBlog on December 21, 2011.

Posted in Nature - Plants - Flowers
Tags: christmas, holiday, Nature, Pagan, photography., solstice, sun, Sunrise, yule

130 Responses to “Happy Winter Solstice!”

Love these kind of pictures!! Happiest of Solstice to you Katie!

Amber Gates said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:37 am | Reply
- Thanks, Amber! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:41 am | Reply
Beautiful!

Adrienne said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:40 am | Reply
- Thanks, Adrienne! Glad you like the photo. 🙂 As you can tell, it’s not taken here in Santa Fe. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:42 am | Reply
Wow, fantastic photo 🙂 love the colours of the sky and light of the sun 🙂

Filipe Marques said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:45 am | Reply
- Thank you, Filipe!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:42 am | Reply
This is beautiful, Katie! Happy holidays to you!! 🙂

Nicole Ftacnik Photography said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:54 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Nicole! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:42 am | Reply
Gorgeous shot Katie 🙂 And it’s got the same theme as my intended post for today! Apparently though, the solstice is tomorrow (22 December), something I just learned after seeing a tweet that had this link out to timeanddate.com:

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html

I guess we learn something new every day!

Mufidah Kassalias said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:58 am | Reply
- Thanks, Mufidah. For you, December 22 is the Solstice, but not for me. For the US, on the East Coast, the Winter Solstice is 12:30 am on December 22, but for me, it’s 10:30 pm tonight, December 21st. Very confusing for sure. 🙂 Can’t wait to see your photo! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:01 am | Reply
The same to you, Katie.

sandy said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:14 am | Reply
- Thank you, Sandy! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:42 am | Reply
Happy Solstice Katie ! this is a super photo to include with this post!

dhphotosite said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:14 am | Reply
- Thanks, David! I actually used this photo for a Solstice card years ago. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:19 am | Reply
Oh, so beautiful! Who couldn’t love a sunrise like this? There’s something very special about capturing the sun waking up for the day, or heading back to sleep for the evening.

therecoveringbrit said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:40 am | Reply
- Thank you. I was camping when I took this, and got up just to catch this sunrise and get this photo. It was wonderful to see the sun wake up for the day. Wonderful comment. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:21 am | Reply
Beautiful shot Katie. I could say the same for you- You too have so much beauty around you 😉

This picture so much matches mine, don’t you think, the three layers, blue, golden and then black silhouette. I was so amazed when I opened your blog. Yours is of course taken at a very different time of the day than mine. Still, nature is amazing everywhere on this planet. 😀

I loved this shot. Wonderful! Wonderful! I can’t stop looking at it.

And happy winter solstice to you too! This is the first time I’m wishing that to someone. Thanks Katie. 🙂

Nandini said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:46 am | Reply
- Thanks, Nandini! Yes, similar pictures yesterday. How fun! 🙂 Ah, glad I’m the first person you wished a Happy Solstice too. The Solstice is special to me. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:22 am | Reply
Winter solstice. It’s sounds so pagan, doesn’t it? Nice piccie.

Tooty Nolan said this on December 21, 2011 at 7:58 am | Reply
- Ah, it may sound Pagan, and most Pagans celebrate it, but it’s Nature, it’s science, it’s fact. It stretches back so far in hour human history. To me, it just resonates within me. Glad you like the piccie, Tooty. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:45 am | Reply
OMG this is so beautiful! I wish I was there with you to look at this beautiful view!!! 😀

Kristina said this on December 21, 2011 at 8:33 am | Reply
- Thanks, Kristina! Actually, this wasn’t taken where I live. We have mountains to the East, so we don’t see the sun when it’s just rising. It’s bright in the sky by the time I first see it. This was taken up in Colorado (which I adore). Glad you like the photo! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:46 am | Reply
Gorgeous! I, for one, am sooooo glad we have reached the shortest day and now can look forward to more and more light in the coming days.

milkayphoto said this on December 21, 2011 at 8:38 am | Reply
- I have mixed emotions about the sun coming back. I like seeing the stars, and it’s so much easier when it’s dark. I love seeing the light coming back though. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:47 am | Reply
[…] Today’s photo is titled Happy Winter Solstice. […]

Winter Solstice! We’re on our way to Spring! | Figments of a Dutchess said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:16 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Marion!!!!! What an honor. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:08 am | Reply
Happy Winter Solstice dear Katie.

Marion Driessen said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:18 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Marion! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:48 am | Reply
Lovely shot Katie

Eden said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:22 am | Reply
- Thank you, Eden!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:48 am | Reply
Stunning Katie!

Cee Neuner said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:58 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Cee!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:26 am | Reply
Lovely image! And thanks for visiting (and following) my blog. I’ve returned the favor — maybe I can pick up some hints about improving my very amateur photography skills. — ADW

adruidway said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:13 am | Reply
- Thank you! My pleasure to follow your blog. 🙂 You can pick up some photography skills, and I’ll pick up some writing skills. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:27 am | Reply
That is simply superb!

Jude said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:27 am | Reply
- Thanks, Jude!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:28 am | Reply
So beautiful! Amazing shot and a happy solstice to you!

Rebecca Booth said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:29 am | Reply
- Thank you so much Rebecca. Nothing like compliments on my photo and then a nice Solstice wish. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:29 am | Reply
what a wonderful way to wish… and what a wonderful photo Katie! All the best wishes to you too and may it bring new light to everything GOOD!

marinakanavaki said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:47 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Marina. What a wonderful wish for this Solstice. Thank you. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:29 am | Reply
Wow! If I could only take pictures like you … 🙂

thesweetkitten said this on December 21, 2011 at 11:17 am | Reply
- Wow, that is a compliment. 🙂 Thanks, Ingrid!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:30 am | Reply
Happy Winter Solstice to you also…! Coming from the land of Druids, this is also a very special time of rebirth for me. I love this photograph, and as I looked at it I wondered why it was asking me to invert the image… Turn it upsidedown and it now appears as the sun rising (reborn) over a snowy wilderness, almost like a view from outerspace…!

I love the work you capture with your lens… thanks you so much for your daily sharing.

Ant

Anthony Donnelly said this on December 21, 2011 at 11:46 am | Reply
- I’m so glad the Solstice is special to you too, Ant. i almost want to turn my screen upside down so I can see what you mean. 🙂 And thanks too for your compliment on my photography. I truly appreciate it!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:32 am | Reply
Absolutely outstanding photo

maenamor said this on December 21, 2011 at 12:21 pm | Reply
- Thank you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:32 am | Reply
We’re doing Solstice tomorrow – hope you had a great one!

Marcel said this on December 21, 2011 at 1:20 pm | Reply
- Thanks! And a Happy Solstice to you today! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:33 am | Reply
Amazing. You know I have a special place in my heart for movements of the sun. I especially love the 360 degrees of sunburst rays.

K. Ryan Henisey said this on December 21, 2011 at 2:07 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Ryan. Love that you mentioned all the sun rays. I love that about this image. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:34 am | Reply
Happy Solstice,Katie! May the light shine within and around us all.Yay for longer days, I know i will get through winter despite the cold that may come.:)

janechese said this on December 21, 2011 at 2:13 pm | Reply
- What a wonderful wish, Jane! Here’s hoping you get longer and warmer days soon. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:35 am | Reply
Great shot Katie and wonderful post. Happy Hoidays to you as well.

edithlevyphotography said this on December 21, 2011 at 2:20 pm | Reply
- Thank you so much, Edith!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:35 am | Reply
This is a golden gem! Happy Winter Solstice, Katie! With sunrises like this how could your days not be special?

Peace

Suzanne said this on December 21, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Reply
- Ah, what a sweet thought, Suzanne! Thank you so much! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:35 am | Reply
What a beautiful image! Enjoy!

Jennifer Triplett said this on December 21, 2011 at 3:31 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:36 am | Reply
Happy Solstice, Katie! Gorgeous sunrise shot!

Susie C. said this on December 21, 2011 at 3:37 pm | Reply
Fantastic shot, Katie.
Must have been perfect timing – not too bright and not too dull. Beautiful colours too.

victoriaaphotography said this on December 21, 2011 at 4:46 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Victoria! It was me waiting for that sun to appear. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:53 am | Reply
Very beautiful 🙂 Bright Blessings to you and yours. 🙂 I’ll be posting my photos much later as I’m off to the lantern festival tonight. 🙂

Cin said this on December 21, 2011 at 4:49 pm | Reply
- Thanks for the Blessings, Cin! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:53 am | Reply
Gorgeous image! A feast for the eyes!

Deborah Edler Brown said this on December 21, 2011 at 4:51 pm | Reply
- Thank you so much, Deborah!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:54 am | Reply
Happy Solstice! Gorgeous pic, by the way. 😉

tmso said this on December 21, 2011 at 5:04 pm | Reply
- Thank you, Nila! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:54 am | Reply
Katie, this is a wondeful post to celebrate Winter Solstice + and that the days now are going to be (a bit) longer – until spring – and summer!!!

truels said this on December 21, 2011 at 5:20 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Truels! Yes, the days ever so slowly grow longer. I think it’s fun to watch when I actually notice (without thinking about it) when the days are longer. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:56 am | Reply
Happy Solstice thanks for sharing this amazing photo!

PC PHOTO said this on December 21, 2011 at 5:39 pm | Reply
- Thank you!! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:58 am | Reply
That is beautiful! Happy holiday of your choice to you too!

zorgor said this on December 21, 2011 at 6:16 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Zorgor! Solstice is my choice. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:58 am | Reply
stunning photograph! Happy Solstice~

Donna Mitchell-Moniak said this on December 21, 2011 at 8:00 pm | Reply
- Thank you so much! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:58 am | Reply
Oh my! What a beautiful, beautiful photo. Thank you for sharing your words and your photo re:Winter Solstice. What a lovely way to read about this special time of year.
Peace!

Tammy said this on December 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm | Reply
- What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:59 am | Reply
dont forget festivus for the rest of us!

zevstar said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:48 pm | Reply
- Oh, yes, Festivus! I missed it! Happy Festivus to you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:00 am | Reply
Absolutely outstanding photo! Wow, it’s a stunner! Merry Christmas to you too, Katie. 🙂

Jenna said this on December 21, 2011 at 9:50 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Jenna! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:02 am | Reply
Beautiful image Katie! Best wishes to you this holiday season, and I look forward to many more excellent posts! Cheers!

Steve said this on December 21, 2011 at 10:18 pm | Reply
- Thank you, Steve! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:02 am | Reply
This is one of my favorite holydays. On the cusp of the deepest, darkest, coldest time of the year, light is reborn and begins to grow stronger in the world. Thanks for sharing image and words. Happy holydays to you Katie!

Noel Tendick said this on December 21, 2011 at 11:46 pm | Reply
- One of my favorites too, Noel. I love the feeling of change and rebirth. It speaks to my spirit. Thanks so much for your wonderful comment. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:04 am | Reply
Beautiful capture! Happy Solstice to you as well! Good news for me because now it means the days are longer – I can start shooting sunrises and sunsets before and after work again soon!!

Adam Allegro said this on December 22, 2011 at 1:25 am | Reply
- Thanks, Adam! And have fun shooting those sunsets and sunrises! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:04 am | Reply
beauitful

Chloe said this on December 22, 2011 at 2:17 am | Reply
- Thank you, Chloe! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:07 am | Reply
Thanks for the comments you left on my blog. Your photos are excellent, you have an enviable talent! I wish you a very happy solstice however you plan to celebrate the season.

Cassie said this on December 22, 2011 at 2:35 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Cassie! I truly appreciate it. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:07 am | Reply
Stunning. Absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking. Thank you for sharing such an amazing dreamscape.

Dreams and Zeros said this on December 22, 2011 at 2:50 am | Reply
- Wonderful comment! Thank you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:08 am | Reply
Your pictures get better every day! So stunning!

thesweetkitten said this on December 22, 2011 at 2:57 am | Reply
- Thanks, umm, but actually this was taken many years ago. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:08 am | Reply
It’s good that the days now will start to get longer och brighter. Nice shot!

Mats said this on December 22, 2011 at 5:56 am | Reply
- Thanks, Mats!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 22, 2011 at 8:09 am | Reply
I just got to my e-mail after a busy week–yikes. Well, Katie our minds seem to be on the same horizon. I launched my post this morning about light and the winter solstice. I love your photograph. You’re so fortunate to have the southwestern vistas for meditation and image taking. Happy holidays, Sally

lensandpensbysally said this on December 22, 2011 at 9:45 am | Reply
- Thanks so much, Sally. I can’t wait to see your Solstice photo! 🙂 This image was actually taken up in Colorado. We have mountains to the East, so we don’t see the sun rise here in Santa Fe. 😦 Great sunsets though, and those same mountains glow beautifully at sunset. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:48 am | Reply
Shame my sky wasnt as clear as yours – never the less a beautiful day it was.

rjprobert said this on December 22, 2011 at 11:10 am | Reply
- Ah, sorry about your sky. Hope it clears up for you. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:49 am | Reply
These are all beautiful festivals of light you mention, and it is interesting to consider that none of them aligns with their inspiring events, but with the Solstice itself. It’s a powerful magnet, drawing us all within and together. Thanks for this, and for the comments on my blog.

Richard Hudak said this on December 22, 2011 at 11:29 am | Reply
- What a wonderful and true comment. Thank you much, Richard. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:54 am | Reply
Sunrise! Sunset! Happy Solstice

Mark Butkus said this on December 22, 2011 at 1:10 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Mark!! And thanks for visiting my blog also! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:57 am | Reply
Stunning Katie!

drawandshoot said this on December 22, 2011 at 3:20 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Karen!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:59 am | Reply
The very best of the holidays to you and your family, too!
And what a stunning glow you’ve captured here!
Spectacular!

spilledinkguy said this on December 22, 2011 at 6:28 pm | Reply
- So glad you like this image and thank you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 12:10 pm | Reply
Wonderful photo. Thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays.

Joe said this on December 22, 2011 at 7:48 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Joe! And thanks to for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 12:10 pm | Reply
Thanks for that piece of beautiful imagery. Wonderful to know that others appreciate axial tilt 🙂

VivianLea Doubt said this on December 22, 2011 at 10:26 pm | Reply
- You’re so welcome. Always nice to find others who appreciate the sun and our dance around it. 🙂 Thank too for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 23, 2011 at 12:13 pm | Reply
Happy Holidays to you! What a beautiful picture. I actually enjoy the longer nights and shorter days, so the first day of Winter Solstice is my favorite day of the year. 🙂

Rolling with Husky said this on December 23, 2011 at 8:20 am | Reply
- I like the longer nights too, actually. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 24, 2011 at 6:14 am | Reply
Just beautiful! Yotaki Beautywalk

beautywalk said this on December 24, 2011 at 3:37 pm | Reply
- Ah, thank you so much! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 25, 2011 at 7:42 am | Reply
Oh wow!!! What an amazing image!! I believe this is my most favorite of all your photos

Novroz said this on December 25, 2011 at 1:01 am | Reply
- Wow, that says a lot. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 25, 2011 at 8:24 am | Reply
Let’s celebrate the returning of the sun & the heat! Happy holidays!

Cardinal Guzman said this on December 27, 2011 at 1:15 am | Reply
- I agree! Wonderful comment. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 27, 2011 at 7:26 am | Reply
Love the pics here and elsewhere, and thanks for liking one of my blog posts!

mburgan said this on December 28, 2011 at 7:12 pm | Reply
- Thank you and you’re welcome! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:29 am | Reply
Stunning photo Katie, beautiful light! Happy new year

nikkiwheelerart said this on December 31, 2011 at 6:02 am | Reply
- Thanks, Nikki!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 31, 2011 at 12:22 pm | Reply
Like yourself, I celebrate the Winter Solstice as the day that holds true meaning for me during this festive season just passed.

A beautiful image of the rising sun
heralding the return | rebirth of light
celebrating ever-lengthening days
after the Solstice’s longest night.

*♡*

Crystal Stiletto said this on January 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Reply
- Thank you so much for your comment and the poem, Crystal. And I’m so glad you understand and feel the same way about the Winter Solstice. Thank you. And thanks too for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 9, 2012 at 8:35 am | Reply
Wow! Katie, that is just gorgeous!

Thanks for visiting me.

mrsjpvan2 said this on January 8, 2012 at 9:42 pm | Reply
- Thank you! And you’re so welcome. And thanks for visiting back.:)
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 9, 2012 at 8:37 am | Reply
Wow, gorgeous shot.

kesasso said this on January 12, 2012 at 5:38 pm | Reply