My Winter Solstice was cloudy and gray. I wandered down to my local pond to take in my first day of winter views of the Wasatch Mountains plus a few birds.

Cloudy and gray Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake County, UtahCloudy and gray Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 1250, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 200mm, natural light

From the local pond I have wide, extensive views of the Wasatch Mountain Range that I don’t have from home. Yesterday on the solstice heavy gray clouds hung over the mountains and the valley. To the south I could see snow falling which obscured those mountain peaks. I was happy that I stowed my camera in my Jeep when I headed out the door so I could take a few photos on the solstice.

Cloudy and gray Wasatch Mountains in black and white, Salt Lake County, UtahCloudy and gray Wasatch Mountains in black and white – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 1250, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 200mm, natural light

I liked this view of the Wasatch Mountains enough that I decided to process this one frame in black and white too. I’m not sure which version I like the best. The in camera version has a softness to the colors that I find appealing. This black and white version has a crispness that I like too.

Flock of California Gulls on the Winter Solstice, Salt Lake County, UtahFlock of California Gulls on the Winter Solstice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 1250, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

I did raise my camera for birds even though the low light wasn’t the best for bird photography when a flock of resting California Gulls on the ice caught my eyes. The ice on the pond showed the reflections of the gulls nicely and the gray mantles of the gulls seemed to mimic the colors of the clouds overhead.

Even though it was cloudy and gray I still celebrated the Winter Solstice and now look forward to longer, brighter days.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Utah landscape photos. Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.