Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: bike, sunrise

When I got up this morning it was already warm & steamy. The air was thick… and I was instantly sweaty. Everything seemed heavy, including the sunrise & clouds on the horizon.

Later, when I got home, I heard a radio newscaster refer to the morning weather as “soupy”?!!!
Seemed oddly fitting.

Categories: bike, sunrise

With such great cloud cover this morning, it felt like we were destined to have a great sunrise. It was either going to go one of two ways. A beautiful splash of color across the clouds… or no sun at all if it’s hidden by the clouds. Turns out we got a splash!!!

Then suddenly, in a matter of minutes, the orange sky transformed to golden hues with dramatic dark clouds ever encroaching.

And then the clouds won out, and then beautiful sky show dissipated back into gray.

 

Categories: bike, sunrise

Kinda like yesterday, the morning sky was clouded… but in a good way today.

One large mass of clouds sweeping across the sky ready for the color to splash across. Everchanging as the clouds dissipated while the sun came up.

Once the sun was over the horizon, it ducked behind the clouds as they continued to break up.

 

Categories: bike, Chicago

Another beautiful morning on the lakefront. After traveling all weekend with my parents up in Minnesota… and so much time spent sitting in the car, it was great to get back out on my bike this morning!

And it’s always a welcome sign when the lifeguard stands finally reappear on the lakefront. One more sign that Summer might actually be on its way… for good this time!!!

Categories: bike

By now many of you know that I have a strange fascination with roadkill.
And over the years, and over the miles of biking, we’ve passed many along the way. Well, this morning was not to be outdone. When noticed something in the road and stopped to investigate… and to capture pictures of it for my “roadkill collection.” Only to find out that it was my lucky day!

Categories: bike, sunrise

After a few days in Dover, Delaware… it was great to be back home and back in my bike.
The weather was clear & warm. Unlike the last two days of gloomy rain we had in Dover.

As the sun continued to rise, the colors were quite vibrant. Layers of oranges & reds.
All awaiting for the sun to finally make an appearance on the horizon.

And when it finally did, there was a beautiful reflection across the water.

And

After I turned around and started back home, I did catch a glimpse of the sun through the trees. And it almost looked like a beautiful sunset. That is if I wasn’t keenly aware of which direction I was facing?!… and which way the sun went?!

Categories: bike, sunrise

It was a wonderful “Sunday Surprise” with great clouds blowing across the horizon this morning. They started kind of stacked & splotchy, then very angular across the sky… and ended with a crazy cool cloud formation floating high in the sky!

And then a whole new cloud decided to move into the picture…

Categories: bike, sunrise

Another beautiful morning with sweeping pastels across the sky.
Quiet. Ethereal. And a lot warmer than normal. Finally.

Categories: bike, nature, sunrise
Categories: bike, sunrise

What a difference a few hours can make?… the fog is gone and the sunrise was back.

After an early pink glow behind some creepy-cool trees (weeping birch?), I was headed down towards Navy Pier when the sun finally made it over the horizon.

And then early enough… and we had a surprising “spoke eclipse”?!!!
Okay, well… err… it’s actually the magnetic sensor for my bike computer, but who’s counting?!