[this is a photo of crepuscular rays emanating through gathering storm clouds; also called Buddha’s Fingers, sun rays, Ropes of Maui, sun drawing water, Jacob’s Ladder, and a great many other appellations, such visuals are created by sunlight passing around an obstacle (e.g., clouds, trees, or the horizon); they are created by the physical processes of scattering, reflection, and diffraction, and the optical process called linear perspective; they are called crepuscular rays when they diverge from a central point and anticrepuscular rays when they converge toward a central point]

Both of these photos reveal the base of my favorite tree.  When I sit against its ageless trunk, my place is anywhere visible in these pictures.  The opposite side of the tree has new branch growth near the ground, so I do not disturb those limbs but instead find refuge where my friend offers no obstructions.

First, on a cloudy afternoon with a slow shutter speed…

Second, on the same day with a faster shutter speed (I actually like this darker presence more than the lighter one above)…

[looking across the lake toward faraway downtown Dallas]