Catching Shadows ~

Nature's long shadows ... Deep in the afternoon  ...The night not far. ~ Haiku

Anticipating Groundhog Day - tomorrow - has me "musing" about  Shadows, those shapes (sometimes very realistic; sometimes very odd) cast by any solid object obstructing light. Remember that childhood summer fun of playing shadow tag? Rules were, you could ONLY tag a shadow - no contact with shadow-maker or you were out! Life now still has me chasing shadows in my art. Very important to render a cast shadow well both in space and tone. Often shadows ( placement of the darks and lights) can make or break a drawing or painting. Final fun fact for tomorrow is the actual origin of the groundhog folklore. It originated with the German immigrants in Pennsylvania. Back in Germany, the farmers had relied on the common badger "to see or not see" his shadow as a forecaster of springs arrival ( and therefore best crop planting times). Once here in America, the German farmers found no badgers - but found an abundance of groundhogs - hence the switch.
So, along with much of the country, I eagerly await Punxsutawney Phil's prediction.