chiaroscuro

Lately something's changed, as Rick Springfield so aptly put it. Something hard to define.  The kind of thing your brain sort of notices but doesn't pay full attention to, like having an awareness of the position of the cars surrounding you while driving on the highway while not being able to fully describe any of them if you were asked to do so.  

It's been that way for me when I'm taking pictures of tiny chumley lately.  He's been easier to photograph in lower light situations.  He shows up better against dark backgrounds.  His face, his paws even, seem more contoured.   More...detailed. 

I was aware at some level that something was different, but hadn't taken the time to face the facts of why til now.  Look hard enough, not even really that hard at all nowadays, and there they all are.  Tiny little hairs in varying shades of lightness and white, mingling in with what was once dark red fur.  Adding definition to his face and paws as only a contrast of darkness and bright would do,  highlighting the curves of his eyes, cheeks, and even little toe creases.  Signs that my little boy is no longer a spring chicken, but a sweet little middle aged wolf.  Welcome to the club, my happy friend.  :)