Saying Goodbye to Winter

I was cleaning up outside this evening and found a plastic tub that had fallen just beneath the deck.  I pulled it out and found a clump of ice with some dead leaves stuck to it.  Well, you know me - I had to run inside and get the camera because everyone who sees a clump of ice with a bunch of dead leaves stuck to it knows this is a prime photo opportunity, right?! 

(Okay, so I’m alone on this.)

But, considering it was the last sign of cold weather left in my yard, I grabbed the opportunity and shot off a few frames.  This was my favorite of the bunch…

Not Long Now

This weekend, I got some really cool shots of the ice that formed along the rocks and tree roots inside a waterfall.  For a couple of moments I remembered how beautiful winter can be when it’s not being judged for how long it takes me to scrape it off my car.  Instead, I saw the softness and beauty of all that white stuff I’ve been  cursing these past couple of weeks. 

Shame on me for forgetting that winter can be truly beautiful.  Don’t believe me?  Zip up those high top boots and go for a walk in a forest.  Oh, sure, I am still chomping at the bit for spring to make an appearance - but that walk in the woods reminded me of the quiet beauty of winter and got me over that desperation for warmer temperatures that I’d been feeling. 

A Midwinter Night’s Dream

I must be in a really “reflective” mood right now.  I seem to always end up at the water’s edge, right as the sun is setting, tree branches bouncing around on the surface of the water, with an image looking like something out of a movie.

And I keep wondering…haven’t I seen this all before in a dream?

Icy Hot

True, this ‘icy hot’ won’t loosen any tense muscles but, if you stare long enough, it does help unwind the mind. 

Inlaid

It warmed up into the upper 30’s today so, out I went, looking for any excuse to get a few new images. 

Even with the warmup, I looked around and still saw plenty of signs of how brutal this winter has been for the Midwest.  I just don’t recall ever seeing the lakes this frozen over before. 

Luckily, spring is just a few weeks away and I can’t wait to turn my camera from all this snow and ice to the new growth of flowers, grass, and trees.  But, when in Rome…

The Edge

This weekend got up into the 40’s so much of the snow and ice from earlier in the week began to melt.  I spent a few hours on Friday and Saturday at a local park, just happy to be out in the sun again. 

This was one of my favorite abstract images both because of the lines and the colors.  I hope you like it, too.

The Good and The Bad

The Bad:

I think I might have frostbite on a couple of my fingertips.

The Good:

I got some great photos…

On Thick Ice

These geese were on a nearby lake over the weekend, enjoying the warming temperatures by taking advantage of the melting lake water.  I have to admit, it does seem a bit odd to see them all walking across the lake instead of actually swimming but the day was so beautiful it really didn’t seem to matter after awhile.

Frozen Over

I’m not sure why these long, solid lines formed just below the surface of the lake ice but they appeared to be everywhere this morning.  Some were long and thin, spanning all the way across the width of the lake, while others were fat and stubby, only making it a few feet from shore. 

Winter’s Chill

It’s been nasty cold here in the Midwest for the past couple of days.  I try to look at the good side of that (not that there really IS a good side) and remember that the cold temps bring with it a better variety of birds to photograph at the feeders and wonderful ice patterns that form on the outside windows.  (Frankly, if it wasn’t for things like this, I’d go insane because it is bitter cold here and I hate being cramped up indoors!)