Winter Color

Just after a fresh snowfall, when everything is still covered, black and white are the predominate colors in the winter.

The red of the cardinal birds stands out beautifully in the trees.

The blue of the sky beyond those trees is just as vivid as the red birds.

But it's pretty hard to find other colors in a winter landscape after Mother Nature lays down a new snow layer.

That was the case today on my afternoon walk - no cardinals or blue sky to be found.

Just a lot of black and white with varying shades of gray in between.

There was one stray flash of color though that caught my eye as I passed by.

The white of the snow against the lime green of an overturned pail really stood out.

It beckoned me to take a closer look.

My phone was small enough to fit between the thorny branches and get close enough to capture the shot.

A winter abstract, with a splash of color - makes for an interesting composition.

 

Winter in Rye Harbor

This photo was taken about four years ago on a winter trip to the ocean at Rye Harbor.

Part of the State Park system in NH, we have visited here at least a couple times a year for as long as I can remember.

This past year we were never able to make the trip and the ocean was surely missed by us both.

No matter what time of the year, there is nothing like smelling the salty fresh air and seeing the everchanging beauty of the water and waves as they rush along the shore.

The sea gulls, ducks, and sand pipers that are numerous in the summer are no where to be found in the winter.

But if one is really lucky, there are a couple of Snowy Owls that have been known to visit the area.

To them, this is their "south" as they nest and breed in northern Canada each spring and summer.

I have never been able to get a decent photo of one of these beautiful owls, but I was lucky enough one winter to see one.

He was easy to find though - the group of tripods and photographers were a dead give away that something interesting was going on down by the shore.

They were respectful and kept their distance as not to scare him away so we could all enjoy his winter visit.

 

 

Winter Solstice

Winter began for us here in New England long before the Winter Solstice date on the calendar.

Tomorrow we begin our journey to Spring.

It will be cold and probably long.

But each day we gain a bit more light.

A good thought to get us through the snowy freezing months ahead.

The older we get the more daunting these months seem.

But the beauty and healthfulness that comes with it keeps us here.

A happy and healthy holiday season is wished for all!

Windswept Snows

It has been quite some time since I have made a post.

I find myself using my phone camera more and more these days and I miss using my DSLR as I have in the past.

Perhaps once the warmer weather comes back this spring things will change.

Until then, I will try to post some photos now and again.

Iced Cosmos Bloom

The snow came before the frost did earlier this season.

The delicate Cosmos blooms do not survive the frost.

But a bit of wet snow didn't seem to hurt them.

Bending under the weight of what is left of the ice crystals, the bloom popped back up once it all fell off.

A rare, beautiful sight, as the frost usually takes these flowers before the snow ever falls upon them.

Snow Has Arrived

It has been late in arriving, but it has finally made it's appearance.

And from the temps that are predicted for this upcoming week, it isn't going anywhere either.

With daytime highs in the mid teens it will become solid cement shortly.

So, outside we will be, shoveling, clearing, and making big piles of snow.

The older we get the harder it is to deal with it.

But we are New Englanders and are tough.

And the thoughts of spring to come is in the back of our minds, making it all worth it.

ABC Wednesday - W is for Winter Solstice

W is for Winter Solstice..........




 

Winter doesn't officially arrive until 12:30 am on 12/22/11.

On this Winter Solstice day, the Earth's northern axis, or North Pole, is pointing the farthest from the sun as it will get.

That makes it the shortest day of daylight in the year - the area above the Arctic Circle will have 24 hours of darkness.

Then, the next day, the day's light will start getting longer.

Granted, it is only by minutes, but I bet those who reside in the Arctic Circle region are awfully happy about that!

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - S is for Snow

S is for Snow..........




 

Dawn was breaking on this slippery morning as we traveled along the back roads.

After a quick snow storm a few hours before, we caught the sun as the clouds began to part.

The road was a sheet of ice, but worth the trouble to stop and grab a shot.

Within a couple of hours, the snow was completely gone.

As if it was never there.

But we have the proof!

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - I is for Ice

  

I is for Ice..........




 It will be here soon enough this snow and ice. But not until the beautiful autumn season has passed. We are still swimming at the lake - extending our summer as long as we can. It will all be happily remembered when this emblem on the plow truck is once again covered with snow and ice.

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Sun Rising on a Fresh Snowfall

Sun Rising on a Fresh Snowfall

I know it's spring, and photos of snow are not the most desired right now.

But I finally finished processing a load of images from last month and this one was in it.

It was taken about 6:30 in the morning, right after a night of wet snow.

This small view doesn't do the photo justice.

It was just beautiful that morning - every branch on every tree was coated with snow.

And when the rising sun lit it up, it just glowed.

But it only lasted a few minutes - that sun warmed it all just enough that it fell off quickly.

How lucky to be on the road that morning!

Tough Sprouts - My World

  Tough Sprouts - My World



  I think these daffodils are just as anxious for spring as we are. They are bound and determined to grow right through the cold snow that is still over them. Tough and hardy they are. The tulips that are beside them have sprouted too. I love to see them as I pass by - won't be long now before their beautiful blooms have joined their leaves! 

ABC Wednesday - K is for Keep Off

  K is for Keep Off............





It must be that some people just can't read. Or perhaps they don't bother paying any attention to signs. But these big, red, wooden warning signs were posted all around the perimeter of the frozen pond. But I suppose these two had a legitimate reason for being on the ice. It is pretty hard to read the sign when one is sitting on it. I thought it was too funny all the way around!




This is the eighth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

More Snow - My World

More Snow - My World






Well, the beginning of this winter season left us pretty high and dry in the snow department.

Most of the snow storms kept tracking just south of the New England area, so we got very little from them.

Fast forward about a month - we got one that delivered over a foot.

The next week another came and gave us almost two feet.

Now, not even a week later, we are going to be smacked with another foot, and to top it off, Mother Nature is going to glaze it with ice and freezing rain.

And then the weatherman was only too happy to announce that Friday will bring another substantial amount of snow.

Welcome to My World in New England - perhaps we will be unburied sometime before summer arrives!