Before our light snow+++
A look at the old trail that heads down towards our creek and valley. Dusty and brown.
Out on the edge of a field, I found a lone milkweed pod that still had some seeds on it. This plant was about 3 feet from the forest and probably protected from the winter winds.
We got snow. Not much. Not even enough to have the town plows hit the gravel roads. But still, it is moisture and hopefully it will eventually melt into the ground.
A little bit of snow does change the looks of things and these barberries stood out with their bright red berries in the forest. I stayed as much as possible in the forest because getting out where the wind was blowing was very cold.
This next shot is probably only interesting to me. It is of an old oak stump cut down when this area was logged 28 years ago. Probably not interesting to others though. It's texture with snow on it created something interesting to my eye. Too bad we couldn't see it in 3D.
It snowed a bit on and off for the rest of the afternoon and evening so I went out this morning to the summer pasture to get to some shots of the sparkly snow and some shadows. We only received perhaps an inch and a half in total, but it was a nice change from the browns of the day before.
The trail at the top of the hill was much prettier. Plus there were no tracks yet from the critters other than a lone coyote.
The summer pasture did have some pretty spots. I tried so hard to get the snow 'diamonds'. Dad used to call the snow sparkles 'diamonds'. They were there, but so tiny!
The sun was SO bright it hurt my eyes! I had to squint. The temperature was 3 F [-16C]. The sun was shining and I was out of the wind so I did feel just fine.
I think the hardest thing to do with such bright white snow is try to get the exposure spot on. But this was just a little wander around the summer pasture and how it looked with a little bit of fresh snow on it.
In places where the wind had blown, the grasses showed through the snow quiet well.
The shadows of the plants and the textures of the snow were so fascinating.
Of course, Mini Me and Charlie had to check it out too.
According to NOAA [which I hope is not de-funded], we are to get up to 5 inches of snow Friday afternoon and night!
Temperatures will be super frigid come Sunday night.
...oh... parting shot through a window with a screen on it...
The Redheaded Sisters snoozing this morning with their snow blankets on.
Plans for Valentine's Day? None here. Every day is full of ❤️ in our house.
We had ANOTHER ice storm last night and school buses were on a 2 hour delay. We started with more sleet after school and the roads are snow covered now. I'm not sure how much we are expecting. I don't plan to leave the house.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, be safe! I really dislike ice.
DeleteThere is an inherent sadness in the oak stump. Such a magnificent tree severed from life in its prime. Oaks harbour the greatest diversity of life of any tree on the planet, so its death denied life to so many other organisms. Evidence of human folly is never far away.
ReplyDeleteMore folly to follow as the absentee owners have decided to log all the acreage.
DeleteYou are right about snow messing with exposure. Yesterday, with the phone, I didn't bother but just increased the exposure about 1/3 stop in edit. I tend to take more care with my real camera. 😊
ReplyDeleteI did increase my exposure to compensate but still it just didn't work out quite right. I can always try again!
DeleteNo big celebrations here. Cold, lots of ice and I need some sunshine. I love that classic old trail that heads down to the creek. Lori
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any more snow than you do. The redheaded sister look content.
ReplyDeleteThose snow diamonds are hard to capture! Your snow looks all fresh and clean! Happy Valentine Day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love Mini Me and Charlie! Thanks for taking us along and as for your last sentence, same here :)
ReplyDeleteSnow diamonds. I like that. It's amazing how an inch or so of snow can transform your surroundings!
ReplyDeleteRe. your comment about snowplows. Our contractor generally comes twice: once to do the driveway, and a second time to remove the pile that the town plows leave. I would put this comment there, but since it is two posts back, I doubt that you would ever see it, not that it's important. 😊
ReplyDeleteIt actually is important, since I know how frustrating that can be!
DeleteThanks!
We went out for dinner at a local pizza shop. Doesn't sound too exciting but since there is only 3 of us taking care of a family member for 24-7 the last 4 years it is hard to make time for those sorts of things so it was nice. Beautiful scenery. I love a nice walk though the snow, especially a snowy trailed that goes through a tunnel of trees.
ReplyDeleteCaring for a family member 24-7 is no mean trick. I do that also, but get an occasional break at the gym or a 'vacation' while getting the car fixed or grocery shoppin!
DeleteI am glad you got out and enjoyed dinner!
3 degrees?!? Yikes! That's awful! My daughter's town had a water main break yesterday and 70,000 homes had no water for a day. Today, they're having to boil water. I hope the roads don't ice over.
ReplyDeleteLooks like my comment (sent while remote) didn't make it on here. My very edited note; I had to look hard at your beautiful milk pod shot. Resembles a reflection. Well done!
ReplyDelete