Winter Discovery

 Serendipity is an incredible thing. 
The shot above was just that.
I turned around and saw this
incredible light while hiking.

So, on Wednesday Charlie was not going to let me go alone again on a hike. So I picked a place close to home once more and took a trail I have never taken in the winter time.

I wanted to change things up a bit. I always go to the same spots in the winter to look for ice formations.

I thought I'd try something different.

Boy, 
am I glad I did!

I took this trail which I only visit in the spring time as it is full of Virginia Bluebells and this is one of the finest places to listen to the Spring Peepers sing.

Spring view ... 

Below, not a great shot, because I used my little pocket camera....
Winter view.. [sorry it is such an awful shot the white balance was completely blown away!]

It was quite frozen. By next week, when it warms up for another thaw, the view will be quite different. 

Below is a view from the other side of that little bluff.

Charlie and I followed another trail I've never done in the winter. I had an idea that I'd see more 'ice caves' on this particular trail. I did. 

I counted 6 rock shelters and deep ravines. They all have water that seeps out of the rocks. This drains down into a valley and out into the river. 

It isn't so noticeable the rest of the year, because the water is just gently oozes out of the rocks and follows the ravine down through the thick woods.

The winter temperatures change that and freeze the water as it gently comes out. 

I wanted to see what the wetland looked like in the winter. Part of the trail goes through a large steep valley that is quite soggy.

Summer view:

Winter view:

In the spring, this portion of the valley is full of one of the very first spring plants that flowers. The Skunk Cabbage. 

This is where I stopped hiking for the day and just did a bit of exploring. The icy valley is huge and begs to be explored. 

We spent some time walking around. Charlie did his dog thing of sniffing and following tracks and I just fell in love with the lighting and atmosphere of this particular place.

Here Charlie just checking things out.

In the first shot he is looking down the valley
where the water eventually goes to 

reach the Kickapoo River.

The steep hillsides with the noon sun shining through the trees created

a magical atmosphere.

This is the valley to 
the North.

Cellphone shot attempt at a panorama view 

of the valley to the west.

I think I found my 'new' favorite place to go in the winter at least until I explore it more.