The January thaw seems late this year. Maybe this year’s just been so cold the lateness is a perception I have. Finally, this week, some snow melted while the temperature fluctuated from 42 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Visibly, the depth of the snow diminished. Encouraged by the warm air, sun, and reduced amount of snow, I ventured a walk around the pond yesterday. While the paved path has been easy going (since it’s plowed) the far side has been impossible to reach if just trudging along in boots. (Snowshoes would make it accessible and I’m thinking now of maybe buying a pair during the summer when L.L. Bean has a sale so I’m better prepared next year!)
I had attempted a pass along the back path last week and found myself sinking the full length of my legs with nearly every step. I estimated it would take me a couple of days to get fully around at the rate it was taking me to pull my legs from the snow. Sometimes, it was a bootless foot that finally emerged.
But yesterday’s passage proved much easier. About seventy percent of my steps stayed solidly on the surface of the snow. Periodically, and unexpectedly, my foot would sometimes sink to my knees with a step. As long as I kept at a slow pace, no harm was done. But I did fear a sprained or broken ankle as my balance was set off each time this happened and the foot deep in the snow was on uneven terrain. If I fell, I was sure I’d be hurt!
At the pace I was forced to travel I was able to see clearly the myriad debris that covered the snow as it melted. With each layer of dissipating snow, a layer of decomposing stuff is revealed. With the many inches of snow that has melted, there is much debris accumulating over the snow’s surface.
All the vines I photograph and the bittersweet dilemma I’ve posed in this blog is shown in the curly cue above.
As the leaves decay, the intricacies of their structure become clear, as if viewed through a microscope. I love this affect. And in the first photo at the start of this post, the reflecting sunlight passing through the snow enhances the image’s detail. Please click on the image to fully appreciate it. Return to the post with your back arrow.
Like the iceman found some years ago, this bittersweet berry’s shell has remained intact through the crushing layers of snow that have covered it and now melted. This to me is an amazing find. Even if it has fallen recently and just sat upon the upper layer of snow, it is so delicate I can’t imaging that winter wind hasn’t blown it around and damaged it.
The junk above, resting atop the snow, is spring’s coming fertilization! Is there a grand scheme in this or is it random chance? This is what I wonder as I walk around the pond.
SilverLining 