The winter, despite its bleak beauty, does not incite me to write, although it does inspire my photography. This past winter was most harsh, as snow fell continuously, unlike the past several years, when storms were each an event of their own.
It covered the prior season’s growth, and what was still visible, took on a new look with the backdrop of snow. Here a nest, displaying the gatherings of winter sustenance, has lost its camouflage.
The pond was silent through the season. Though the sun might shine for a day, the cold held all in stillness. One time, as I trudged around the pond, I heard the boom of a crack as it split the ice. I had not heard that occurrence since my childhood when, while skating, the same sound would thrill us as it filled us with a bit of fear – and our imaginations pictured the ice opening below us and sending us to the freeze of the dark water. We’d all stop and try to locate its source, ever watchful of the pattern of cracks that threatened to grab our skate blades and send us, with no mercy, into a tumble. 
The crystal clear air of a sunny day, was one gift this frigid winter offered.
As well, the s
ky never ceased to amaze me.
The challenge of taking photos included the need to keep my hands covered, as the temperature of many days was in the single digit range, and most days in the heart of the winter, not above 20 degrees. I double layered thin gloves and ski mitts. I’d remove the mitts to take my shot – working awkwardly with the gloves. To protect my camera from falling snow or frozen rain, I resorted to covering it with a large baggie, except for the moment of focus and shoot. This led to experimenting with taking shots through the baggie held tight across the lens! The affect resembled actual shots of fog that drifted across the pond one day, as the January thaw stirred and blended a mix of varying temperatures. (This shot is the real fog.)
While more snow and low temperatures were still to come, in February, glimmers of spring began to appear. About them, I’ll write shortly.
SilverLining 