All season long I trek, camera around neck or an appendage to my hand. I click and snap and ponder for angles and perspectives to capture a symblance of the beauty wherein dwells my life. Then I post and share and show that world to you - - - and never are we satiated, you or I.
As the season draws to a close, I have a collection of photos yet unshared. Thus, over the next three (or so) posts, I will share a photo anthology of each winter month - a collection of photos, mostly unshared, of my life in a true winter wildlands. Those snow covered off-the-beaten hills and dales I call home.
The photos are in chronological order - and so, that first day of January we welcomed gorgeous blue skies, and the snowshoeing began in earnest - sometimes on my own, most times with the dogs, and occasionally with a family member to chatter away the minutes.
Soon guests began to make that trek - for food or drink or just a warm place to relax before their ride back to 'civilization'. Early season tracks on the lake always take an artsy pose, as though a giant brush is drawing designs on a pristine canvas.
But blue skies do not a pristine white canvas create. Goodnights whispered to star-filled skies may proceed good mornings howled by wind-whipped snow under dark burdened clouds.
Snowy days lead to - well, the obvious, more snow. More snow leads to - well, if you're a kid, that is obvious too - a BIGGER snow fort!
As the snow deepens, the visitors increase. Thus, for adults, snow days lead to - well, the obvious - work days (and lots of old friends to greet in a new season)!
However, in the Centennial, January isn't famous for its snow so much as its biting cold. Several days the thermometer just couldn't push above the -20 (ish) mark. While this keeps the outdoor excursions to a minimum, it creates some lovely window ice art!
And some glorious sunrises! With short days and long nights, I am up long before the sun. Of course this results in absolutely NO excuse for not catching the sun's cape tossed across the morning sky.
And the most amazing ice crystal art! Such was this delicate beauty that in a world bursting with natural wonders it became, for a few days, the only thing I wanted to see!
The days pass. Each day the sun arrives a bit earlier than the one before. Yet lovely sunrises are still a large portion of my winter delights!
Those lengthening winter days provide ample opportunities to relish the brilliant world under bottomless blue-dome overhead. Fresh snow and a setting sun turn the resort into a winter fairyland.
My favorite snowshoe trails become nearly overburdened with winter eye candy - beauty to the eye of a beholder thrilled with the opportunity to view it.
Of course, I'm not the only one enjoying those glorious January days. A ski behind the snowmobile is one fun way to 'play' in winter's playground.
However, the dogs and I still opt for the snowshoe - to ridgetop or draw bottom, it matters not as long as we are out and about experiencing the wonder of winter.
Release from frigid fingers comes with a little burst of warmth. Now the dogs and I aren't the ONLY ones out and about. Where on earth did this mosquito come from? No, I didn't kill it (although I thought about it). Surely the coming chilly night did the job.
The end of another lovely day! Fresh snow. Brilliant sunlight. A comfy home in the middle of it all. What more could one ever desire?
Perhaps icicle frillary to garnish the white winter cake! Simple drops of water turned to white fluff metamorphize to frozen fingers before our wondering eyes.
And so, the end of a month packed with winter delights closes - the calendar pages turning ever so gently to reveal yet another - - - what wonders will it bring?
Lady of the Lake
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