Winter in February

as we lean towards spring

each snowfall inspires my smiles

taking to heart winter's spirit

breath-enhancing sunsets.....

morning ice crystals 

made of fairy wings

rocks under faceted ice

make ones heart sing

celebrated my birthday at one of my beloved places

stayed for the alpine glow sunset

the first sunset in this post is of the night before

very similar sunsets

and

so beautiful

the sweet little birds

that stay with us all winter

~

lovely end of winter to you!

~

 

*

Winter becomes Spring

though most our days are cloudy

around sunset

the sun often lights up our world

rain instead of snow

these days

snow is thawing

my creek and ponds (still frozen)

rise and overflow their banks

I stepped outside

 a skunk wandering by

happy and cautious was I

last night it got down to 19F

creek and ponds

froze over

creating their temporary 

sacred geometry

~

I believe that  winter has bowed out to spring

~

*

March, Winter

March:

snow has fallen most days

or nights

often only an inch

last night we got 6 inches
at this time of year
I always wonder if it is our last sincere snowfall

I see dark eyed Juncos daily

true to their name

it is hard to see their eyes

often around sunset

the sun touches our world

with passion

the world is hushed under the blanket of snow

but for the birds

and 

this pileated woodpecker

drums on the trees

and fills the sky

with 

rhythm

~

*

Winter Solstice

on the threshold of winter 

(even though it has seemed like winter for a few weeks)

when the light does come out

it is incredibly magical

I have seen this male a few times

one of his antlers is half missing, broken

I wonder what his story is

soon they will be dropping their antlers 

and begin to grow a new set

forest paths

beckon snow clad

most days are cloudy

when the sun comes out

it is time to celebrate

step out into the day

let the light pour into our eyes

and

kiss our skin

the shores of lakes

grow treasures of ice

as it has been a super cold month!

here we are on the threshold

between Autumn and Winter

the shortest day

and

longest night of the year

~

from my wee cabin

to yours

I wish you a lovely Solstice!

~

*

Our Spell of Rain has Broken

near sunset

sunlight poured through a parting of clouds

and 

alpine glow happened on this handful of trees

in the cloak of the forest

witch's butter oozes from old wood

( Dacrymyces chrysospermus)

I found my first teeny tiny

sphere thrower fungi

(see that clear jelly ball? it gets thrown from it's cup)

above is another view of this tiny scene

(Sphaerobolus stellatus, sphere thrower)

the fungi continue to pop up 

(Suillus Grevillei, tamarack Jack)

a friend, spur of the moment, took us up in his plane

autumn looked beautiful from the sky!

Thank you Bill!

~

*