Ice Crystal Realm

a few nights ago

it was clear and cold (5F)

mist rose from meadows

meandered through the branches of trees

inspiring ice crystals to grow

the trees fingers touched the earth buried in crystalline mounds of snow

sunlight arrived

showing off the night fairies work

every little branch was kissed with magic and delight 

until the sun arrived 

and kissed them with the warmth of light

yesterday

daytime temperatures are 40F+

gentle rainfall begins the winter thaw 

that will eventually welcome spring 

my roof of winter's snow has come crashing down

it will be a while 

before i see the first flower bloom

~

*

Sunset

when the sun nears the horizon

and

 mountains reflect on an icy lake 

ones breath gentles 

and 

light becomes a healing balm

~

 

icy angel wings 

they were invisible to the ordinary eye

but the lake knew they were there

the wind also

the wind stirred the lake waters

and

sprayed it on the wings

 so that we can see them in the form of ice 

and

tuck their beauty into our heart for ever more

we went to lake McDonald

on the eve of my birthday

lovely to say goodbye to my year with the setting of the sun

~

*

 

Ice Crystals

got down to 4F/-15C last night

I woke to a milky gray day

no sunshine

a forest cloaked in ice crystals 

that look like fairy wings

I love how the lichen on the branch adds 

a bit of color

a wing of crystal

on each and every 

spruce needle

~

sometimes the magic of winter 

is in the tiny details

~

*

Montana Butterflies

wings grace our days

a north west summer delight

some are camouflage

others a showy display

enjoy a few

of Montana's butterflies