Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Knee Deep

We're comfortably settled into March, which means that temperatures should be warmer, snowfalls less frequent and newly-sprouted greenery more apparent. None of this has happened yet this year -at least not for long.

This past weekend brought our biggest snowstorm of the season. It began rather timidly on Friday afternoon, hesitating occasionally, deceiving us to trust that it might have spent its burden and moved on. We knew better though. We'd been listening to various news stations and weather channels, all which told us that the brunt of the storm would lurk for a few hours and then swoop in overnight. We took advantage of the lull and wandered around the local pathways at night.

This shadow on the pathway caught my eye and my curiosity.


Since there are several light sources along the route, it took us a moment to determine where the actual leaf was. Looking up we found the single leaf clinging to its branch.


Two days later, I was able to locate the same leaf in the light of day.

Once we were back in the warmth of home, the storm began in earnest. We awoke to several centimetres of the freshly-fallen fluff, and it continued to blow, swirl and accumulate throughout the day and into the following night. By the time it was over, we'd endured an additional thirty centimeters (12 inches). The task of shoveling our way out became more challenging as we struggled to find a place to toss it. The drifts and previously-shoveled snow had created banks that were taller than I am. We completed the task in several shifts.


Neighbours were out working away at their own driveways, stopping only to comment on what a persistent winter we've been having.


Snow drifts dwarfed the cars parked alongside them.



Our own driveway was a challenge. Just how high can we possibly toss this stuff?


By Sunday morning, the clouds had moved on, and the sunlight which reflected off of the drifts was intense. In the afternoon, I decided to take a walk in the park. Paths had scarcely been etched by previous travelers but it was enough to adequately allow passage. I snapped a few photos and headed to the warmth of home.

There's no doubt that this season has brought some wondrous beauty but now I'm becoming just a bit anxious for spring to arrive.


This park bench is a good measure of the snow's depth.



A thistle stands tall in spite of the recent blizzard.



So does this stem of Queen Anne's Lace.



Rabbit tracks were everywhere I looked. They seemed to be less defined because of the deep snow.


In a few days, I'll post some images that were taken on yesterday's excursion - one which caused plenty of snow to find its way inside my boots. Stay tuned!

22 comments:

Frank Baron said...

I have to agree. It's been a lovely, scenic winter but...ENOUGH ALREADY!

Great shots, as always. :)

david mcmahon said...

Wonderful shots, Hilary.

It should be getting cooler here now that we're in autumn, but it's not!

moo said...

What gorgeous photos ... but I have to admit, they make me VERY glad to live in the South, where we currently are experiencing 65+ degree weather.

Mmm ... spring may just be my favorite time of year!

Geosomin said...

Wow...suddenly I feel good about our weather out here in teh prairies! Hope you dig out soon.
I *love* the picture of the leaf that caused the shadows...the frozen water glowing on the branches is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Your pictures are gorgeous, especially the one of the teasel (thistle). Our snow is icky looking now, dirty and clumpy. But that is OK. I don't want any moe snow. We have had 70 inches this year. Usually we get 32 inches. Spring, where are you? Sun, where are you? Wind, stay away from northeast IL.

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Frank.. hurry spring! :)

• Thank you, David. I'd be willing to start negotiations for a fair trade. :)

• Thanks, Moo. Those temps sound lovely. I'm envious! Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks for your kind words and for visiting, Geosomin. We're all dug out.. for this round. :)

* Hi, Moo. :) Thanks so much.. I'm glad you stopped by. We've had plenty of sunshine too.. but not enough to melt this white stuff before another round hits. You've had more snow than we have this year. So far (and I hope this turns out to be the final total), we've had 128 centimeters or approximately 51 inches. Enough!

Anonymous said...

Yowza that's a lot of snow! I'm quite content to look at your beautiful weather photos from a distance...

Anonymous said...

The totals are finally in, we received 38 cms of the STUFF. Your pictures are beautiful (even if they are of snow), and I'm patiently (?)awaiting pictures of your first crocus. We did see our first robin and red-winged blackbird yesterday, so there is hope!
Andi

Anonymous said...

Hi cuzzie!

Sorta looks a bit like Vermont. We've had more than 23 FEET of snow this winter. Sigh! Even Quintzy is finding that this is getting a bit old.

Jo said...

That's a whole lot of snow...the kind that used to hang onto my boots while my feet popped right out of them.

Such lovely photos! I love that you checked on the same leaf...I thought the shadow shot was photographed in late afternoon until I saw the lamp--such pretty sepia coloring. Great thistle too.

It's so nice that you know the names for things, I keep trying to brush up my botanical vocabulary but inevitably end up calling things--flower, tree, bushy doo-dad :P

Hilary said...

• Hi Susan. I'd be content to do that too, but alas, it's the same view outside my window. Thanks for stopping by. :)

•Hiya Andi (my big sis!). Yours is not the first report I've heard of a robin making its appearance. If I didn't trust the sources, I'd not believe it. :)

• Yike, Phyllis! Twenty three FEET??? Remind me why you left San Diego? :) Thanks for stopping by, Cuzzie.

• Jo, I think your mother used to tell you "Don't worry, you'll grow into them" a lot. ;)

I cheat when it comes to the names of things. Google, nature books.. others in the know all help. "Bushy doo-dad," eh? I see you've met Frank. ;)

Thanks for stopping by with your always-kind words.

Shammickite said...

And they say it's not over yet!
Well, I say, we've come this far.... let's go for the record!!!

Dianne said...

We have had record low snowfall this season. I don't miss the shoveling and the driving issues but I sure miss the beauty. I loved the leaf - such a singular image of hanging on for better days.

I enjoy your comments on Jo's blogs and thought it was way past time to pay a visit.

John-Michael said...

So glad that David pointed me your way. Magnificent and very dramatic photos. (overwhelming to the senses of a Florida guy ... wow!!!) And beautifully presented. Thank you!

Cath said...

David pointed the way here - glad he did!
Beautiful shots. We used to have snow like that where I was brought up. I've not seen snow like it for years and I miss it. The crunch as you walk and the crispness, the brightness - takes away the grey of dull dark winter days.
I remember the snow drifts, the digging out, all great stuff. But all remembered through a child's eyes. I doubt it is much fun trying to do the school run or a shopping trip!
The shot of the leaf is great too. Thanks for this.

Hilary said...

* Ex-S, I'm torn between saying "let's go for it" and "bite your tongue!" ;)

* Thanks so much Dianne, and welcome! I'm glad you came for a visit and hope you'll return again soon. :)

* Thank you, John-Michael. I appreciate your kind words. Please stop by again soon. :)

* Hi CrazyCath! I'm glad David pointed you in my direction too. Thanks so much. Please come back soon. :)

Daryl said...

Wonderful photos .. I am so glad that spring is almost here..

David sent me.

Reb said...

Hilary, that leaf shot is amazing! As for the snow, that is what last year looked like here - and people wonder why I hate the idea of a white vehicle?

Crabby McSlacker said...

Oh my goodness!

I agree: very beautiful, but you must be getting awfully tired of it by now.

Hilary said...

* Thanks Daryl.. I'm glad you dropped by (thanks again, David!) :)

* Thank you, Reb. A white car.. nooo! Thanks for stopping by.

* Hey Crabby.. getting there for sure.. it can't last TOO much longer.. hopefully. Thanks for stopping by.

John-Michael said...

It's OK, Hilary ... I am devoid of shame. I have already confessed that I keep coming back to bask in the peace and serenity of your lovely image. So returning to all of these wonderful (though completely alien to my experience) images is within the parameters of my admitted 'smitten-ness'.

(But I am [genuinely] concerned that you are OK)

Hilary said...

John-Michael, sure I'm fine, thanks. Aside from the house repairs that the raccoon left in her wake, that is. :) Thanks so much for you kind words and your concern. :)