Saturday, January 17, 2009

WINTER, THE TRICKSTER


The wind whips along the passage between my house and the neighbor’s, a wild, invisible force that leaves behind surprisingly delicate sandbar-like ripples in the snow. Then the slanting rays of the late afternoon winter sun accentuate the patterns with deceptively warm colors. But trust me, this is no day at the beach.




Later, as the sun prepares to withdraw completely, it tints the wind-sculpted drifts with a pastel spring blush, as if to say, “Come out and play! It’s beautiful and warm!” Don’t listen! The ambient temperature is minus 20 Celsius and the wind chill is minus 32. I regret having the horizontal lines in the second one. They're reflections of my plantation blinds, as I was taking this from inside rather than step out into the teeth of the stinging wind!

21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Your pictures are exquisite! The colors so delicate! Yes, they do say, come out and play! I've been mumbling about the cold here and then I read your post feel like such a wuss! Stay warm, my friend!

Shelley said...

These were so beautiful - I wish it was powdery white sand on a beach - 80 degrees - and I was there! LOL!

wispy willow said...

brrrrr...

This is incredibly well written. I find your words as delicate as the shapes and shades of your photographs.

I'd think I'd have turned on a heat lamp, poured myself a tall glass of lemonade, stared out the window at the view in your second picture, and played a little game of make believe.

My son lives in Huntington Beach, California. He called the other day when I was clinging to my triple stacked sweatshirts, teeth chattering, while putting fresh water in the dog's dish...and had the audacity to inform me that he was sitting on the sand in his swim trunks soaking up the sunshine in the 88 degree temperatures. arrghhh...

How many more days til summer???

kesslerdee said...

Oh those are just gorgeous pictures- it would be so easy to imagine the snow was sand...

bobbie said...

I am glad you were warm indoors.
You have captured the light so beautifully. The first one is absolutely amazing.

Squirrel said...

I like the line of pinky peach, a swept line... very fine.


I know that sunshine trick-- I once told visitors from California to dress more warmly before heading out --they shrugged and pointed at the window, "It's so sunny!" I said... Okay fine then. They were back in the house 10 minutes later (they'd only made it six blocks before turning around and crawling back to borrow hats, gloves, scarves, put on a layer of sweaters.... )

itsavisp!

Great Grandma Lin said...

enjoyed the methaphor of sand and snow ripples. there is beauty in all seasons.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Deb--It is just magnificent.. I can only imagine temperatures that LOW--but the snow and the ripples and the sun's glare all make for some beautiful pictures. I just want a tiny bit of snow here---but so far, nothing much other than snow blowing around in the air. Oh Well!!! I have to keep looking at your pictures in order to know what it looks like. HA!
Hugs,
Betsy

SandyCarlson said...

A trickster, indeed. And an engagingly beautiful one at that.

me ann my camera said...

Snow sculptures left by drifting snow have always fascinated me. Sometimes the wind creates amazing sharp-edged beauty, at other times it can create an island of wind swept earth amid a sea of white. I love the layered look in your first photo.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Deborah! It does look like a sandbar and very inviting. However, with temps like that, brrr. I would stay inside where it's warm and snap away.
These are very pretty pictures. Lisa

Avid Reader said...

How far out does Lake Erie freeze? I wonder how far a person could drive a car .... just a thought.

Avid Reader said...

I lived in Southern Calif, and I missed the four seasons and headed back to NY--never regret it not even on zero degree days. I love going through the seasons. It's odd how we'll get visits from Floridian friends and we'll apologize to them for the cold weather! One said to me--"It's okay, actually it's great to not get baked and baked and baked day after day--I think it clears my head to be in NY again!" I'm shivering as I type this, but no regrets! (except one--wish I had a fireplace!)

Avid Reader said...

Do you have a fireplace? if yes, could you post a picture of a roaring fire???? !!!!

Rose said...

BRrrrrrr--looks colder than here! You captured it well.

Cloudia said...

So SO Beautiful; words & images.
Aloha-

Dave King said...

What lovely photographs, both in the seeing of them in the first place and technically. My first visit, but not my last.

magiceye said...

awesome images!!!!

Kim said...

I love the colors in the snow from the sun.

Geraldine said...

Wow, these photos are incredible. I felt drawn into the lines of the snow. Lovely! Your words were perfect to accompany. Hugs, G

Quiet Paths said...

I really enjoyed these photos, Deb. They shed perfect light on the delicate snow carvings of winter. No, it doesn't look a bit warm; it looks more like dig into the dresser and bring out the woolies~stat!