Snow covered woodland in Southeast Michigan, aka. "My Woods"
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Winter Solstice, at least for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere.
For the shortest day of the year, I have started by getting up late, and perhaps I will go to bed early. The psychology of shorter days and less sunlight will be settling in.
I wish this photograph was representative of what it is like right now in Southeast Michigan. Days like pictured here are what I enjoy most about winter, not so much the cold, foggy drizzle we have now. However, I suppose this is the “pretty side of winter” and everyone knows it doesn’t tell the entire story.
By March, we will be aching for some warmer weather. It is one of the benefits of living somewhere with four full seasons. Sometimes they start with eager anticipation, sometimes with dread, but by the time it really starts to get on your nerves, it is time to change again.
I am hoping we will have some good “sticky snow” days like this in the coming months. The woods behind my home turn into a magical forest blanketed in white. It simplifies the clutter, creates a freshness to the air, and begs you to walk through and explore.
This particular image I blended...
I don’t know Mark, I wish I could be as enthusiastic about winter as you. I hate the cold, which makes it hard to go out and take photos. And the seasonal affective disorder! The only good thing about it in my mind is that sunrise is later, if you do go out. But it does make it that much more enjoyable when spring comes. Now there is a season I love!
Howard, I would classify my enthusiasm as highly schizophrenic. Really depends on how much I can overcome that seasonal affective disorder.
I admit that I grumble about the cold day to day, but when I go out to photograph, I layer up to the point where I am removing layers by the end of the morning because I am too warm. I just look at some of the subjects that are only around this time of year that I like to shoot; ice patterns, the frozen lake, and sticky snow forests – and hope this year will bring even more.
This is a great shot Mark. Incredible depth.
The weather is cold with drizzle in Upstate NY, too. Can’t say I like it but I don’t have to shovel it either. Not the prettiest time of year.
Thanks Ken. Although I don’t like shoveling either, sometimes I would rather it is snow falling on my head than the cold rain.
Happy Solstice, Mark!
:^D
– Jack
Thanks Jack.
A happy Winter Solstice to you as well, Mark.
In general I enjoy cold weather. I know living here in North Carolina perhaps some will say I don’t know cold weather but I’ve lived in northern Vermont as well so I’ve experienced the down side of -45°F and can still say I enjoy cold weather. I hope we at least once get to experience at least a little of that beautiful snow you’ve captured in this photo.
Thanks Earl. I wouldn’t say I am wishing for -45 at the moment.
I also like this image and it’s depth. The simplicity works in the feeling of depth.
I enjoy the four seasons, they’re good for my soul. But, I could do without the cold temperatures. It has been snowing here since about 4:00 this afternoon and expected to continue through the night. We could from 6-12 inches from this storm.
Thanks Monte. I heard about the storm moving through Monte. Seems like you will have a white Christmas at least. Off to check if it is coming this way.
Best wishes for the holidays Mark.
Thanks Roberta, my same to you.
Who knows what we will get here in NC. Last year, we actually had 4 inches of snow on the ground, Christmas night. This year, the forecast calls for 50 and rainy. Our first day of winter showed up with rain, more of the same today.
That photos is beautiful and you’re right, it doesn’t tell the entire story of the tricks that Old Man Winter has up his sleeves.
We have a 40% chance of snow here Paul, but it is quite borderline with the temps the next few days.
Thanks.
It’s amazing how you wrote it, Mark as I could simply write it exactly the same way. It’s my perception of winter from first word to last one. This year I thought that snow will not come for Christmas but 2 days ago first flakes fell and covered everything with fluffy white blanket. Nothing much changed since then and marshy wood next to our estate looks almost the same as you captured it on your photo.
Happy Winter Solstice to you, Mark!
Tomas, thanks. I am envious your woods look like this. It remains cold here today, but doubtful it will be looking fluffy in a couple of days. Who knows, Michigan weather can turn quite quickly.
Best of the season to you as well Mark. I too feel rather schizo about the winter – enjoy it visually, but not so much physically.
Sounds like we might have a pretty strong start to the Winter Schizophrenics Photographic Group.
Hope you have a great holiday Paul.
I love winter for the visual opportunities – the simplified snowy landscape, the angled light, icy creeks, frost crystals and snowflakes. Don’t mind the cold much, I bundle up, and know my limits. But the short days and lack of light get to me. I have a winter exhibit on display now that is part of a solstice celebration; web version at my blog.
We are much the same Tom.
Happy Solstice and a prosperous new year to you, Mark.
Thank you David, and I wish the same to you.
Hi Mark
I think we’ve bumped into each other posting on various blogs but I got here via Tom Whelan’s.
Best for the New Year to you.
No snow here in Western Massachusetts either. Schizophrenic 50° one day and then 30° the next. The only sticky stuff we had was back at the end of October and that destroyed way too many trees. But nothing now. I would guess you will see some before we do.
I’ve subscribed, so I hope to visit a bit in the future.
Hi Steve, welcome and thanks for the comment and subscribing! Hope you have a great new year as well.