In the Detroit Area, it is pretty rare to see a lot of pre-Thanksgiving (US Holiday) accumulations of snow. Normally around this time in November, we’ve seen our first dusting or so. Detroit’s earliest snowfall record date is October 12, 2006, no doubt setting in panic for what type of Halloween costume one might wear. It is that late October time where I am trying to savor the last remnants of our short-lived autumn colors. Then I have found that I need some time to acclimate and prepare for these colder temps. This year, however, we have seen freezing temps and at least 4 snowfalls earlier than normal. I’ve noticed some squirrel anxiety going on lately in their preparations for the season to come.
Seasonal transitions are normally a bit blurry around here. That part of what I like about them. A bit of the old, a bit of the new, it’s quite dynamic. The abrupt introductions are still unsettling. With the official start of winter still a month away, it can be hard to find words to categorize photographs of these times. Ever since my days of cataloging my slides, I have assigned an Image ID to my fully developed photographs. This consists of a two-letter category and a sequential “serial” number. Example: Fall colors I begin with FC, and winter photos I begin with WI, a non-specific landscape might just be LA. Yeah, I know … rocket science.
In my film days, it was a fairly consequential decision on what category I put something in. It determined what file folder a slide was placed in. If I wanted to find images around a theme later on, going to a file folder was the quickest route. If there were fall colors AND snow – well, there is a whisky moment right there. Of course, now with databases and keywords, it is pretty simple to make images appear in many different places at once. Nonetheless, this old habit of picking what category something should be in still lingers in my mental disciplines.
Snow blanketed woods and Clinton River, Sterling Heights, MI – Image ID# WI-10207
So when developing this particular photo I made of a Nov 13 snowfall, I’m hesitant to admit there was some fretting, perhaps brief, and what ID to assign to it. Yeah, I will keyword it with snow, forest, woodland, trail, river, blah blah blah – even autumn. I will be able to find it easily for a variety of searches, but that assignment of it’s ID number is like giving it a unique identity. It is an assignment of a general expectation of its content. But one question lingered to me, should I label it “winter?”
It is not much different than the confusing moments we have in these seasonal transition zones. Climate change is certainly making those grey areas more expansive and erratic. Plants have noticed, animals have noticed, and our labels of normal now are certainly blurred. Our expectations will need to adjust, our definitions will likely need some adaptation, and our habits not so rigid. So for now, yeah, it’s winter.
Didn’t there use to be four distinct and separate seasons? It seems our previous seasonal experiences are becoming less and less relevant to these new realities of climate change.
I enjoy four separate and distinct seasons but to be honest I become mentally tired/bored if any one of them is more than about three months duration.
Another beautiful aerial photo, Mark. At least I’m assuming it was made with your new drone unless you’re into utility pole or fire tower photography now. 🙂
Hmmm – utility pole photography – might be “electrifying.” ? Around here anyway, it seems like “Winter” is nearing 5 solid months. Autumn colors seem to peak and then are gone in a week. I would enjoy more Spring. Summer I don’t need a lot of.
I can only imagine being a bird – “When am I supposed to fly south again?” It must be a bit confusing at times.
I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of seasonal changes you are referring to. It would be bewildering to me. Your need for labelling your photos makes sense. Thankfully, I have no need for such requirements. From the balcony at the front of my house I have a 180° view that comprises of wooded hills, parklands, suburbs and city buildings. If I was to take a panorama shot of this view on the first of every month for an entire year, I would have twelve, nearly identical photos. I say “nearly” because I figure the sky would likely look different in a few of them 🙂
Looking at your image, I would have to say that it looks like a winter scene to me, but hey, what would I know? I’m just an Aussie who’s idea of a wintery seasonal change is adding a sweatshirt to a shorts and t-shirt outfit 🙂
Even though I like the scenery it provides, the overall drain on your mood really kicks in come February. I have often dreamed of living in a place that was more moderate year round.
In the past I have simply enjoyed winter through your photos as I hate the cold and always avoided going out and shooting in the freezing temperatures. Maybe this year will be different as I have bought a heated vest to wear underneath my coat. Maybe, just maybe, I can do it. Your winter photos act as a catalyst for that and this one is no different!
That heated vest sounds nice! I usually struggle with my hands, though I have these super duty mittens that fold away for finger dexterity. It usually takes me awhile to acclimate to getting out there. It seems to have started earlier this year. Thanks Howard!