Icy Branches

Icy Branches, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Treacherous weather leads to beauty when the sun shines on the icy branches. The frozen rain that coats the branches, now drips down belatedly. Winter does not seem to want to take hold this year.

Morning After

Morning After, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Early morning skies were dotted with cotton clouds. Morning temperatures, still cold, let the snow-painted branches keep their ermine trim. Later in the day drips and plops fell from the trees leaving branches naked once more.  It's that in between season.

Spring?

Spring?, originally uploaded by susanvg.

March throws every kind of weather at us - the warm spring breezes that seem to melt the snow before your eyes followed by heavy flakes of snow that coat everything. Today it fell, damping sound and creating a quiet wonderland. I can appreciate this beauty much more in November or December. Now I feel the pull of spring, longing for colour and that feeling of lightness as heavy winter apparel is discarded. But this is Montreal and it is still March, so despite the calendar, here it is still winter.

Cracked

Cracked, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I love to find sculpture in nature. This cracked branch created so many interesting forms. Art found in the woods.

Early Morning Frost

Early Morning Frost, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I woke up to a world painted white. Frost covered the trees; lacy branches tangled like a tatted doily. It was hard to keep my eyes on my work as the sun started to play on the snow. Despite the cold, I threw open the windows to snap photos, always looking for the quintessential shot of winter. Sun, breezes repainted the landscape; by afternoon the frost and snow disappeared from the branches. But winter has taken hold and the ground stays covered. This afternoon's solstice heralds the official start of winter but here we greeted the wintry weather weeks ago.

Watching the Birds

Watching the Birds, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was at a friend's to play music and she has a well used bird feeder. I delighted in watching the chickadees and others swoop down and fill up. Her bird feeder also attracts others - big, fat, black squirrels. It was fun to watch one in particular who climbed up a bush, the branch swaying like a hammock. He positioned himself so that he could reach over with his front paws, grab a snack, and then return completely to his branch. Each time he reached, his hind quarters went up as the weight on the branch decreased. Once his weight was back he bobbed up and down as he consumed his prize. It seemed to work for him until one back paw lost its grip. Then the acrobatics began as he maneuvered to get a better grip and finally got all four paws on the feeder. Every so often, my friend sends out the squirrel patrol - her very friendly dog, Schubert. The squirrel (at least temporarily) left the feeder to the birds. I wonder if he knew he had been the source of great amusement.

Day 316: Silhouettes

Day 316: Silhouettes, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Once leafy trees are now stripped bare.
Their branches etch lines into the sky.
From each limb grow more limbs
Like ever thinner fingers
There is grace in these skeletons
That dance in the wind
Perhaps they feel free
Unencumbered by leafy clothes