Snow then Sun

Close to 40 cm (close to 15") of snow accompanied by high winds fell on our city on Tuesday into Wednesday. Snow crews are still dealing with streets and sidewalks and some people have yet to shovel out their cars.



Along with some chaos comes beauty - the pristine white, the snow decorated branches and the beauty of people helping each other with shovelling, with pushing cars and with the understanding that a city moves differently when hit by a sudden intense blizzard. We get through it and come out smiling at the other end.



The temperature has warmed and the snow is melting but there was still plenty for snowshoeing up in Summit Woods. Spectacular blue skies, the sound of birds calling, woodpeckers pounding, dogs frolicking - all combined to make for a spectacular day.



While I have modern aluminum snowshoes, my spouse favours a more traditional pair.



A little escape in the woods - looking down on part of the city and the river beyond. We are very lucky to have these enclaves where nature still rules parts of our city.

At Summit Park in Winter

Nature's Sculpture, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

We traipsed through the woods on snowshoes, chilled by winter's icy breath. I tried to convince myself that it invigorated me, but each time I took off my mitts to snap the shutter the tips of my fingers burned.



The bare trees afford views of the city. Spring will bring back the leafy curtain which will hide it once again.



Dogs play, romping through the snow, enjoying being untethered. What fun to see them, tails high, chasing and playing in the snow.



Each day the sun sets a little later. A little longer to enjoy the outdoors.

Snowshoeing

Photo: December 28, 2012

 First day out snowshoeing this winter. The storm left a thick blanket over the forest floor. Not many people were up in Summit Park as we tramped among the trees. There is a stillness in the air after a storm. The snow muffles sounds.

The crisp breeze turned cheeks a rosy colour. My fingers felt the frosty air as I stopped to photograph. It was impossible not to stop and enjoy the sparkle of the sun on the snow crystals and admire the sculptures the snow created.



This looked to me like an icy totem pole with the profiles of faces. While man-made totem poles last for centuries, this one will be gone as it is reshaped by sun and wind. Winter is so much more enjoyable with a good layer of snow!

Feb 25/10: Tracks

Feb 25/10: Tracks, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Finally we got out on our snowshoes - tough slogging through a wet sticky carpet. Paul's traditional pair fared better than mine as the frame of my aluminum pair picked up clumps of snow.

We started easy through a golf course, criss-crossed with deer tracks. Our tracks were added becoming part of the landscape. Occasional car sounds were heard in a crescendo diminuendo as they passed nearby. The wind sometimes whistled through, much like the cars. Bird calls punctuated the air with the occasional raucous cry of a crow to the chirps of a chickadee. The silences in between were audible - no hum of a city, just peace.

Hoof Imprint