Pictures of our winter

[Kirsten]

Okay, it's been a strange winter, but there was one beautiful morning, January 15. Those who are on Facebook may have seen these pics already. I know it's 5 weeks ago, but I still them, and I'm glad I left the house before breakfast that morning to capture the early morning light ...

[phesina]

What lovely photos (as always from you, Kirsten). Thank you.

What beautiful surroundings you live in!

[momcat]

WOW!!! As always, your pictures are a treat! This winter lover thanks you very much for sharing a bit of your winter!

[kaycountrygal]

Terrific pics--just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Finally we're getting winter weather; it's sleeting now with a little snow on the way. It was 65 yesterday! Kay in NC

[Sowa]

Great photos like always I love the mist/fog!

[chocolatepuppy]

I love frosty mornings!

[Alysser]

Wow these are all GORGEOUS!! I can't pick which one I like the best! The fog makes all of them look so cool.

[Karen]

The right combination of moisture and cold
Applied to a bleak winter landscape
Can turn the world into magical wonder

Bare brown branches become powder puffs of spun silver lace
Gracing the fields and hills, and the ground,
Yesterday just dull dormant grass, awaiting spring
Becomes a carpet of blue crystal
That crunches underfoot like rice at a wedding

Even the barbed wire looks pretty, softer,
Spun from spider silk and delicate as glass
Breathe quietly, lest your warm breath
Turned to a cloud in the chill air
Disturb the frozen fleeting beauty of the morning

****

I'll do more of these in the coming day, Kirsten, your photos are always stunning!

[Laura's Babies]

That 3rd on down completely took my breath away. That one is "WOW"!!!

They are all awesome and you always amaze me at what you can do with a camera!

[Karen]

The lonely bench sits
cold and grey, gently curving with the earth
beneath overarching branches that in summer
bring shade and respite to those present

But on this frost-covered morning
only the grasses and long dead wildflowers
iced with crystaline tracings
keep its cold company

and only the river hushing by
unfrozen in this odd winter
adds any sound to the stillness
as it quietly murmurs "flee away,
come with me, flee away"

[Kirsten]

Such beautiful poems again, Karen, thanks a lot! Reading your words makes me think you must have been right there with me, to capture the spirit of that moment so well.

That morning was really something special. It wasn't always looking like that. Most days of our winter were just dull and grey. But that morning was - well... somewhat magical.

[pomtzu]

They are all amazing as always, Kirsten. I can't pick just one as a favorite, but the 3rd and 4th ones have that extra something, in my eyes anyway!

Thanks again for sharing you beautiful country and your talents with us.

[sana]

Wow! Pretty photos and nice poem Karen!

[Asiel]

Kirsten you amazed me once more. I really can't get enough of your pictures, thanks for sharing them . Gives me a chance to visit your part of the country, always so interesting.

[sallyandsnowx]

Wow...absolutely breathtaking!