Returning from Clifton Park in a snowstorm last Tuesday, I took it as a good sign that Grant encouraged me to photograph the bridge.
He was starting to feel better.
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“Now, now, now! get the reflection!”
He seldom looks at the photographs. but it pleases him to think I take them.
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There is actually a name for people who like bridges.
It turns out we are pontists.
When I looked that up, I had to restrain myself from going off on a photographic exploration of the world’s great bridges.
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In my case, it’s not the infrastructure or the construction that appeals to me.
It’s all about aesthetics. The shape and the setting.
And the history. And reflections.
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We took one of our alternates.
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Wright’s Road is always bumpy, but the snow made it no worse than usual.
There was evidence of recent severe wind damage, branches and whole trees down.
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Snow art.
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I love strategically placed trees!
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Often when I take photographs, I hear my father tutting his disapproval, but sometimes I think it would have been good to talk to him about our very different ideas.
He never took an image that wasn’t well planned whereas I am the opposite, but he did not have the luxury of digital photography.
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Dad certainly would never have gone out anywhere in a snowstorm, even if his life depended on it.
And he would not have approved of dirty windshields.
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On such a grey day, the smears blended in rather well.
The “mail box” tree presented different angles…
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One should always view any subject from a variety of angles and then weigh the pros and cons before coming to an agreement.
The way our leaders all do.
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One should also keep an eye on anything in the background.
You never know when it may become the focus.
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Soon we turned onto route 40.
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One of the many dairy farms.
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In snow we are black, white and red!
With smatterings of yellow…
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…and orange
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Despite its problems, I love snow.
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For its bleak and unique beauty.
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When Spring approaches, I sigh and say how I will miss it all.
Then comes that very tentative first stage of life reawakening, a hint of green, an upturning of stems reaching out to the Source.
That’s how it seems to me.
Then I celebrate Spring’s many stages.
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Though what will happen this year, I’m not quite sure.
No-one else has commented about our trees that were coming into bud two months ahead of usual.
Will they revive after such frigid cold when the weather moderates?
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Last year we had snow in May.
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Burned by frost, the lilac has not bloomed fully since 2019.
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Under a coating of snow, even a ruined old barn doesn’t look too bad.
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As we passed by number 20, it struck me that the mailbox looked a little nervous, the tree behind seeming to be reaching out for it.
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Willows in winter.
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Posting images of our journey back from Clifton Park, it seems such a very long way, but it really isn’t.
Even on a snowy day, it only takes 45 minutes.
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Back on route 372…
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The frozen pond, the snowy lane.
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At home, Willow had found the best defense against cold weather of which she does not approve.
I really enjoy your snowy images.
They look so peaceful……☃️❄️
Thank you for sharing.
Catherine
Lovely skeletal images and Willow has definitely found the best spot!
Well done Willow! I should be a cat.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your interesting thoughts!
Joanna
I’m glad that Grant urged you to get those bridge reflections. They are beautiful! So happy that Grant is feeling better and you have a driver again, so that you can focus on your photography.
One of the (very few) things I like about snow is the way colours stand out against it. You spotted them very nicely, Carolyn.
Best wishes, peet.
The bridge photos are beautiful – it creates a serene picture, yet it also makes me think there might be some drama here. Pontists – then I’m one too … especially when I consider how many bridges we’ve photographed on our Camino’s in Spain and Portugal. I can’t believe you guys are riding in such stormy weather (but then, I assume you are used to it). Anyway, I’m glad you’re doing it, because I can’t get enough of the lovely Winter landscape … nor of the beautiful fire photo at the end.