It is April and most sensible people are celebrating the departure of Winter, in particular the frozen precipitation that goes with it.
But I am one of those lunatics who run outside to greet every first snowfall at year’s end and find delight in Spring snow because it is special. I doubt I’ll convince you, but here goes…
You don’t know anyone else who does that? Oh.
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For one thing, Spring snow is unlikely to be heavy, or to hang around for long.
Tuesday morning it began to fall at about 7 am and before long, the world was whitewashed.
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We needed to go to the village anyway, so why not enjoy the scenery?
Because Spring snow looks very different and you don’t have long to appreciate it.
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Winter snow covers a world turned drab. Trees are stark and exhausted-looking. Which, in my view, is reason enough to be glad when it is nicely covered over.
No doubt I said this back in November.
Spring snow falls on fresh grass and trees that are happily sprouting colourful buds.
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These sycamores seemed to reflect the snow, appearing to dance amid the bushes at their feet that blushed with returning life.
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And across the road, a wood duck couple paddled in a rather icy puddle.
They had reason to be less pleased with the snow but looked happy enough.
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What harm is there in such a delicate dusting of snow?
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It had fallen steadily, but for only a short time.
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Trees in bud carry the burden of snow differently.
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New growth makes them a different shape which changes the look, but I sense it also has to do with their energy. In Winter, trees are shut down, dormant. Now, they are reawakened.
This may well be utter rubbish, but it’s how it appears to me.
How the sight makes me feel, which is all I know for sure.
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On a grey day, a light covering of snow offers definition and light to a scene.
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As we continued our quite short drive, it was obvious that the snow was already melting.
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We waved at one last solitary favourite and carried on home.
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Where snow was pouring off the crab apple trees in large drips.
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I don’t think, Carolyn, that I would join you in your excitement at the sign of snow! Even your lovely photos are not enough! The trees and ducks are fine, but I don’t think they look happy.
Joanna
I do remember when we had snow in April in Beetley, but only the once in 14 years. This week we had a taste of Summer, with unseasonal temperatures of 24C on Wednesday. That has dropped back to barely 12C today, though it is still sunny. As a result, I saw the first mosquito inside the house, (which I quickly killed) the first housefly, (which flew out of the back door before I could kill it) and the first wasp of the year, buzzing outside the window of my office room. I’m hoping that the huge drop in temperatures will kill off a lot of those ‘too early’ insects before the warmth returns.
Best wishes, Pete.
Hmm, I like the look of your spring snow – so soft and delicate (and almost as if it can’t really be that cold) 😉. What a lovely day to go on a mini road trip!