Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Winter Wonderland III

I've seen from news reports that winter has arrived across much of the North American continent. I mean really arrived, which those of you driving in it daily don't need to be reminded of. While we were back home in the north over the Christmas season we were fortunate not to have to drive in any adverse weather. In addition, I was able to go out several times to capture the beauty of the creation enhanced by a dusting of snow, before real winter had arrived.

Join me as I traipse through a secluded wonderland not far from home.

This is the creek that flows below the waterfalls I posted recently and which you might have visited with me last spring

A small creek which tumbles from the hill on the other side yields these ice formations

A few hundred yards downstream we come across another waterfall - don't get too near the edge - it's a bit slippery

The snow-covered ice that's formed across the rocks reminds me of cauliflower

At this point it hasn't been cold enough long enough for the ice to completely conceal the stream

The stream disappears around a bend below this waterfall. We have to scramble through the forest, away from the waterfall, and find our way down a side gully to find the stream again. The sides of the gully are coated with ice built up by dripping water - winter must have surprised these plants

Another few yards through the underbrush and we see the stream as it tumbles around the corner. From here it disappears to our left but the steep gully side means we'll have to bid it adieu, and we'll make our way back

 And throughout our trek Sasha has been patiently accompanying us - whenever the camera bag is unzipped she knows it's time for a rest in the snow. But she doesn't mind - she's in her element


34 comments:

Carolyn Ford said...

OH, i love this post! what beauty you found when so many others are complaining about winter! Sasha...she's beautiful! gorgeous photos...wOw, Rick!

Scott Law said...

Beautiful Rick. Walks in the winter have taken on new meaning since I started doing it with my camera.

Stephanie said...

Gorgeous scenery with the snow and ice. The dog is beautiful and looks like she fits in with the snow.

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Wonderful series, Rick. You captured the snow and ice (and cold) beautifully!

imac said...

Certainly a winter wonderland Rick.
Sasha, such a beauty, n real cute.
Great shots my friend.

Karin / Southern Meadows said...

That is some impressive ice! I am glad to live vicariously through your snow pictures. My blood is too thin to handle that cold. :) I have a Sasha too...yours looks happy to be in all that snow!

Lúcia said...

Sasha is a cutie!!!
I've never seen something like photo #5, amazing!
Have a good day Rick! ;-)

My name is Riet said...

Wat is het daar prachtig Rick en wat een mooie hond.

Lasse said...

Thanks for the trip in your homeland Rick. Gorgeous photos !

Ruth Hiebert said...

Thanks for the walk,it was beautiful.I am sure that when these pictures were taken,it wasn't as cold as it is today.We rare having wind chills around the −40C mark.BRRRR.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

That looks like more than a dusting of snow to me, Rick. Love the stream pics. It's beautiful. Make sure you bundle up because I can't wait to see more.

Leslie said...

These are simply beautiful. I especially like the ones showing a bit of red or green color to contrast with the newly fallen snow. As for your Sasha, she looks a bit like a little polar bear in that photo! ( I love my basenji, but I sometimes long for a dog as patient and obedient as Sasha. There is NO way my dog would wait patiently while I stopped to photograph something.)

magda said...

l start with this beautiful white doll!!! Your dog is lovely!!!!
I send many kisses, please give to him!
Your snowy photos are wonderful, ORIGINAL nature!
Many greetings and kisses

Saz said...

What gorgeous shots Rick! Looks absolutely stunning there. And I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Sasha is absolutely adorable! (:

biebkriebels said...

You have a real wintertime, with beautiful snow pictures and ice. Your dog suits very well in the snow, you can only see him by his nose and eyes I suppose.

Cloudia said...

just bracing, Rick!


Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral

> < } } ( ° >

Marja said...

Oh Sasha is a beauty She fits well in the landscape Your photos are gorgeous. I especially love the ice pins. They make me think of crystal ice palaces where the winter king lives

darlin said...

Beautiful shots Rick, I can't wait to escape this deep freeze though!

I love your Sasha, she's so beautiful! She seems to have your temperament as well, does she? Herb's Great Pyreness has his temperament, to a T. He's bought a pup now as well, I can't wait to see it. I can't even imagine a smaller version of Kelty, mind you when I get back and make it out to the farm the pup won't be so much of a pup anymore. lol

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pamela Gordon said...

Hi Rick, this is my first visit to your blog via ju-north's blog. I enjoyed this post and your photography. Your walk in the woods reminds me of a trail near us. Sasha is a beautiful dog. I love photography and nature so will follow your blog for more inspiration. Blessings. Pamela

ioan moldovan said...

Gorgeous pictures! Indeed, winter has come and it's wonderful!
Thank you very much for your visits and comments on my blog. I am honored!
Nice weekend!

Tammy said...

Old man Winter sure paints a beautiful picture!

Dagmar said...

Wow Rick,....Sascha's photo did it for me....what a sweetie and true beauty.

Thanks for sharing your snow, we only have rain.
Hope you and yours are fine.
Soft wet hugs from the Dutch Gal.
Dag.

Teté M. Jorge said...

Today I came here to read everything that I lost since Jan. 4.
I had little time and I like to come here with calm, because you write things that I vove reading and reflecting and I admire your photos. I can not come running here, honey...
Well, as usual, everything is beautiful here. You're special!
Have a wonderful weekend.
A warm hug to warm up our friendship.
Sweet beijos and love.

Rick said...

Thank you Carolyn. I think I've learned to find beauty in most places and seasons - including winter !

Absolutely agree, Scott - I managed to get several walks in on our trip back over Christmas. Thank you.

Thanks Stephanie. Sasha loves the cold and snow - in fact, the colder and snowier, the better !

Thank you, Laura (fortunately I didn't 'catch' a cold ;-)

I think she gets spoiled more than our kids did ;-) Thank you, Stewart !

LOL Karin - we did have some cold days on our trek back up north and the landscape was beautiful. Yes, Sasha's first love is snow - lots of it ! Thanks for visiting and your kind words.

Rick said...

Thanks, Lúcia (I agree ;-) Yes, the ice formations on the streams are really interesting and works of art, by the great master Himself !

Dank je wel, Riet. Ja, 't kan erg koud worden, maar dan is het natuur ook zo mooi. Fijne zondag.

Thank you very much, Lasse.

Oh THAT is quite cold, Ruth ! No, it was only around -6C that day. Thanks for your nice comment.

Ha ha - up here it's just considered a dusting, Laura. When we get 10-12" it's considered a snow 'fall' ;-) I stayed warm on my forays out into the wonderland.

Thank you, Leslie - I did have a few other shots too in the forest where there was still greenery (frozen) to be found. And yes, Sasha is very patient with me on our photo shoots - she never complains regardless of how often we stop or how long I take - the perfect companion !

Rick said...

Thank you Magda - Sasha fits right in with all the snow and cold. Αγκαλιές και φιλιά Magda !

Thanks, Saz - amazing how snow and cold transforms a landscape. And Sasha says thanks too ;-)

Hallo Marianne - ja, volop winter maar dat maakt alles toch zo mooi. En ja, je moet goed opletten anders raak je die hond kwijt. Fijn weekend.

Compared to Hawaii, you're absolutely right Cloudia ! Aloha !!

Thank you very much, Marja. Sasha is a Samoyed and her breed originates in Siberia - I think sometimes she'd rather be there ! I too think the cold creates beautiful sculptures.

Ha ha, Darlene - soon enough you'll be out of that cold ! I think you might be onto something about Sasha's temperment - she is quite calm and patient (usually). LOL - hopefully Herb has that pup all trained by the time you get back. I hope your weekend and trip exceed expectations !

Rick said...

Hi Pamela - welcome, and thank you for visiting, commenting, and following - I appreciate your kind words. I shall be over soon to visit you.

Hello Ioan - yes, winter provides many wonderful photo opportunities. Thank you too for coming by - I appreciate your visits and comments. I hope your weekend is going well.

Oh, he sure does, Tammy - we simply need to bundle up and go for a look.

Hallo Dag - ja, Sasha is natuurlijk een beetje verwent - wat kun je toch anders doen met zon mooi beest. Zeg, zal ik een beetje sneeuw in jou richting sturen ? Dat zal niet zo makkelijk zijn nu we weer in Florida zitten ;-) Groetjes, en ik hoop dat alles heel fijn met jou and je familie is. Fijne zondag !

Hi teca - so nice to hear from you. Thank you for your calm visit, and always inspirational words, and friendship. I hope you're well into a warm summer now. Enjoy your weekend ! Abraços e beijos, teca !!

Marty said...

oh là là Rick, comme c'est beau !
fantastic images ! I love all of them!
je te souhaite un happy dimanche !
bisous de pluie de france !!!

Betty Manousos said...

what lovely snowy shots, rick!
certainly winter wonderland.

betty

S. Etole said...

You've captured winter's spell of beauty well.

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, thanks for sharing the winter pictures. All looks so beautiful and gorgeous. The 3rd picture, likes your humor the rock looks like cauliflower , LOL
The waterfall is exceptionally beautiful.
Have a nice day.

Rick said...

Merci, Marty - I am plus tard getting here to respond. I hope your pluie is replaced by le soleil now so I send you many warm bisous !

Thank you, Betty !

Thanks, Susan - I felt like I was in wonderland !

Thank you for your very kind words, Amelia ! I hope your weekend is a very good one !

Lisa Gordon said...

Hasn't arrived here yet!
As a matter of fact, it has been rather springlike for the past couple of days. Very strange winter indeed. These images are beautiful, and although I can't believe I'm saying this, I miss the snow!

Rick said...

I know what you're saying, Lisa. We were back home for Christmas and it was green, er brown, till the day before. Then we got about 3" of the wonderful white stuff which just transformed everything. Maybe your wish will come true soon ;-)