Perhaps if I look at the snow abstractly, it’ll help me not feel so tired of it.
Groundhog Day shadows
It’s a good thing I don’t put any stock into the groundhog’s ability to forecast the weather, or all the shadows I saw today would be very depressing.
Windblown by the polar vortex
Hiking into sunlight
During these days of bitter cold, snow, and mostly grey skies, heading toward the light (when you see it) is probably a good idea.
Winter robins
Up until last week, I assumed that robins did not spend winter in Wisconsin. Last Saturday I was walking through the outdoor space at Olbrich Botanical Gardens when I saw a flock of about 15-20 birds hanging around a large tree.
I first noticed them in the upper branches, backlit by the bright sky. From that vantage point, they looked like starlings. However, as I got closer I discovered they were actually robins.
Skating under a late afternoon sky
Tenney Park Lagoon, Madison.
No diving
Living below zero
Madison is in the middle of at least a two day stretch of below zero temperatures. Last night the low was -18 (fahrenheit), and the high today was -11. One of the things I find amazing during brutally cold stretches like this, is the ability of small creatures to survive.
It’s incredible to me that a small bird, like this American Tree Sparrow, manages to stay warm enough to get through these bitter cold days and nights. Another one of nature’s miracles.
Fresh powder on the tracks
A white Christmas
No dreaming necessary.
Snow covered pine trees — one of the quintessential scenes of Christmas in Wisconsin.