Adventures

Bare Tree Shadows on a Snowy White Canvas

Shelley

In Wisconsin, as soon as the trees lose their leaves in the late fall, you can count on two things. One, you better get your shovel and snowblower ready. And two, you will have the opportunity to use both when you see the school bus traveling down the road before the normal time of day.

A day or two before that, it’s common for us to see the snow globe start shaking as we get a dusting of snow that sticks to the ground. To remind us of what’s to come. When the snow clouds start to roll in, that’s when we pay attention. And prepare for the settling of the snow on all parts of the yard and house.

When the snow storm appears, the trees in the distance disappear. We watch it fall and blow, and hope for the best. The animals scurry into their hiding places, and we humans go to bed. That is if the storm starts late in the day like it did on the 10th.

While we slept the snow globe shook all night long. The snow stuck to the house everywhere I looked.

Mr. drank his morning coffee, preparing for the work ahead of him, and I ran around like a madwoman taking pictures. Of course! Acting as if I’ve never seen this kind of snow before.

Ice on the windows is fun to photograph. Plus, it’s not as cold inside as it is doing the real work outside. Especially for the real hero when it comes to winter storms. The snowplow left quite the pile of snow to remove.

It took Mr. a really long time. Each pass around the driveway, I played with the camera some more. I had to capture more “trees” for Linda’s prompt.

Before I knew it, Mr. was done, and the sun was out. The ice on the window and the snow on the cleared driveway started to melt. (I forgot to take after photos of Mr.’s handiwork…!)

There you have it, our first official big storm of the season has been recorded. It sure was a sight to see.

The smooth blanket of snow provided a blank canvas for the trees to paint their shadows upon.

I wonder if today we’ll see rabbit tracks on this side of the yard? Their hiding spots are under the tea house and under the deck.

We’ve survived our first big snowstorm of this season in our little neck of the woods. My heart aches as I read the news about those in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois where the tornado left a destruction path 227-mile long as it stormed through there. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Post Inspiration – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tree.” Use the word “tree” or write about a tree. Any kind of tree. Enjoy!

PS – I hope you’re safe and well wherever you are. Thanks for stopping by, I adore hearing from each and every one of you!

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

59 thoughts on “Bare Tree Shadows on a Snowy White Canvas”

  1. So many beautiful snowy photos, Shelley! Your hubby is a hard working man. I was shocked to see how much destruction was left behind by this tornado. It actually makes me angry to see this, why?? Stay warm up there, no snow here except high in the mountains where it belongs but just upper 50s for today. Brr!

    1. Thank you, John. I do enjoy seeing the snowy mountain tops that you capture in your photos.
      I was shocked to see the destruction too. It’s so devastating to see.
      We’ll be in the 50s this week – such strange weather. It’ll be interesting to see if all the snow melts or if some of it sticks around.
      Stay warm where you are too!

  2. Pretty snow pictures, and the ice on the windows is too! Those little Christmas decorations are cute! Hope y’all are staying warm this winter! 🙂

  3. I will always think ‘snow globe’ with every snow from now on. And yes the shadows of trees on the snow are amazing. Beautiful

    1. Hi Janis! Oh, yes, it was chilly. Even more so today, temps at 11 degrees. It’s good when it’s cool at night so that the snow doesn’t melt too fast. I hope we don’t get rain on top of this…what a mess that would be. I hope you have fun activities to keep busy with while you want the storms come and go. Blue skies are the best!

  5. What great photos, Shelley. I especially like the ice on the windows. We never see anything like that here. We are getting lots of rain this week, which we need but is not fun to walk the dog in. Thanks for sharing all that pretty whiteness.

    1. Aw, thank you, Janet – I’m glad to read you enjoyed the photos. Ice on the windows doesn’t always happen for us either. It’s typically a sign we don’t like to see since that means icy roads too. Glad it melted like it did.
      I wouldn’t enjoy walking the dog in the rain either.
      I hope you’re having dry weather breaks and moments of warm sunshine to enjoy.

    1. Hi!! I’m sure you’ll get your share of snow soon, right? There’s something about snow on cobblestone streets pictured in movies that is so charming to see. Is it at all like that in real life?

    2. PS – I so enjoyed your dog post! I ordered the book for myself. It’ll be a nice read on the treadmill when I can’t walk outside this winter.

  7. Like you, I run around photographing these things as if I’d never seen them. How curious. Perhaps it reminds us of snow days as a kid, or snow forts, or Christmas. Whatever the reason, I love snow.
    This time of year we call “The Seeing Season”, when the trees are bare and we can see farther, and things that are hidden by leaves.
    I’ve written quite a bit about trees. I revere and admire them, and feel as if they must have some spirit of their own. I have a philosophy called “Tree Attitude”. Summed up, it’s about being the best me I can, with what I have, right where I am.
    The best thing about trees- all of their lives, they are always home.

    Merry Christmas,

    Paz

    1. Hi Paz, Aw, it’s so fun to meet another curious fellow here in this blogosphere, thank you so much for stopping by to share your thoughts. I do love snow in the early part of winter. By the time that April rolls around, I’m pretty much done and ready for spring to sprout. I can only take so many photos of the snow. Unless I try to challenge myself to see new things in it. Hmm.
      Yes, I like that “Seeing Season”. Last night I noticed the rabbit that finally made its way out from under our Tea House after our big snow. I was amazed to watch it jump through the snow then suddenly it disappeared into the snow and didn’t come back up.
      Please do share your link to your Tree Attitude, I’d love to read about it. Have you read the book The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben, it’s very interesting.
      Merry Christmas to you too!

  8. Wonderful snowy photos Shelley, something I will probably never see. The shadows on the snow from the trees are fabulous. I feel for the animals and birds. Glad you are safe. Are snow clouds always in lines like that?

    1. Thanks, Brian. I feel the same way about your photos of what you share in Australia. I’ll probably never see them. I’m glad we can share the views here in the blogosphere! The animals adapt quite well. The rabbits are more afraid during the winter though – they become easier to site against the white snow.
      The clouds have been crazy this whole year. So, yes, and no, they can be in lines. How’s that for a pretend meteorologist? LOL!

      1. Thanks Shelley. Plus I guess it would take longer to warm up and run rabbit run. I am hot and cold on your efforts as a meteorologist 🙂

        1. You’re welcome. Yes, it is harder for the rabbit to warm up for the run. But when they get going, it’s quite amazing to watch. I saw one disappear into the snow and not come out. It was fascinating.
          Maybe if someone would pay me for my efforts I could be better at forecasting?! 🤣😆😂

  9. Your photos show a beautiful landscape. I like the colors of freshly fallen snow and how it allows you to see in clear relief all the branches on trees and bushes. I’m less enthusiastic about snow removal. Definitely a winter wonderland where you live.

    1. Thanks, Ally, glad you enjoy the photos – the first big snow is always the most enjoyable for me to witness. Well…maybe every new snow we get until December is over, then not so much, especially if it keeps on until May. The deer have used their hooves to draw all over the lovely blanket of snow. The trail cam shows that they had quite the pole dancing (aka, deer prancing around the bird feeder pole) party. And the rascals even dug in my flower beds. Grr.
      I confess that I’d like to assist Mr. with the snow removal. When I offer I hear, “Why would you want to do that, it only takes me a few swipes of the shovel to clear the front porch and then I use the snow blower for the rest?” I walk away feeling warmly corrected then arm myself with my camera instead.

      1. Wise woman you are. Why mess with his snow removal perfection?! Snap pics instead. Tell stories. We all lean into our strengths. 😉

        1. Ah, yes, indeed. Plus holding the camera perfectly still and moving it up and down to catch shots takes muscle precision that I wouldn’t want to damage by lifting snow with a shovel.
          I love how you appreciate leaning into our strengths!

    1. Anita!! I was thinking about you yesterday. I need to stop by your blog to check out your Christmas decorations. I hope you’re doing well, thanks for stopping by to check out the cold view here in my neck of the woods.

        1. Yes, we did (only small damage to our yard). Our neighbors and some of our tenants had damage. We lost a large tree at one location and the 3 tenants were out of power for almost 24 hours. The neighboring town of Stanley was hit very hard. It was a very loud storm with very strong winds. I’ve never seen anything like it in December. I’m glad you were safe. I hope we both don’t see anymore of storms like that again!

    1. Yes, it’s pretty. Thank you for the compliments. We got about a foot of snow. I never did hear the official amount. Believe it or not, it is almost all gone. We’ve had the horrible winds and storms come through yesterday, last night, and into this morning. The temps have been above 40 so it has melted fast. The rabbits are enjoying the exposed green grass.

      1. Wow! A foot of snow all at once! We haven’t gotten any snow yet. Lots of high wind in the past couple days though. Maybe you’ll get some more snow for Christmas. 🙂

        1. Yes, lots of snow. Mostly all melted before the big wind storm that somehow went right around our house. The neighboring town of Stanley was hit very hard. Our neighbors across the road lost trees, our tenants lost power for almost 24 hours. After the heat wave of 62 degrees, it dropped down to the 20s so it was mighty cold in their apartments. My niece’s yard was hit too and she only lives less than a mile from us.
          We did get more snow yesterday (a dusting) as the rest of the winds of the storm passed through. It was crazy weather for December.
          Hopefully the rest of the year is less disruptive when it comes to weather.
          I hope your winds weren’t as damaging as ours were!

          1. It’s Oklahoma, so we’re used to the wind even though the 36mph was extreme. We couldn’t handle the amount of snow y’all get though. A few inches slows everything to a crawl around here; a foot would cause almost a full stop. LOL! Isn’t it interesting how Mother Nature puts her thumb on each area with it’s own weather/natural tribulation?

          2. I agree, it’s interesting how Mother Nature puts different thumb prints on each area. I think she has a hand in attracting people who enjoy and/or can tolerate the weather she sprinkles on us. 😉

  12. That’s a Winter Wonderland scene for sure Shelley. It is beautiful to look at, especially the frost patterns and ice crystals. Do you ever see the time-lapse videos people make of snow piling up on deck railings or yard furniture during a big storm? Poor Mr. with that snowblowing job, especially after the snow plow went by. I think I told you once the snow plow went by after I shoveled in the morning, and then we had freezing rain which plastered that snow to the end of the driveway and even the snow-melt pellets would not budge it from mid-January through mid-March and I never took the car out of the garage for that two months.

    1. Thank you, Linda. It was beautiful. And this morning, it is mostly gone. The weather, as we’ve been discussing, is crazy. The winds are horrible and with the rain has made the snow disappear.
      Yes, I remember you telling me about that driveway situation. I’m glad you didn’t have a need to go out in that timeframe!

      1. I saw a picture on Twitter tonight of one such home in Sampson, Wisconsin where the tornado had whipped the snow into a neat pile and the rest of the lawn was green. The photo was taken in the dark but I saw no visible damage to the house. Yes, two solid months … I always loaded in groceries for Winter, but after that I have loaded even more.

        1. Wow – that’s interesting about the snow.
          I checked with Mr. and he thinks that he’s prepared our pantry/freezer with the same amount or more, so hopefully we’d survive too.

          1. I’m going to send you a screenshot Shelley – it isn’t someone I follow, but I went back and found it. It’s good to have some extra – not only for rising COVID stats, but bad weather, even though you are both used to driving in bad weather.

          2. Yes, it is Stanley, WI, not Sampson. I’ll check out the screenshot – thanks for sharing! We had such warm weather that day, most of the snow had melted. So to me it looks like they had previously plowed snow when we got the foot of snow a few days earlier, but if you didn’t know what real snow looks like, it would appear that the wind made it into a pile like that. That roof torn off, that’s real, and scary!!

          3. Yes, the pictures have floored me – the picture I mentioned yesterday and another sticks in my mind of a guy with a truck and a piece of tree trunk is wedged into his tire. The sheer force. I have a lot of angst about the erratic weather. A fellow blogger from Michigan just mentioned that her forsythia was in full bloom two weeks ago when we had a warm spell and some of her bulbs have sprouted … she said “it’s not good when Mother Nature is confused.”

          4. It is so intriguing to see what wind does when it gusts. I’m not a fan of this erratic weather either. I agree with your fellow blogger, it’s not good when the plants and trees think it’s time to wake up like it’s spring when winter is just getting started.

          5. Yes and there are leaves all over my backyard that I never go to as the yard waste cutoff was earlier than usual this year. I will have a mess in the Spring. I don’t want to bag it and leave it out back – worried someone might stand on the bags to mess with the windows (I have one window that has no security blinds due to the patio overhang and crime is getting bad). Also, I don’t want any critters hanging out by the bags – one year I tarped over them and found a dead bird in the Spring had crawled under and died. The weather is wacky right now.

          6. Hopefully the leaves will decompose where they landed and all will be well in the spring. If we lived closer, we’d come and get some of the bags of leaves. We do pile them around some of our rental properties to keep the pipes from freezing. Sorry to hear about the crime getting worse 🙁 Stay safe, Linda!

          7. That’s interesting about using the leaves to keep pipes from freezing. I have an insulated cover on the faucet outside. I like it – it is actually two I put together and it stays on unlike the way I used to wrap it or when I used the styrofoam boxy-looking device.

          8. We’ve done the leaves in a bag protection for years! Somehow the Hostas that are under the bags still come up in the spring. We do the styrofoam boxy-looking device too. Whatever it takes to keep the pipes from freezing we do it!

          9. When I first had roses, I had cones for them. They were tea roses and easily pruned down to the ground and cones on top, weighted down with bricks. But I couldn’t do that with the shrub roses. Yes, keep the faucet covered – my neighbor never shuts the water off, (or so he says), nor covers the faucet, nor takes in the hose.

          10. The cones would help keep the rabbits from eating them. I don’t know how they do that with all the thorns.
            We do keep the faucets covered. I don’t understand how those who don’t aren’t sorry in the spring?!

          11. Yes, it did help with the wind – not my neighbor put up a privacy fence, so it’s not so much of an issue. I wonder about people who don’t do that either – takes just a few minutes to do.

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