Light and shadows - After the snow

Our World - Winter returns

 February 4, 6:35 PM

Our winter has been rather mild, with only a few nights of 20F (-7C) or below. The snow storms have blown past quickly, leaving us with only brief photo opportunities.

 February 8, 5:16 PM

 February 11, 2:52 PM

 February 11, 3:14 PM

 February 11, 3:18 PM

Our World - Early snow

Friday night and Saturday brought us snow - not much, but it was mixed with freezing rain and sleet. The lilacs were bent over under the weight. In other areas of Maryland there were bad roads and trees down and power outages. In the northeast, the storm was much worse leaving many trees down and power outages.

My World - Snow

Last Wednesday we received our weekly dose of snow, except this time it began with a couple of inches of sleet and was falling about 2 inches/hour. It was also being driven by a strong wind. Total accumulation was just over 8 inches. Offices and schools closed early, allowing people the chance to drive in a snow storm and complicating the snow plow drivers work. The heavy snow snapped tree limbs and caused power outages (but not at our house). Of course there were numerous traffic accidents, cars stuck in the snow and TV reports diligently reporting while standing in the snow! Of course, now there will be investigations into why ice stuff is slippery; cars are not snowmobiles; and power company repair trucks are not deployed before the snow starts (the highway people did get out ahead of the storm). On snow days around here, it is an advantage to be retired!

Canada geese honking loudly and looking for a place to land

Snow at night

The morning after

From my home office

Snow on the north side of trees

PhotoHunt - Standing in snow

I spotted this snow lover standing in the wheat field behind our house. He and a friend were taking turns sliding down the hill he had just climbed.

Window Views - Looking out at snow

The storm that marched across the southern states and left roads impassable, turned north at the coast and brought us a little snow and a nice view out my office window. It then met up with a second storm and together, they buried the northeast in 1 to 2 feet of snow.

Window Views - Then and now

On December 20, 2009 my rear window view was the above. We had record snowfall for December that weekend. Last Thursday my view was white, but only an inch or two.

I wish you all pleasant views

through you windows

and a very Merry Christmas.

Sky Watch - Winter skies a look back

February 13 - Canada geese fly over our snow-covered roof

February brought us record snowfall this year. The storm of the 5-th and 6-th brought us around two feet and then another foot or so on the 9-th and 10-th. Some spots in the county got even more. We were well stocked and did not have to go out while the roads were bad. But did get out enough to take a few photos. The two below were taken about the same time as my Sky Watch for February 19. And by the 28-th, corn stalks were reappearing in some fields.

Sunset and clouds on the 14-th

Farm, snow and clouds on the 14-th

Clouds over farm and mountain on the 28-th

Sky over field on the 28-th

Sky Watch Friday - After the storm

Last Sunday, I found blue skies above the snow.

A few clouds appeared in late afternoon,

which made for a nice sunset.

And an interesting shot along the road home.

Window Views - Winter windows

We have had an extra dose of winter this year, especially with the record setting snow. The image above was taken during our second major storm. The second image was taken as the third snow storm began. The last image was taken on the 12-th in downtown Frederick.

My World Tuesday - Frederick snow

Two days after our third snowstorm, I ventured into the City of Frederick to see how the snow was affecting downtown. Roads outside the downtown area were in fare shape. In the narrow streets downtown, snow was piled high. Market Street was closed so that snow could be loaded on trucks and hauled away. The parking deck near Carroll Creek was open (and free!). Paths had been cleared along the frozen creek making an easy access to the beautiful snowy scene.

Market Street - closed for snow removal

Church Street

Patrick Street - no parking today

Snow pile near creek (from parking deck)

Carroll Creek from pedestrian bridge looking east

Geometry - Frozen curves

Snow swirls on the frozen Carroll Creek. To see more geometry, go to Katney's Kaboodle.

Sky Watch - White sky and sunrise

The first 2 shots were taken last saturday during the second winter storm.

By late afternoon, the storm had passed and blue skies returned.

And Sunday morning dawned with the sun casting a golden glow over the snow.

Window Views - White everywhere

Views through a window in every room in our house taken today between 9AM and 2:30PM. We have about a foot of new snow on top of the 18 inches still on the ground from last weekend.