The wind is howling outside the window—
a roar that pulls and pushes until the very tops of the tallest trees of the wood sway huge arcs in the sky.
In the darkness, I hear them wave.
Several inches of snow have fallen in a gracefully sculpted blanket. Tomorrow there will be more.
As the greatest storm of the season—
many seasons,
dances across the land.
Swirling and spinning,
winding and wheeling.
A swift wind blows.
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Come browse my photography site, Nature Remains: nothing but a photograph, for full-page slide shows of my favorite images and opportunities to purchase them.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of the Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership monitoring program.
My 2008 journal includes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,
2010,... again!
Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
Travel beyond the Midwest has taken me to some beautiful places. Usually off the beaten track, these places are WILD!
Acadia National Park
New River Nature Festival
Olympic National Park
Pictured Rocks and the UP
Voyageurs National Park
(click on the text above each photo for a quick get-away)
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.
Take a look!
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year.
The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in this journal.
From life the size of a pea....
Cats that come to stay
(click on the text above each photo for stories in these collections)
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18 comments:
Nice pictures, I like the contrast of the wood and the snow (I know you are dreaming of spring! it will be there soon)
;)
Nina-
Stay safe and warm, we are really getting slammed here in Columbus!
Tom
I can't help but thing about your woodfrog and salamander eggs. I always worry about the little ones when a freezing storm comes after the egg laying! I have to remind myself that they have been doing this for a lot of centuries... so it's not a big deal... But the mother in me still worries.
Very beautiful words drawing me into a world of imagination as I can see the trees waving in the darkness as you describe the fury and power of the howling wind. The log photos with their circular rings are a reminder to me though of the continual cycles of seasons, tho they might seem to be momentarily halted by the all emcompassing snow, a definite change of season is so close.... A lovely read.
Beautiful as long as we can go inside and warm up isn't it. Mother nature is truely amazing!
Thanks for sharing
Nina, how well I remember chopping wood! Nice post. When I got tagged for a 6 Word Memoir I immediately thought of you. Words, and photos go so well togther, so, Tag, you're it!
Come to my blog for instructions if you want to play.
But if this isn't your cup of tea, well, that's okay.
Beautiful pictures and writing, Nina. I hope the storm wasn't too bad where you are.
Beautiful prose and photos!!! Your writing is so vivid.
I looove that we're kindred spirits and revel together in Nature's beauty
Wild wave, JJ
That storm missed us. You sure made the most of it! Lovely shots there....
The howl of a winter wind is such a treat to hear, when you are warn inside! Beautiful snowy pictures.
Nina, First time visitor. It's great to share with folks from everywhere. Liked your poetic style. Hope you try the meme. If you want warm just come to my site now and again.
Nina,
I'm watching your storm on local and national news. A few days ago you were examining salamanders... Mother Nature is fickle can sure pack a punch.
Please be careful. I wish you a nice steady melt - real soon.
Mary
Dear Nina,
I poured a fresh cup of tea and settled in for a nice catch up with you. Thank you for your wonderful posts. I enjoyed each one. I feel inspired! Thank you.
I saw on the weather station your state was hit really hard with a huge snow storm. Hope you are okay and no loss of power.
Thank you again for a wonderful visit.
Sherry
There's nothing like the warmth from a wood fire in a snow storm. I am just a little jealous--no snow in Virginia! I love the prose and photos.
I love the shots of the circular logs. Great patterns!
Oh, and - tag, you're it! ...but only if you want to play (assuming you haven't yet!). :)
Great textures and contrasts. Snow is an amazing found art medium. Thanks for the peek at your world.
Your imagery - both written and visual - is captivating. This was a treat for me!
Brrrrr it makes me cold reading about the Swift Wind and seeing the snow.
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