Snowy Trees in the Pennsylvania Mountains Bring 2007 to a Wintery Finish

Last night we were promised 2-4 inches of snow and by all accounts the weather forecasters were right on target. We did get about 3 inches of flaky, heavy snow.

Up before the sun, which is pretty easy to do now that the days are so short, I went outside with thermals on to snap a few pictures. The light was really dim, but getting so ever slightly brighter with each passing moment. Had I any foresight into the beautiful morning sunrise I would have set up the tripod and time-lapsed a few photos before the sun came up. The gray sky gently contrasted with the white snow perched on the tree limbs. Dark tree trunks stood out in the white and gray, winter woodland scene.

Snowy trees in the early morning light.

Snowy trees in the early morning light.

The snow is a bit like the ice we had a couple weeks ago as it is sticking to everything – at least until the wind picks up or until the sun starts shining.

Snow sticking to the tree limbs as seen from below.

Snow sticking to the tree limbs as seen from below.

It is a very still morning with only a crow silently drifting overhead. Its blackness moves in sharp contrast to the newly fallen snow on the tree limbs. Sometime in the night or early morning a fox had passed this way as told by the tracks it left behind.

I can’t describe the feeling one gets standing here in the middle of the woods, early in the morning before the sun is up, listening to the stillness…there is a feeling of being surrounded or closed in, but in a nice, warm hug kind of way…reverent, still, awesome.

A new day is dawning! To all our friends, far and wide, have a happy new year!

Imagine yourself standing in the center of this picture. No sound – the stillness is awesome. It gives you a feeling of being close to God.

Happy New Year! From our mountain home in the woods.

Happy New Year! From our mountain home in the woods.

Quisp says,

Quisp says, “How do you like my White Pine Christmas Tree? I think it’s just perfect for my long winter’s nap!”
Happy New Year to All!
May Your 2008 Be Full of Christmas Spirit All Year Long!

Icy Trees Sparkle in the Sunlight the Day After a Winter Storm

Winter is off to a great start here in Central Pennsylvania. Snow from last week is gone and has been replaced by ice…everywhere! I find it amazing that every branch, every tree trunk, every pine needle is coated with a thick layer of ice.

The boughs of white pine trees are bent to the ground with the weight of ice on every limb.

The boughs of white pine trees are bent to the ground with the weight of ice on every limb.

How did the ice manage to coat every square millimeter of these pine needles?

How did the ice manage to coat every square millimeter of these pine needles?

Icy hemlock needles and pinecones.

Icy hemlock needles and pinecones.

Star magnolia blooms and branches covered in ice.

Star magnolia blooms and branches covered in ice.

The evergreen leaves of this rhododendron look really unhappy with their new coat of ice.

The evergreen leaves of this rhododendron look really unhappy with their new coat of ice.

Every single tree limb has a coating of ice!
Every single tree limb has a coating of ice!

Every single tree limb has a coating of ice!

Sunlit icy trees.
Sunlit icy trees.
Sunlit icy trees.
Sunlit icy trees.

We’re giving thanks that we did not lose electricity with the cold winds that knocked off much of the pretty tree limb icicles. When the ice came down with the wind it was like very loud rain drops as the pieces of ice hit the icy snow below.

Just beautiful in the sunlight! The sunlight really shines on the icy tree limbs.
Just beautiful in the sunlight! The sunlight really shines on the icy tree limbs.

Winter Starts in the PA Mountains with a Little Snow

Second snow fall this season brought some cold artic air. At eight o’clock this morning the temperature was 11 degrees F and the wind chill was a mere 2 degrees. The kind of cold that you can feel in your nostrils.

Where were my gloves?? I could really have used them while I broomed off the walkways. No shoveling for me.

Anyway, here’s a couple pics for my southern friends who have yet to see any snow this year.

Crisp, snowy and cold morning in the PA mountains.

Crisp, snowy and cold morning in the PA mountains.

Snowy cones.

Snowy cones.

Can't believe the greenery hasn't died back on this butterfly bush!

Can’t believe the greenery hasn’t died back on this butterfly bush!

Snowy butterfly blossoms.

Snowy butterfly blossoms.

It’s so cold and dry that the snow squeaks underneath your feet. The powdery stuff is the can’t-make-a-snowball-wish-I-had-a-sled-kind-of-snow. But no matter how cold it feels while warming up the car, you can’t be as chilled as these Amish folk!

The doors are closed tight, but unless there's a hot potato under your frock you gotta be cold!

The doors are closed tight, but unless there’s a hot potato under your frock you gotta be cold!

This gal surely can't wait to get home to her kitchen fire!

This gal surely can’t wait to get home to her kitchen fire!

I think Shubert has the right idea - find a sunny spot and curl up!

I think Shubert has the right idea – find a sunny spot and curl up!

At least one flower pic today…the Christmas Cactus, or Easter Cactus depending on its time of blooming, is starting to open its showy blossoms.

glossy christmas cactus
glossy side christmas cactus