26 December 2010

a brown december

outside, it begins - our first real snowstorm of the winter. it promises to be a big one, with blizzard conditions overnight and more snow tomorrow. so this morning i took to the woods, one final walk before winter sets in. the sky was overcast with the thick grey clouds that always precede a good snow. the air was invigoratingly chilly but so still. maple and beech leaves crunched under my boots on the frozen forest floor - not the dry crackle of fall but the solid sound of a winter's freeze. mosses and fungi were frozen in time, hanging on to stumps and rocks in muted autumn shades of brown and tan and green. the small pools of the brook were skimmed over with ice as water beneath continued to bubble over rocks on its way down the hill. i looked for animals, but saw none. i listened for birds and squirrels, but heard nothing. all was calm and still, waiting for the snow that, sooner or later, always comes in december.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

It was a nice walk.
Costas

Star said...

Lovely, so poetically evocative as always, thank you!

Jenny said...

I like this, Chris. I'm ready to get out in the woods for a walk. Our snow is finally melting but we have lots of ice under foot. Hope you get your beautiful snow. *<;0) Jenny

Tabor said...

We have had several snow falls already but yesterdays brought about 6 inches...lovely but confining.

Star said...

It's not nearly as poetic as your photos, but I saw something that reminded of your pics, so I dedicated a post to you: http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.com/2010/12/dear-chris-this-ones-for-you.html, hope you enjoy it!

Irene said...

It's too bad all of that loveliness got covered by snow, but it will be there again in the springtime, that's a treat worth waiting for.