Winter comes to party. A rollercoaster ride of wondrous weather this week - the transformational effects of temperature and light in a shifting landscape.
I love everything about this post, especially the stunning description and photo of the snow on Thursday, the details about the day to day changes in temperature and the snow, and your neighbor who is so well suited to the cold weather. Such a joy to read!
Thank you Rebecca. I will admit that I walked past it first time, only seeing the shape of the cracks on my way back. Glad I did though. There are a couple of others too which I’ll maybe pop into Notes.
I'd love to see them if you choose to share them on Notes! Such an easy thing to miss but so beautiful when noticed (perhaps even more so for being easy to miss)
This was so beautiful to read! I live in a cold climate with many extreme temperature changes myself. And we are approaching another very cold weekend. It can be challenging, but the beauty of what the cold creates is breathtaking and worth bundling up for. When I face it, I find the cold invigorating and it's beauty uniquely soothing. Your images are very beautiful as well.
Thank you Manuela. You’re right, there is something invigorating about the cold, especially dry cold. Once wrapped up and outside, it feels so much better than something a little warmer but damp, which somehow penetrates the skin more. I hope you get to enjoy the cold this weekend.
Extraordinary! Both words and images. Our experience was somewhat similar to yours but, my goodness, your temperatures were extreme! We had minus single figures and just about reached positive double digits but that is certainly enough to confuse the animals, both domestic and wild. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful words and images Michela and I really enjoyed experiencing the snow through your eyes. The ice crystal images are amazing.
We haven't had a single snow flake in Suffolk, just heavy frost and still days which has been lovely but it's not the same as snow and I miss a proper winter. We haven't had snow here since 2021 and that is not how it used to be. I guess winters are changing illustrated by the difference in temperatures you have experienced. -17 to 15 is mad and definitely not how it should be.
Thank you Gill. It’s two years since I last saw similar crystals; who knows when they may next occur. I was checking last night if my recollection that they grow around -15C was correct… I think it is. If so, I may have to be patient. There’s certainly been a shift away from cold and dry even in the time I’ve been here, but for now we do still see some good frosts and ice.
Thanks very much Amy. It’s possibly the ‘best’ spell I’ve experienced - a rare treat to have still air, the softest snow and those beautiful ice crystals. Feeling spoilt!
Thank you, an enjoyable immersion in a week of winter. Here in Perthshire we’ve had similar, but not quite such extreme swings. Our hardest weather was in December, much of the precipitation has passed us by since.
Thanks Felicity, I’m glad you enjoyed this. It was a week when it was easy to forget the cold, wet and windy spell that first brought the snow. I’m sure ‘normal service’ will resume soon.
Thanks Angie! Yes, it was fascinating to find this mesh on an old gate encrusted with ice crystals. I nearly missed it on my way home in the morning, and when I went back out after lunch, I didn’t get far beyond it.
Wonderful ! Love the beauty of chicken wire ❄️
Thanks very much Lori. It was fascinating to see; it’s on an old gate, half hidden behind a tree, and I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and pictures.
You’re welcome Maurice. Thanks for taking the time to comment; I’m glad you enjoyed this.
I love everything about this post, especially the stunning description and photo of the snow on Thursday, the details about the day to day changes in temperature and the snow, and your neighbor who is so well suited to the cold weather. Such a joy to read!
Thanks Sarah, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it all. I’ve perhaps been remiss in not inviting you to ‘meet the neighbours’ before 🐮
Stunning photos as always Michela. Particularly the ice crystals on the chicken wire. It looks otherworldly.
Also very much appreciating the highland cow 🩶
Thanks Jo. A week on it’s hard to imagine those crystals, it’s been so mild. Definitely another world!
Wow those photos are absolutely stunning ❤️
Thanks Sophie!
The mountains in the ice - so beautiful!! I loved this, thank you Michela. It's always such a joy to step into the moss with you.
Thank you Rebecca. I will admit that I walked past it first time, only seeing the shape of the cracks on my way back. Glad I did though. There are a couple of others too which I’ll maybe pop into Notes.
I'd love to see them if you choose to share them on Notes! Such an easy thing to miss but so beautiful when noticed (perhaps even more so for being easy to miss)
Beautiful images Michela - particularly that first one...stunning!
Thanks Lin. After another mild day, I would possibly think I had imagined it all were it not for the photos.
This was so beautiful to read! I live in a cold climate with many extreme temperature changes myself. And we are approaching another very cold weekend. It can be challenging, but the beauty of what the cold creates is breathtaking and worth bundling up for. When I face it, I find the cold invigorating and it's beauty uniquely soothing. Your images are very beautiful as well.
Thank you Manuela. You’re right, there is something invigorating about the cold, especially dry cold. Once wrapped up and outside, it feels so much better than something a little warmer but damp, which somehow penetrates the skin more. I hope you get to enjoy the cold this weekend.
A lovely read Michela. Worth it just for the first image, absolutely gorgeous❄️
Thanks Jon. They’re tricky little blighters to photograph, hoping I won’t have to wait two years to see them again!
Extraordinary! Both words and images. Our experience was somewhat similar to yours but, my goodness, your temperatures were extreme! We had minus single figures and just about reached positive double digits but that is certainly enough to confuse the animals, both domestic and wild. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks very much Dave. Yes, I feel for our fellow creatures, both in the hardship of cold and the confusion of unseasonal warmth.
Beautiful words and images Michela and I really enjoyed experiencing the snow through your eyes. The ice crystal images are amazing.
We haven't had a single snow flake in Suffolk, just heavy frost and still days which has been lovely but it's not the same as snow and I miss a proper winter. We haven't had snow here since 2021 and that is not how it used to be. I guess winters are changing illustrated by the difference in temperatures you have experienced. -17 to 15 is mad and definitely not how it should be.
Thank you Gill. It’s two years since I last saw similar crystals; who knows when they may next occur. I was checking last night if my recollection that they grow around -15C was correct… I think it is. If so, I may have to be patient. There’s certainly been a shift away from cold and dry even in the time I’ve been here, but for now we do still see some good frosts and ice.
These photographs are wonderful - totally awe-inspiring!
Thanks very much Amy. It’s possibly the ‘best’ spell I’ve experienced - a rare treat to have still air, the softest snow and those beautiful ice crystals. Feeling spoilt!
Thank you, an enjoyable immersion in a week of winter. Here in Perthshire we’ve had similar, but not quite such extreme swings. Our hardest weather was in December, much of the precipitation has passed us by since.
Thanks Felicity, I’m glad you enjoyed this. It was a week when it was easy to forget the cold, wet and windy spell that first brought the snow. I’m sure ‘normal service’ will resume soon.
exquisite and love the neighbour
Thanks Jan. Highland cows are so characterful.
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I particularly like 'Chicken Wire', but they are all wonderful :-)
Thanks Angie! Yes, it was fascinating to find this mesh on an old gate encrusted with ice crystals. I nearly missed it on my way home in the morning, and when I went back out after lunch, I didn’t get far beyond it.
My fave as well ❤️
Thanks Paulo.