Monday 28 January 2013

Snow Shadows...

Yesterday we walked out onto the frozen waters of Cayuga lake. For a while at least, the lake is frozen solid for a quarter of a mile and, at the edge where the ice meets the water, huge flocks of geese and ducks mill around.


Glorious sunshine yesterday. I photographed some shadows and animal tracks not far from the cottage, with the sun glinting off the snow like diamonds.
Nicholas


After I finished working, this was just one of many scenes of winter fun awaiting us on frozen Cayuga Lake. It was so much fun to walk out onto the frozen waters, I was never much good at ice skating, but I remember school friends shovelling areas of frozen lake and creating rinks for just this purpose. 

About 20 minutes after we arrived, we heard the amazing sound of hundreds of geese, here is what we saw when we looked skyward...


We didn't have the best of light by this time, but this photograph brings to mind the sound they made, funny how one sense invites us into all the others, it was a cacophony of honking, like a street full of miniature taxis honking a cheery hello to one another.

When they had flown over us, we looked back to the shoreline, from about 200 yards out on the lake, and saw this gracious willow, illuminated by the last of the winter sunshine.


Shortly after we arrived here early last summer, this was the willow that gave us shelter from the blazing sunshine and 100 degree temperatures, it was the willow that caught every small breeze and gave us shade while we heard the bagpipers play during the Scottish Festival. 

And now, in the frigid 20 degree weather, standing on the other side of its majestic form, out on the frozen waters beyond its thick rugged trunk, it is clear that time has passed quickly....that so much has taken place, new jobs, new friends, new home begun and nearing completion...

This beautiful tree gave me perspective on all of that and reminded me, once more, that change is often measured, and tolerated, by holding fast to those things in my life which are steadfast, the people I cherish, the places in the natural world I hold tenderly. These are the blessings that create sanctuary for my spirit on this earthly journey. I am grateful.

Judy

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