Wednesday, December 16, 2009

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus



Blowing snow has erased the rest of the world and left only this row of trees along my fenceline.





The first winter storm of the season brought a foot of heavy, wet snow.
Its weight bent my lilacs to the ground.

Color disappears in a snow storm and the world turns to black and white...mostly white.


Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o’er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river and the heaven,
And veils the farm-house at the garden’s end.
The sled and traveler stopped, the courier’s feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of Storm.
~ Emerson



In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, Long ago.
Christina Rossetti


A Hairy Woodpecker female.
Heavy snow creates desperate times for the birds.
Their survival may depend on the kindness of people.
I always put out extra suet and seed
so they won't run out of food while I'm at work.


The Downey Woodpecker female is similar in color but smaller
than the Hairy Woodpecker.
Her beak is much shorter than that of the Hairy Woodpecker



A tiny Junco.


A finch huddles against the chill wind.






41 comments:

Susie said...

What a beautiful winter wonderland you have going on Marnie.

The bird pics are wonderful. The pic of the Junco looks like you were standing right next to him. Looks like he's taking a little nap.

Gail said...

It's absolutely stunning to see. But, I suspect some can grow weary of it quickly. The Camus quote speaks to that so well! It's important that we hang onto the warm summer days when there is just too much winter~~metaphorically and otherwise!

I know the birds flock to your place to eat at the buffet you provide. You are a good provider! Your bird captures are wonderful ...The huddled finch is perfect. I can feel how cold it is!

Take care. Keep warm.

Gail

CONEFLOWER said...

The two lovely comments above touch on everything I would say.

You live in a winter wonderland and your are a great provider for the birds. They reward you by allowing your camera to capture the action.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Carol said...

Oh Marnie this is so lovely... Your first photo is timeless! The horizon lost in the snowy sky. Wonderful quotes and portraits of your birds. Happy Holidays! Carol

D said...

Marnee, beautiful photos of the birds. The snow does offer so much peace and tranquility. Have a blessed Christmas and holiday season. Diana

marmee said...

marnie,

we must be kindred spirits because i have that same albert camus quote on my sidebar. i love the look of your white wintery scenes.
my children want a white christmas so much. we get cold enough then the rain disappears...then it warms up a bit and the rain comes back. you have capture the lovely birds with there winter backgrounds.
happy december.

Darla said...

It may have erased the colors of summer...it is so beautiful!! The brigthness of the white..

JC said...

Although you are buried in snow, your photos are gorgeous.

Last year we got a LOT of snow which isn't normal for my wet mossy part of the world.

I too feed the birds. I went out in the rain yest. to fill the feeders and throw seed on the ground. I also have suets ... I've found that the woodpeckers like that and the bluejays too.

When it was so very cold here last week, I did worry about my feathered gang but somehow they survived.

missbreezysbox said...

How beautiful the snow, the birds and the poems are. I don't feed the birds in the winter or summer here in Vegas. The summer, is to hot-Vegas, I'd hate for them to burn there mouths. I will go feed them today.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

You got a lot more snow than what fell here, and it all looks so lovely, like lace when the snow coats the dark branches.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Oh Marnie, I'm so so envious of your snow. I really love snow (even shoveling it) and we just haven't gotten any except one small dusting. They keep having warnings, but nothing happens! I made my first suet cakes of the season, which the woodpeckers really love.

troutbirder said...

As much as I don't care for these whiteout blizzards, now that I no longer have to head off for work, I grab my camera and then as your beautiful pictures show, think how wonderful, Returning then inside to a warm cozy place and a good book. Life is good here in our Midwester winter wonderland. :)

BeadedTail said...

Marnie, those photos are so lovely! I've seen snow like that but not in quite awhile. You captured it so beautifully! I love those bird photos too - especially the last one. Gorgeous!

Dog_geek said...

Brrrr! Beautiful photos, but they make me cold! I was looking forward to more beautiful June garden walks!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

WOW that is a lot of snow. If we got that much snow here it would shut down the area for a week. Ha..I love seeing it though. You will have a white christmas you lucky girl. Beautiful photos.

Dawn said...

What beautiful photos! I always feel for the little birds in the cold, that's what compells me to trudge through knee high snow to get the suet cages. @:)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gosh Marnie, That is alot of snow... I cannot imagine that much!!!! I love snow--and only want just a little of it. Won't you share some of yours?????

Beautiful pictures. I'm glad you are helping keep the birds alive.

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Hi Marnie, gorgeous! I love your bird and snow photos.

Rose said...

This is just beautiful, Marnie! But I can say that sitting here in my cozy house without a speck of snow on the ground. I love the magical scenes that snow creates, but I don't like having to shovel it or trying to drive through it. Thanks for showing us the beautiful side of it.

The Camus quote is so inspiring. I read only one book of his in college, and I'm always surprised by some of his quotes that such an existentialist could also express such beauty and optimism.

Your birds must know that they've found the right place to come!

Balisha said...

Beautiful winter pictures,Marnie. They look so pretty against your blog background color. Love that Santa!
Balisha

rosey said...

Hey Marnie,
I am excited to find out thanks to you that I had a junco come to my feeder this week. Thanks for helping me with the id.
You got some BIG snow there, enjoy!

Cheryl said...

Dear Marnie.....Whilst I find your landscape beautiful, I should think that it is difficult on a daily basis.

You are kind to help the birds....and they do so need it when the weather turns. I am amazed your woodpeckers do not flee when you are out with your camera. I have many woodies in my garden but can never manage to get a good photograph.

Your photographs are stunning.

Jann said...

Well beings that I live in winter wonderland about six months out of the year, it's hard for me to swoon over the 'beauty' of the winter scenes LOL, but they are nice photos. Most snow we've had here in SD is 5" so far. UGH.

Zach said...

Wow, it is really a blanket of white. It has not snowed at all here...yet. And I kinda like it that way.

Sherri said...

Marnie, what beautiful pictures of your winter wonderland! I love black and white photos. Sorry about your lilacs, I hope the bushes pop back up!

Unseen India Tours said...

What a beautiful Season !! Everything is white and so fantastic !! I really enjoyed watching the Shots !!Great post.

Judy said...

That sure is a lot of snow for one fall!! I hope the lilacs are able to spring back up again when the weight is off them! And I love your bird photos!!!

Cordwood Cabin said...

I love the sight of birds contrasted with snow ... it's always so picturesque!

Kathleen said...

It makes me cold just looking at your pictures Marnie. Then you go and add "snow" to your blog too, increasing the effect! I also trek outside when it's below zero to feed and water the birds. Even tho I call myself a fair weather gardener, I know I can't adopt that philosophy when it comes to feeding the birds. Like you said, they need us more than ever when the temperatures drop. I always enjoy your bird photos. Happy Holidays to you Marnie.

*Ulrike* said...

The snow looks so wonderful, I dream of snow, but here all that we have been having is cold, cold, rain. Bummer....
I enjoy looking at all of the birds that come to visit you. We always try to keep food handy for them. It's such a joy to watch them come around!
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Ulrike

sweetbay said...

Beautiful pictures of the snowy evergreens -- they look like picture-perfect Christmas trees -- and of the finch. Every feather is in perfect detail.

Nan and =^..^= said...

Beautiful photos and quotations...our snow has nearly vanished but the cold has sunk in! It was 4 degrees last night. We put out suet today for our feathered friends!

Gayle said...

We have not had snow this year, so I adored seeing your lovely pictures and the birds are just so sweet. One of the best things about winter...

Anonymous said...

Your deep snow is beautiful, but that same beauty has clouded the reality of deep snow. Cold, wet, slippery, brrrrr! I admit that it's lovely, but that doesn't mean I have to love it. All we've had is sprinkles of snow so far, but we rarely get more than two or three inches at a time, and then only in January or February. Keep warm Marnie!

tina said...

Love your Santa header photo. So beautiful a picture and very characteristic. Happy Holidays to you Marnie.

Rajesh said...

Fabulous images of winter snow and the birds.

oldcrow61 said...

Oh my, Oh my, it's a winter wonderland. I can just see fairies dancing there. Wonderful!
Your bird photos are lovely.

joey said...

This post is so beautiful, Marnie. Could not let this day go by without wishing a Happy Winter Solstice ... heartfelt wishes for the loveliest of holidays.

Kerri said...

Glorious snowy shots, Marnie, especially the first one. And you've captured the birds so beautifully. The finch is so pretty with its feathers fluffed against the cold. We've had plenty of birds enjoying the banquet lately. I especially love watching the antics of the woodys. Your Hairy and Downy pics show the differences nicely.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a blessed, healthy happy New Year.

garden girl said...

Wow. . . you really got hit! It's so pretty.

What a beautiful post. I love the quotes, and the photos of the snow and the little birds. Happy Christmas Marnie!

A Colorful World said...

What a truly beautiful post, Marnie! What wonderful snowy scenes, and such gorgeous winter birds, trying to bear the cold. I love the way this post made me feel, as though I was a visitor in this winter wonderland with you. Gorgeous! Great photographs!