
Yesterday I posted photos of a magical snowfall we had Wednesday night into Thursday – light fluffy snow so wispy you could see individual flakes piling atop each other as they landed on seed heads and evergreen boughs. (If you missed that post, feel free to click here to see it!) As I predicted in that post, the skies cleared overnight Thursday when a cold front dropped in from the northwest, and we woke yesterday morning to -21 degrees outside. Time to light the fire! Today it’s much warmer, and tomorrow it will be above zero. For a few hours.
Despite the cold, yesterday was a brilliant – literally and figuratively. One of those days where the sun bounces off the snow and creates deep, sharp shadows everywhere. It was perfect for a winter run (wearing several layers!) and, if you’re a fan of clear, crisp, cold , cleansing days, being outdoors in general. Here are shots of five things in the garden, most taken yesterday, and one shot of something taken indoors. Every Saturday, The Propagator encourages gardeners around the world to share six things that are happening in their garden – if you visit his site you’ll see loads of gardens with plants actually in bloom!
First, a throwback to a week ago, just because I love this confluence of rabbit tracks in the snow heading towards the fence line:

Second, a look at what the fresh snow looked like Thursday morning. It’s covering the red branches of Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima,’ my favourite variegated dogwood:

Third, taken yesterday, the shadow of a small weeping false Cyprus – Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’

Fourth – this small Primula seed head sticking up through the snow:

Fifth – a trio of photos – with no leaves on trees, it’s easy to spot structural things that aren’t easily visible in summer. For the first time, I noticed yesterday this humongous wild grape vine emerging from the ground and climbing up some very tall trees:
Finally – my artichokes have sprouted!

I love to see the seeds I plant sprouting. Lovely pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – yes, it’s always a thrill to see something green poking through!
LikeLike
Lovely pictures Chris. But I think we won’t have a single snowflake this winter around here. First time in many years…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’m sad for you….snow can be so magical….On the other hand, your gardening season has a huge head start while we’re still chomping at the bit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely to see all the snow photos and your snow-covered Cornus. I love seeing the snow in my garden, but sadly I doubt if we will see any this year.
Well done with your little artichoke seedlings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s snowing again right now…just a cm or two expected today….snow photos for a few more weeks I expect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brrrrr! Cold, crisp with deep blue skies. And future Artichokes. Happy Saturday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too!
LikeLike
Such beautiful photographs. -21 eek! Hope you’ve got your longjohns on. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was wearing them yesterday as I was out by the lake taking ice photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful snow photos (in both posts).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful photographs in the snow Chris, the rabbit tracks in particular. I’m thinking the UK is now unlikely to have heavy snowfall this year. We just keep getting warm damp weather, so I’m glad you’re sharing your snowy scenes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Katharine – from what I’ve been reading you’ve had one storm after another recently🙁🙁
LikeLike
I certainly don’t envy the snow or icy conditions you’re having, but the images are beauty – the reality best enjoyed whilst wrapped up very warm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I have spent much of the afternoon in front of a cozy warm fire!
LikeLike
I am pretty good with identifying even bare trees, but can not identify those. I see a few oak leaves, and a few maple twigs, but can not identify either. It all loos so foreign there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That wooded border is a mix of oak, maple, basswood, ironwood, ash, choke-cherry…. all crammed in too closely with an understory of the dreaded buckthorn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Basswood?! Choke-cherry?! RAD! The only basswoods I have ever seen were rare exotic trees in landscape situation. I have never seen a choke-cherry. (I don’t know what an ironwood is.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea of a snow run. Sounds lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was!
LikeLike
Lovely crisp shadows being thrown in your first (header) photo. They made me think of sun dials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I love playing with shadow….there hasn’t been much opportunity this winter!
LikeLike