Winter Close-up

If you're not from the tundra, you might be inclined to think two thoughts about winter here:

Cold.

Snow.

While we have our fair share of both of those,

the conditions can vary tremendously, and the types of beauty with them.

Today the wind had the fresh snow swirling, 

whipping the flakes right into that window on the left.

It is not often that the temperature and conditions are such

 that the flakes sit there for a few minutes before they melt or blow away.

But today they did, at just the time when the light was perfect.

And I was here for it.

I do not have the ideal equipment and skills for photographing snowflakes.

This guy does.  If you are even remotely captivated by the beauty in these,

you should go check his out.

He will tell you all the science behind them and everything.

There is no perfect snowflake.
They all grow in certain ways for certain reasons,
partly because of their beginning (what type they are),
and partly because of what happens to them on their journey.

So much like us!

I spent probably twenty minutes shooting before the clouds broke.

and the sun was melting the flakes too quickly for me to shoot them.

I love the tree skeleton shadows it made on the snow. 

Blue shadows.

The sky, the colors, the frost, the weight and texture of the snow,
they all depend on temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover.

The birds love to hang out in our yard,

where they know they'll find food at this time of year.

They are entertaining companions!

I love how they can hang on by their toenails.

Sometimes if feels like that's what we're doing too. 

Let me answer that for you.

Yes.

You totally are. Treasured by God. 

Winter.
Some days it's really not our friend.
Thank God for the days that make up for those.