Seeing beauty in the cold winter

Story and photos by Rose Collison.

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays but a memory, most are tired of snow and cold weather. Time to take a few moments to appreciate the winter in our local area.

There is beauty to the snow and ice if we pause to notice. Going out to feed the different birds often proffers a glimpse of deer and rabbit tracks in the snow as the creatures search for a bite of food. The sight of bright red cardinals in snow-covered trees and little chickadees flitting about feeders can be invigorating. At times, chickadees, made bold through hunger, may settle on the feeder as we fill it. Others grab a sunflower seed and whisk off.

Snow glistens in the sunshine, and some call the sparkles snow fairies dancing. Frost on the trees in the morning can be breathtaking. Every now and then, stop for a few seconds and take in the charm of winter. It awaits.

A cardinal nestles in a snow-covered pine.

Ice crystals reflect early morning sunlight.

Deer in a field on are edge at the photographer’s presence.

The sun rises to warm a cold morning.

Snow glistens in the sunshine, and some call the sparkles snow fairies dancing.

Some people say the glistening snow are snow fairies dancing.

Frost coats the trees.

A rabbit leaves tracks in the snow.

Fog comes in.

Deer tracks left behind in the search for food.