Sunday, February 13, 2011

Winter Beauty

Shorter winter days make it
easier to greet the dawn
and capture a stunning sunrise.

The drab of winter may seem pervasive.  Granted, we have to look a bit harder, but there is beauty to be seen, if only we'll adjust our focus so we don't miss it. 
 

Seeing is a gift that comes with practice.
- 
 Stephanie Mills  
Look for the pop of color berries bring.





Savor snowy details transforming the simplest scene...











  and tracing sculptural branches.


Inspect ice's glittery glow.


 
Spot abstract ice art. 
Do you see a bird in this scene formed by ice on my deck? 

Learn to see,
and then you'll know that there is
no end to the new worlds of our vision.
- Carlos Castaneda



Let little touches bring a smile.




See subtle color shimmer in the sunlight.








The real voyage of discovery consists
not in seeking new landscapes
but in having new eyes.
- Marcel Proust


Adjust your focus and enjoy the beauty around you.

13 comments:

Cat said...

Yes, to espy all the beauty that surrounds us is a wonderful goal - there is so much to see if we only take the time and we are blessed for it! Happy Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

Really pretty winter photos and scenes. I just heard that you live not far from where I am from originally. I hope we can meet sometime this spring when I get down in your neck of the woods.

One said...

Wonderful sceneries. You captured them very well. Didn't expected to see winter with purplish/pinkish hues. Excellent!

Donna said...

beautiful sentiments accompanying beautiful photos...very inspiring in all this white stuff...

Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens said...

Chris, I love the quote from Proust and try to live by that sentiment but not always successfully. Your photos certainly support it. Carolyn

Alistair said...

It is so true Chris, some of us really do require instruction on taking in the beauty that surrounds us.

Anonymous said...

Dear Chris, You are so right that in these days when winter is giving way to spring we must adjust our focus to see the amazing variety that Nature offers us. Your photographs are simply spectacular and really do bring out the wonder of these tiny details that we overlook so easily!

Janet/Plantaliscious said...

I love the way you embrace all the seasons and the unique beauty they have to offer. So much better than pining after what is not yet there or what has passed.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to enjoy the beauty of winter and it sure is helpful to have some warmer sunny days like we are having. Happy Valentine's Day!

Chris said...

Cat: One of the benefits of garden blogging - I'm more attentive to the beauty around me. I hope you had a special Valentine's Day!
GWGT: Thanks. What fun it would be to get together when you are in the area!
One: I'm glad you enjoyed them. There is more to winter beauty than snow, beautiful as it is.
Donna: We can all use some inspiration during the cold, dark days of winter.
Carolyn: It's good to have ideals to live by, even if we don't always reach the mark. Looking for beauty around us, regardless of our circumstances, is one most of us can grow in.
Alistair: It can be a challenge for the best of us, at times. Early February in Pennsylvania can be one of those times.
Edith: Thank you for your kind words. We need something to keep our spirits up until spring finally comes around.
Plantaliscious: A camera in my hands helps me to see things I may have hurried by, otherwise.
Ramona: Sunshine makes such a difference doesn't it? It's beginning to warm up a bit here in Pennsylvania, too, and it feels wonderful! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day, too!

Carol said...

Chris, You do show many beautiful winter scenes and poetic trees! Though I am tired of it . . . especially when seeing so many other gardens with lush blooms and harvesting food! I love your quotes and I do see a bird or two in the stunning ice etching. I love the yellow in the Weeping Willows. Lovely post!

p3chandan said...

What gorgeous winter scenes you captured, especially the 1st, 9th and last photos! So winter is not all bleak and grey but different hues of colour..you just have to look for it with your 3rd eyes!

Masha said...

You are a talented photographer, your pictures of snow in the branches are stunning, I can almost touch the snow... Is the tree with the red branches a Japanese maple?

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