wild tracks in the snow

wild tracks in the snow

along the creek -- whitetail deer,

wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel

Lozenges of dark water murmur through duvets of snow still blanketing Pilgrim Creek. The calligraphy of wild animal tracks punctuates the pristine canvas -- whitetail deer cutting heart shape prints in the snow as they come down to drink, the curvilinear script punched into the snow by the three-pronged feet of wild turkey, blossoms of cottontail rabbit toes meandering like wild rose vines along the banks, and the funny squiggles of a squirrel snuffling through the snow in search of seeds.

wings of snow fallen

wings of snow fallen

on the steps, melting under

a moment of sun

Descending the steps from the Argiro Student Center to the parking lot, I look up when the sun makes a momentary appearance between clouds. The dark wet pavement and angular lines of the stairs and railings contrast beautifully with the soft, curvaceous white snow. And then I notice the tiny rust-red highlights at the base of the white railings, contrasting with the blue sky. Funny how entropy, in the form of rust, appears like a beauty mark on a pristine face.

encased in ice fingers

encased in ice fingers

buds on frail branches suspended

in cold storage

Early March, more snow and ice than we've seen all winter. Snow melt on the roof during a sunny day freezes overnight into fantastic fingers of ice. Thick and heavy, the ice bedecks the wisteria vine with glistening swags and pennants, while the fragile branches of flowering cherry bend under the weight until the icicles hang sideways. The next day, only broken shards of ice pockmark the snow.

stark in the snowstorm

stark in the snowstorm,

bare black trees, black Angus cows --

the world in black and white

It looks like I took these photographs with black and white film, but that's the way the world looks, white snow, black trees and cows. It's been snowing continuously for three day, sometimes light, sometimes heavy. Temperatures have been wavering a few degrees above and below freezing, so the snow melts during the day, then piles up at night.
          The Black Angus have been hovering around the big round bales the farmer trucks in, pulling the hay down to eat and then sleeping in the dry grass that fall to the ground. About a month ago there were a dozen adult cattle in this little pasture. Overnight half of them seemed to shrink in size. I guess the farmer somehow traded adults for calves. Mighty cold for the poor babies trying to nurse in a snowstorm. 
          Four Canada Geese were standing on the ice on Osage Pond, but the moment I stopped the car, they flew off, only to land with the rest of the flock feeding in the corn field east of the cattle. You can see one of them flying above the cows in the bottom photograph. Later, several long lines of wild geese flew over, snow and wind pushing them west.

sun lights the solar light

sun lights the solar light,

heats the dark metal, leaf, stone,

melts the sparkling snow

Before today's snow storm, last week's snow was nearly gone, melting faster around anything dark, a leaf, a stone, the black metal post of a solar light. At night the little solar light, fueled by stored sunlight, spreads its solar-like rays on the sparkling snow. 

wads of snow cotton

wads of snow cotton

caught on the bare lilac bush

bearing branches down

Another late spring snow storm, tiny wet flakes falling steadily all day and night, plastering tree trunks and collecting in every crotch like wads of cotton, weighing down the branches. Beautiful on foot, dangerous on wheels, a good excuse to stay home by the wood stove, listen to music, read a book.

snow on the golden dome

snow on the golden dome

softened by sun suddenly

whoosh! let's go

Floating inside a circle of tranquility, practicing letting go. A sudden loud roar on the round roof as a layer of snow, softened by the sun, lets go and slides down the south side of the golden dome. No one even opens an eye. Silence outside swiftly returns to match the reverberating silence inside.