Frosty Morning

The thermometer at my house this morning read -30F.  The radio said that it was -38F in some places near here. That's the coldest we've seen in several years. I drove Diane to work and coming back across the Racquette River in Potsdam I saw this frost and mist as I crossed the bridge from Fall Island. Whoever left those tracks trusts ice farther than I would but they do add an interesting element to the photo.

I Should Have Washed That Window

I put the storm windows on rather late this year and in my hurry to get it done I didn't wash the windows first. Darn!

This afternoon a pair of deer wandered into the yard to munch on the remains of dead plants sticking up through the snow. I'm not a wildlife photographer but when it waltzes into my yard and poses I'd be a fool to pass it up. I watched this doe and fawn for 10-15 minutes as they wandered and fed on dead plants and seeds that were on the ground under the bird feeders. Most of the views are cluttered with shrubs, fence and the bird feeder post but as they were leaving they stopped in the side yard for mom to clean junior's face. They realized I was watching them and looked toward me for one last photo with a nice clear background.

Photo taken with my Canon G10. I had to do some burning in where white film on the window made light spots but for a serendipitous photo through a dirty window, it's not half bad. Thank you deer for gracing my day with your presence.

Prints or publication rights available. 

Warm Fingers All Day

It was a chilly morning and only got up to about 15º today. My first job was to clear the 3" of snow that fell yesterday & last night.  I put some Hot Hands (dry chemical packets that generate heat) into my gloves to keep my hands warm while running the snow blower. Two hours later I had cleared the driveway, walks and the walkway on the bridge over the river. I put out seed for the birds. They need all the help they can get this time of year. After lunch and some indoor chores I went to the State Forest to do some snowshoeing. The Hot Hands were still warm so I threw them into my mittens. As I was coming out the last stretch I met two women just starting with their dogs who were cavorting and generally enjoying the outing. The older woman was already having problems with her fingers getting cold so I pulled the Hot Hands out of my mits and put them in her mits. Then I came home to some homemade peanut butter fudge and hot tuna casserole with biscuits. Life is good.

The photo was taken with the Canon G10. It has been modified in a Topaz filter to protect the identities of the innocent and because I like the effect.

Snowshoe Sunset

For several days I've been going snowshoeing in the Southville State Forest on the River Hill Trails. I went later than usual today and was on the lower section by the river, where there is a nice grove of cedars along the river edge, when the sun was dropping behind the trees on the opposite shore. As usual on an outing like this I was carrying the Canon G10. I composed this to catch both the sun and its reflection off the water on opposite sides of this old leaning cedar.

Another Snowy Walk

Back in December I posted a photo that I had taken on my daily walk during a snowstorm back in 2005. This afternoon I was out walking in a snowstorm again and grabbed this shot as a pickup truck was coming though the hollow I was headed toward. I thought it captured the mood nicely.

New Photo Series

The photos I posted on the 30th have turned into a new series that is probably destined to grow. I have put up about two dozen so far on Picasaweb including the one above. Comments welcome. Prints are available.