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| Zelkova tree with snow blossoms. |
A few inches of snow fell some days ago--the kind that clings to everything, transforming branches into fantastic sculptures of snow that look like blossoms. I was busy painting in my studio when all of a sudden, near sunset, I noticed the quality of the light change perceptibly--the clouds had lifted to allow a sunbeam to illuminate the scene! Such rare beauty is not an every-day occurrence in our area. I quickly got my camera and coat and ran outside to capture the magic.
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| My back yard in the snow. |
In my haste, I didn't take the time to get a tripod, so the focus is not too great in these shots, but time was of the essence, as the effect lasted only a few minutes before the sun went back behind the clouds. The colors and forms of the snowy branches are so lovely, I decided to post the photos anyway.
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| The front yard. |
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| The west side yard. |
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| Front yard the next morning |
It's interesting to study my garden covered with snow in the midst of winter--it allows me to plan for future landscaping by seeing how the plants give structure to the space: where evergreens could be used to advantage, or where there's a need for a bit of color, or an unusual form. I wish my winter berry hollies (Ilex) would fruit, their red berries would be a welcome color accent, but alas, with such alkaline soil, it's a constant battle to keep these acid-loving hollies happy. Eventually, I hope to create a balance that will satisfy both the plants and the eye.
