December 04, 2010

Spellbound In Snow.

We have stepped into the fourth and final season. As we turn the pages of our calenders to December, the reign of Winter is most definitely palpable in my surroundings.

I can sense her presence as she passes covertly by my windows, her icy breath leaving frost upon the transparent panes, crystals of frozen water in patterns and shapes, creating enchanted art.

Everywhere I look, a heavy blanket of snow instigates a sense of spellbound beauty and stillness - a certain kind of tranquility that is so very contagious. The only harmony in the air is the music delivered by the icy branches, while they move in the rhythm of the arctic wind. The contrast between the dark skies before a heavy snowfall and the white landscape comes across as intricately pleasing to the eye, as it creates a sense of fascination for this ultimate seasons fury and power.

Simultaneously though, Winter is a cool, reserved beauty, enticing us with her imperious allure. Occasionally, when the elusive December sun appears, moving ever so low over the horizon, while reflecting in the white landscape - the light becomes platinum and the blue skies promote an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.



(The below images are taken this past week, out of the windows of my home. The last two are captured with my iPhone from a friends car, while driving outside the city limits.)







34 comments:

Unknown said...

It looks so cold outside! Lovely though to see the many faces of snowfall. Keep the logs burning. Have a Blessed Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Loved the images! x

Loz said...

I got sunburnt today in 31 degree celsius heat - just shows how big the world is

Mimi said...

Beautiful words, Zuzana.
I love your descriptions around dark sky and white snow, and also how you describe winter sun.
And your photos? Beautiful too! You have some lovely views from your windows, I particularly love the one with the snow-clad trees.
December..love it!!

Elizabeth said...

Yes it is icy outside and the snow is piling up while the sun makes an attempt to show his face. Me, I feel like a vulcano filled with love.

S. Susan Deborah said...

How I love to see the pictures shot by you. Here we have been having a severe bout of rain. It has been pouring and pouring for the past week and a half. It seems quite miserable and dark. My God! I cannot but be amazed at the different weather conditions all over our lovely planet. And to think of all of us connecting from different corners makes it even more amazing.

Big hugs to you my dear, Zuzana.

Joy always,
Susan

Kath said...

How lovely! just like a Christmas card.

Brian Miller said...

sh your pics are lovely zu...perhaps i will be able to add a bit of my own today if we get our snow....

Sumandebray said...

can't believe how fast the year past by..... Last year were tracking the winter in your garden through your lens! And its white again

steviewren said...

I noticed that someone has a window open in the shot from your home. I bet that's cold!

The photo with the evergreen trees in it could be on the front of a Christmas card.

I woke to overcast skies and I'm so disappointed. I'm going to Arlington, a Civil War era mansion, today and I was hoping to take some lovely photos of it. A blue backdrop would have framed the white house so prettily. Hope you have a wonderful weekend friend!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous country shots! It pays to get out of town once in a while, doesn't it?

Stay warm!!

Di

laoi gaul~williams said...

beautiful words and pictures~yhank you :)

Myrna R. said...

Zuzana, the pictures of the snow are so lovely they almost make me feel like experienceing the silent blanket of stillness that is gifted by the skies. However, I must confess it's a fleeting thought. I'm not fond of the cold.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

So lovely....................

You have to be a writer, by profession.

Gentle Winter hugs...

Maja Miusow said...

in Pola(r)nd is the same, heavy snow everywhere and its very freezing, ok-it looks lovely I do agree, but I cant say that I like it.
keep warm& take care x

Hilary said...

Your words and images are captivating.. but I can't help but be secretly pleased that we're still without the white stuff.. for now. Lovely post, Z.

Unknown said...

love you words Zuzana. your winter is more advanced than ours. we have a light dusting of snow. but for sure it will be more soon enough.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures of your snow covered surroundings. Yes, it does look like Winter is there to stay for awhile. We had our first snowfall today and everything is covered in a lovely blanket of white here today. Enjoy your weekend, Zuzana : )

sprinkles said...

We got a ton more snow today. I'm not nearly as happy about it as you are though. Probably because I had to be out in it, walking through it.

Beautiful pictures, as always. I love that last one.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Beautiful words and pictures, Zuzana! It's really cold here this week, but it's only snowed once so far. I'm enjoying the indoor activites right now, like baking!

Have a Wonderful rest of the weekend!!
Hugs,
Coreen

Anonymous said...

What chilling, yet heartwarming pictures - is that even possible? :) As much as I complain about the cold, frigid temperatures, I AM grateful for the changing seasons - it makes me appreciate the beauty and wonder of mother nature even more...

I hope you have a relaxing Sunday!

((Hugs))
Christine

tony said...

Beautiful Photos Zuzana. My! That Sun is Bright....!Let Us All Use That Sparse Light Well! oxox.Tony.

adrielleroyale said...

Wow, what beautiful pictures!! Indeed, winter has made her takeover complete in your world as well as ours! The enticement is especially tempting for us here in MN when you look outside to a bright sunshine-y day only to be pushed back into submission as you step outside into the frigid -26 degrees Fahrenheit air. Beauty indeed, packed with a vicious bite! :) Stay warm my friend! :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful post Zuzana and I love the photos of winter's alluring beauty. We even felt it last night in eastern NC... the first time it's snowed in December since 1958, so they tell me.

Anonymous said...

Wow - fabulous shots! I do love the blue skies of winter and the icy beauty it makes... even though this past week has been extremely cold (-20 C) so less fun for fingers and toes!

Laura said...

The colors of the sky against the landscape are exquisite Zuzana...and your description of the wind creating harmony through the trees...I can almost hear it from here. Beautiful!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

You will definitely have white Christmas, Zuzana!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Dear Zuzana, I'm slowly getting around to visiting everyone after my unintentional blog pause!

I've really enjoyed all the lovely snowy weather this past week but alas it's thawed now! We had just enough gentle snow each day to keep the countryside looking magical but without the inconvenience of heavy snowfall disrupting the roads and transport. In some parts of the country however its a different story particularly in northern England and Scotland. Stunning photos and your prose is as ever enticing!

Hope you had a good weekend my friend. Stay warm and snug this evening.

Jeanne
xox

SandyCarlson said...

So thoughtful and beautiful. Thanks for sharing the snow!

I love this line:

Simultaneously though, Winter is a cool, reserved beauty, enticing us with her imperious allure.

A Plain Observer said...

When I first came to the US from a tropical country I saw Winter as what you describe. The light reflecting on the snow, the frost on the windows, the "smoke" out of people's breaths. It was beautiful.
Then it became old.
I wish I could still see it the way that you see it. There is so much beauty in it, I just stopped paying attention to it.

Rajesh said...

Fantastic shots of snowy world. Here even though it is not snowing it is very cold. So it will be unbearable there with all that snow.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

That last snap is so intriguing and SO COLD looking. I hope you have a wonderful pair of WARM boots!

The final season of the year? I feel surprised as I read it as the year has gone by so fast!

Claus said...

Snow!!! Look at those scenes! Simply gorgeous. Why am I always so in awe with snow?!! :o)) It seems so "unreal" to me, I suppose, not being something common on my side of the planet. it's been cold, and very windy and grey in the sky, but no snow! Thank you for sharing Zuzana! I love all the pictures.
have a lovely day!

Zuzana said...

Keats, Mel, Loz, Mimi, Elizabeth, Susan, Kath, Brian, Sumandebray, Stevie, Di, laoi, Myrna, Amelia, maja, Hilary, Doreen, LadyCat, sprinkles, Coreen, Christine, tony, adrielle, Gaston Studio, ladyfi, Laura, Philip, Jeanne, Sandy, Myriam, Rajesh, Jill and Claudia – yes indeed, the snow covered landscape is breath taking. There is so much beauty in the snowy kind of winter, which appeals to me so much more than the drizzly and foggy one, which we are accustomed to. Perhaps I like it because of my roots, being born in the mountains.

I am glad you enjoyed my photography and I am happy to be able to share the images of snow with all of you, especially those who have never experienced snow before.

Thank you all for your visits and kind words

Xoxo
Zuzana