In Ivory.

There is nothing more enchanting than the first snow.
December snow is the most alluring precipitation, creating christmas card like atmosphere, adding to the the spirit of the Holidays.

We have been under a heavy snow blanket for over a week, as the first few snowstorms of the year swept over the country - the latest one last night - leaving us with stunning views of a winter wonderland. Yesterday the weather gods granted us a short break, with clear skies and a fragile sunshine, beckoning us to set out on a short drive through the white landscape.
The soft winter sun momentarily drenched nature in a platinum light, making the snow sparkle and the contrast between the alabaster white fields and the azure blue December sky so very obvious.

The ivory views passing the cars window clearly reinforced the fact that we have stepped into the third season and the reign of Lady Winter has truly commenced.

(All images in this post are taken with my iPhone through the windows of our car.)

Winter Pre-Views.

Some of you might recall my very long commute to the university. I drive a total of one hundred and eighty miles each day.

It is amazing how we humans adapt.

If someone asked me a year ago if I would mind spending each day three hours in a car in order to get to and from work, I would have laughed in their face and said "no way!".
And yet here I am today, doing exactly that which at one time seemed unthinkable to me.

I have mixed feelings about this crazy commute. When it pours down with strong winds, when it is dark and the traffic is heavy, the drive is a terrible ordeal. I arrive at my destination exhausted, my body tense and my mood somber.
And yet, there are times, when the complete opposite takes place, such as this week.

As the days grow longer, I am currently gifted with absolutely stunning views that pass my car windows almost every day.
Setting out, I can watch breathtaking sunrises, which bathe the low lying landscape in pastel nuances of a winter dawn. With only a touch of frost, nature carries a gentle hue of white and yet the arctic air which has swept over the country holds a promise of heavy snowfall.

Turning into the second half of its reign, the Ice Lady is determined to tighten her grip. Until snowstorms prevent me from driving all together, I enjoy the unblemished beauty of an early morning drive - my daily simple pleasure and a true natural wonder.

(All images taken with my old Nikon Coolpix during a recent drive to work)

The Open Sky.

Recently, I went for a walk in my immediate surroundings. I live in a hilly area, in the outskirts of a major Danish city. My house is built on a hill and in my south, the hills stretch even higher, giving me wonderful south bound views out of my westerly windows, but shielding my late autumn and winter sunsets.

To my north and east, I have an unrestricted view of the city below, with a glimpse of the ocean from my kitchen window. The image above illustrates the position of my house, as it can be seen from the hills above it. The blue sea is clearly visible, lining the horizon above the red roofs.

Within just a few minutes of walking, views out of this world are presented to me. The area where I live is situated near a bronze age burial mound, dating some 1000 to 1800 years BC. The panoramic outlook from its top is at all times breath taking, as seen on the pictures below. The vistas expose magnificent landscape, outstretched in all directions. Layers of hills, fields and green woods intertwined with small villages lie to the south. To the north, the skyline of a bustling metropolis can be observed, a major port and a millennium old city, established by the Vikings.

All of this is lined by an incredible open sky, dramatic and wide, varying in colours during the seasons, but always instigating a sense of unrestricted freedom and grand beauty.

Fall Flamboyance.

Looking out of my grand windows, I can see that my surroundings display the last of fall flamboyance. The landscape is painted in golden, red and copper hues, which shine in strong contrast to the alternate grey or deep blue skies.

This stunning display always occurs suddenly and is very short lived. Autumn has passed its mid reign, thus it's passion appears confined into only a few days of splendor, almost a showdown in colours of brilliance and beauty.
I relish in these last days of October, when I feel as if I have stepped into masterpieces of art, created by unseen artists, in lustrous nuances of earthy tones.

Before long, strong storms will rip through this dazzling, painted landscape, stripping trees and bushes of their ornate attire, leaving them standing bare, instigating a sense of late fall nostalgia...

The transition into the penultimate month of the year signifies a certain awareness of seasonal change ahead. Before we however move into the final part of the third season, October finale leaves us with a glorious, but soft daylight saturated by colours of mature autumn foliage and nights with lights of jack-o-lanterns, conveying the sensation of the mysterious and the esoteric.

(Please click the images to enlarge)

A Drive In The Countryside.

When I was driving back from the airport on a very early Friday morning last week, although my mood was somber, the drive home was simply stunning. Somehow the beauty of the nature around helped me to forget about my sadness for just a while...

We were up early that morning, it was still dark and the world was half asleep. As we headed south on the highway, we watched the sun rise on a pristine autumn sky, while the clouds retreated slowly. It was one of those unforgettable moments in time, sharing a simple yet beautiful experience in silence...
The air was cold and fresh and held a promise of a beautiful fall day.

When I was driving back alone, the deserted country roads offered stunning views and I could not resist taking a few shots out of the car. The beauty of the autumn countryside made the drive one of a kind.
(Please click images below to enlarge.)

It seems also somewhat appropriate to mention that I have joined the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by South Breeze Farm. I will post a single sentence each day, under the image in my sidebar, throughout the month of November, listing the things in my life that I am thankful for.