Saturday, November 17, 2018

First Major Snow, Part II

I did go out sometime after that initial post (yesterday). My object was to try to catch the snow on the tamaracks (aka larches) trying to get the white snow on the yellow branches before the needles fell, tamaracks being coniferous trees that turn yellow and then drop their needles. I decided to take my compact camera because it is small enough to fit in my pocket when wet snow is falling.

I wasn't about to drive without snow tires, not even just around the corner. In truth, I might have declined even with snow tires.

So, I started the trudge. The sidewalks had been plowed. But some people did leave obstructing piles from shovelling their driveways. The one in this photo ↓ isn't too bad, but it was enough to bother me, and other driveways were worse. People can be thoughtless.



So, I switched to the road. It still wasn't easy, especially with my bad foot, but I managed.



As it turned out the tamaracks were a bit disappointing. While this one ↓ wasn't bad, it wasn't great, and it was the best one out of maybe the half dozen in the park.



This one was almost bare. Meh.



Deeper in the park, I spied some firs that were holding a lot of snow, so I broke a trail toward them. But it was rather tough going for the old man and his foot.



The trees were kind of nice and worth the effort, I guess.



I decided to walk even closer ...



... which led to this close-up, but I guess it was hardly worth the extra trudge.



Then it was time to turn around and head toward home, at which time some lower body parts began bothering me from the necessary lifting of the legs to get through the snow. This wasn't all bad as it helped to take my mind off my poor foot.

I had neglected to take my phone. If I had had a health issue, I could have been stranded for quite some time as the park was deserted. I do pretty good at remembering the phone when I head out with the car. Now, I must remember it for walks too.

8 comments:

Marie Smith said...

This aging thing is the pits. The photos are beautiful and worh the effort!

Shammickite said...

Probably all melting in the next day or so.

Anvilcloud said...

Possibly melting, but maybe not. In this region, snow sometimes stays from November to April. But this is early, so we shall see.

Should Fish More said...

I feel your pain, AC. When it's cold (minus 10 or colder) I take my phone when I go out to start the truck to let it warm up. Looks a bit like Butte except nicer and probably larger. Nice pictures.

Jacqui said...

I don't think we've ever had as much snow as that. In Britain, if we have a few inches, the whole of the British Isles goes into panic mode! Thank you for making the effort to show some lovely winter wonderland photos.

William Kendall said...

The snowy conditions are a delight to see.

I photographed a tamarack here at the end of October- the Museum of Nature has one or two on the grounds. It was at its peak in golden at the time. I know they tend to change colour later than the leaves of most trees.

Tabor said...

I have searched for just the right shape, color, lighting. Still you had a good walk and it was probably good exercise, but yes, we all need to remember to bring our phones. I am bad at that.

Jenn Jilks said...

Whoopsie, that reminds me of the time I got lost in the wetland, on my snowshoes. I'd forgotten the GPS. sigh.