At this time of year, particularly during a winter such as this when rain and snow and ice are frequent occurrences, my mind often turns to the Eskimos and their expansive vocabulary for snow.  When a person spends serious time with a snow shovel or walking in the snow, it doesn't take long to realize why that is the case.  Temperature, moisture content, wind, and humidity contribute to the quality of snow.  Sometimes, we have snow, such as during the past three days, that is extremely wet, and sometimes it falls as the beautiful powder for which Rocky Mountain ski areas are known.  There are days when we take a shovel full of snow, and, given a pour of sugary syrup, you would have snow cones.

The way snow lands on elements of the existing environment provides endless photographic opportunities.  Here are a few of the latest studies, shot under mostly overcast skies, and/or fog.  The bunch of grass below has just enough color to set it off from the snow. 

Winter study - grasses in snow

Nothing like the twisted branches of a wisteria vine to hold snow in the most lovely way

winter study - snow on wisteria

Evidence that despite the cold temperatures and snow, lichen are still quite active.

rock, lichen, snow

Finally, a couple of shots of a sawhorse, the equivalent of lawn furniture in the rural west

sawhorse in snow, black and white

winter study - sawhorse in snow

As the snow continues to nourish the land, I also cherish the nighttime hours, reading the book Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides, about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.  We honor him and his legacy today.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@