The winter months can be difficult for many people, especially those who live in areas where we experience days which lack sunshine, daylight is abbreviated and punctuated by snow and cold temperatures. I like to use the winter months as an opportunity to slow down. This is a reminder I often needs as I can be like the Energizer bunny and go non-stop for days.
Wedding season has come to an end. Thanksgiving and Christmas come quickly on the heels of Halloween. December 21st, the Winter solstice, brings hope to those of use who struggle with the light shortened days. December 21st is the shortest day of the year. Everyday thereafter brings more daylight and the hope Winter will be coming to an end and warmer weather will soon follow.
Winter used to be a huge downer for me. I’d sit in the house and complain about the cold, the darkness and anything else that would cross my path. I rediscovered the outdoors through a return to skiing and snowshoeing. Snowshoeing fit my personality perfectly. I love the outdoors. I love hiking and I love the solitary feeling of being in the woods. I take a backpack and a thermos full of coffee, my hiking poles and my thoughts. I also bring a notebook and my camera. Several times along the path I stop to photograph with both my camera and my mind, the beautiful scenery laid out by God for my enjoyment. I hear snowflakes gently falling and settling on top of their dearly departed relatives.
As I make my way across the open field, breaking a path through knee deep snow, I look up toward the top of the ridge and I see it; “meditation rock. “Meditation rock” is how I refer to this rock which has provided me with countless opportunities to be introspective. The rock juts out from the ridge and appears to be ready to fall at any time. As I make my way out toward the end of the rock, I remove my backpack and ultimately my thermos. I sit and see other winter hikers below me. They do not see me. I am invisible to the world if for only the time I spend on the “rock.” As I sit I remove my notebook and pen from my backpack and try to capture the thoughts racing through my head begging to be written down. No one sees these words but I know they are there. They are my comfort. They complement my photography and combine to tell the full story; a story that words alone cannot capture. At some point I need to resume my hike. I don’t want to and a battle ensues within my thoughts. I know there is more beauty to see along the path but I am happy, content where I am. After a few more minutes I rise and replace my notebook and thermos. My backpack rejoins my back and I return to the path; the path used by others. I begin hiking and search again for that spot where I can find the quiet, the solitude and be comfortable with my thoughts once again. A smile crosses my face as I come to a bend in the path. I am familiar with this section of the path. It leads downward and comes to an abrupt turn where, as my eyes glace further along the path they spot a large stand of pine trees. I know these trees. They provide a similar sense of quiet and solitude as does “meditation rock.” As I leave the path my eyes search for another comfortable spot on which to find a perch. The sequence of removing my pack and its contents is slowly and thoughtfully repeated. I sit. I contemplate. I write. The feelings at times become overwhelming and I find tears leaving my eyes. I have thoughts of my grandmother who left us two years ago. I think of my family and the successes I have experienced. I think of the love I share with my wife and the tears of sadness turn to those motivated by joy and happiness.
The summer months accompanied by their long, sun filled days are an opportunity to get things done and to feel productive. There seems to be a natural slow down during the winter months. Weddings are still being booked but are not being photographed, especially at the pace they are during the summer.
Thanks again everyone for reading. I hope you find my photography and my writing inspirational. Please keep coming back and please leave comments at the end of the post.
Have a great Christmas. Be safe and God Bless.
Chris
The forces of nature get together to produce interesting sculptures. Wind, water and freezing temperatures combine to form some of the nost beautiful sculptures on Earth. They cannot be duplicated and as they are made of organic compounds and continue to be exposed to the same forces which developed them, they will change daily. As they grow and change they remind us of the frailty of life. Soon these sculptures will be gone and remain only in our memory. It is my desire to capture these memories for all to see as I have seen them.
I love trees. They have two very distinct personalities; the one we see when in full bloom during the warm, inviting summer months and the one we see during the cold, dark months of winter. The trees have shed their leaves, their personality and stand dormant as once great features of our landscape waiting to bloom once again. We often take these same trees for granted and pass by them without notice. We cut them down arbitrarily when they are in our way and lament their absence when gone and unable to provide us with comforting shade.
Three trees stand a silent vigil on the Western shore of the Niagara River.
Mother Nature’s sculpture as crafted by the wind and water.
More ice sculpture. i can get lost for minutes trying to figure out the exact combination of elements which helped to form such interesting sculptures.
I watched the seagulls from my perch at a nearby picnic table. The wind had picked up and began to ruffle the bird’s feathers; their heads tucked into their breasts to avoid the cold, windy assault.
More ice sculpture.
Additional trees guarding the shoreline of the Niagara River standing silently against the cold breezes blowing across the water.
This is my favorite. As a child I remember listening to Neil Diamond’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” over and over. If memory serves me, I needed to replace at least one vinyl LP it was played so frequently. I saw this seagull effortlessly coasting on the wind and I was transported back to the 1970’s and the song “Be” from the Jonathan Livingston Seagull soundtrack. it was very peaceful sitting and watching the birds take flight on such a cold afternoon.
A picnic table absent of people who, when the weather is warmer would be enjoying a meal, a cup of coffee or just the company of another.
It’s not often I see pigeons by the river. This group took flight as I approached. They are beautiful and graceful in their flight.
Here it is. The love, I mean the cake from Say Cheescake. OMG was it awesome. I actually got asked, as my eyes glazed over if I wanted to eat the fondant. I knew if I did someone would have found me huddling in a corner attempting to recover from the sugar coma.
It was an absolutely beautiful Fall day in Western New York. The venue was right on the banks of the Erie Canal in North Tonawanda, NY. I’m always thankful when I can see the sun and feel the warm weather extend into the month of October. Andrea had a wonderful day for her baby shower. I think it’s cool they didn’t want to know the sex of the baby. It’s so much more of a surprise.
This was my favorite book. I wonder if it’s available for the Kindle.
Andrea and her sister Sarah.
This was by far my favorite photo of the day. The baby shower was winding down and Andrea was discussing her long drive back to Philadelphia. She took a few minutes to herself and basked in the warmth of the sun and the beautiful scenery of the Erie Canal. She looked so content and happy. I’m sure she was thinking of her husband Brian who is a pilot and was flying a route and couldn’t be in attendance. I hope both of you enjoy the photos. I can’t wait to do the photos of the baby.
Kujo playing both sides of the ball very effectively.
Kujo was thankful his “O” line did such a fantastic job blocking and opening up running lanes. Seriously, this is a good team!
Kujo broke away from tacklers to secure some of his 174-rushing yards.
