Winter trees in Daydreaming on the Porch
- Jan. 23, 2021, 4:08 a.m.
- |
- Public
This is the time of winter I look forward to here along the coast of South Carolina. Winters are generally very mild with the coldest weather occurring from late December to about the middle of January. So the worst is behind us, though we could get some weather around freezing in February. But today was the kind of day we live for, and we will have many weeks, at least through April, like this: temperatures in the mid 50s to mid 60s, sunny blue skies, and light breezes, day after day in succession. It’s perfect weather for walking. Today in the park I felt like I could have walked for miles. So invigorating, so perfect, and beautiful camellias lined the pathways.
Last week the last of the Autumn leaves departed their resting places on the branches of the park’s tall and majestic oak and pecan trees. Now for the first time the trees are bare against the blue skies, and I have that distinct feeling of winter. The only thing we lack is snow, and how magical the park would be with the limbs of trees and the ground covered by a soft layer of powdery white snow. Ah, to dream of a winter wonderland! Well we can’t have that, but the lofty bare tees are a good enough reminder that we are passing through the short days of winter.
I’ve always been struck by the beauty of bare winter trees. Forty years ago I recorded this in my journal:
November 28, 1979
House suddenly it seems the winter trees are bare, and the cold season is here once again, the season of contrast. Stark tree against clear sky, it’s bold outlines tracing the most elegant network of reaching veins. I love this time of year, primarily because of this contrast. Everything becomes the tree’s companion in the frame, a beautiful winter composition. TheFall proceeded with an intermittent splashing of muted oranges and reds, then the brilliant yellows of hickories everywhere. How wistfully I savored this color, with the growing awareness that each day farther into November, it’s spectacle would be diminished. Finally, the last crisp, brown dead leaves clinging tenaciously to branches lose their grip in the slightest beckoning wind, which calls to them on their way to rest in the dankness of the earth which they become.
An album of winter trees
https://www.flickr.com/gp/camas/5LEmN6
Last updated January 23, 2021
Jinn ⋅ January 23, 2021
Winter can be beautiful but I do not like it ; not one bit :-)
Oswego Jinn ⋅ January 23, 2021
I love winter here because most of the time it’s like a very cool Spring! 😌
Telstar ⋅ January 23, 2021
I'm definitely a fall and winter guy............
Oswego Telstar ⋅ January 23, 2021
I’m a Spring bud!
ODSago ⋅ January 23, 2021
Great to know you are enjoying warm weather, too, as we in FL are. What a good topic, too. I have worked in the side yard's garden today...joyously, so.
I meant to go to the small plant store nearby but it again showered and I had calls. I so want some orchids inside the hours and another butterfly bush for the yard. Will you keep the outside plants in your yard going this spring? I remember I believe that there are bulbs and flowers in the yard.
ConnieK ⋅ January 23, 2021
Beautiful tribute. I think the sight of bare trees against a winter sky as stark and beautiful, much like a Wyeth painting.
Oswego ConnieK ⋅ January 23, 2021
That’s a real interesting analogy. I always have been intrigued by Wyeth’s work.
ConnieK Oswego ⋅ January 23, 2021
Andrew is my favorite. :)
Marg ⋅ January 26, 2021
Beautiful trees - I especially liked the one beside a window which looked like it had a flurry of Ivy falling through it! :)
Oswego Marg ⋅ January 27, 2021
Thank you. They are so magically special and different in winter!