This was taken on our trip to Flagstaff last month. It was VERY cold, but the sun was out casting long shadows on the snow.
In camera multiple exposure
In the Shadows
Cold Alley
Spotted in Flagstaff on a cold day in early December when the sidewalks were ICY despite the sunshine.
Sheltering
The floofy little sparrows took shelter among the snow covered branches last week as the snow continued to come down last week. And now the snow has melted, and I’m thinking spring is just around the corner!
Keeping Warm
It’s this winter’s first (and last?) real snow day here in Prescott, and I’m enjoying creating portraits of our backyard birds. Notice how floofed up this little sparrow is as he sits on a branch waiting his turn at the feeder! I jazzed up this image a bit with textures, just because I can! I am a veteran of two cataract surgeries, both taking place in the last 3 weeks, and am getting to the point where I can actually see- with the help of reading glasses. The white balance of my vision is cooler now- an unexpected effect. With new eyes and the possibility of Covid numbers going down. I may be getting out soon to do more photography!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you all!
I spotted this little tree on our October trip to Flagstaff and had to stop and take its photo. It was snowing, and I loved how the little tree was framed by the larger ones. Despite being overshadowed (literally), it grew, and showed its perfect form when covered with snow. The little tree that could!
Thanksgiving Day
Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandmother’s house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandmother’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ’tis Thanksgiving Day.
We have something to be very grateful for this Thanksgiving- for the first time in at least four years we will have family with us on Thanksgiving Day! Our son’s family will be driving- not through the snow, but through the DESERT and over the MOUNTAINS to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with us! And of course we will be zooming with our Alaska family also. I hope your day is full of Thanksgiving blessings as well!
The Seasons Collide
On our last trip up to Flagstaff, we experienced two seasons in less than 24 hours! This is the morning after the huge snowstorm/thunderstorm which kept waking us up during the night. The snow was still lightly falling when I took this photo.
Snow Trees
Although there are signs of Spring, winter has not loosened its grip. Although this photo is from two months ago, I could have taken a similar shot this week. Snow is only on the ground in patches currently, but it has snowed more days than not in the last week.
Orange and White
This is from a couple weeks ago when there was still snow at Willow Lake. It snowed again last night, but it was only an inch or so on my side of town- and I didn’t see significant snow at Willow when we drove by this morning. I love the contrast of the white snow against the warm tones of the rocks.
Through the Storm
A view of the tree across the street through the snowstorm
Winter Evening
I had never been in snow until I went skiing in high school. For me, snow has always been something you visit, not live in. When our daughter was in her early twenties, she moved to Montana and later Wyoming. We spent quite a few Thanksgivings and Christmases with her family when they lived at Yellowstone, so I could see first hand what it was like to have real winters! And of course, now they live in Alaska. . .
But when we moved to Prescott, we got to have the experience of having snow at our own home- and I do love it. Our usual snowfall only lasts a few days and it’s really light. But this year and also two years ago, we had heavy, everything STOPS, snow- unplowed roads, no mail, no garbage pickup, and no way to get out- nothing to do but stay home and keep snow off the satellite dish. Thank goodness we had plenty of food and no power outages!
The best part of snow for me is how it totally transforms our drab neighborhood into a Christmas card! This image is from last week- shot from our driveway as night was falling.
Snowbird
Monday’s huge storm didn’t stop my backyard birds from hanging out by the feeder. During the worst parts of the storm. they would take shelter on the patio as their favorite bushes became engulfed by snow, but when the wind died down, they would be out again. I love the minimalism of this fluffed up little guy contrasted with the white snow.
Thumb Butte with Snow
As I write this, I haven’t been able to get out yet to take photos- fingers crossed that the snow plow guy will come later today. The photo below was taken a few weeks ago with just a dusting of snow on Prescott’s iconic Thumb Butte.
Then and Now
THEN:
The photo below was taken a couple weeks ago when we drove around town chasing photo ops on the third snow day of the year. As you can see, it was just a light dusting, but it still created a pretty scene. As we turned to to drive over to Granite Basin Lake, I spotted this perfect little tree ahead, and I shouted “Stop the car- NOW!”. Since no one was out and about that morning, we were able to stop, and I got this shot.
NOW:
Yesterday was our Covid shot appointment. An announcement was made that the clinic in Prescott Valley would be delayed by 2 hours due to heavy snow, which meant that our 2:30 appointment would be at 4:30 and it would mean coming back through the storm in the dark. Appointments would be postponed until the next week if we didn’t show up. What to do, what to do? Then a friend contacted me that they were accepting people in BEFORE their scheduled time (lots of people weren’t able to get there at all), so, long story short, we got there and got our shots! BUT coming home, the storm worsened and we weren’t able to get all the way up the hill to our driveway- so our car is parked down the street where it will likely remain all week. We have 1-2 feet of snow on our driveway and our yard has drifts of 3-4 feet. And snow will continue all week!
Wet hair, wet clothes, but happy and vaccinated!
View out the front door this morning…
Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow
It is a very snowy day. Understatement.
Usually I would delight in this beautiful winter day and not care that our hilly street isn’t plowed, because I could take photos or stay inside with my genealogy or a good book- BUT… we have appointments for our Covid vaccinations later today. Currently appointments are delayed for two hours, so we may have to be rescheduled. Trying to keep a positive attitude- like this flicker who is guarding the feeder (behind ) so no one else can get the frozen block of food.
#2021problems
melinda anderson photography 