Friday, January 14, 2011

Winter & Light

I've always enjoyed living with four distinct seasons, even though I do a fair amount of grousing about the cold and snow in the wintertime. (Of course, I never complain about the heat and humidity in the summer...) I like to think that I have a good appreciation of the winter landscape. The last several days, though, have been very cloudy. We've had some fresh snowfall; very minor accumulations but enough to keep everything looking clean. But I'm realizing that without the sun, the winter beauty does not pop.

I grabbed a quick photo this afternoon when I got home from work. It may not be the most beautiful photo of winter, but I think this one nails today on the head. I feel like this is what it looked like all day today - rather dull and monochromatic.

Winter Milkweed

This is common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Even though most consider it to be a weed, I have to admit that I'm fascinated by the seed pods of this plant. I also think the flowers are rather nice as well. Now, if it just wasn't so darn hot when those flowers bloom!

4 comments:

  1. Like the milkweed photo. Have lots of that in my garden since I have a "monarch feeding station" for them as they move through going North or South. Here on Lake Michigan have much the same weather as you, with maybe even more snow. Oh well, it is winter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, if I had snow it would cover up the mud ! On the other hand I WALAT'ed tonight without a jacket on. Trade offs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The pods are very decorative. If you're ever feeling particularly craftsy you can use them very effectively in dried wreaths.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The wreath sounds like a great idea, thanks!

    ReplyDelete