Catching the last rays of the day...

Better late than never they say, in a mad flurry we were all off after a long day of work racing the setting sun.

Despite temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, a sharp north wind followed us through the trees.

Even though it was a bit too cold for the dogs to be out long, sometimes their mental well-being overrides the weather. Domino especially was in need of some energy burn off, with Charm not far behind.

As Domino made off on his own explores, I followed the last rays of the sun with my camera.

Last night's snow covered up all the hard work the thaw had accomplished.

Light was a precious commodity in the first stages of dusk.

Setting leaves on fire like candle flames in the shadows.

And painting the trees with streaks of light.

Here and there flames of color where the light sifted through the branches.

And for brief moments painting ominous trees with a more welcoming light.

I am not sure what type of creature left these tracks in the snow but it brought to mind the tales of snow snakes from my skiing days...

So lineated was the light that it painted the shadows in blue tones and the light in warm tones and fooled one into thinking that warmth waited if one climbed.

Any attempt to capture it was washed away in strokes of watercolor.

The fresh snow made the ice deceiving and the dogs were naturally wary and steered clear, and it seems that the creatures of the forest agreed for the most part. Though the wind sculpted illusions of traffic.

The cold and the setting sun soon swept us on our way, my fingers frozen and Domino recalled from his adventures on the cliffs.

Captured leaves dangled like emergency lights along the trail. I always wonder at what force creates so many impaled leaves along the way.

I scan the trees for hidden owls, but the only sound in the forest is the faraway sound of a lone woodpecker.

Charm is anxious to be on her way back.

The sun creates odd colors in the snow and I am witness to the fact that snow is not merely white.

“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories”

Winter itself has brought me many warm memories this year. But there is never a winter that, as it draws to its close, I don't regret having been out in it more. It's always easy to watch winter through a window and easier still to justify why one can't venture outdoors. But it's something that is good for the human soul. We need a daily reminder of that more primitive part of ourselves to stay connected to nature.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer” - Albert Camus