On a snowy morning, the horses frolic like kids out of school.
Snow started about 6:45, just as we entered town after driving through sleet/rain from Leander, where we’d dropped M- off at the bus terminus. It’s snowed off and on all day. Beautiful clean country snow, melting underneath from the warmth of the ground, but still…lovely. Took a long walk this afternoon, up to Fox Pavilion in the dry woods, down the north fenceline to the creek, and into the creek woods, then home along the south fenceline.
The pasture gate, morning
This was taken about two or three hours into the snowfall.
Dry woods swale in snowfall, afternoon
I stood in the wind-shadow of a large live oak to take this, and even so some snow was eddying in under it, though the ground on this downwind side was bare.
Looking south from Fox Pavilion, afternoon
Looking west from Fox Pavilion, afternoon
From under Fox Pavilion’s roof, I could take pictures with less risk to the camera; this clearly shows Ashe junipers (“cedars”) heavily loaded with snow, and bent over. They provide excellent winter storm cover for small birds; the ground underneath often stays clear of snow.
Looking south across the West Grass, between the Dry Woods and the creek
The darker line of trees on the right is the Creek Woods, trending south and widest at the south end; the creek woods meets the fencerow trees on the south fenceline (here about a quarter mile away.) Grass composition varies across this area, and there are old terraces involved, too.
North Ford of creek, near north fenceline
Once more I sheltered under a tree (this time an Ashe juniper) to get the camera ready and then stepped out to take this. The creek flows from right (north) to left (south) with many twists and turns–there’s a sharp turn about 20-30 yards upstream, and just below the ford.
Comment by Abigail Miller — February 24, 2010 @ 12:09 am
What footgear works for you for tramping around in the snow, and mud, and standing-water-in-the-grass? Wellies? are they comfortable for long walks? L.L. Bean rubber-footed boots?
I just have cheap walking shoes, and generally accept that if I go where it’s wet, I’ll have to dry out. But recently, with the rain, and ten inches (!!!) of snow two weeks ago, EVERYWHERE’s wet. It’s inhibiting.
Comment by AJLR/ajr595 — February 24, 2010 @ 5:53 am
It’s strange, isn’t it, seeing countryside that one knows well in just monochrome. It has it’s own beauty but it also makes me very thankful I can see colour!
Comment by elizabeth — February 24, 2010 @ 7:28 am
I’m wearing 30 year old Red Wing rubber boots, purchased at the local hardware store in, um, 1979. They’re not really comfortable anymore (understatement) and I need to get something else…also, with age they started splitting down the back seam. I’m looking at real Wellies, because they seem to have a slightly upturned toe, which I need (my toes turn up) and I’d really like something I can put an orthotic in, similar to those I wear in shoes.
Comment by Doranna — February 24, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
Looks like you had fun out there!
Comment by elizabeth — February 24, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
Had more fun this morning, going out in the brilliant sunshine before everything melted. See next post (to which I’m about to try adding pictures.)
Comment by Jenny — February 28, 2010 @ 1:54 am
Re the Wellingtons, check to see if Lands’ End still carries them. I bought mine there years ago and have taken them with me to England, South Africa and New Zealand. They’re so handy and have been through everything.
Comment by elizabeth — February 28, 2010 @ 8:06 am
Good to know. I’ve looked at them in the LL Bean catalog (haven’t seen them in Lands End since it changed hands) and they looked as if the toes had more room.