Rain yesterday, snow today. I guess Old Man Winter has returned but I still prefer the softly flowing waterfalls to the big falling snowflakes.
Streaking Snowflakes
Picture of the Day for December 22, 2014
Old Man Winter must be confused with all the cloudy weather we have been having since now that it is officially winter, it is raining and melting the snow away. But it sounds like the snow will return soon enough, but in the mean time, I will dream of a warmer fall day on the banks of the stream in Houghton Falls State Nature Area.
A Little Falls
Picture of the Day for December 21, 2014
According to the calendar, winter has officially started, but Old Man Winter doesn’t know he is doing since for a while this morning it was raining, or actually freezing rain, but now it is snowing again. And snowing means another cloudy day which is about the fifteen day straight day of no sun – I am starting to wonder if it still exists.
Start of Winter
Picture of the Day for December 20, 2014
Since today is the last day of autumn, one more colorful autumn picture is needed especially since another cloudy dreary day and looking out at stark bare trees.
End of Autumn
Picture of the Day for December 19, 2014
You often hear about a curious cat, but calves are curious too and it is much easier to handle one curious cat than a herd of curious calves!
Curious Calves
Picture of the Day for December 18, 2014
With the “official start” of winter coming soon according to the calendar, even though it snowed on October 3 this year, I figured another autumn picture was needed on this cloudy morning with more snow flakes gently falling from the gray sky since it is still autumn.
Autumn’s Colorful Hues
Picture of the Day for December 17, 2014
This donkey looks as disgusted as I feel about the weather since the promised sunshine hasn’t appeared for eleven days now and with snowflakes flying in the air, I don’t know if there is much hope for any hint of sunshine today either.
Disgusted Donkey
Picture of the Day for December 16, 2014
The Amnicon River splits before the Upper Falls in Wisconsin’s Amnicon State Park, creating an rocky island about 500 feet wide and long, and the 55 foot Horton Bridge spans the river to provide access across the river. The bowstring bridge is historically significant due both to its age and unusual construction.
In 1897 and 1898, Charles M. Horton, while working in Duluth and Superior, obtained a number of patents for bridges that he claimed made them stronger, lighter and more durable. In addition, he said his design would allow workers to quickly assemble the structure without expensive machinery, tools and labor. His method called for using arched beams secured with hooks and clips rather than rivets and bolts.
The bridge was originally used as highway bridge and moved to the park in 1930 and a roof was added in 1939.
Horton Covered Bridge
Picture of the Day for December 15, 2014
Normally when the snow disappears, I would be out looking for the early wildflowers, but since it is just a fluke in the weather pattern which caused the winter snow to melt temporarily, there won’t be a chance to spot a blooming flower, not for several months yet. You might get lucky to find some foliage still somewhat green or a dry bull thistle head (which a kitten found and was proudly carrying in its mouth).
Still Have to Wait
Picture of the Day for December 14, 2014
You often hear the saying that ‘timing is everything’. Well my timing was off this fall, since whenever I had an appointment and would be traveling somewhere, either the autumn leaves hadn’t turned yet or in this case, I was too late and the leaves had already fallen off the trees. With a ring of trees encompassing the church, I imagine it would have been a beautiful view, but one I didn’t get to witness this year.
Although this view of the church might look very similar today, if there was sunshine instead of thick fog, since after two months of early winter, it was warm enough over night to melt most of the snow away (at least temporarily that is). Built in 1922, this country church still is standing proudly.
Saint Johns Church
