It snows only a few times during the winter months where I live and each year it comes in different amounts and intensity. I love going out right after a snow storm for a walk and a little exploration. It seems extra quite and everything looks so different when coated with a glistening white blanket of snow. But there is more, this weather event has given me an opportunity for a great exercise seeing, not only looking but really seeing. What did I see…I saw new contrasts, lines, shapes, and textures that weren’t there just the day before.

Excited in a nerdy sort of way I ran back to the house to grab my camera. I had my iphone but I wanted my SLR camera with the macro lens to be able to shoot up close and also, give me more editing options.

The first things I see of course are the big deciduous oak trees with their large leafless branches now outlined with snow that has brightened them to a new majesty.

As I walk along I quickly discover new lines on the fence posts, the shape of a simple branch and the contrast of the red leaf that I hadn’t notice before, now shouts out ‘look at me’.

Having a white background, shapes of leaves on this bush stand out with each leaf now outlined. The shape of wire fencing turns into an interesting grid.

Back around the house I find the clothespins all lined up waiting for duty but will remain idle until it warms up a bit. I love the repetition of the railing pickets and how the snow builds up the same all the way along to the end. Oh, and the ice sickles, wow! We don’t see that very often, confirming that it’s cold outside!

The contrast of the daphine leaves and pink blooms shows brighter than without the contrast of the snow and giving us a reminder that spring is right around the corner!

That concludes my exercise in seeing. It’s been fun but now it can warm up a little!