Natural Wanderings (Wonderings) #8
writing and photo by Elizabeth Robinson Sunday, February 1, 2009

For the past week our world had been transformed by a winter snow and ice storm. Today, everything is melting. The 9 or so inches of snow, along with an half inch of ice are softening up, loosening their grip and disappearing fast. The sky is cloudless, but there is the steady cadence of big ice water drops hitting the ground. That day of the storm, ice, then snow had been falling all day. In the afternoon the storm was waning my daughter and I went out for a hike. There is deep satisfaction that comes from sharing in the adventure and uncommon beauty of such a day. It was noisy, awkward walking as our boots punched through snow and ice. At the entrance to the woods we paused realizing that some icy trees might topple.... then into the tunneled entrance of bowing trees we slipped. Inside a few rabbit and deer tracks intersected our own and disappeared into the undergrowth, but mostly the snow was unbroken. The woods were hushed, white, and full of lace. Occasionally we heard the muffled pop, rustle and swish of an ice weighted pine as it fell in the distance and reminded us to keep a weather eye out and ears open. We felt both giddy and awed by the beauty surrounding us. Under stands of conifer bent especially low we would make a lumbering, whooping run for the other side. Honeysuckle berries of black and sometimes red hung over our path encased in crystal. The occasional warm brown edges of Oak leaves still clinging to their branches peeked out from under their snow blanket. The creek was a lovely sight, burbling between ice floes held fast to the banks. The water about as clear as you will ever see our mud and rock bottomed southern Ohio creeks. Every now and then, a small patch of icy emerald green Cedar and Pine needles poked through the snow covering and startled our winter eyes. Stands of mature deciduous trees cut an alternating pattern of dark and light. It was a day and time to treasure. Towards evening the sun broke through creating a riot of fractured, reflective light. Praise God!

See more of Loveland Artist Elizabeth Robinson's many works at ElizabethRobinsonFineArt.com