Ying Yang: Winter's Help in Appreciating Spring

After countless dreary winter days with white gray skies and little sunlight, I was taken aback by the beautiful sunset last night.  The sun illuminated the sky and the clouds and created spectacular blues, pinks, and yellows.  Driving on the highway, my jaw dropped in awe and I realized that it had been a really long time since I had experienced a sunset like this.  Pulling into my driveway, I left my groceries in my car, ran inside to grab my camera, and quickly began taking pictures.  

I loved the wonderful colors in the sky as a backdrop for the dark silhouettes of the trees.

 

I also loved the striped effect of the sky behind the trees.

And another one...

The brilliant colors of the sunset against the dark buildings was also striking.

This picture reminded me of a similar picture that I had taken of a summer sunset in July.

While snapping pictures, I thought about how yesterday's sunset looked like the summer sunset-- another reminder that once again, spring would come.  And I thought to myself, "Hopefully sooner rather than later!"

I also thought that the level of my appreciation had been heightened by its contrast to the dismal, colorless sunsets of late.  In the summer I had gotten used to these types of sunsets.  In June and the beginning of July, I had eagerly grabbed my camera to take pictures and by the end of August, it didn't occur to me to take pictures anymore.  Now, it was as if I was seeing the sunset for the first time after a long, long sleep.  I started thinking about other aspects of spring that I am enthusiastically awaiting:)   I think that these happy thoughts helped to melt a little bit more snow and ice from the ground.
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To readers of my blog:   What aspects of spring are you looking forward to?  I invite all readers, especially new readers to this blog, to leave a comment.  Let's create a list from multiple readers to help us get through this last month of winter.

The Mystery of the Ice on the Branches

Several times this winter, my friend Grace and I have stood by the window in her classroom that overlooks the baseball field with trees lining the farther perimeter.  We have commented on how beautiful the ice looks on the bare branches of the trees.  Both of us have, unsuccessfully, tried to capture this image on film.  The ice on the branches is elusive-- existing in our range of vision but unwilling to be recorded and preserved.  It leaves us wondering if it really exists.

Driving to school this morning, I noticed how the snow highlighted the branches, shimmering in the sunlight and creating a magical effect.  I eagerly captured the contrast of the snow against the dark branches.  Taking pictures this morning before school went a long way in helping me to rediscover and appreciate the beauty of winter, especially since Snowmegedon 2011 has crushed much of that magical spirit for me.

While snapping pictures this morning, I easily captured the snow and the branches on film.

I began wondering if the ice on the branches really did exist or if it was just an illusion, a trick of sunlight that caused Grace and I to think that there was ice.  What I realized this morning was that it doesn't matter....

Sometimes just breathing in the magic and the beauty of winter is enough.  It doesn't matter if it can always be captured on film and if the ice on the branches exists.  It can remain a mystery.
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To readers of my blog....I'm curious about the mysteries of nature that you wonder about...I invite you to leave a comment and share.