Now—Winter!

On November 20th, the early morning temperature was +6°C.  It was a great time for a walk, so I grabbed my camera and headed out along the nearby Bow River.

There wasn’t any colour in the land, but the light was great so I found this image and captured it in black and white.  I’ve been waiting for winter to arrive, but so far November has looked like this—grey, colourless foliage, warm temperatures, and clear blue skies.

On November 24th I awoke to falling snow, with more than a foot already on the ground.  It was only -2°C, perfect for getting out for my normal Monday walk with the Cochrane Men’s Walking Group.  The weather was comfortable—not that cold, falling snow, no wind, and the silence that fresh, fallen snow provides.

On November 25th, I awoke to real winter—snow on the ground and the temperature at -16°C.  However, the sky was clear blue and the morning lighting was terrific, so I dressed quickly and again headed out with my camera.

The combination of new snow and hoar frost gave an ethereal glow to the scene.  Here are a couple of images to show off the beauty of that morning.

I don’t know why winter’s arrival each year seems like such an abrupt change.  I’ve lived  in the ‘shadow of the rockies’ most of my life, so there should be nothing new to me with an abrupt transition.

Nevertheless, I’ve not been thrilled about winter’s arrival in recent years.  I think this new emotion has something to do with my age.

In my younger years, which I now think of as 40 to 60, I would be annoyed at such late arrival of snow.  Cross-country skiing was my winter activity and I was always excited when snow arrived.

Now, as an octogenarian, I enjoy our long, warm, extended Fall seasons.