Friday, January 14, 2011

Winter's Hidden Beauty

When you think of winter landscapes, what is the first image that pops into your mind?

Something like this, right?

I took that picture last February, during a very rare snowfall here in Vicksburg, but our winter landscapes don't usually look like that. Instead, from mid-November through February, they look pretty much like this:

I know that, at a glance, it looks rather drab and depressing — but if you look a little closer, you will discover that there's a lot more to the landscape than there appears to be.

Hidden in and amongst all that "drabness" are berries ...

And tiny dried flowers that look like little stars ...


And all kinds of interesting grasses growing along the fence rows, which, I admit, do look drab — until you get a closer look.



And if you look past the fence rows into the woods beyond, you might see remnants of Autumn scattered amongst the trees.

If the winter landscape where you live isn't a picturesque snow-covered meadow or country lane, don't despair ... just look a little closer, and I'm sure you will discover, as I did, the beauty hidden within Nature's winter colors.

7 comments:

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Janie, You can always see the beauty that is hid from others. I used to hate our winter landscape cause it looked so drab and dirty, but have to admit after see your pictures it is a wonderland of God's beauty. Thank you for your sweet message. It is a joy to go to sleep with her sweet little simple message on my mind.
Molly

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Beautiful, Janie, and I love how you look for the unexpected and appreciate the little things. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed every minute of my visit!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

Great photos as usual Janie! I am ready for spring though!!!

RachelD said...

i'm going to have to get out more for some closeups---the view from all the windows is still SNOW, with shades-of-gray where there's melt or clearage.

These are just lovely, and confirm my life-long maxim: The Lord made them ALL flowers, and it was just mankind which presumes to call some of them WEEDS.

Tonja said...

Love the quote from Rachel!

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a huge tree, bare of all leaves, seen against a bright blue sky.

And, aren't the mixture of browns and tans and creams so beautiful? If we were going to make an arrangement for this season, that's what we would pick. Thanks for showing me these colors through your eyes!

Carolyn said...

Beautiful pictures of our lovely South, even in winter. I love the grasses and berries. You have such a gift in capturing beauty to share.
Carolyn

Sarah Knight said...

We get snow here in Michigan... trust me, I would much rather have your scenery which is what we pretty much know as "April" or "May" (assuming it doesn't snow again in April or May).

Some day when someone invents a system whereby all snow immediately and completely disappears from the roads (and let's say my driveway) — then I will see snow scenery as picturesque... until then, that winter wonderland whiteness just makes me groan.

I'm stunned that you have paperwhites blooming already (from your previous post) — we don't get anything in daffodil form until late April or early May.

Trust me, I envy your weather.