In the wake of my recent lament about our want of precipitation, I’m happy to report that three separate storms in the past week have brought some highly-appreciated moisture—in the form of snow. Totals varied based on location, but at the southern end of Colorado Springs we received a minimum of 8 inches (20 centimeters). Being housebound all of last Friday because the heavens never ceased to release flakes, I was determined to get outside on the following day, before another anticipated weather front on Sunday.
Nach meiner nicht lange zurückliegenden Klage über einen Mangel an Niederschlag freut es mich, daß drei separate Stürme in der vergangenen Woche hochwillkommene Feuchtigkeit mit sich gebracht haben, und zwar in Form von Schnee. Die Gesamtmengen waren je nach Lage unterschiedlich, aber am Südrand von Colorado Springs haben wir mindestens 20 Zentimeter erhalten. Da am Freitag der Himmel pausenlos Flocken fallen ließ, und ich die ganze Zeit drinnen war, nahm ich mir vor, den folgenden Tag im Freien zu verbringen, besonders weil die nächste Wetterfront für Sonntag vorhergesagt wurde.
On Saturday morning, I was greeted by azure and windless skies. A gleaming quilt covered the ground and mountains, and the boughs of trees and shrubs were flocked with glittering crystals. At Stratton Open Space, one of my favorite local haunts, which is situated nearer the mountains, even more snow had accumulated. Thanks to a few skiers and other hikers, a trail had been broken and I gratefully followed its meanderings. Up and down hills, in and out of stands of trees, under a nearly cloudless firmament I stomped through the white splendor. The sun climbed from the horizon toward the zenith, and as the thermometer followed suit—from 18 degrees F (minus 7 C) to the mid-30s F (1 C)—I sensed its increasing warmth through my layered garments. Listening to the chattering of birds, and watching little tufts of snow leave their perches and drift through the air and onto to ground, I felt even more part of the whole when some of them brushed against the exposed skin of my face with tender caresses.
Am Samstagmorgen wurde ich von einem azurblauen und windstillen Himmel begrüßt. Eine gleißende Decke überzog Boden und Berge, und auch die Äste von Bäumen und Sträuchern waren mit schimmernden Kristallen beflockt. Stratton Open Space, einer meiner Lieblingsorte, der näher an den Bergen liegt, hatte sogar noch mehr Schnee angesammelt. Dank einiger Skiläufer und Wanderer war ein Pfad niedergetrampelt worden, dessen Windungen ich dankbar folgte. Unter einem fast wolkenlosen Himmel stapfte ich durch die weiße Pracht, Hügel rauf und runter, in den Wald hinein und wieder heraus. Als die Sonne vom Horizont dem Zenit entgegenwanderte, kletterte das Thermometer schnell von minus 7 auf plus 1 Grad Celsius, und ich spürte die zunehmende Wärme durch meine Kleiderschichten. Während ich dem Gesang der Vögel lauschte, und zuschaute, wie kleine Schneehäubchen ihre Hochsitze verließen und durch die Luft und auf die Erde flatterten, fühlte ich mich noch mehr Teil des Ganzen, als einige von ihnen dabei meine unbedeckte Gesichtshaut sanft liebkosten.
“Winterwonderland” ist mir beim Betrachten Deiner Fotos, liebe Tanja, als erstes eingefallen. Ist das schön! Ich weiss garnicht, wie lange es her ist, dass wir so schönen Schnee hatten. So schön!! Liebe Grüße, Ulrike
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Das beschreibt es perfekt, liebe Ulrike. Es war auch bei uns eine Weile lang her, daß wir solche Schneemengen gesehen haben, aber da wir uns immer am Rande der Dürreperiode bewegen, sind sie herzlich willkommen.
Ich hoffe es geht Dir gut und Du hast die Stürme in Deutschland ohne Schaden überstanden.
Ganz liebe Grüße,
Tanja
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Ja, liebe Tanja, alles gut überstanden. Heute nach einer gefühlten Ewigkeit und 5 Sturmfluten Ruhe und Sonne. Ein ganz ungewohnter entspannender Anblick. Aber das nächste Sturmtief ist schon angekündigt. Ich hab’ da keine Lust mehr drauf…
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Das freut mich, Ulrike. Ich hoffe, Ihr übersteht auch die nächste Runde glimpflich. Ich kann mir vorstellen, daß diese Stürme nervenraubend sind.
Genießt die milden Tage so lange Ihr könnt!
Seid herzlich gegrüßt,
Tanja
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Looks beautiful. Funnily enough, this week winter finally arrived here too … at least half an inch of snow! Platypus Towers was cut off from the outside world for hours: we Brits are very bad at coping with “bad” weather 🙂 You guys are so much better at it than we are.
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I’m glad you enjoyed my wintry impressions, and glad that you, too, received some snow. I actually love getting snowed in, at least when one is prepared and doesn’t have to leave the house. I find it extremely serene to watch an entire world get transformed by winter. ❄❄❄
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These days we don’t get much snow in our part of the UK and it rarely sticks around for long. When it comes what I find magical, and slightly eerie, is the way snow muffles the ambient sounds of the world around us. Also, snow is a good excuse to indulge in a steaming cup of mocha or hot chocolate, the undisputed (in my book anyway) nectars of the gods! 🙂
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We usually hear the interstate from our back deck, but when I step outside after a snowstorm, it is often utterly still. Definitely magical.
I don’t think you need to wait for the next snowstorm to pamper yourself with either one of those drinks! ☕
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Brrrr… At least it’s ‘proper’ snow and makes everything beautiful. The last shot, of the bridge, is super.
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Thank you, Brian, I’m glad you enjoyed a glance at winter, even if it made you feel chilled. 😊
I love that bridge, too. It’s a wonderful motif regardless of the season!
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Herrlich, die weiße Pracht. Dazu der blaue Himmel. Mehr geht nicht.
LG Jürgen
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Genauso sehe ich das auch, lieber Jürgen. Der frische Schnee , die grünen Bäume und der lachende Himmel gaben großen Grund zur Freude.
Liebe Grüße zurück in das bereits frühlingshafte Hamm!
Tanja
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No weather is as beautiful as an icy winter, ever..!! This is the only weather which is acceptable for 365 or 366 days a year.. 😀
A good news indeed to cheer up the day..!! Thank you Madam for sharing.. 😀
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I’m glad my post helped to cheer you up. The combination of fresh snow, blue sky and sunshine is indeed heavenly, but I’m not sure I would want it for 366 days a year. 🙂
Best wishes,
Tanja
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Thank you Madam for your good wishes..!! Have a great week ahead.. 😊
(Hopefully, an icy week)
I love cold though.. The colder, icier and darker it gets, the more magical it appears.. 😊❄️
Abir
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Thank you, I wish you a good week as well. May it be as cold as icy as pleases you. ❄❄❄
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Ahh.. Thank you for your good wishes.. I wish it did snow here in India, but currently, it doesn’t.
Happy Winters to you though..
(I invite you to visit my blog though. There are a few articles on Russia, during Winters.. Hope to get your thoughts on the same.. 😊)
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So schön deine Schneelandschaft. Leider hat es in diesem Jahr bei uns noch nicht geschneit und das ist schade. So ein Spaziergang im Schnee ist schon was herrliches.
LG Andrea
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Ich stimme Dir zu, liebe Andrea. Nach etwas Schnee im November und Anfang Dezember, war es hier bis vor kurzem auch nicht weiß, und deshalb ist diese Pracht besonders willkommen. Mein Spaziergang hat mir sehr gutgetan.
Herzliche Grüße zurück. Vielleicht bekommt Ihr ja auch noch etwas Schnee.
Tanja
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Wow, how beautiful, Tanja. It looks really, really cold though. The perfect weather for hot chocolate and/or gluhwein. 🙂
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Thank you, Jolandi. It actually was quite pleasant. Even when the thermometer doesn’t climb much above freezing, the absence of wind and presence of sun made for a very comfortable outing. We live at 6,000 feet, so the warmth of the sun feels particularly intense.
But you are absolutely right, and I would not turn down either one of the beverages you mentioned! 🙂
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🙂
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schön! jetzt noch diese frische schnee-winterluft einatmen! tieeeef einatmen. hach, das tut gut! 🙂 viel spaß im schnee. 🙂 liebe grüße aus dem schneefreien berlin.
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Genauso war bzw. ist es. Nach so einem Schneefall scheint die Luft besonders rein, und das Atmen tut besonders gut. Und wenn dann auch noch die Sonne scheint und kein Wind weht, ist die Kombination perfekt.
Liebe Grüße zurück,
Tanja
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ja 🙂
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Your description and captures of your winter wonderland is beautiful, Tanja. 💗
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Thank you, Donna. That morning was pure winter magic indeed. 😊
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Wonderful, wonderful that you got much needed snow and moisture. How utterly beautiful it is after a snowstorm when the sky is a brilliant blue and the trees are still white with snow. Hope you get more, but not too much. 😉
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I know you can relate, Laurie. There are few combinations as aesthetically pleasing as fresh snow on green boughs before a blue sky. 😊
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Really and truly!
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Me again, Tanja 🙂 I didn’t see an email for you, and wanted to ask you a question. I am planning a 3-week trip this fall to Colorado Springs for the Aspen foilage and your area’s overall beauty. What would be your suggestion for the starting date of the three weeks? Mid-Sept. or wait til the third week of Sept.? Or end of Sept.? Thank you!!
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you can also contact me bayphotosbydonna@gmail.com 🙂
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Will do, Donna-probably tomorrow!
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Endlich ist dein Wunsch nach Schnee erhört worden!
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Ja, endlich, liebe Christa. Wie gesagt, nicht so viel wie bei Euch, aber wir freuen uns darüber. 😊
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Hooray for you, that you finally got some real snow. Too bad we can’t all join you there.
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Yes, hooray, Steve. The last time I checked, there is no obstacle (yet) between Texas and Colorado that would prevent you from joining us. 🙂
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True enough, other than scheduling. What I had in mind was all your readers.
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Beautiful!
By the way, do you ski?
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I agree, Neil. As far as skiing, I prefer cross-country. I haven’t been on downhill skis for decades, and probably would break a leg or, more likely, rupture an ACL, so I won’t take that risk. Don’t care for the crowds and the cost of downhill ski areas in Colorado!
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how much snow!…brrr 🙂
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Yes, but we really like it! 😊❄❄❄
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Loved your impressions of walking in the snow. Am I right in thinking that you have quite a number of “wild places” within an easy distance? That must be fun! Our last storms here in Massachusetts have been ice and snow mixes. Great for photography, but much harder to walk in. Thanks for sharing your “puffy snow” pics especially. I haven’t been able to enjoy near enough of that kind of snow this Winter!
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You are right about your assumption, Julie. We are fortunate to have access to multiple city parks, open spaces, and even a State Park right in front of our doorsteps. We are very spoiled, and appreciate it.
Until this recent snow, we hadn’t seen any since early December, so it was very welcome. I hope you will be able to experience a few occasions like this one in MA before winter is over. ❄❄❄
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Wonderful, Tanja! A day inside and a day outside – really great photos, as always. x
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Thank you, Nick, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. One day (if not a few days) inside followed by a one outside has been the prevalent pattern lately. Gotta make use of those bluebird days!
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Das sind wirklich schöne Bilder, liebe Tanja! Die müsste man in einem Buch veröffentlichen. VLG
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Das ist ein netter Gedanke, liebe Rosy, danke für das Kompliment. Es freut mich sehr, daß Dir die winterlichen Eindrücke gefallen haben.
Winterliche Grüße aus Colorado,
Tanja
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Nichts zu danken, liebe Tanja. Das Motto könnte dann: Colorados Winterimpressionen lauten? Es sind wirklich gute Aufnahmen – Du hast dafür ein feines Händchen bzw. Gespür.
Viele (eher herbstliche) Grüße aus Berlin. Rosy
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Dankend notiert! 😊
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Beautiful! I am glad you could finally get a taste of winter this season 🙂
As always, your images are lovely and make me feel as if I am right there 🙂
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Thank you for taking a walk through the snow with me, Takami. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes for the new week,
Tanja
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What a beautiful collection of images. I smiled at your mention of layers: I always know winter has arrived on the Texas coast when I begin putting silk over silk, and then adding a few more layers over that. It’s often the wind that’s the killer here; nothing is colder than a strong east wind off the bay. But blue skies, sunshine, and no wind? Even the snowy landscape can be as comfortable as it is enchanting.
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Thank you, Linda. I’m glad you enjoyed my wintry peregrination. I won’t leave the house without multiple layers at this time of year, and I’m always amazed how quickly I have to shed some of them, even if the temperature doesn’t climb much above the freezing point. Living 6,000 feet closer to the sun than you Texans near the Gulf Coast makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, we are not spared strong winds, though, and when they prevail, I don’t much enjoy being outdoors.
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Hooray! Ein wahres Winterwonderland, liebe Tanja! Was es da in Colorado zu sehen gibt, davon können wir in Berlin bei Frühlingswetter und Krokussen nur träumen. Bisher keine einzige Schneeflocke!! Viele Grüße, Antje
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Ja, das war tatsächlich das sprichtwörtliche winter wonderland, liebe Antje. Aber ich muß gestehen daß Krokusse keine schlechte Alternative sind. Die werden hier noch etwas auf sich warten lassen.
Ich hoffe, es geht Dir gut, und ich sende liebe Grüße zurück nach Berlin.
Tanja
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Das stimmt, liebe Tanja. Man ist ja des Öfteren dazu geneigt, das haben zu wollen, was es grad nicht gibt. Und die Bilder sehen wirklich sehr sehr schön aus. Aber es stimmt: Krokusse sind kein Grund zur Klage! Viele Grüße, Antje
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Really beautiful writing! Your images were so apt that I not only know how it looked, but also how it felt. I did a lot of shoveling that day; I should have gone walking instead 🙂
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Thank you, Andy. You would have enjoyed that hike without a doubt, but I guess somebody had to shovel that driveway. 🙂
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We got snowed in on Thursday, just when we thought Winter has come to an end. 😁 Snow days are magical. 😍
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I hope you are enjoying the snow, Nirmala. Winter here will not be be over for quite a while, and the same seems to be the case in your corner of the country.
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Winter? We’ve hardly had it here. Not much snow, not at all like your wonderful pictures, and only a smattering of truly cold days. We had some teens at night but the days are often in the 30’s and 40’s. Love your shots of snow contrasting with that deep rich Colorado blue sky. Glad that you finally have some nice snow there. We’ve still a month or so to see some but the forecast is not encouraging.
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Thank you, Steve, I’m glad you enjoyed my little wintry excursion. Until that recent snowfall, we hadn’t experienced any since early December either, so all this beauty with its inherent moisture was very welcome.
I hope that you might get a little taste of winter yet! ❄❄❄
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Oh, winter. I wish I had some of it. You certainly captured its beauty. Love the snow covered landscape and trees.
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Thank you, Otto. The combination of fresh, fluffy snow and calm and sunny skies made for some lovely motifs. I hope you might get some wintry weather yet before the end of the season.
Best wishes,
Tanja
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What a wonderland, so beautiful. It came late, but better late than never. I wonder if we will still get some real snow in Vienna this year. Nothing so far, and temperatures are up to 11 C today.
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The weather in many locations seems to be more unpredictable in recent years. I think all of us will have to learn to live with a changing climate.
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Very much so.
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Gorgeous!
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Thank you, Diane. It was a perfect day. ❄❄❄
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Ah lovely. This is the way I like to experience winter. 🙂
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You have mentioned this before, JoAnn. I’m afraid Florida doesn’t offer these kinds of winter days very often! 🙂
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I love seeing it in pictures. So beautiful. Just very cold 🥶
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Because we live at 6,000 feet, the sun actually feels quite warm, even if the temperature is around the freezing point (at least when it’s not windy), so it’s really not bad!
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I’m sure its lovely 😊
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It is. Sometimes I have to pinch myself!
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Jetzt ist es schon eine Weile her, aber dennoch möchte ich sagen, traumhaft schöne Fotos. So macht der Winter besonders Freude, mit blauem Himmel und Sonne! Die Schneehäubchen sind besonders hübsch 🙂
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Danke, liebe Almuth. Das war ein ganz besonders zauberhafter Tag, der inzwischen auch schon wieder wie ein Traum erscheint.
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