Pure, driven snow – a beauty all its own.
An easy wildlife experience? That’s definitely the goal. Sometimes it happens but there’s often a wrinkle so it turns out different than I expect.
I was bemused by a comment from fellow blogger 23thorns who was teasing me this week. He said:
“It’s tempting to think your photography must be easy in winter, what with all your subjects being conveniently located at the end of a nice, easy-to-follow dotted line through the snow.”
Funny guy! I’m guessing he has far more experience with humour than with snow in South Africa! But it sounded like an excellent theory. I headed out to the country and sure enough I found snow. Lots of snow. Whole fields covered with deep snow. The trouble was I was missing the one thing necessary to test his theory – wildlife tracks. I couldn’t even get to the beginning of the process! The crazy part is I don’t think I have ever seen such a vast expanse of undisturbed snow.
As far as I could see in any direction there wasn’t a single wildlife track. How was that possible?
Prairie photographers learn to adapt and hope for good things to happen. I started walking out on the snow wondering if global warming was ever going to send us polar bears. Sinking in the snow quickly brought me back to the present. It reminded me that the snowshoes were safely stored in the garage.
The wind created interesting designs with the snow on top of an unplowed country road. I took the photo in the middle of the road and you can see where it goes between the trees at the top.
Undeterred, I plowed through more snow that was up to my knees and, occasionally, nearly to my waist. My wandering led me to some interesting formations in the snow. The fun part was that when I wanted a lower perspective, I just flopped down in the soft snow.
One time the snow was deeper and softer. With my camera in one hand, I tried to stand up but the snow felt like quick sand. I struggled to get my feet underneath me with the aid of only one arm. This turned out to be my wildlife experience – a momentary feeling of helplessness like a flipped turtle on the beach. Thankfully it didn’t last long.
Tomorrow I’m hunting for dotted lines.
I like the intricate design in the overhang on these snow drifts.
The requisite sunset photo at the end of the post. In this case, yellow snow is good!!
Krahnpix 
Ahh, yes, don’t eat the yellow snow. Beautiful sculptures in the snow.
LikeLike
Thanks. Sometimes the old advice is still worth following!
LikeLike
Sometimes these are harder image to make. You really have an eye for forms and structure. I particularly like the 3rd on that shows not only the shape of snow but the surface texture as well.
LikeLike
I appreciate the thotful comments. I saw the third image first and that drew me in to the others. It is hard to find the image sometimes when there is so much form and structure all around.
LikeLike
Dear friend, I loved the serenity of the yellow snow after the fearsome hollow created by the force of the wind, and the shark teeth look alike Which probably would frighten my young friends here.In my opinion it is beautiful photography.Regards, Ganesh.
LikeLike
Yes there is lots of serenity to enjoy alone with all the beauty. I am glad you enjoyed it too.
LikeLike
Beautiful, even the yellow snow!! I’m going to close out my day picturing you waist deep in snow, trying not to let your thrashing ruin the tranquility of the shot. (Does it sound like I’ve been there, done that?) 🙂
LikeLike
Yes it most definitely does sound like you’ve been there. Great fun. And at least somebody made a reference to yellow snow!
LikeLike
Maybe yellow snow means more to us prairie folk??? 🙂
LikeLike
You’re probably right.
LikeLike
I’m getting chilly just looking at the snow. I admire your bravery going out in that cold! The pictures are just beautiful!
LikeLike
There’s a well-secret that takes all the bravery out of it. It’s very simple actually – you just have to dress for the cold. Glad you liked pictures.
LikeLike
These unique snowscapes are unique, one-time sculptures of the wind. And you have preserved the art of the winds.
LikeLike
Well that’s more profound than I was thinking!
LikeLike
LOL, I wrote “unique” twice. That’s profoundly redundant!
LikeLike
Perhaps but that’s not what I was referring to. Preserving the art of the winds is a nice turn of phrase.
LikeLike
Thanks Lyle, and thanks for going out and capturing the free landscapes. Your images continue to inspire.
LikeLike
I’m addicted so I’ll keep going out. It’s always nice to hear someone likes them.
LikeLike
Beautiful semi-abstracted snow pics Lyle. Good luck next time finding the critters. No snowshoes or skis?
LikeLike
Thanks. Yes next time we brought the snow shoes and that worked a lot better. Critters will come but there always seem to be dry spells that make the encounters that much more fun.
LikeLike
Love winter and LOVE SNOW!!! Nice photos!
LikeLike
I’m with you on that. It really is special.
LikeLike
I love looking at snow here where I don’t expect to ever have to shovel it again! I’ll take my biting cold winds overlooking the Pacific any day over tromping out in the white stuff. But your images are wonderful to look at! 😀
LikeLike
Glad you liked the pics. There’s lots of people who live here that share your dislike but I’ve been won over by the beauty.
LikeLike
Way I figure it, I’ve had my share of blizzards growing up in New England and 14 years in the Utah Rockies. I’m very happy not to have to deal with it at this stage of my life. But you just keep on enjoying sharing it with the rest of us!
LikeLike
Stunning pictures!!!!! I like the winter with snow and ice !!!
LikeLike
Winter adds a beautiful dimension. Thanks for the comments.
LikeLike
I love the diamonds in the snow – I miss those from my time in the Cascades. It appears the only tracks in the snow were yours…
LikeLike
That sparkle in the snow is quite special. Yes I have to confess to make to tracking up the pristine snow but the next storm will wipe the slate clean again.
LikeLike
Wonderful post! And your shots – amazing! You have talent. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much. It’s been fun to look around and try to recognize the full beauty of the common things around here.
LikeLike
Snow without any tracks–fantastic. I look forward to the post that is just photos of animal tracks in the snow 🙂
LikeLike
I suspect that may be next. All tracks and no animal.
LikeLike
Oh! to be a leaf and skitter
over sweeps of drift snow
scribble tracks in a tither
and attest the airs flow
LikeLike
That’s beautiful – and true.
LikeLike
…a favorite fantasy as the melt seeps deeper towards my toes!
LikeLike
That next to last pic just prior to the sunset almost looks like a shot from the air over the Antarctic or something.
Very cool. Uh, I guess I mean cold. 😛
Well this sure counts as wildlife to me. Looks plenty wild out there.
LikeLike
It’s always interesting to get the impressions of people who didn’t see the scene. I had to go back and look at the photo a while to try to see what you saw because I knew that drift was only about four feet wide. And yes it was cold that day. I also discovered a minor opening between my ski pants and boots which reminded me that snow was wet, cool and melts quickly near skin.
LikeLike
I can almost hear the quiet. Nice post!
LikeLike
Thanks. It was a loud quiet!
LikeLike
The stark beauty of your images of snow really drew me in. There is a special feeling for me in being alone with nature, something very basic, almost primordial. I know that not everyone shares that feeling, but it is obvious that you do. I love the simplicity of the interplay of light and shadows, the beauty of the organic shapes of the drifted post.
LikeLike
Once again, you said it very well. There was a stark beauty there which definitely drew me into this wonderful natural setting. Even with just snow in every direction it took some effort to find the simplicity where light and shadows meet. And we certainly had the sense of being alone with nature out there.
LikeLike
Did you ever look back to see if the wildlife was following the big human tracks in the snow, keenly observing your behaviour?
Beautiful shots – snow is wonderful. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t know why I keep forgetting to look back which is where the action seems to happening all the time!! I’m glad you said that snow is wonderful, not everyone agrees on that.
LikeLike
Lyle, these images are amazing,that all of them.I love the curves in the snow, the shadows, the red twig. All I can say is WOW!!! How cold is it when you are out taking these images?
Cheers Callie
LikeLike
Thanks. The snow formations there were quite beautiful. The temperature was about -20C when we were out but there there was no wind which is often the most important factor when determining the cold. We were bundled up pretty good so it was OK.
LikeLike
Hey Lyle,
Snow formations combined with shaddows may be rewarding motives! Especially early in the mornings or late in the afternoon. As for tracks in the snow goes, it is an enormous help to know your games/tracks so that you may distinguish with certainty in what direction your pray is moving! 😎
LikeLike
Both excellent comments and they expose some weaknesses. I’m not much of a morning person so that leaves late shadows and my knowledge of wildlife tracks leaves a lot of room to grow!
LikeLike
Wow Lyle. I’m almost hoping you don’t find any more animals! I love these images. I esp. like the first one, totally abstract, reminds me of long exposures of water flowing over rocks…
And the fourth image, where the snow drifts along the road look like frozen waves. Very trippy.
Nicely done! 🙂
RPRT Photo
LikeLike
I appreciate that … but I still haven’t given up on wildlife! The first one was my favourite as well. The shadows from the trees just added a finishing touch to an abstract, dreamy look. Thanks for the feedback.
LikeLike
Untouched snow can be very beautiful. Especially if it has been blown around. You will find many interesting formations that really show the power of the wind.
LikeLike
So true. It really is amazing what the wind can do.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos. I could not figure out whether that was dangerous or not?
LikeLike
Thanks. No real danger at all – just the potential to look rather silly but there wasn’t exactly a huge audience.
LikeLike