My first stroll of the year through the woods. Everything is still, it really does feel as if we are in the deep midwinter. The chill air singes my cheek, the twilight falls even though it is only 2.30 pm. It has not really got light all day.
And yet I delight in the walk. The very deadness of nature is only a superficial perception. There are buds on many of the trees, a solitary squirrel is making a foray out of its dray to find a snack.
In front of me a cock pheasant scuttles out of a beech-leaf filled ditch and "chupper-chupper-chuppers" across the road into the field. As I walk back, in the undergrowth, I hear leaves rustle and can just see the outline of a roe deer moving stealthily, though not fearfully, further away into the bracken.
The woods are resting. It is good to share the peace of their slumber.
(As it was so dark, photographs today are "played with" a little, using the histogram (equalising) function of Paint Shop Pro. Apart from revealing the contents of the image, don't you think they have also acquired a dreamlike, vintage, hand tinted quality? - rather like the monotone woodland itself this afternoon.)
It looks as though we had a slightly better day than you did, at least as far as the weather was concerned - though probably just as cold. It was minus 4 when I set off to liberate my houseguest this morning, but the frost was beautiful with the sun just rising from a clear sky.
It *is* good to walk at this time of the year, isn't it? Unfortunately, I had things to do indoors today, or I should have wandered much further afield.
Happy New Year to you, Roz.
(sadly, Typepad will not permit me to give you the link to the images of my lovely morning! - in today's Skylight Diaries)
Posted by: Beth | Wednesday, January 04, 2006 at 17:02
Gorgeous photos!
Posted by: corrina | Wednesday, January 04, 2006 at 20:15
These are marvelous photos, Roz. Very atmospheric and gives me a real sense of being out there with you.
Posted by: loretta Marvel | Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 01:03
The photos are wonderfully surreal, peaceful and yes, a bit vintage-like. I've done a bit of this at times in Photoshop, and the results are always interesting. I can't tell you how badly I want to come see you and walk along this lane!
Posted by: Paula | Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 02:30
Beautiful photo's Roz. I know nothing about Photoshop but you had to have the good "bones" of your original photo's there to work with I'm sure.
I'll grab my scarf and ear warmers and be with you in a minute!
Darla
Posted by: Darla | Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 02:47
Great pictures, Roz. What a lovely road you have to walk on.
Posted by: sheila | Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 03:17
A peaceful stroll through your woods with you Roz.
Posted by: Carolyn | Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 17:12
After our rains, it is 80 degrees today--and still warm tonight. I enjoy looking at your gorgeous photos--manipulated or not. They do create a mood, I agree. But, dear one, since the rain and cold let up and the warmth has temporarily returned, the arthritis in my hands is ever-so-much-more tolerable. Don't think I could live very long where it's cold. Karma plunked me down in So Cal and I'm so glad I'm here. Do I want to visit other places, including Autumn Cottage one day. You bet your sweet ass.
Happy new year, Roz.
Posted by: Fran | Friday, January 06, 2006 at 04:31