“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
― Anne Bradstreet

This day, February 29, a leap day, was yet another opportunity for me to get outdoors and spend some time enjoying the fresh fallen snow. It was a rather crisp day, with a temperature of -13 C, calm, and bright. I figured that the cold temperatures might keep many people indoors, and I was right.

When I got to the trailhead, there was not a single car in the lot and the trails were completely untouched. I had brought my snowshoes along because the 30 cm of fresh snow we received over the previous two days would not provide an easy walk. I was wise in choosing this option because even with snowshoes on, I found myself breaking fresh trail through deep powdery snow for the entire 5 km hike, high stepping the entire way. It was exhausting yet exhilarating at the same time.

To walk through this winter world in solitude and experiencing the simple things like the sound of the sound of snow puffing and crunching underfoot, the eerie crackling of the trees in the deep cold, and the soft flitter of birds high above is refreshing to me.

Because the snow was so deep, I had plenty of opportunities to simply pause, rest, and listen as I caught my breath. It also offered the opportunity to make a few photos as I stood on the trail surveying my surroundings and made me realize just how deep the snow was by the newly packed trail behind me.

The photo I chose today is looking back at the trail after having emerged from the forest into a small clearing. You can see my path between the trees.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD @ 70 mm
1/4 sec, f/32.0, ISO 200

For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com