The Beauty Of Winter

by Cathy

“When one sees the tree in leaf

one thinks the beauty of the tree is in it’s leaves,

and then one sees the bare tree.”

~ Samuel Menashe

What do you think when you look up and see a tree's bare branches? Are they boring? Depressing? Something we have to endure till spring? Or do you see beauty? Shapes? Textures?

I haven’t always paid much attention to bare trees. It wasn't until I began to wander more and more outside with my camera that I began to take notice of them. Then I began to really see them and see their individual beauty. The last couple of weeks I've taken my camera out and studied tree branches. Here's a little of what I saw.

I saw branches that looked like long fingers pointing toward the sky.

I saw multitudes of tiny branches springing from the main branch.

I have seen the shape of branches defined by snow.
(This one is from my archives. We've only had a dusting of snow this year)

I saw decorated trees with seedpods hanging from branches.

I saw mysterious branches reaching out in the fog.

I saw a squirrels nest barely hanging on to the branches.

I saw bunches of mistletoe that are usually hidden among the green leaves.

I saw twisting, bending limbs.

I saw evening light reflecting off the branches.

There is so much to see if only we would pause and look around. I hope you’ll stop for a few minutes before you go on with your day; go outside or look out the window and study the nearest tree. Marvel at its shape and texture.

It seems we here at Focusing On Life have been inspired by winter's trees. Just this week  Kelly showed us how trees can be our example in weathering the storms of life and Judy’s thoughts were on embracing the changing seasons. I hope you’re inspired by trees and our thoughts and images. I hope you'll find ways to appreciate the beauty of winter. Oh, and be sure when you find some of winter's beauty to share it in our Flickr gallery or use #focusingonlife on Instagram. We do love what you share!

Winter Wonder

 by Leigh

Oh Winter….you can be so blah.  You're cold, dreary, wet, icy, snowy…..blah blah blah.  And I haven't experienced anything like what you are doing to my friends in the northeast.  You make it easy to just hibernate indoors with a hot cup of joe while wrapped in a cozy blanket in front of a roaring fire.    You are like the unwanted solicitor knocking on the door and we pretend we're not home.

But I hate to always be a negative nelly so there must be some appealing qualities to you.  The thunder sleet last night was actually very soothing while I slept and my kids rejoiced this morning when they heard they were getting their first snow day.  But there are other things that I appreciate about you Winter.  You help us to see the bones of nature….the structure that supports all the obvious beauty that appears the rest of the year.   I can see beauty in you Winter…the tree silhouettes against a grey sky, the long shadows of branching tree limbs, and even the first little pops of spring when the crocus come up.  Instead of Winter woes I'm focusing on Winter wonder until Spring reappears.

"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming.  We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are.  They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse.  But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives.

~Gary Zukav

Winter Interest

by Leigh

Sometimes when it's cold and dreary outside it's hard to find the motivation or inspiration to get out and shoot.  We've had a few days without sun lately and I have hardly picked up my camera.  I haven't even posted to instagram (so you KNOW I'm feeling pretty depressed….seasonal affective disorder anyone?)

But knowing that today was my turn up at bat I knew I needed to get out and find something to shoot.  And once again it was a dreary sort of day, but as I ventured out in my backyard with my camera I started to discover textures like ornamental Kale as well as some beautiful color.  

I didn't notice many birds out although the squirrels were busy racing doing their winter prep work.   As I passed by the birdbath I was drawn to the reflection of the Weeping Willow branches in the bit of water left over from yesterdays rain.  It made for an interesting black and white.

The fall foliage has faded as the hard freezes brought the leaves down from the trees, but the leaf litter is so beautiful.  Nature created it's own composition for me here.  It's really not even fair to call it litter when it's this beautiful.  

These allium blooms have been holding on for a few months now and I think they are almost more beautiful now.  I'm amazed at how they have been preserved through rain, freezing temperatures and our wild Oklahoma winds.  Even though they are dainty and small they are strong and resilient.

This time of year the color isn't there to catch our eye so we have to look deeper.  We must slow down and look for the details, the textures and the shapes.  So bundle up and get out there and see what beauty you can uncover.