Copper Planter © 2007
There are 16 of these huge planters flanking the doors of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building, and the state fathers are most kind and budget money for lovely flowers to decorate our Capitol. In spring the planters are filled with tulips, in summer, pink petunias and in fall, lovely yellow chrysanthemums. But in winter, Mother Nature gets in the act and she fills the containers with lovely mounds of snow. (No charge!)
State Capitol Building, Madison WI
Rotunda, Wisconsin Capitol © 2007
A early morning trip to the Wisconsin State Capitol Building in downtown Madison yielded some interesting photographs and designs. This was a warm place to be on another snowy, blowy, cold winter’s day.
Icicles © 2007
Whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles
Quietly shining to the quiet moon.
~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Icicles at -7˚F. They are not dripping. They’re not even anticipating dripping. They’re very, very cold. Another winter scene from Owen Conservation Park in frigid Madison, Wisconsin
Winter Lights © 2007
World of illusion
Black and white, and white, and white.
Illumination
Snowfall in Madison, WI as of December 6th, 2007: 6 inches of snow followed by a one inch ice layer followed by another 6 inch snowfall. This makes for interesting walking. Either you sink into 6 inches of snow and slide on the ice, or you sink into 6 inches of snow, crack through the ice and lurch forward as you drop another 6 inches. This photograph was taken only 5 steps from my back porch. Maybe you can understand why I chose to go no further than 5 feet for a photo. On the positive side, I only fell once.
Ah, winter. I celebrate your return.
With 10 inches of snow on the ground, I chose to fore-go white today and instead added a little autumn color one last time.
After all, it is still fall for another 2 weeks. I want to know, though. When winter officially begins, is that when the REAL winter pulls out all her punches?
