Fish Creek Harbor

Canada Geese in Glow of Sunset

Canada Geese in Glow of Sunset

No, I’m not taking a holiday in Antarctica, though truly, sometimes I start imagining the Canada geese I see are really penguins! Not near the Pole, but winter in Wisconsin can still be a little long. Strong winds broke open the sheet of ice covering Green Bay near Fish Creek, but there is still an icy slush along the shores. Even in the glow of the setting sun, it all looks cold. And with temps hovering in the single digits and the wind chill dropping to 10 below or colder, taking photographs becomes a challenge.

How fast can I set up the shot, take it, and make it back to the interior of the warm car? Hmm. Not quite fast enough.

Twist and Shout – Happy New Year 2010

Steffens in Jefferson County

Dancing Orchard

It’s not too many photos of orchards that make me feel that the trees are all having a good time – spinnin’ a few tunes, let’s all twist and shout. Celebrate a new decade.

Happy 2010! Happy New Year!

Blue Evening

Black Earth Wisconsin

Black Earth Wisconsin

It was a blue evening for several reasons.

Reason one. Within ten minutes of the sun’s disappearance below the horizon, the sky had turned a blue shade and the snow seemed to pick up a blue reflection. Yes, definitely a blue evening.

Second reason. It was shivery cold outside, and I had half of my shooting hand uncovered so I could turn and adjust all those camera knobs and thingamajigs. My thumb and first finger turned an ugly shade of blue and throbbed with a rather angry pulsation for a good hour after I had suitably warmed them. And I swear, the thermometer said it was only 14˚F, not nearly cold enough to begin applying extreme methods during my photo-shooting forays in and out of the car.

Third, I was blessed to have my three children home for at least a part of the holidays, and it is lovely to interact with them as young adults, and to see them enthusiastically enjoy each other’s company. But this was the night of goodbyes, and these goodbyes added a bit of the blues to end of my day.

And, reason four, even though I repeatedly tell myself it is way too early to be developing a bad case of the winter blues, I appear not to be listening to myself. Maybe I need a vacation in, say, a desert clime, or some other such place that evokes  feelings of warmth and well-being. I’m thinking loudly to myself on that idea!

Outdoor Seating – No Wait

Overlooking Wisconsin Farmland

Overlooking Wisconsin Farmland

On warm, summery days, this seating is at a premium. On snowy wintry days, not so much…

Winter Sunset

Dane County Wisconsin

Dane County Wisconsin

Just settling in for a long winter’s nap.