Junco In The Snow

photograph of a Junco on a snowy branch

A Junco rests on a snowy branch while out foraging in the snow.  How such a small creature survives the winter never ceases to amaze me.  Does it wake on such a morning wishing it could sleep a little longer, rationalizing that later the snow will melt and its burdens will be just a little lighter?

Melt Off

photograph of trees reflected in a puddle of melting snow

As I hiked past this puddle of melting snow I stopped to look at the reflections in it.  Snow was falling off the trees in clumps and caused ripples in the puddle.

Steaming Stump

photograph of steam coming off a log as snow melts

When I arrived at the edge of the lake, this stump was absorbing the sun.  As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam.  As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water:  frozen (snow), liquid (water), and vapor (steam).

Forest Sunrise After the Snow

photograph of a snow covered forest at sunrise

Snow fell on Richmond Thursday night.  A few inches accumulated but it was nearly all gone within 24 hours.  I took the day off Friday and hiked through Pocahontas State Park.  This photo was taken as the sun rose over the forest.  The park was beautifully covered in snow and I had the place to myself.  I hiked for 5 hours and never saw another person the entire time.