Not Yet Spring

The weather on Tuesday was sublime air temperatures in the mid-tens; about 15ºC. Much of the snow in the backyard had melted, but the grass and ground sill felt soggy underfoot.

The weather on Tuesday was sublime with air temperatures in the mid-tens; about 15ºC. Much of the snow in the backyard had melted, but the grass and ground sill felt soggy underfoot. Still, I wanted to satisfy my urge to be outdoors. I had been inside for far too long during the cold, grey and snow damp weeks of January and February. I am still looking for new contract opportunities, and without work to distract me, being at home was affecting my mental health. I was tired of the fluorescent glow from the iMac's display. I wanted to feel some natural light on my face. I decide to hike the Aunt Molly Trail on St. Michael's Preserve.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1400 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1280 sec at f/11 | ISO 400

The first part of the trail was a mixture of ice, water, mud and snow slushy. But once I got up the steep incline near the brook, things changed as the hiking trail opened. The sun fell and soaked my face in cosmic rays of warmth.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1400 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1350 sec at f/10 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1750 sec at f/11 | ISO 400

The trail changed to a crunch layer of packed snow. I could see that many other hikers had trampled the snow and packed it onto the trail.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1350 sec at f/11 | ISO 400

Despite the warmer weather and exposure to full sun, there were large patches of snow. In some places, there was still so much snow that I could not see the trail.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1250 sec at f/7.1 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/2500 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400

In other areas, the leaf biomass's warmth and the lichen had melted the snow to reveal green patches, not just from the Holly.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1250 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 140 sec at f/13 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1180 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 200

I could hear bird song even as the trail changed from ice and snow to mud and ice and ice and water.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 190 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1700 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1800 sec at f/4.5 | ISO 400

Then the trail changed again, mostly mud and ice. The trail was less open and more claustrophobic, lined with leafless trees and shrubs. I could see pockets of green lichen on dead branches and the base of trees.

Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 14700 sec at f/4.5 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1550 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1750 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1250 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 500
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1850 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1450 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/2900 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400

I was mildly concerned that I could no longer tell if I was still on the trail, that I might be wandering off. It was then clear again, and soon, I was back where I started and ready to head home.

Glimpse

I am struggling.

Wow. I am struggling with the last few challenges. I live in an alternative universe where I am one of the few who hates everything about winter with freezing weather and grey skies every day for weeks.

Show us the things you love that makes your world spin or something about your world that make you delirious with joy.

I love hiking and bathing in the light falling through the leaves of the forest canopy. I love warm (but not hot) weather and barbecues in the back yard with close friends and family. I love a day down the shore. I love photographing Warblers that visit from the Caribbean. I love hanging out at the local tavern on a Friday after work and long mid-week lunches with my friends. I love hiking for hours in the forest and woods. I love touring craft micro-breweries.

If the current situation with vaccine distribution offers any glimpse into the future, it looks like I won't experience any of that joy for at least another year.

Snow and Wind

It started on Sunday afternoon and is expected to continue until Tuesday evening.

The snow began falling on Sunday afternoon, transforming the neighbourhood into a winter wonderland, starkly contrasting with Saturday's clear skies. This wintry spectacle is forecasted to continue its performance until Tuesday evening, blanketing our town in a thick, white coat.

Peering out of the kitchen window, the world outside seemed to have undergone a dramatic transformation overnight. The once-familiar scenery was now a canvas of pristine white, significantly different from yesterday's shades of grey and green. The wind relentlessly hurled snow and sleet with such force that it sounded like a shower of coarse sand against our home's sturdy vinyl siding. This symphony of nature's storm created a bewitching, intense ambience, reminding me of the winter season's rugged beauty.

outdoor winter scene
Sunday January 31, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1170 s at f/2.8 | ISO 200
outdoor winter scene
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 130 s at f/9 | ISO 800
outdoor winter scene
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 s at f/9 | ISO 6400

I started the morning by feeding Alphie his favourite breakfast, Friskies Stuf'd & Sauc'd Kick'n With Chicken & Dripp'n in Gravy. I then prepped for my morning coffee ritual, setting up the Chemex, scale, and Barazza
grinder. I planned to cook frumenty, enhancing it with a hint of saffron for a special breakfast treat.

Our neighbourhood had remained untouched by snowploughs since yesterday's snowfall. Bhavna and I had cleared our driveway the previous evening. However, thinking about the back-breaking work ahead and the new snowfall, she snuggled back into bed.

A subtle wave of panic washed over me as I realized it was Monday, 1 February, marking a month since my last contract concluded. The job search, a chore in itself, loomed ahead. Determined, I resolved to make the day count, actively searching for new opportunities.

food in bowl with coffee mug and notebook
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 s at f/2.8 | ISO 1600
outdoor winter scene
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 s at f/16 | ISO 12800
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | JC Penny MultiCoated Optics 80-200mm f/4.5 @ 200 mm | 1640 s at f/8.0 | ISO 800
outdoor winter scene
Monday February 1, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1500 s at f/16 | ISO 10000