Sunday, January 24, 2016

Blizzard 2016 Photo Dump

As I dozed off to sleep last night it had been snowing nonstop at my house for approximately 34 hours. The wind was still kicking up at times, but clearly the big blizzard of 2016 was winding down. I ventured out of bed around 3 a.m., peeked out the window and was struck by the stillness and the luminescence of a full moon casting shadows upon the indulations of snow blanketing my backyard. It was so bright! And beautiful.

As typically follows a huge weather system, today dawned, crisp, clean and cold. The sun was shining! With anywhere from two to three feet of snow in our neighborhood, a driveway to shovel, and a street not plowed, there was no way we were venturing out. And probably won't be leaving the house anytime soon. Jim and I attended 8:00 a.m. Mass in our family room via the live feed from EWTN. Our bishop granted the faithful of our diocese a dispensation from our obligation to attend Mass, but asked that we do our best to keep the sabbath holy. Perhaps the digging out could be offered up as well! And that cabin fever, too?

I love snowstorms - particularly when I don't have to travel anywhere. I do not like driving in dicey weather conditions. I certainly have had my fair share of nerve wracking snow related driving experiences. They are not fun -- especially in the DC metro area. So mostly, I try to stay put before the snow flies.

And I love snow photography. There are many great photographs circulating the internet right now; on Facebook, Instagram, and being shared on print and television news outlets. Here are mine. I share them here for anyone who is willing to endure more snow pictures, but mostly for my Mom, as I know she enjoys my photos more than anyone. (Thanks, Ma!)

The birds were very busy at the feeder throughout the storm.
A junco

A mourning dove hunkering down






























































Holly put up with the snow.

































The snow piled up on the porch roof in front of the upstairs windows. I love how some of it stuck to the glass.



Still snowing at 10:00 p.m.




And then, a new day dawns ...


















































And the great dig-out begins ...