Cottonwood Pond: Winter's Progression #3

Winter's Progression #3

January 3, 12, and 15, 2018

January 3

January 12 - morning

January 15

It is normally predictable that January brings snow and ice, but these days things are not so predictable. However, this January did bring a succession of snow and ice, just not as much and as consistently as years ago.

As we moved from early to mid-January, we progressed from earlier snow almost disappearing, to very cold, icy weather, to a soft, thick layer of snow. On January 3 ice coated standing water with swirly designs. From a distance, Cottonwood Pond could be easily spotted as a white crescent amid the surrounding brown.

January 12 was full of variation from morning to evening. In the morning, icy water areas were rimmed in white, so that each spot of standing water was outlined, and surrounded by the light layer of snow that lay upon the leaves of the forest floor and woods bottom. By evening there was a thicker, fluffier layer of snow over all, obscuring the lines that were so prevalent earlier. Wind had blown snow onto the sides of trees.

January 15 saw a completely white world, thick and fluffy all over. The ponds, Creek and other normally watery areas were not even visible. It was a slippery world, too, as the snow had hidden icy surfaces. I took many more photos of the snowy woods during this beautiful happening.