Cottonwood Pond: Winter's Progression #4

Winter's Progression #4

January 18 and 22, 2018

January 18

January 22

Simply put, the differences between January 18 and 22 at Cottonwood Pond and the woodland as a whole, despite being only four days apart, were like night and day. That's Indiana!

The land was covered in deep snow on January 18, which sparkled in the bright sun. Above all of this alabaster beauty was the brightest blue sky I had seen in a long time. Perhaps the contrast made the blue seem more vivid than such a sky would seem in the summertime. The snow reflected some of the blue, and the bright sun created sharply defined shadows on the snow. Some tracks belied animal activity during the short period between snowfall and when I visited Cottonwood Pond.

Snow sparkles!

Snow covering the base of the Two-Trunk White Ash, next to the Isthmus

The Cottonwood Trunk

Crystalline portals to Creek water

Looking down the Very Rotten Log, from the main pond to the Creek

Another peek at the Creek, under the Barkless Log - tracks in the snow

The snow was recent, but some creatures had explored the Cottonwood Pond area before I was there.

Looking for water

Off to the upland

Harvesting fallen seeds

"little pond":

Four days later, the snow had all melted, and rain had finished it off by washing away the last vestiges. All had returned to shades of brown and gray. Pools of water had appeared around the pond area, and the Creek was full. The water reflected the bright sun, which also lit up trees and hillsides.