Can it truly be the last Friday of January (otherwise known as the 13th month of 2020)? Where did this month go?! As we usual, we’re joining our hosts, Rosy, Sunny, Arty and Jakey from LLB in Our Backyard for this week’s edition of the Nature Friday blog hop. Don’t forget to “hop” over to their backyard by clicking on the link and checking out what great nature images folks from around Blogville shared.
A welcome snow shower visited us this week to cover anything that might be showing signs of life beyond the brown but we’re not complaining. Before the change in landscape, we noticed on our daily walks that shadows are long this time of year. How long you ask? Well that tree on the right side is approximately halfway into the park (a city block square) and stretches toward the two evergreens which line the outside boundary along the street.
The low winter sun makes for great shadows this time of year and captivates my eye on our walks. Norman & Elsa seemed interested in them too, though I suspect a certain fuzzy ‘hoodlum’ who scampered into that evergreen tree is what mostly piqued their interest. I rather love that tree shadows dominate the landscape on sunny days and stretch across yards. Even Norman’s long legs look longer.
Have you ever noticed winter shadows when you’re out and about?
We hope you have a lovely Friday and a super weekend. We’re planning on being outside as much as possible before next week’s forecasted storm and cold temps. I don’t know about you, but almost 60ºF sounds like a pretty good forecast for today.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Despite all the rumors, there is no problem with the bird flu.
Such beautiful shadows…Winter sun seems to make the most of the light…the sunrises are prettier, the skies more dramatic and the shadows are just gorgeous!
Thanks, guys. Winter shadows are so interesting. I’ve been looking for opportunities to see more of them now.
Daddy long legs with his lacewing sister!!n(Those have really long legs too…)
Shadows can sure make for interesting effects!
I find that sometimes they enhance an image, such as yours, but other times they just seem to get in the way, and act like photobombers, LOL!
Boy, isn’t that the truth! Shadows can be especially challenging with a black dog. Rarely can anyone see her eyes. *sigh
I love the long shadows too!!!! It’s part of what I love about winter photography. Wonderful photos!
Thank you. That’s such high praise coming from you, who photographs amazing scenes in the forest! There’s something very beautiful and special about winter photography.
January flew by for us too, it went by in a blink this year! I love the snow ❄️❄️❄️
We are hoping for more snow later this week. 🤞🏼
I am not the biggest snow fan but it is much prettier than the brown!
It’s just part of having 5 seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter and wind in my city). And yes, snow is far pretty than brown!
Fuzzy hoodlum? You have koalas in Colorado?
Haha…was wondering if you’d pick up my editorial description.
Lulu: “Those are some long-leggedy shadows all right!”
Charlee: “Dada says it’s a good thing there isn’t any vashta nerada around.”
Chaplin: “What’s vashta nerada?”
Charlee: “Some kind of Doctor Who thing.”
Chaplin: “Oh, I should have known …”
Yikes, not the ‘piranhas of air!’ We avoid those “shadows that melt the flesh” by all means.
LOVE winter shadows……..especially how neato trees look in shadow. We expect some snow this weekend and it might be our first “significant” snow so it’s good that we have stocked refrigerator and pantry and plenty of treats for ME cuz I think NOBODY will be going NOWHERE for several days!
Hugs, Teddy
As long as you’ve got plenty of bacon, I think you guys will be fine. Stay safe and warm.
Loooove me some shadows. The sun has been brilliant – however! It’s been getting colder and colder. Just thinking of tomorrow’s walk (coz I’m on a mission) has me shivering… and yet, I know, once I get moving, I’ll be fine. (morning -2, afternoon 10. Actually, not that bad 😉 )
Eek! Now that’s dedication!
Well, we finally got some sunshine here today – and temps close to 50!!! We got Mom to do some short walks with each of us – she has an achy knee these days, so just short ones. No snow, but a day full of rain tomorrow!!!
Woos – Lighting, Misty, and Timber
Yay for sunshine! I think snow will be back again next week. 🤞🏻
Well, that’s January sorted…just the rest of the year to go…Flanders and Swann have the bad news…
https://youtu.be/WujIzsn4ues
Glad to put January in the rear view mirror frankly. It seemed like an extension of December. 😳
That’s a great forecast for Denver. It only got mid 40’s here today, but we saw a lot of sun. Have a great weekend.
Whenever it’s in the 40’s in winter, it’s hard to complain, especially in January.
We enjoy seeing your long shadows. Around here we rarely see the sun this time of year.
Thanks! There have been a number of sunny days before (and after) the snowstorm. It’s always so exciting to see bright blue sky on a winter’s day.
Looks like a fun winter walk for those two!
It was fun for all of us!
Yes, when I fly outside, peeps run because they think my shadow is a monster.
It’s probably not the shadow they fear. 😊
We’re just giddy when we actually get to see the sunshine! It’s also noticeable that the days are getting a little longer. Now we would just be happy when our temperatures are more welcoming to be outside. We’re below zero wind chills today and tomorrow. 🙁
We’ll be joining your temps next week but until then I’m enjoying a gorgeous 57ºF day!
White snow with long shadows, beautiful. We have had so few sunny days, I enjoy your shadows really much.
Aww, thanks Kristiina. Long shadows in snow are pretty cool to see. Next time it snows I hope to go to the big park-they have really tall trees and a lake.
The sun is still quite slow, we are on the same latitudes as Alaska, so if we will have a sunny day I take photos of long, long shadows, too.
Hope you’ll share them!
Of course!
Yay!!
Mee-yow Norman an Elsa yore Sahdowss are furry kewl….mee was out inn Condo Fursday fore 15 minutess an it was frigid an chilley an mee cuud not see mee shadow!!! Mew mew mew…
Enjoy yore nice snow!
**purrss** BellaDharma an <3 LadyMew
Thanks, BellaDharma. Because it’s nice and warm today, the snow is nearly all gone. Boo-hoo. Hopefully we’ll get more next week. 🤞🏼 Stay warm this weekend.
I like the shadows unless I’m trying to take a photo. I never try after 3:00. Have a super weekend, Monika
Shadows can be tricky but when done right, they make terrific photos. But not usually when you’re trying to hold two leashes with tugging dogs looking to chase squirrels in thick gloves. LOL
Exactly.
Happy weekend! Your forecast sounds warmer than ours! Calling for snow starting Sunday and into Tuesday! Will see if they are right.
We have snow forecast for 3 days next week but I’ll be surprised if it actually arrives. Although I heard the Sierra Nevada’s got between 5-8 feet this week so who knows if it’ll move our way or not. Gulp!
We might both get buried!
We’ll have to see how the Gulf Stream pans out; if it dips, then we may get some of the white stuff.
Can you imagine how much poo is hidden under that beautiful blanket of white?
Sadly, I can. This millennial neighborhood has way too many residents who don’t realize the rules actually do apply to them. 😬
The “special folks” are everywhere. Only difference is that in SoCal the evidence is obvious and seems to be increasing although that may just reflect increased curmudgeon-ness on my part.
Aw those two are adorable and I love their shadows. And part of your shadow too? I’m guessing.
Have a woof woof day and weekend, Elsa and Norman. My best to your mom. ♥
Yeah, I couldn’t get an angle without my shadow appeared as well (this one is heavily cropped too!). Have a super weekend.
I love those shadows.
Happy Friday Monika
Thanks, Marco. Winter shadows are so cool because they’re always soooo long. Have a great weekend.
It’s a lot of fun, for sure. 🙂
that looks great… and we think winter shadows look better than those from summer … maybe because with the white background it is more painting-like?
Could be, either way, long shadows are so cool.
Angled light in the winter season always adds a pleasing accent to the landscape. Nice photos!
Thank you. Sometimes the low winter sun makes for some interesting images. Have a lovely weekend.
Snow! We haven’t had much this year although I’m not complaining.
It snowed all day but only laid about 4 inches down. Still…I have no problems with it. Made for a nice couple of days snuggling on the sofa with a couple of fur-kids.
After I move it can snow all it wants!
Getting settled on a snowy day makes for good memories.
Ah no! Been there, done that. Stuff got wet. I got cranky.
Perhaps I should have said, all boxes inside just wait for their final resting spot. I moved once just before Christmas and it snowed that day. Spent the entire day humming and putting things away and even putting up the tree after the kitchen was all sorted (course those the days before I had as much ‘stuff’ as I have now). 😉
Once everything is at the new place, I’ll be good. Not as much energy as in the old days, but I’ll still be good.
Here’s hoping it goes problem free and easy.
Low sun in the afternoons makes for mellow light, which is very great for taking pictures, but the disadvantage is that way too often my shadow is in the picture.
Yeah, trying to keep your own shadow out of the frame is tough in winter shots. I cropped a lot out of that snow scene and still showed up. Couldn’t cut anymore and keep the tree in the frame. Oh well, if that’s the least of my troubles…I’m in good shape. Have a lovely weekend.